[TR] When to rebuild

[Alex&Janet Thomson]

I wonder if some industries were ahead of others when it came to engineering
and providing long-term value and reliability. When the John Deere model A
and B row crop tractors were introduced in 1934 and '35 respectively, both
were equipped with pressure lube systems with an easily adjustable relief
valve and a full-flow filter. The early filters were of a cleanable, metal
edge design made by Purolator. Later in the decade, paper elements were the
standard issue and an update kit allowed you to convert an older machine to
the newer style paper elements. That update kit is still available from
Deere, but for $220. The paper element, AR26350, lists for about $6.50 and
was used on tractors up through the very early seventies. Nearly 40 years
without a change of part numbers - that made it easy on the farm that
stocked filters for their tractors! 

Positive crankcase ventilation was also part of those 1930's machines. A
tube carried crankcase blow-by to the air cleaner inlet Later, in 1947, a
roller pump driven by the fan shaft was added to increase the efficiency of
the PCV system. It's always fascinating looking at old machine design. If
any of you have a "Popular Mechanics" or similar magazine from the 30's,
40's or even 50's, take a look at the number of ads for replacement piston
rings, bearings and valves. You will see references such as "at your next
regular valve grind" or "at the next bearing roll-in." What a difference
from today.

Thanks for the chance to reminisce.

Alex Thomson

-----Original Message-----
From: triumphs-bounces at autox.team.net
[mailto:triumphs-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Randall
Sent: Sunday, March 10, 2013 6:22 PM
Cc: Triumphs at autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [TR] When to rebuild

> Ah, yes.  We tend to forget the history of engine development.  In the 
> early days there was the total loss oiling systems.  Then the concept 
> of reusing the oil was introduced.  This led to oil filtering (bypass 
> filtering).

You left out the amusing part : Some car makers claimed that filtering the
oil was unnecessary!

My first car (a 62 Chevy) had the optional, bypass oil filter canister
mounted on a bracket, with external lines to an oil gallery and the side of
the crankcase.  Oddly enough, Triumph had already been using full-flow
filters for 6 or 7 years (and my Chevy also had the rope rear main seal),
showing again that they were actually innovative cars for their time.

Shame they couldn't keep it up.

-- Randall 

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