Webber Airbox Clearance

[Plus 2]

Chancer,

You are quite right in actual principal to make the correction, but unfortunately it is one of those words 'vulcanise' that has now been used in so many engineering terms that over the years it has distorted slightly and has accepted meanings in the industry today. Bit like Hoover being a vacuum cleaner. Hard to come to terms with the more recent word distortions and applications though like B4, RU, M8 or CU.

The fact in many cases the curing of the elastomers takes place during the bonding process I think is what has lead to why the term is used as it is maybe. We even have things like Cold Vulcanising cement glue.... http://www.patchrubber.com/industrial_r ... esive.html. and what may appear at times like black paint between the rubber and metal may well have been an actual priming agent.

As always not my writings but a simple search reveals this description........https://www.google.co.uk/search?newwind ... tSX1oqX59k

I quote

"Vulcanize" /?v?lk?n??z/
verb
gerund or present participle: vulcanising.
"harden (rubber or rubber-like material) by treating it with sulphur at a high temperature"
"the development of a method for fixing vulcanized rubber firmly on to mild steel"

With respect to 'the sticky goo rubber' there are actually several curing methods used today along with the Sulfur process such as Acetoxysilane, Peroxides, Metal oxides and more.

Indeed schoolboy science lessons many many years ago I recall we used simple vinegar with its acetone content.

I assure you though as a family of one of the largest UK automotive OE component suppliers the process of joining rubber or butyl onto a surface can be performed today on a wide variety of materials and surface finishes NOT just bare shot blasted metal or plated metals. Don't get confused with the automotive industry that always looks for the cheapest way to produce a part. And then we have the aftermarket industry that goes even further, as, not it would appear concerned about 3 year+ warranty and potential expensive recalls.

A lot of this probably comes from modern development over the years of processes, primers, adhesives etc., I am sure.

The use of chrome plated polymer plastics today on cars being a typical example of how the manufacturing processes have changed over the years.

Indeed the use of plastic alone has grown and even Aston Martin use some plastic foot pedals which sadly Made in the East they got caught out with the suppliers component material quality and have had to have a recent recall as the pedals break.

Interesting points though you make and really good to have this hands on knowledge/history.

Regards

Steve