Sylvi

All members, Today is my Golden jubilee of my married life. I and my wife had gone over many hurdles in last fifty years. I do not have any functions to celebrate. Golden jubilee comes once in life time for a husband and wife. Many couples had gone through silver jubilees. Both of us had the opportunity see the happy day with our only child daughter her husband together with their two children. Most of our members will have POTV. If any member tunes to channel 93 today, go back to 7.30 AM Daily mass there was our weeding photograph and two of us photograph on my Daughter's weeding ceremony. For two days on POTV this mass can watch. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

Niran gomes, You had examined the Radiator and done the correct thing by replacing with a new one. Almost all radiator repairs last only for a short time due to the present day Radiators are pressurized when the engine heat builds up. During early days Radiators were not filled with contents, they were filled up with water, coolants came few decades back. Very good to say by mentioning that the thread you started your wish to end. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

Members, I read this thread and find almost all have recommended the usual Patton of changing engine oil and the transmission oil. I have used motor vehicles from the time as a teenager to date for last sixty years. During 1950, Early days motorists did not have latest developed technology and Lubricants for engines, transmissions and other moving parts of an a Automobile. Every automobile user was advised by the new vehicle dealers (During that time Ceylon had only hand full of Automobile importers, they also did the service of the vehicles) to change engine oil at the end of 1000 Miles do a service on a automobile service station in that era. Service stations did first was to spray penetrating oil to engine bay from top, undercarriage where the engine gear box and differential area of automobiles, leave the vehicle for 15 minutes for the sprayed penetrating oil to go into all dust and mud deposited on the penetrating oil sprayed areas of a vehicle. Today that practice is obsolete, also can effect the electronic censers installed on to a vehicle. At present many service stations apply little kerosene and diesel mixed mixture to visible areas on the engine bay. later they hold high pressure air to the early mentioned areas of a vehicle's to get rid of dust on those areas. In the past for forty years I never visited a service station, I changed oil regularly when the mileage meter reads the kilometers to change oil. Every time I change engine oil, also with a new oil filter use high pressure air clean the entire bay, wash the undercarriage carefully, so that any electronic parts fitted will not effect. I used a Japanese vehicle Nisan Venette for about 8 years 100000 Kilometers, Chinese for 16000 Kilometers, Indian for 45000 Kilometer's. At present a Japanese Suzuki Every has done 15000 Kilometers. All repairs and servicing is done by myself. I mentioned all above is not to blow my trumpet, all above is my experience about Automobiles. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

fat Fan, Your jeep has a elegant look on that parking lot. like to have more pictures in near future. Also if you like inform the cost in different stages of rebuilding. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

Member Niran gomes, I read advises given by members if you take reply summery, all advice too change with a new one. I have been using Radiators with copper and brass tanksr early 1960. I have repaired all of them because they were all copper radiators with brass or copper tanks. Any repairer can do a satisfactory repair on a Cropper or Brass Radiator top and bottom tanks. Plastic Radiator core cannot do a satisfactory core repair unless you block the leaking core pipes after removing top tank. Most tanks come with a locking rectangular seal which can be used once or twice only if you use a correct tool to remove that . This part some times can be aluminum or mild steel locking radiator tank and the core. Water leak repair can be done carefully examining the removed plastic core using only Epoxy which will stand for high temperature and pressure. There is method plastic can be repaired with a special unit which melted plastic can be filled to leaking point and seal the core. Please note all repaired Radiators will not last long. If a new Radiator is available do not repair the existing one. Go in for a new one. Above is the best advice I can give you. Sylvester Wijesinghe. Sylvi.

Import of spares are not restricted, any one can go to a bank open a LC or can get Bank to transfer by TT money.

First of all thank you for visiting my home and work shop at Kollupitiya remembering me. Am still living with few ailments, first is age, next is due to bad habits acquired in mid 1970. ( Middle age) When a person is young, no one will notice the bad habits will affect in late life. A person will have to control his eating and drinking habits early in life. Am suffering from Diabetics, BP, elevated lipids,. What I mentioned 90% of my age people are suffering. I was inactive for few years from late 2010 to late 2018, Since of late I was compelled to change my regular specialist physician, present physician changed my lethargic life completely. From early last year I switched on to early life instead of entrusting work to others, started to get back to the way how I was used to be early. This made some of my regular staff bit uncomfortable, I supervised all work instead of getting them 100% to do the daily duties, That changed my life back to early. Coming to your problem of edge W/S Glass polishing is a time consuming job, this has to be done very carefully without allowing the W/S glass edge overheating. Fitted W/S glass on to a vehicle edges cannot be cooled in that position, not like a glass removed then that glass can be inserted in to a water container, Polisher has the cooling water mixed with special polishing compound circulating. I hope you can visualize my explanation. Removing W/S glass is not advisable, because the W/S glass will never be re fitted like factory fitting. W/S glass sitting body frame will already have some corroded points. If there is corrosion then that has to be treated, refit the glass. If the scratches are not effecting to your driving, better to use as it is. My explanation on above is little long. I hope my Glass polishing person had explained above to you. Sylvester Wijesinghe. Sylvi.

Members, The last SS silencer I fabricated for a friend of mine who had a Generator near the sea side hotel in Arugambay. he had to change every 18 months a new one, because generator was inside a totally enclosed room silencer barrel was exposed to sea cost. Three feet of 18 gauge good high quality (non magnetizing) SS sheath length was 30 inches. Got this rounded by a rolling machine. two ends were welded in my work shop using Brass welding. Three compartments inside using all SS sheath, connecting pipes was also SS. There were few parts from the engine had original steal pipes came with the generator which was installed about 12 years ago never gave any problems because that section was inside a covered room. Only from the existing good section to outside exposed to sea spray parts (pipes with SS new brackets ) were changed. With new SS pipes, fabricated barrel and end tail pipe all new. Welding gas set was borrowed from a party in site area, for site assembly installations. The entire cost I charged for the silencer was Rupees 12000/00. without any profit. labour costs were paid separately to the workers by the owner including fitting on to he generator. Originally this new Generator was installed by me and my workers. Today for a car silencer with SS will cost to fabricate will cost any thing under Rs.15000/00. If material purchasing is done by your self. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

Members, Yes GK_007 the meter adjusting was in our country for more than 20 years in a big way. Thousands of used vehicles in the past almost 99% of importers did this for their financial gain. Today they are (Importer dealers) are billionaires. All of them are not worried even a total ban of vehicles to our country for few years imposed by the Government. All of them will increase their selling prices as they wish. I remember very well when the dark era (1962 to 1977) imports of Automobiles as well as other consumer items were restricted how the selling prices of goods were increased. Immediately when past said government imposed the restrictions, cost of Automobiles went up in about 25%. All people who had reserves in their banks and their (PETTAGAMA IN THEIR BED ROOMS) paid advances for vehicles already shipped to our country. Genuine buyers had to go behind the rich Mudalalies stay out side the house till they come after their morning Breakfast and worship them to give a vehicle what they have reserved. Almost all automobile importers were reputed companies started in Ceylon during the Colonial regime. To my memory we had C/M at Union place importing Peugeot, VW, Wespa Scrooter, Continental motors Skoda, Simcar by Philips, and few others who imported Motor cycles. Wally's imported BMW Motor cycles, Automobile association at that time had a very effective road petrol service (Break down Vehicle help) had three or four BMW motor cycles in their road petrol service. I don't think any authority looked into this fraud in the past. Consumer protection authority never looked in to this. This meter adjusting was originally inaugurated by a Computer software developer in the past. He is not in Sri lanka at present, according to what I have heard. Few others found the method (secret) and they are in active practice. Now they are Vehicle importers. What can the Vehicle buyer do for this fraud. To my knowledge the most affected part in a used vehicle is the engine. Engine can effect if the vehicle had done close to recommended replacement time of the timing belt, not replaced with a good quality replacement. If a meter adjuster had adjusted the meter to read a low mileage, already done in the last used exported country of a used vehicle. Even a used vehicle buyer complain to CPA they will get both parties, always try to settle the matter by exchanging another vehicle get (complainant) the buyer to pay more for a zero millage vehicle, never request to refund the money. At present there are methods to know the correct mileage done on a vehicle. This system was not available in the past on many vehicles. All used registered vehicle dealers also do this to vehicles in their show rooms. I remember some time back this topic of meter adjusting was discussed in AL. I wrote few posts on the above subject. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

Members, I like to suggest that any member who can send historical name boards still existing relevant to Automobile driving. send to AL so that will be left in this Magazine for many long years for new members to read and they are still existing. I thought of this was, resonantly one person informed me that the road directions board picture what I have in one of my very old picture collection is not there any more. I posted a picture of Ceylon Tram ways halting stop, few years ago was existing on a very busy road side in Colombo. This very old cast iron post with the stop board, which was taken off by a person who build a building on that spot, had promised to reinstall the same board to one of AL member, I find that is more than five years, still not fulfilled. If that member reads this post I hope he will make request, from that person who is responsible for that unlawful removal of historically important symbol from public road. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

Davy, Yes, never shy to say that I don't have the experience of a unit which is not observed early. I am a person who will fabricate any mechanical unit, modify an a existing unit to serve my requirement. When I read your post this cannot be rebuild I was very interested to have a look at that belt tensioner. When I was very young at school I built a (motorized with a table fan motor) Light house for the Science exhibition in year 1958, with a revolving beam. Like today in 1958 end part there was no LED bulbs. I fabricated a Ever Ready torch large face, battery section was removed only head was used in front of the reflector head had a large magnifier glass so that the small light house (3.5 Feet height) beam was like the beam on a genuine light house when it is revolving. I was awarded 1st praise on that exhibition. In 1983 when the ethnic problem was in full swing there was Curfew on. That went on for a long time, very big shortage of Bread in my area. I fabricated a 62 Kilograms bread mixing machine to mix 62 Kilograms, same machine mixing spiral was modified to mix 1 Kilogram for buns. If not have to have a another small mixer for buns. The mixer was powered by a 3PH 5 horsepower two speed motor.The Fire wood oven was fabricated with 4 racks, to bake 100 numbers of 450 grams of bread. I was able to sell nearly 150 to 250 Bread for a day. The Bakery was never licensed operated till 1992 all most 10 year's. I did this not to make money. Today living a retired life 76+ active At the moment, fabricating a manual garden roller to build my own garden road way in out of Colombo. Above post from 2nd para is not relevant to topic. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

Davy, This morning I left Colombo and traveled about 50 Kilometers out of Colombo to words Giriulla, to inspect about the 4G1 engine belt tension unit. Engine dismantled in a garage, for me to get a close look of belt tension unit. What the writer had explained that unit has to be changed is correct,. If new unit is not available, then this unit has to be rebuild by modifying the entire fixture. The time taken to do this cannot estimate because complexity of entire job needs many tools lathe and welding. Skilled worker who understand the modification. My known person who operates a work shop their has dismantled 3 engines, two for spares he had used. One engine had come for rebuilding. He send a mechanic to the owners home remove the defective engine and transported to his work shop for repairs. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

Davy, Am hoping to inspect a 4G1 series dismantle engine very soon, will let you know this part can be reconditioned to give good efficient service for many more miles of use. I always fist repair, then replace if necessary only. I had never dismantled 4G1 engine early, therefore it is better to know about that unit. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

Fat Fan, I did not want him to spend money on that vehicle, he told me he had spend all his savings and to do some thing for him to use this jeep for another year. His wedding was closing in few months. As far as I remember I only charged him the workers salary and the actual cost of parts only. I came to know him through this Auto Lanka.com he send few Emails to me and requested me to build a battery charger for his 24 Volts system. I remember giving him a 12 volts battery charger which I build. At that time the AL was discussing about battery charges. Biggest problem on that jeep was the Vacuum build up did not retain in that small tank. I dismantled the Vacuum exhaust booster, there was nothing wrong all seals were good, rotor plates were serviceable. Once when the brakes are applied brakes was correct only for that, immediate next application of brakes peddle was stiff because the Vacuum had dropped for already used application. Moment Vacuum tank was made big the vacuum retained in the tank was good for another number of times use. I will inform him about this conversion, Will get his feed back. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

Fat Fan, After very long time I spoke to another one time active AL member who restored a long wheel base Mitsubishi jeep 7 years ago. My assistant who is with me for last 15 years have good contact with him and they once in a way discuss about various problems popup during day to day running the jeep. I mentioned about this jeep few posts back. He was very happy to discuss about the modifications what we did on that jeep during the time, the said member was restoring same. Only Alternator had changed after 5 years of using in 2018 December to a used one with very high Amperage of 80+. I mentioned about duel air conditioning of that jeep during the modification of that jeep, during that time when he was attending to that on early posts to AL almost 6 to 7 years ago. Main problem he had was Alternator was not generating sufficient Amperes when he drives on top gear under 25 Kilometrers on flat roads. This was due to the owner ( AL member) had done a very costly repair on the engine, also advised by the mechanic who did that repair to use the vehicle at low speeds for 2000 Kilometers. My solution for that was changing the crank shaft pulley to a bigger diameter one and changing the Star connections of the Alternator stator winding to Delta, to Generate more amperes on slow RPM of the engine, was successful for few years until he changed the Alternator to higher Amperage unit. Other problem what he had was there was not enough Vacuum storage due to a small Vacuum storage tank. One mechanic had changed is entire brake system with a bigger brake booster totally different to original. The modified system that mechanic had not expected the problem what he had faced after the modification. Every time the brakes are applied the vacuum drops to about 40% of the storage. I examined the Vacuum booster, that unit was OK did not have any Air leaks. I changed the Vacuum tank to a different tank. Bigger used vacuum tank was costing very high, the said jeep owner wanted a cost effective solution. Only way was to fix a empty LPG small cylinder to be the Vacuum tank, which I did after informing him under the Chassis of the jeep. Connected with new tubing. Fixed a new Vacuum gauge on to the meter board, to know the build up of Vacuum and how quick the vacuum is build up again for safe Brakes. One AL member was attacking me for this modification that the vehicle will explode, and to my modification was not correct. Still he is using the jeep with that. Above was little what I have done to the said Jeep when others was not able to solve a problem. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

Members, It is a very happy to see a fully reconditioned jeep of 25- era on the road, most of them are on their grave yards of the world or not existing at all. I do not want to request the present cost of recon of this jeep up to date, it is only for future reference of the readers in future for their information. Because in few years time no one can predict what will be the cost. I have had the experience of reconditioning costs for last few decades on Automobiles. For example in year 1950 highly skilled Mechanic salary was 1.00 a day, today I will not mention the figure due to present Man hour varies from rupees 200/= to 500/=. My estimate will not be correct and can be high or low? Fat Fan I hope you will not misunderstand me if I request the cost of entire project up to now. To find a set of mechanics to complete a job to 100% satisfaction of the owner of a vehicle or any other project it is unimaginable. Percent Am upgrading two civil projects in Colombo and out side, for last few months. Started in December last year delayed due to the Pandemic, what entire world suffered and going through up to present day. I have had highly skilled men worked as two sets in both places. Also two sets are working to date. More than 10 skilled workers have had left with informing me various excuses, with little extra payments over and above what is due to them, never turned back to complete their part of the job what they were entrusted to complete. Little above what I have stated applies to every employment in our country. If any body inquires from an entrepreneur of their industry they do, the above will be the first complain among our paid workers in all positions in an a establishment. What I have mentioned on above is little (OT) of the topic. Sylvester WIjesinghe Sylvi.

Members, It is a very happy to see a fully reconditioned jeep of 25- era on the road, most of them are on their grave yards of the world or not existing at all. I do not want to request the present cost of recon of this jeep up to date, it is only for future reference of the readers in future for their information. Because in few years time no one can predict what will be the cost. I have had the experience of reconditioning costs for last few decades on Automobiles. For example in year 1950 highly skilled Mechanic salary was 1.00 a day, today I will not mention the figure due to present Man hour varies from rupees 200/= to 500/=. My estimate will not be correct and can be high or low? Fat Fan I hope you will not misunderstand me if I request the cost of entire project up to now. To find a set of mechanics to complete a job to 100% satisfaction of the owner of a vehicle or any other project it is unimaginable. Percent Am upgrading two civil projects in Colombo and out side, for last few months. Started in December last year delayed due to the Pandemic, what entire world suffered and going through up to present day. I have had highly skilled men worked as two sets in both places. Also two sets are working to date. More than 10 skilled workers have had left with informing me various excuses, with little extra payments over and above what is due to them, never turned back to complete their part of the job what they were entrusted to complete. Little above what I have stated applies to every employment in our country. If any body inquires from an entrepreneur of their industry they do, the above will be the first complain among our paid workers in all positions in an a establishment. What I have mentioned on above is little (OT) of the topic. Sylvester WIjesinghe Sylvi.

Elrond, You have done ll above from the agents, Its no point in questioning afresh job is already done by the agents,. They do have very high over heads. Stoking very large stocks of spares for many models of engines, as well as a very large skilled workforce, with various stages of superiors to supervise the work, down the line finally what workers do. They do almost jobs to sell spares and in the process many times replace unnecessary spares, which has more serviceable lifetime. Water pump may be original spare part manufacturer recommends, out side spare part dealer will have any thing range from 14000/00 Rupees to 20000/00 Rupees. Oil seals vary costs. Timing belt manufacturer recommend a number of Kilometers to change. You have not mentioned about Kilometers done for replacement of the said belt. Belt tension adjuster is a thing all workers do change, I cannot understand the reason for that. that has a ball racers running as a free wheel only to keep the tension of the belt. I never change the that part, what I do is only change the racer which is replaceable will cost under 1000/00 Rupees. Very few mechanics will know how to change the racer from that unit, all tension adjusters are fitted in a press, replacing the racer also needs special extractor for that job. this will consume some time. Today mechanics are spare part replaces not repairers. They are trained to change a part not to repair a part. My young days we repaired defective serviceable spares, for to give many more service to the owners of those parts. We were thought to repair first. Replace second. About the belts also first of all examine them, if there are any cracks on them than yes change. Can compare with a new belt any difference with the length, belt has stretch 5% more than the new one then yes. Alternator belt may be a Poly V grove belt they are little expensive than V grove belts. All mechanics inform after relapsing unwanted spares, and say the time to change them may take as much as the time taken to the already done will take. Above is a only what I think about your detail post about the repair done with cost of spares. I do not want to comment about repair charges. There are few spares already replaced without examining I cannot give my opinion on those replacements. Agents in most work shops do not allow any owner or his representative to go and discuss about the what they do on a vehicle, First they disturb the worker also customers chat with mechanics and they get them to do repairs of their vehicles at their homes. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

Cnj, About your question on Korean vehicles What about Diesel SUV Rexton, I personalty know my son in-law is using one of them done about 80000 or little more kilometers and so far no major problems. About two years ago he did a full tinkering and paint. Costing him close to Rupeed5 about Rupees 400000/=. Agents took 45 days for the job. For a month his traveling is not more than 700 Kilometers. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

Members, I remember (in 1960) Rust-olium in my young days this product originally imported to Ceylon by a British tools importer, their hands changed to a one of our enter pruner and today I don't think they import the product. Because there are plenty of rust proofing products are available in the market. Many car tinkers I remember used cheap Tar-nap in 1960, which was a by product of Colombo Gas Company. It takes little time to dry but I remember that product covers very well. Never had a testing time for that product because the supplier ceased to function in Ceylon few decades ago. Tar -nap was used as a wood preserve after diluting with Diesel or Kerosene oil. Above post I posted is to inform early days cheap rust proofing what our reconditioning garages used to do their jobs. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

Members, I had owned more than four three wheeler Bajaj vehicles in the past, all of them I purchased new in the past, all from the agents. Had purchased another five three wheelie's for people who work for me from the agents new. At present I have a three wheeler bought new done only 1780 Kilometers. I have calculated the fuel and running cost will not be more than Rupees 5/= for a Kilometer. Last I sold after using 5 years done under 10000 Kilometers all Colombo running, that was a big loss of the investment I made for same. Lost was more than Rs. 600000/= . Very unpopular vehicle Diesel. This vehicle was imported by a big time Automobile importer who is no more in the world, I never required any spare parts for that it was build in India for load carrying, more than passenger transport. I had to do the Differential play adjustment by replacing shims for that vehicle. Differential spider wheels to get rid of the play, if not every time a gear changer to pick up there was a noise can hear very well, passengers also will feel that. Cost was under Rupees 1000/=. I modified the same 12 Volts Indian self starter motor to start the engine without pulling a cable for decompression. Solenoid fitted to stop the engine 12 volts DC same starter switch operated. that was under Rupees 1000/=. after 2 years battery was changed to a Omron Battery. Corrosion was very high on the body sides due to this I got rid of same. This vehicle had two rows of seats for 5 passengers to travel very comfortably reduced the 8 springs rear to three for passenger comfort also changed front wheel two springs to be a thinner gauge of two springs to stop front was jumping even for a small road bump. Later the person who bought this Three wheeler brought to Colombo and visited me showed same that he had spend hard top Fiber glass done all corrosion, seats modified with Japanese seats so that, they can be folded two people can sleep comfortably. Above is not relevant to topic, there was a comment about three wheeler on this thread, I thought I will post above. to inform my cost for a petrol three wheeler. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

amilaart, I have plenty of past memories in driving around then Ceylon and later Sri Lanka. I first went to Katharagama in year 1958. I did not have a driving license, my late father refused to give our vehicle to go there , therefore my late mother and three adult family friends with two other teenagers decided to use public transport. Al seven of us got up early (All stayed the night in our house) used two Morris Minor taxis to go to Colombo main bus stand, There was no direct buses to our final destination, Buses from Colombo ran only up to Thissamaharama. During the 1950 Taxis were charging 50 Cents for a mile. I remember very well both taxis cost us only 3/00 Rupees to main bus stand from our house Kollupitiya. Thissamaharama Express bus left Colombo at 5AM in the morning, reached to Thissa by 12.30 afternoon, Lunch we had in a hotel near Bus stand there. Few chaps were waiting till we finished our lunch to talk to us, I think they knew we are definitely pilgrims to Katharagama. At that time no bus service was available to Katharagama, only MW numbered vans and Jeeps, did the shuttle service to temple, no tarred road from the main road to the temple. Road was a Gravel road two or three places on the road I remember was bad due to early rain road had washed off. We got into a jeep old 2 WW model 10 people can travel behind two extended seats build in rear one can sit on front left hand drive with Petrol engine. Cost of the hire was Rupees 12 /=. As they drop us near the bridge the jeep we traveled had a party to come back to Thissa. We walked to words the temple and only good place to stay was Ramakrishina mission had few halls no rooms all have to sleep on the flow, the supply mats for all who stay there. Food was very tasty given free of charge all who come and sit on the flow during meals serving time. We all stayed two nights third day came back to Colombo. I remember total cost was about under Rupees 20/= for each entire three day outing. I wrote above was the very long trip I did in the past ( 62 years ago) for three days to share among the AL members, also the public transport experience we all had during that era. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

Update. This what a 51 year old fuel tank looks like. The tank had several tiny holes on it. It has been cut open. And it has been repaired. The inner walls were rustproofed and painted. So was the exterior. Also we put new panels inside the tank(lined the walls) in Stainless Steel. Fat fan, Very interesting post by you. Permanent Fuel leak leak stop by having a SS tank inside the original tank. Your update of above fuel tank, you state that fuel tank will be lined with SS sheath that means inside there will be a stainless steal tank completely covering your original tank. I don't think any one will do this type of rebuilding a tank which will last for many Generations to come, Very good idea can you inform thickness of SS sheath what is going to be inside the original tank. Another AL member did a rebuilding of a jeep with a double AC incorporated into the engine, he had Alternator not generating enough Amperage for slow speeds driving. I have mentioned about same in a early post. He posted many posts about his jeep of all what he did few years ago to AL. If necessary can give his contact number. Best wishes for good rebuilding. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

Fat fan, Thank you for your post to say that the memories of my self are valuable. Almost all my friends and relatives say I have a good memory and relate them like they happened yesterday, my late parents and my late only sister also use to relate things in the past very well. My late father who was a 1st WW RASC solder, who served in Basra present IRAC used to relate all about war stories, sister used to relate about 2WW history because the day that Colombo was bombed by Japs, they were in Colombo. She informs that they were in Church that day when the Sirens started, Most devotees came out of the church hurried to their respective homes to get under the bunkers. They were compulsory by then Colonial regime had requested to build. I can relate from 1st Harthal in 1953 as I remember Curfew was declared by then Governor General, few buildings were set on fire most government department employees joined the strike. Galle road was deserted no public transport. Few days later buses ( Double deckers) were driven by army drivers on the main roads. 1958 communal problems almost all our Jafna residents who were residing in Colombo were requested to occupy Colombo Schools. Few days later all of them were send to Jafna in the night by few ships we had in Colombo harbor. Few went to other developed countries. 1st old crock automobile rally was held in Colombo, sponsored by Tuckers Autodrome at Union place. During 1950 then Ceylon had only few automobile repair Garages. Except for automobile agents other few good garages were operated by all old workmen who had worked with automobile agents. All bus companies had very good Mechanics who maintained their buses very well. After CTB took over the private companies they started auctioning used old bus chassis complete, some parts from them were taken out for the already running bus repairs, many lorry owners bought old double docker buses. Their makes were GUY and Leylend all those buses were made to single flat bed lorries to transport containers. One reason to sell them was some of them were made more than 20 years ago, at that time and used them in UK sold to our county. UK they had discontinued to manufacture spares for them. Few very old Guy double decker buses were bought by customer of mine who had an industry to distribute his products, he only wanted space and not the carrying weight, He never told me that he had bought Guy old buses. One day when I visited his factory for repairs of his Generator, I saw newly build two lorries were parked without any numbers. I went round them wanted to know the reason for not using them, then his maintenance officer told me that they cannot register them due to a brake system was not working satisfactory. later in Colombo I told the owner to send one lorry to Colombo to my place I will try to do some thing to correct that problem. In Colombo I had to park that lorry on a by road to attend the repair, I got 12 very good experienced mechanics to correct this problem all of them failed. One top engineer retired from CTB told me to contact one senior charge hand from Ratmalana depot that he will give instructions to correct the problem. He examined and told me CTB discontinued this model of buses due to this problem not having the spares for the vacuum pump frailer, to build up enough Vacuum for efficient brakes. This was before open economy era. I modified the seals of vacuum pump, rebuild worn out pump rotor unit plates fixed a vacuum gauge (meter to get the reading) efficiency of brakes came up to 80% on a brake testing meter when the brakes was tested. Above is one of the memorable modifications what I had done in the past, I few years back did same to one of the AL members who had a brake problem on his jeep, also he had a alternator was not producing enough ampears at low RPM, HAD TO CHANGE HIS CRANK PULLEY TO GIVE MORE RPM, FOR MORE AMPEARS FROM THE ALTERNATOR. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi

fat fan, OK. I can visit when the vehicle is ready to have a look, today restoration cost is about 5 times or more of the original cost of a old vehicle. Even building restorations also cost is about same, my house in Colombo cost me Three flows about 20 years ago Concrete and brick building approximately Rs. 2000/00 a square foot. Today to add another 550 Square feet by demolishing and rebuilding cost had gone more than 10000/00 Rupees a square foot. That is not luxury bathrooms like star class, durable ordinary fittings available in the market upgrading the complete water supply system, by replacing down pipe water supply system using 4 inch PVC pipe instead of 2 inch pipe, to get more water pressure for bathrooms showers. replacing old supply system using 2 inches PVC pope reduced to 1/2 inch at the final end supply. Popular instant hot water Geyser, what is available which needs pressure pump incorporated only for top 3rd flow, this small pump gives trouble in few months, unlike without pressure pump. Geyser pump racers have to replace every 6 months. I found another new brand in the market bought 10 of them with a special discount. I want to try this new brand which is 1/3 Cost of the other popular brand (S). Made in another developing country. From my very young days I grew up in a Automobile and Electrical service back ground, originally my late father bought me a Skoda -1100 car for Rupees 1000/= CN 7075 in year 1964. This car was presented to Roman Catholic by a very close relative of mine in her last will. Church refused to take this after demise of my relative, car was in her garage for few years, later District Court ordered to get a valuation by AA and sell same, deposit money in Court so that later that money will go to Church. I used same till the new Vehicles came to the market in year 1977. I my self imported a Toyota RH16 Hi-ace van used only for few months sold with a profit. I became a importer of vehicles due to the then starved market in Sri Lanka. Vehicles what we had before 1977 all of them were made in UK, German, Italy, USA brands. Japanese brands came in a very big way after 1977. All other new vehicles Indian Chinese came in later years, after they started to manufacturing them for world market. I have deviated from Automobiles to Civil Engineering and back to old subject, Hope you and other members will understand me. I all-ways like to share what ever I do for others to do, I have not failed so far what ever I did in my life. A very big gamble I did from deviating from one to another automobile service. Which no one in the automobile service did successfully. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.