Written by Brian Collins Now that cold winter weather is gone, classic cars across the country are being prepped for driving events and road trips. Before you take off, are you confident that your car is reliable and safe to drive? Classic British cars don’t suffer from a lot of problems just because they’re British. That’s a stereotype that’s been perpetuated by people who don’t properly maintain their cars. While some British cars feature engineering oddities, these cars typically suffer from problems that plague many other 50+ year-old cars. With proper maintenance and thorough inspection, your car can be made to be reliable and road worthy. We made a short list of things to inspect before you hit the road: 1. Tires
What to Inspect: All tires that have been produced since 2000 are serialized to help identify the manufacture date and age of the tire. Tire Rack has an excellent guide on how to find and decode serial numbers. Click here to read their how-to guide. If your tires are over 6 years old, simply have them replaced with new ones. You’ll have one less thing to worry about and can enjoy the improvement in traction in handling. 2. Brake System
What to Inspect: • Inspect front and rear brakes for excessive wear or fluid leaks • Replace old rubber brake lines • Replace old fluid and make sure air is purged from lines when you bleed them • Check to see if your brake lights are working- If they don't, inspect your brake switch and grounds • If you hear a hissing noise beyond your firewall, inspect your servo, check valve, and vacuum hoses. • Check for brake pedal for clevis pin wear • Inspect your return spring under the dash 3. Headlights and Brake Lights
What to Inspect: • Inspect to make sure headlights and brake lights work • Inspect headlight switch • Inspect hazard and turn signal lights • Clean up grounds on lights and use dialectic grease to protect them • Clean any corroded or dirty fuses or terminals. DeoxIT and pipe cleaners are tedious but worthwhile. 4. Old Rubber
What to Inspect: • Inspect radiator hoses for cracking or coolant leaks • Replace old v-belt. They're cheap and easy - just do it. • Check valve cover gasket for oil leaks • Inspect old suspension bushings. If they're cracked or falling apart, replace them. 5. Fuel System
What to Inspect: • Inspect your fuel filters for sediment. If you replace your filters and notice a quick sediment buildup, your tank may be suspect. • If you're using an original or questionably old fuel pump, consider installing a new one. In the very least, make sure your power connections and hoses to the fuel pump are good.
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Written by the Ceres Motorsports team.Archives
October 2018
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