Story and photos by Mark Wing

This was the first work party for over a month as Larry had an extended stay in California.  His first work party upon his return was a surprisingly quiet event with only one project in progress.

Dave Ferro has been working on a 1923 speedster engine and among the tasks on this day was pressing in new triple gear bushings and checking the lash on the timing/cam gears.  The triple gear bushings he was using are the advertised correct Z-bronze bushings available from Bob Bergstadt (Bob’s Antique Car Parts).  Our club has had problems with early triple gear failure with the brass bushings available for years from the parts suppliers.  The hope is that this Z-bronze composition (only available since 2016) combined with a 0.004″ clearance on the triple gear pin will prevent early failure and the disturbing (but all too familiar) squeal of a galling bushing in the transmission!

Joining us for the first time was Eddie Bell, a fellow car collector who lives in the neighboring city of Rio Rancho.  Eddie got a tour of Larry’s car collection and his machine shop.