XPost: comp.os.linux.misc   
   From: robin_listas@es.invalid   
      
   On 2025-12-14 06:03, c186282 wrote:   
   > On 12/13/25 15:03, Carlos E.R. wrote:   
   >> On 2025-12-13 10:06, c186282 wrote:   
   >>> On 12/12/25 21:52, Lars Poulsen wrote:   
   >>>> On 2025-12-12 16:39, The Natural Philosopher wrote:   
   >>>>>> None of these worth importing to the USA because of Big Beautiful   
   >>>>>> Tariffs,.   
   >>>>   
   >>>> Also, there is no dealer network and spareparts distribution. That is   
   >>>> the real showstopper; that is why Fiat could never be viable in the US:   
   >>>> N o matter what the problem was, the car would sit at the shop until   
   >>>> parts could come in from Europe. (A colleague back in Denmark has the   
   >>>> same issue when he bought a Jauar E-type.)   
   >>>   
   >>>    "Parts" are a BIG deal ... and one that most   
   >>>    overlook. Japan/Korea made sure you could get   
   >>>    parts rather easily ... but most EU makers   
   >>>    never did.   
   >>   
   >> My father had an Austin 1300. Initially things were well, but then   
   >> Austin abandoned Spain, I don't know why. This would be in the late   
   >> 70's. Spares became difficult or impossible to find, and we are   
   >> talking about UK and Spain, not Japan. Not that far away. We used   
   >> parts from other brands, but better from junk yards.   
   >>   
   >> The motor broke one teeth of the inertia wheel, that has teeth for the   
   >> starter motor. One broke, so sometimes the starter would spin "empty".   
   >> We had to push the car with gear engaged for just a bit, then try the   
   >> starter again.   
   >>   
   >> I think the garage replaced the thing with a part from a Fiat. The   
   >> problem then became that the motor would get stuck. Different shape of   
   >> teeth. Finally the garage man found a wheel at a junk yard. That   
   >> worked fine.   
   >   
   >    It IS possible to weld new teeth on a cast-iron gear,   
   >    I watched someone do it. Takes an EXPERT though and   
   >    special weld material and some pre-heating. The smith   
   >    made a profile template using epoxy paste. Then it's   
   >    hand-filing. Apply template, see what needs adjusting,   
   >    repeat. After four or five passes yer new tooth is   
   >    "good enough". Took the guy about 90 minutes - and   
   >    he CHARGED accordingly. HOWEVER if you just CAN'T   
   >    find a replacement part, well .....   
      
   My father would not know about that, nor me. I don't know if the   
   mechanic knew but did not suggest it. No internet at the time to find   
   out, and Spain was getting out of the dark ages (Franco times).   
      
   The same care broke a palier later (not sure if that word is used in   
   English). The short iron rod transmitting rotation from motor to front   
   wheel. The mechanic bought a longer one from another car, cut a bit out   
   of the centre, and soldered it back.   
      
   https://share.google/TgOnbjTffax1tGRe8   
      
   Fortunately, my parents bought a new car soon after that and sold the   
   Austin. The person buying it was happy, bought it for spares. Said ours   
   was in better state than his.   
      
   --   
   Cheers, Carlos.   
   ES🇪🇸, EU🇪🇺;   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)