Practically Used Homestead Wheels

Article Tools

Image Gallery

Print

E-mail

Comments

RSS

As for water pollution, the lead is out of gasoline and the rest is up to us. Years ago I drained antifreeze onto the ground while old oil sat around in leaky milk jugs. I use the new Sierra Brand of nontoxic/biodegradable antifreeze containing propylene glycol and will try to have that recycled/rejuvenated annually rather than changing it each year, Our town dump accepts old oil for recycling. If they didn't I'd pay a gas station to dispose of it, which is mandated by law in 21 states and should be everywhere, as a single 4-quart oil change can pollute a million gallons of water.

Fuel efficiency is largely a function of vehicle weight, and weight a function of size and relative content of heavy steel vs. light-weight aluminum or composite. The current economy champ is the Japanese-import Geo Metro, a tiny, thin-steel unibody model that gets 55+mpg and weighs only 1,621 lb. But look at one after a wreck? They fold up like tin cans. I wouldn't drive one as long as there are I8-wheelers on the road.

You can do very well by being fuelflow conscious; keep speed low and the gear as high as you can so long as the engine doesn't labor. Pretend there's a raw egg between your foot and the accelerator pedal; a gentle pressure won't break it, but let go or jerk hard and Krakk!

Here are four things you can do to reduce your older vehicle's pollution potential by 70% or more without harming performance.

1. Fuel can gush out to soften tarmac and evaporate into the air when air is trapped in an old-style unvented filler pipe. So, listen as you fill. When capacity is about reached, the sound will change to a gurgle and then to a higher pitched roar as fuel rushes up the pipe. At the first change in tone, release the lever.

2. To burn crankcase fumes, install a PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) system. At any auto dealership, buy a PCV valve and grommet and a PVC aircleaner filter and grommet for a modern auto of your engine's size. Drill holes to install the valve in a valve cover, and the filter in the aircleaner and connect with fuel-proof rubber hose. Look at any new car for an example.

3. Reduce exhaust emissions by installing a catalytic converter (a pair or a dual-in/dual-out unit for old-time real dual exhausts). Have a genuine exhaustsystem expert (not a mufflershop) locate and install it in your exhaust system so it will heat up enough to fire off but be shielded so as not to burn the vehicle or ignite leaf piles in the gutter. The best deal I know comes from Don's Hot Rod Shop, 2811 N. Stone Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705. Don sells universal free-flow converters for 2"' to 2 1/2" -diameter pipes for about $80. Converters for a muscle car's 3" pipes cost more. Call 1800-888-8892.

RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print