On Wed, 17 Jan 2007 10:21:06 +1100, "Rod Speed"
wrote:

Mark Jerde wrote
Rod Speed wrote
Mark Jerde wrote

I recall the 1960's:
- TVs going out until a repairman with a bunch of tubes showed up.
- Automobiles needing constant maintenance.

No they didnt.

Oil change every 1500 miles
Adjust valves every 6000 miles.
Decarbonize every 25000 miles OR
Valve job every 30,000 miles.
Rings and bearings at about 50,000 miles.
Spark plugs and points every 12000 miles.
Adjust timing and carb about the same time.
rebuild the carb every 30,000 miles or 3 years.
Adjust the choke twice a year (if in cold winter areas)
replace generator brushes every 12000 miles.
Replace engine main seals every 50,000 miles
Replace ball joints and shocks every 2 years
rebuild brake cyls every 3 years.
replace exhaust aprox every 18 months.
replace rad hoses and fan belts roughly every 2 years.

If the body lasted five years without rust-through you were doing well
indeed. (here in the salty great white north)
A paint job was good for about 5 years, and a ten year old car was
JUNK.
A car with 100,000 miles on it was a rarity (160,000 km) Today 240,000
km is "nicely broken in" and 350,000km is not out of the ordinary. -
and that's without even opening the engine - all the original factory
gaskes/sealant still in place in many cases.
Of course, there are MANY that never make it, due to abuse, neglect,
poor design - but a VERY FEW back in the 50s, 60s, and 70s made
100,000 miles without some MAJOR repair, and a LOT of maintenance.

Leaded fuel was a large part of the cause, engine-wise.

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