Here are 10 practical ways to help you and your classic car cope with the winter months. So get the fire going, pop on your slippers and enjoy Fuzz's wise words...
Well, folks, winter is just around the corner and those darlings at the council depot have been busy all summer, experimenting with formulae for the stickiest and most corrosive road salt known to humankind. Word has it that the bods at the lab have dissolved several cars in a supreme effort to rid the roads of ancient cars but little do they know that we're playing a waiting game.
There is a temptation for any owner to shove his or her classic in the garage in November, lock the door and return on 1 March fully expecting the car to drive away given a battery charge and quick tyre pump-up. Or just as likely, an understandably, many people have good intentions but come the freezing weather mysteriously find themselves spending three months watching the box and eating mince pies with the central heating on full.
Ignoring your classic for the winter is unwise, could prove costly and can seriously affect the safety of your car. However, we're living in the real world where real human beings basically put things off.
None of the tips I've listed here cost a fortune or take ages to act upon, nor do you need to have won engineering awards to carry them out successfully. And don't forget that cars like to be used, or that the classic season doesn't end after November's Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show. So, wrap up warm, and carry on winter classic motoring.
1. Drain your coolant
Anti-freeze nowadays is great stuff anf may ordinarily be relied upon to do its job well. But if your cooling system has sprung the odd leak during summer, it may just be that the coolant contains more freeze than anti. Draining it means you can be sure your block won't split.
2. Calipers
Uneven wear of pads and discs can often be down to seized caliper pistons or sliders. Gently ease the pistons back into the calipers after first ensuring that they are free from dirt and rust, using a little brake cleaner and a light abrasive pad. Failure to operate smoothly and evenly means that it's time for overhaul. Obviously it would be better to carry out this owrk as near to the time you actively use the car as possible, but it must be done. Do not forget!
3. Bearing down
Older classics' hubs often are fitted with taper roller bearings. These need to be greased by hand, which is a messy, bu vital job. However, getting at hub bearings can often require the use of a hub puller, so consult your club tech' expert and borrow the correct type.
4. Filters
Along with the engine oil, change the oil filter. This is an absolute must. To make it easier to achieve, have a good quality oil filter strap wrench to hand, to avoid having to use the butchering with a screwdriver method method as this can end up in pain and engine oil spread over a wide area.
5. Fuel hoses
It has probably been quite some time since your car was treated to a set of new flexible fuel hoses, especially those fitted around th nether regions of the tank and underside. New, fuel-spec' hoses are a must and please, do yourself a favour, replace those cheapo braided versions between your carburettors. They're probably fit to burst. Modern fuels can wreak havoc with ageing rubber hoses.
6. Wiggle it
While the old girl's in hibernation for the winter, get an assistant to rock the steering. What you're looking for ia 'jumpy' unproductive movvement at the steering joints, rack or steering box. Any worn items will need replacement or overhaul so now's the time to do it.
...and while you're sitting comfortably, check the steering column bearing by lifting the steering wheel up and down, rather than trying to pull it off the column. If there's anything more than the slightest lift, it's time to check further and see what's going on. Safety first, always.
7. Bulbs
No, not plating for springtime blooms, but ensure all the connections are free from corrosion. If there is any sign of cables becoming overheated, melting insulation and the like, there's either excessive resistance or too much power getting there. Clean all connections and fit new buls.
8. Lights
Bright shiny paint is always let down by grubby light lenses. In order to give them a really good clean, remove them from the car and give them a really good soak in warm water with a spot of light - excuse the pun - detergent. Inside the house, similar activity is known as 'doing the washing up'.
9. Protect your chrome
There's nowt worse than pitted chrome and it can be costly to put right. Smear it with some car body cavity wax, but do remember that it'll be you wiping it off again come spring time.
10. Dehumidify the interior
Due to fluctuating temperatures, condensation will be a problem inside the car and thus little rivulets will descned form glassy heights over rubbers onto hardboard door cards and into welcomingly absorbent carpeets and mats. A couple of regularly attended dehumidifying canisters will help catch the water vapour.
However, instead of hiding away, why not do all of the above and take the car out for regular winter spins in decent weather? It really is the best thing for your car and it'll keep your own spirits raised too.