On Sun, 05 Aug 2007 12:17:39 -0700, wrote:

This "metalworking in Canadian Bush" thread reminds me ofan experience
over 30 years ago, let's call it "Metalworking on the African Veldt"

I was heading down from the Tonga Plateau (Macha Mission) in Zambia,
Central Africa in 1973ish driving a 1949 VW beetle.Heading back home
to Livingston and the Victoria Falls, when the engine sped up and the
car slowed down coming up a long low rise. Fearing the worst(lost the
clutch?) I let the car coast to a stop, and got out to check it over.
(still in gear). The right rear axle nut was turning - but that was
all. Turns out I had stripped the spline out of the brake drum.
After hitchihiking (and walking a good part of the way in 100 degree F
temps)about 10 miles to a friend's place, who towed me back with his
Kombi, we pulled the drum and found it beyond repair. He knew some
Canadian Catholic priests who ran a small trade school just other side
of Choma who were "VW Nuts" and had lots of old parts around. We
headed over and found an old drum - but not an old enough one. (1963 -
1,57 inch wide IIRC) The '49 was only about 1 1/16" wide so with a
hacksaw, hammer, and cold chisel we cut it down to size to make it
fit. Got me home,was still working when I sold it and came home in
'75, and for all I know is STILL there.

A (Canadian) friend about the same time had been to Malawi driving a
Land Rover and he broke a tie rod. He wired a broom stick in place
with fence wire scrounged from an old fence, and slowly and carefully
drove the vehicle back to civilization.

Just two of many "Zamfixes" I could tell you about from my years
teaching Auto Mechanics in Zambia in the '70s.

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