[Alan Bean]

Hi there, i'm after some advise on restoring a couple of my old 1970's F1 cars. I'm buliding my own scenic slot track and have found this forum always really helpful so hope someone can give advise as i don't know where to start.

I've got a few old F1 cars from the original set my dad bought me when i was 3 months old (think he bought it for him then) and i would like to restore them to race against each other on my track. After going through the cars the two which are in best condition are a 1977 JPS Lotus - C126 and a 1977 Ferrari - C136. There's a few March's and a Tyrell but the wings have fallen off and the Lotus and Ferrari were my favourites when younger.

Anyhow I have fitted new braids but the tyres have gone hard and the old motors don't sound that happy either. I have scrubbed the rear tires on some sandpaper and even though the cars have some slight traction now, the motors are reving but the cars aren't moving that good. I was wondering what would be the best new tires to fit to both cars and a new motor. Would a newer motor fit or is there anywhere i can get reconditioned motors?

I have never taken a slot car to bits so a bit scared to take the motors to bits and reconditioned them myself which is what a read somewhere on line. Any help on this would be really grateful.

Thanks,

Al

 

[Hugh C Davies]

From what you say I'd replace the tyres before doing anything else. I had some last year from Lddiscounts on flea bay and they made a big difference.

I'd not recomend taking the motors apart as I've never got them to go back together again properly, and I spent hours trying in my youth. What I would suggest if they're not running well is dipping the motor (not the car) in meths to clean it out.

Hugh

 

[abbo]

These cars were a very basic design and are therefore easy to work on. I would think that most of the wear-and-tear items on your cars would need replacing and all parts are easy to get hold of. The pinions on the motor shaft were horrible and would split on a regular basis.
As for the motor, don't be afraid to take it apart and have a go - there are plenty of these cars on eBay to get a replacement if you make a mistake.

Also the guys at Bearwood will give you advice I'm sure... they race them all the time in a Historic series:

http://www.slotforum.com/forums/index.php?...c=59483&hl=

Good luck

ABBO

 

[MAF]

If the motors are revving but the car's not moving would suggest a split pinion as mentioned above. You can get new tyres and pinions from Slot City Tyres and pinions.

I wouldn't bother changing the front tyres, the less grip they have the better.

 

[loosesalute]

RSSlotracing.com for new Ortmann tyres . Best replacements available. A light oiling also wouldn`t go amiss after all these years.
Cheers
Kev.

 

[Ian H]

Hello Chum!

I've put some answers in the text below for ease of reference.

If you need any more help let me know.

QUOTE (Alan Bean @ 8 Apr 2012, 08:32) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi there, i'm after some advise on restoring a couple of my old 1970's F1 cars. I'm buliding my own scenic slot track and have found this forum always really helpful so hope someone can give advise as i don't know where to start.

I've got a few old F1 cars from the original set my dad bought me when i was 3 months old (think he bought it for him then) and i would like to restore them to race against each other on my track. After going through the cars the two which are in best condition are a 1977 JPS Lotus - C126 and a 1977 Ferrari - C136. There's a few March's and a Tyrell but the wings have fallen off and the Lotus and Ferrari were my favourites when younger.

Google "Scalextric Car Restorations" for replacement wings and so on.

Anyhow I have fitted new braids but the tyres have gone hard and the old motors don't sound that happy either. I have scrubbed the rear tires on some sandpaper and even though the cars have some slight traction now, Get replacement Tyres from SLOT CAR WALES They are great! the motors are reving but the cars aren't moving that good. - Sounds like a cracked pinion to me, Get a a replacement from Scalextric Car Restorations - I was wondering what would be the best new tires to fit to both cars and a new motor. Would a newer motor fit or is there anywhere i can get reconditioned motors?

I have never taken a slot car to bits so a bit scared to take the motors to bits and reconditioned them myself which is what a read somewhere on line. Any help on this would be really grateful.

Give them a really good blow out with MAPLINS Contact Cleaner and then a light oil at both ends of the motor shaft, works wonders!

Thanks,

Al

 

[SL0TCAR]

Hi Al,

From my own personal experience mate take it from me - DO NOT buy repro parts! My advice to you would be to go for original body parts for your old cars and you'll eventually find everything you need like I do on eBay, just be patient.

Repro parts are inferior, badly made and generally don't fit properly and need trimming which can be risky if you are not used to 'modelling'.
I've had my fingers burnt in the past and have now learned my lesson.

You may pay a little more for original parts but it's so worth it, definitely your best option. I would imagine anyone who has purchased both original and repro parts will agree with this opinion 100%

As for replacement tyres you'll be able to purchase these from many internet sources.

Take care friend,

Billy

 

[Darkcrystal]

As said earlier, these car are easy to fix and to work with, spare parts are (or should be) easy to find. But take the advice of NOT purchacing repro-parts. I´m very sorry to mention that such a store as "Scalextric Car Restorations" is the worst possible place to get parts, tyres or decals (I learned my lesson the hard way). Do try to find the originals spares.

 

[Ian H]

H'mm.

Some interesting comments here about Scalextric Car Restorations.

I don't use them a lot as I scratch build most of the missing bits that I need (wings etc) or source them from swap meets.

Having said that I've used them a couple of times when I could not be bothered to scratch build something and I've never really had any problems with their services at all.

Apart from the decals which were awful! Mind you they did send those free with my order so I should not complain really.

They've got a reasonable store of chassis and engine bits if you can't get hold of them.

If you can build your own parts that are missing it is much more satisfying anyway, but then again not eveybody wants to or has the skills/tools/workshop to do it for themselves.

All the best.

 

[Mr Modifier]

Hi Alan,

If you are wondering which tyres to order - both your Lotus and Ferrari use the same tyres.

These are small superslix at the front and large superslix at the rear.

If the fronts are not cracked then take the advice already given and keep them. You might even consider a hard coating like clear nail varnish or clear acrylic or even superglue as the less friction/drag at the front the better.

With the rears - original rubber (you can still get these) will be OK if you are running on classic track. You could also consider treating the tyres with oil (search SlotForum for guidance).

If you are running on modern Sport track or any smooth track you will find the original rubber tyres don't grip as well as you remember.

There are repro tyres out there that are made from Urethane rubber which are much better at gripping smoother tracks and still offer the ability to slide the tail if you want (especially if you don't use traction magnets).

I find that the large superslix work great with a really soft compound Urethane rubber because they are thick tyres and hold themselves together well so you can go as low as a Shore A 20 rating. Shore A 40 is the norm and will perform almost as well as the 20's. Shore A 40 will be called high grip or sticky or something similar. The Shore A 20's will be called super sticky or similar but check with the supplier.

Urethanes also last quite a long time and don't need treating (just a little cleaning from time to time with sticky tape to get the dust off).

If you do buy repro tyres check with the supplier that the moulds are of the complete tyres - some use the open mould method which means the inside edge of the tyres are not finished properly - this is not a problem with saloons but will be obvious on your F1 cars. Don't trust photos because there may be some that deliberately don't show the poorly finished side.

Why all the fussing about with tyres? They are probably the single most important component on your slot car and probably the easiest upgrade.

 

[Darkcrystal]

Some interesting comments here about Scalextric Car Restorations?

And here is why. My order (last year) included

- Mk 1 Escort front bumper with lights (it was so poorly made that it went basicly straight into the trashcan, it was awful)
- UOP Shadow air intakes (they fit poorly and requied finishing with sandpaper)
- March-Ford 721 windshields (they fitted poorly)
- Decals for Mexico Escort (logos, flags, tags were too big to fit, stripes were edgy and they didn´t hold their place after assembly)
- 5 pairs of tyres (while trueing it come clear that the material is not smooth enough to get an even surface and good grip)

I race slotcars on national series in Finland (incl. vintage) and I do know the difference between good and poor quality. To receive this load of **** was very dissapointing and it didn´t warm me much to get an extra pair of braids for free or if the service so far had been ok.

They´ll never hear from me again.

- K

 

[Gemma]

I've bought from Scalextric Car Restorations and don't disagree with comments above and have purchased some of the same items and used them but they are inferior to the originals. Not too bad though if you have modelling skills and intend to run the cars as opposed to display them. I tend to take the route now of if I really can't find an original part I will buy from SCR but not with great expectations of fit and quality.

Why I'm posting though is on the motors. Nothing wrong with having a bash at getting the old motors working but I have taken to fitting newer motors out of later cars. These motors can often be picked up at a very low price and I have found the driveability of my '70s cars is much improved with newer motors which require no restoration at all. There might be the need for various spaces etc, but many of these can be picked up on ebay or pinched from scrappers.

 

[Alan Bean]

Thanks for the comments and advise, I'll let you know what I do and how I get on.

Cheers,
Alan

 

[scalexkid]

Only, ever so slightly off topic.

Alan, can I presume from the fact that your profile indicates south yorkshire as your abode that you are in fact, not 'that Alan Beane' ? (Ya know, the fourth person to walk on the moon?)

FWIW my surname is also Bean(e), and I too have heard them all, french, runner, baked, mexican jumping, even 'old', do you have a yellow mini yada, yada

I too am missing parts from the same era F1 cars, so I am interested in how you get on.

scalexkid

 

[FMS]

Have you tried these who all provide parts (Listed in no particular order)

either Pendle Slot racing www.pendleslotracing.co.uk
or Phil Smith www.scalesslotcars.co.uk
or Mark Scale www.scalemodels.co.uk
or BTS www.btsmouldings.co.uk/
or for tyres RS - http://www.rsslotracing.com/tyres_modernRacing.htm
or Really Useful Spares http://www.proweb.co.uk/~stevecannon/useful.htm
or In spain there is Slotmania http://www.gruposlotmania.net.

I haven't used the last 3 on the list personally.
When I had a problem with my order from Scalextric Car Restorations they did not reply and I gave up on them.
As mentioned in other posts a repro spare will not be as good as getting an old original spare

Does anyone have any other parts suppliers to add? Should there be a master list on the forum?

PS There is a good Links list on http://www.oxonscalextricclub.co.uk/pages/links.php

 

[CJA]

Hi Alan,

Doncaster eh?.

We have a friendly and charismatic Slot Club in Gainsborough.

See our website !!.

You are very welcome to come across ony Thursday evening. We have members from Doncaster area, so a lift may be possible !.

We race 4x4; Saloon; F1; and Sports.

Fastest cars are MSC Scooby in 4x4; Spirit Peugeot in saloon; Modded SCX in F1, and Moslers, Toyota GT1s, and Raw Audis in Sports.

Some of our members travel around the country competing at slot events with some success !!.

Like I say you would be very welcome, and it would give you an insight into the world of slotcar racing clubs.

vbr Chris Adams.

 

[Alan Bean]

Again thanks for the details of suppliers. I'm going to the slot festival in a few weeks and was going to look round there as a few of the suppliers have got stalls there.

Chris, thanks for the invite to the gainsborough slot club, but it's a bit of a trek from where I live as it's to the north of donny. Plus can't do,late nights on a school night these days it kills me!!!

A club in donny or Selby would be closer and better for me though. But thanks again.

Alan

P's - nope I'm not the dude who walked on the moon scalekid, my first car was a mini though and in those days you phoned the insurance companies up, there was no confused.com in those days! Well anyway when I told them my name and car details it went quiet at the other end as they thought it was a wind up lol yeah heard them all before too, people always look at you funny when you ask them to come up with something new too.

 

[FMS]

Hi

You could also try here

http://www.secondhand-scalextric-shop.com

 

[rogerbass]

What a great site FMS, The Second hand Scalexric shop