Manufacture of New Gears

[administrator]

Many owners of the AC 3000ME will be aware of the efforts being made by the AC Owners' Club Council to ensure the continuing availability of new gears of an assured quality.
   Authorisation has now been given for Thames Ditton Spares Ltd to sponsor and finance the manufacture of 10 pairs of each of the final drive and 5th gear sets, the minimum economic order. Accordingly, an order has been placed with Hewland Engineering, the manufacturer of most of the originals, and of the successful batch of spares made in 2007.
   Hewland will make the gears to conform with the original AC and Hewland drawings, which Hewland still hold. The materials and specifications will be as close as possible to the 1976ish originals, utilising Hewland's current equivalent high-quality material.  Two modifications to the final drive gear pair, successfully introduced in the 2007 order, will be incorporated. These are shot peening of the gears, and a 0.0005inch barrelling of the gear flank face. Furthermore, the pinion material will be upgraded in line with current best practice.
   Manufacture processes, heat treatment and quality control will benefit greatly from the considerable advances in Hewland's technology since the mid-1970s.
   
   The Offer
   The ex-stock price is £1012. for the final drive pair, and £945. for the 5th gear pair. These prices include VAT @ 20%. There will be an additional charge at cost for postage and packaging, to be included with the final invoice. This will be issued when the gears are ready for delivery, currently expected to be end August.
   A substantial discount is available to those members of the AC Owners' Club who place an order before 30th June 2014. Details are in the May ACtion.
   Hewland guarantee that the gear pairs will conform with AC's original drawings in respect of materials, dimensions/tolerances and heat treatment (noting the use of modern equivalent materials and production methods and the modifications). Neither Hewland Engineering, Thames Ditton Spares Ltd, or ACOC, can accept responsibility for any other aspect, either direct or consequential. This is a condition of sale to end users, the acceptance of which is implied in the placing of an order.
    If you wish to take up this offer please forward a deposit of £250 per gear pair ordered, by cheque payable to Thames Ditton Spares Ltd, and where appropriate your  ACOC Membership number, to John Spencer, 'Lindisfarne', Upton Scudamore, WARMINSTER Wiltshire BA12 0AQ