At a recent tech session we looked at several big block C2's. To facilitate judging the block casting date, the owner was asked to turn his steering wheel to the right while two members helped by turning both front wheels by hand. The owner insisted on starting the car before turning his steering wheel claiming that damage would be done to his power steering if the wheels were turned by hand without starting the car. This was the first time I had heard this and I have seen this done at many Chapter, Regional and National judging meets. Did this owner have a legimate concern?
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Re: Damage during judging.
what year car is it a 65-67 BB? I dont understand how turing the wheels would help? see the casting dates? -
Re: Damage during judging.
Only damage would be to owners muscles Lyndon, big block casting dates are on the right side of the block just above the oil pan rail. Right near the starter. This continued in this location until sometime in the first quarter of 1969Dick WhittingtonComment
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Re: Damage during judging.
well that explains it, thanks Dick. I am used to the 70-72 BB cars.Comment
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Re: Damage during judging.
Rick-----
The owner was misinformed. No damage will occur to the power steering system if the linkage is activated by hand, either at the steering wheel or otherwise.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Damage during judging.
was the owner from long island? mikeComment
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Re: Damage during judging.
Turning the steering wheel without starting the engine on a power steering car can crack the plastic on the steering wheel (or add more cracks to it). It will flex and : (
TerryComment
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Re: Damage during judging.
As a policy, I believe it is advisable to follow the owner's wishes on how to treat his/her Corvette. To do otherwise is to invite controversy in regard to vehicle damage, real or perceived. On the judging field, this can result in judging deductions if the owners demands makes it impossible to judge certain items or functions and the owner needs to be so advised. As an example, during flight judging an owner refused to remove a protective covering and was politely informed that a full originality and condition deduction would have to be made which they readily accepted.Comment
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Rick, the owner of this car
was advised that starting the engine was not of benefit and that in fact would do more harm than good. It's his car and he can believe what he wants. As Don said above, the owner gets the final word.
It was funny however seeing you and several others jump when the car backfired out of the left hand side pipe. Hope that's not why you left early.Comment
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Re: Damage during judging.
Terry-----
If turning the steering wheel of a car with power steering while the engine is "off" causes the steering wheel to crack, then the wheel is not in very good shape to begin with and probably shouldn't be on the car for driving.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Damage during judging.
I have had a few steering wheels to play with for a 67/68 corvette. They bend fairly easily. I think they start to bend easier once they start to crack at the spokes. 35 to 40 year old plastic that is wrapped around a steel core just doesn't hack it. It is brittle and has lost its forgiveness. When the steering wheels were new, I think they could hack it without cracking and the plastic probably reinforced the steel ring somewhat. I suspect a bias ply tire would turn a little easier but a radial tire would kill it (the steering wheel that is). May not do it the first time but eventually, in my mostly worthless opinion, it would start to crack the plastic on the wheel.
Side bar: Back in the good old days I had a 70 Nova with a 454 in it. It was manual steering with a plastic wheel. The steering wheel was cracked all over the place from me cranking on it (a little apples to oranges but very close).
In my opinion, a car made out of plastic that has doors with absolutely no reinforcement in them or protection for the driver shouldn't be on the road either. But that didn't stop them back in those days. Didn't stop the Pinto either (wasn't that a lovely car).
Always respect your opinon but I guess I dissagree Best regards, TerryComment
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Re: Damage during judging.
Consider also that the power steering cars when the engine is off steer even harder than the manual cars because of how the tie rods connect to the spindles. Driving my Nova was like going to Gold's Gym whenever I drove it. But man...that car could launch. I really liked that car, a 4-door sleeper with a 4 speed and positraction. I might have to build me another one. Later, TerryComment
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