OT: Walnut Shells?
So I'm reading Earl Swift's 'The Big Roads' about the interstate highway program (it's great, thanks for asking) and it has triggered a 'what the' question.
The author claims that in the mid-sixties ground walnut shells were used in automatic transmissions. Really? Educate me oh wise ones of FTE. |
Sawdust was said to be used by less-than-praiseworthy used car dealers or sellers to disguise a worn out automatic. Same idea I guess would apply to walnut shell powder. Stu
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Hey Stu!
You may be right - but the author cited a automotive reference from 1958. Makes me think it wasn't just shady mechanics using the stuff. |
I've never seen it but used to hear of shadey used car dealerships putting sawdust in rear diffs and transmissions and of course rolling back the odometers.
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I haven't heard of sawdust in an automatic before. I have heard of sawdust in a rear axle and in manual transmissions. This was talked about in The Grapes of Wrath.
edit: 56panelford beat me to it by 7 minutes... |
I found this, maybe the facts got a little mixed up over the years. They used the shells to clean the parts, not in the actual operation.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...582f0b1d2b.jpg |
Yup, I get the whole sawdust thing: readily available, absorbs fluids, and deadens sound. Walnut shells would seem the polar opposite.
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I've heard of and can see how it could work using some kind of solid stuff in a gear box or differential but knowing how an automatic transmission works, I call bovine feces. Walnut shells, sawdust, anything granular or heavy would be the very quick death of an automatic tranny. Perhaps as a friction component of a band? Otherwise, BF.
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Originally Posted by 38 coupe
(Post 14612280)
I haven't heard of sawdust in an automatic before. I have heard of sawdust in a rear axle and in manual transmissions. This was talked about in The Grapes of Wrath.
edit: 56panelford beat me to it by 7 minutes... |
I'm liking Bob's response - with a period source no less! The book's mention wasn't specific as to how the shells were consumed. This answer seems most likely.
I say we show up at Bob's place in a couple of weeks to celebrate. Thanks Bob! |
Originally Posted by FortyNiner
(Post 14612325)
I'm liking Bob's response - with a period source no less! The book's mention wasn't specific as to how the shells were consumed. This answer seems most likely.
I say we show up at Bob's place in a couple of weeks to celebrate. Thanks Bob! |
Originally Posted by bobj49f2
(Post 14612362)
Duane, you can bring me a cake!!:-X03
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Originally Posted by bobj49f2
(Post 14612362)
Duane, you can bring me a cake!!:-X03
Originally Posted by FortyNiner
(Post 14612369)
Done. . .
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Originally Posted by bobj49f2
(Post 14612394)
Duane, you bring the cake and I'll have the pies (read my latest Dairlyland Truckfest post https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l)
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Nice to see you all together. Being in the walnut business, I can tell you walnut shells are high in oil and break down quickly after they've done their abrasive work...
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