|
Post by grandad on Sept 13, 2018 8:54:19 GMT 10
I wonder if Australia got a different Auto to North America. I know Dad originally bought a very old and heavy caravan called a McGuiness. He complained bitterly about how heavy it was and it was the reason he lashed out on a new Airstream and a new Buick. He pulled it all over the country and it was no tiny thing. 22' from memory including the drawbar so probably 18' body. I know Airstreams are lauded as being light but how light can an 18' caravan be?
|
|
|
Post by Don Ricardo on Sept 13, 2018 10:52:11 GMT 10
...I know Dad originally bought a very old and heavy caravan called a McGuiness... Sorry, Koala, I'm about to go off-topic or maybe it's offroad... "I know Dad originally bought a very old and heavy caravan called a McGuiness." Hang on Grandad, back up! Your father bought a what? Have you told us about the McGuiness van before? What can you tell us? Don Ricardo
|
|
|
Post by Koala on Sept 13, 2018 18:36:39 GMT 10
Hi Grandad The Buick in your photos is a 56 Roadmaster model. Maybe it was a 3 speed manual which would be more desirable for towing. Regards the Dynaflow transmission it is not strictly correct to refer to it as a automatic transmission in the normal sense as it does not automatically change `gears'. They have what you would call a manually selected high range for normal driving and a manually selected low range for starting on steep grades. Within each range the torque convertor would provide what can be described as different ratios depending on throttle position and engine speed but it does not automatically change gears. If you floor the throttle it will appear to kick down like a modern auto but all it is really doing is changing the flow of oil through the torque convertor. Operation could be described as being similar to modern CVT transmissions. What all this means is that when towing a caravan you do not actually have gears to select and the best you can do when you come to a hill is floor the accelerator to force the torque convertor to effectively change ratio. The engine revs (and fuel consumption) will rise but not in proportion to road speed as it is a fluid drive not a gear change. The end result is a lot of noise and a rapid increase in engine and transmission oil temperature but not much else as you wish for the top of the crest to finally arrive before either the engine or transmission temperature reach critical. On the positive side, when not towing a caravan it is a beautiful smooth transmission with no jerky gear changes like other transmissions of the era. Because it has a oil pump at the rear of the transmission it is possible to push start the car. If you want to have some fun at traffic lights, select low range and floor the accelerator, when you get off the line ease off the accelerator so the torque convertor changes, when you reach 40mph bang the shift lever into high range and floor the accelerator again...….it makes that big bonnet rise and fall nicely. Or for fun you can do the same in reverse Koala
|
|
|
Post by Roehm3108 on Sept 14, 2018 7:22:56 GMT 10
Hi KK Was looking for something else and came across a pic of the awning on the Trail-a-home. Hope you duplicated it correctly!!!
|
|
|
Post by grandad on Sept 14, 2018 8:35:49 GMT 10
...I know Dad originally bought a very old and heavy caravan called a McGuiness... Sorry, Koala, I'm about to go off-topic or maybe it's offroad... "I know Dad originally bought a very old and heavy caravan called a McGuiness." Hang on Grandad, back up! Your father bought a what? Have you told us about the McGuiness van before? What can you tell us? Don Ricardo Is there something significant about a McGuiness? If so, I'll dig out some pics and start a new topic Jim
|
|
|
Post by Koala on Sept 14, 2018 11:35:11 GMT 10
Hi Ray I was careful not to infringe on your copyright so did not include the moth holes. Koala
|
|
|
Post by Koala on Apr 9, 2019 12:19:36 GMT 10
Since I finished restoring the Wayfarer I have been trying to locate the source of water leaks from the Alfab windows. The main problem leaks have been in the corners at both front and back even though all the window rubbers have been replaced. After much head scratching I found that the water was coming off the roof of the van and finding its way by tracking along under the hinges and getting behind the window to van sealing rubber. There is supposed to be a rubber end block fitted into the end of the hinges to stop this happening. I had one of these blocks and didn't like my chances of finding new ones but was pleasantly surprised to find that they are still available direct from Alfab at $1 each. So far Alfab have been able to supply all requested parts for these windows as fitted to the 64 Wayfarer. This photo is of a window with the end block correctly fitted. Koala
|
|
|
Post by Koala on Oct 20, 2022 11:06:56 GMT 10
|
|
|
Post by Don Ricardo on Oct 21, 2022 18:05:55 GMT 10
Hi Koala, What a fabulous trip you've had! Thanks for posting the photos. It's a while since someone posted photos of a "grand tour" in their vintage van. I'm glad to hear that the Wayfarer looked after you so well. She's definitely a grand old lady! (Unlike you and Mrs Koala - you're just young whippersnappers yet. ) Don Ricardo
|
|