Spares for Australia and New Zealand

[David Morris]

Hi All,

In reading various posts from members in the Antipodes, there seems to be a very real scarcity in these parts of the world of major spares for Javelins and Jupiters, like oval web crankshafts and good engine blocks?

In the UK, we are so fortunate in having comparatively plenty of these items to chose from. I suspect that Jowett owners suffer from acute cases of the 'that might come in handy' syndrome and we are natural hoarders of spares!

I realise that transportation of say, a pallet load of such heavy items, would be expensive, but should JCS organise a bulk shipment of such s/h spares over to the respective spares depts. in these countries? Or maybe they already do?

If asked, I am sure that UK members would be willing to donate some items to help out our far-flung fellow members. Of course, this would be on the basis that JCS just made a charge for carriage, not making a charge for the donated items?

OK, the cranks would probably need grinding locally and the crankcases might need some work, either welding to build up the lower edges or missing studs replacing, but I suspect that our friends over there would be eager to get these spares back in use, and not gathering dust over here in the UK? Sadly, I suspect also that, with the demographic profile of many UK members probably being in the mid to high 70's in age, when these UK members pass away, who knows what happens to their Jowett horde stashed away in their lofts?

Food for thought?

All the best,

David

[Keith Clements]

It can in fact be the other way around!
I have visited the spares hoards in Australia, NZ South and North islands and in California and it is amazing to see what has been saved.
Rather than shipping doubtful, un-reconditioned parts it would be more sensible to check and recondition them before shipping.
The key is communication both between the various regional spares teams and the individual members.
I have carried in my flight baggage a couple of gearboxes to California and Scott has brought a pile of new gears back to me as well as a front Jupiter bumper. I have brought numerous spares from NZ and a few from Aus back in my baggage. Frequent visitors also bring spares into JCS from NZ. So the trade goes on. Bill Lock had a lot of stuff made in South Africa which was brought in as baggage.
I know that NZ went through their stock of cranks and tested them. Then they get a few reconditioned and put on the shelf.
But yes, if anyone has a crank or block going spare, I would suggest they get it assessed and then get it reconditioned ready to go in either a spare engine for themselves or available for others to purchase. If anyone has the capability to do this or somewhere local to get it done then that service should be advertised so that others can use it. The regional spares teams do do this but they always need more assistance.
I have a dozen blocks and cranks awaiting this process, firstly to replenish my stock of spares and replace the engines in our cars but then to be offered to others. But there is the issue of time!

The interesting issue recently was the Jupiter window winder mechanism where there are lots of Javelin ones rusting away in UK and NZ but none in USA.

[David Kemp]

Are Jupiter & Javelin window winders the same?

[Chris Spencer]

David - No they are not but the Javelin window regulator of which they are many spares available can be with some time & care be modified to fit the Jupiter - for which window regulators are scarce

[David Morris]

Hi All,

Thanks Keith. I hadn't suggested shipping untested spares. Clearly it would make sense to at least check the cranks and test the crankcases for cracks before spending cash on delivery. However, I was amused by the thought of you taking gearboxes onto the plane as luggage. It might have made an interesting discussion at the security desk? Luckily, I haven't seen them listed as prohibited items ( yet! )?

Any thoughts from our remote cousins in Austraila/NZ or the States? I thought I caught the feeling that at least spare Oval Web cranks were on a par with Rocking Horse Sxxx?

All the best,

David

[David Kemp]

Having just searched for an oval web crank, I like your idea. The crank I found was in another state , there are none known to exist in my home state of QLD.
From what I am told series three anything is unobtainium, the one I acquired is the last known in QLD if not Australia.
A lot of small parts that the UK may have in abundance eg horn push button are scarce here too.
(anyone got a horn push with the Yorkshire emblem on it?).

[Keith Clements]

I put two reconditioned gearboxes in a normal baggage case with a bit of wood bracing. It came in below my baggage allowance. No problem at all with baggage checks. Of course, I only had a tooth brush and change of underwear in my hand baggage.

Scott brought over a Jupiter bumper over last year which he had cut up carefully in three places as there is a length limit. Mind you putting one in a ski case might make for an interesting discussion with baggage check-in.

Neil and I split about 100 head gaskets between us to bring in from NZ as they were for our personal use on the rally. Damned unreliable design the Jowett!