The AutoShrine Network Owner Journals

August 1984

Fri, 18 May 2012 09:25:38 -0700

Léon Guyot's Journal --

2nd August 1984: TSSC Thames Area BBQ - Syon Park, Middlesex
110,572, 4153, 22.91 mpg, 43.45 Ltr, 188.7p/g

4th August 1984: Herald Silver Jubilee Weekend/TSSC Leicester Area National Rally, Stanford Hall, Leics

5th August 1984: 110,748, 4329, 27.51 mpg, 29.08 Ltr, 188.7p/g

8th August 1984: Chris Longhurst/TSSC Herald Register Secretary valued KGF for Insurance Company

10th August 1984: 4506, 0 odometer, left Wimbledon, London, time 14.25

11th August 1984: 4525, 19 odo', left Orpington, Kent, time 07.53
26.24 mpg, 33.97 Ltr, 186.0p/g
Arrive Harwich, 4604, 98.2 odo', time 09.23

14th August 1984: 4679, 173.2 odo', left Utrecht, Holland, time 09.30
First stop for petrol at Papendal, nr.Arnhem, Holland -Chevron
4713, 207.7 odo', 29.98 mpg, 28.5 Ltr, 198.0p/g.

15th August 1984: Second stop for petrol at Lahnstein, West Germany -Esso, 4913, 407.4 odo', 28.81 mpg, 31.5 Ltr, 169.0p/g.
Drove around the old Nurburgring, West Germany

16th August 1984: Third stop for petrol at Lahnstein, West Germany - Esso, 5044, 538.4 odo', 30.39 mpg, 19.6 Ltr, 169.0p/g

Fourth stop for petrol nr. Stuttgart, West Germany - Aral (muck)
5229, 723.1 odo', 29.82 mpg, 28.2 Ltr, 167.0p/g

Fifth stop for petrol nr.Munich, Bavaria -
used spare 10 Litre can of Shell UK petrol - at about 850 miles

17th August 1984: Sixth stop for petrol on Brenner Pass, Austria - BP Super Plus/98 Octane, 5485, 979 odo', 28.17 mpg, 31.3 Ltr, 201.0p/g

Aug-84: Seventh stop for petrol at Mestre, nr.Venice, Italy.
5709, 1202.8 odo', 29.31 mpg, 34.71 Ltr, 254.0p/g.

Aug-84: Eighth stop for petrol nr. Pescheira del Garda, Italy
5892, 1385.9 odo', 24.48 mpg, 34.00 Ltr, 256.0p/g.

Aug-84: Ninth stop for petrol nr. Aosta, Italy
6060, 1554.4 odo', 24.50 mpg, 31.26 Ltr, 254.0p/g.

Aug-84: Tenth stop for petrol nr. Besançon, Doubs, France
6277, 1770.8 odo', 25.67 mpg, 38.32 Ltr, 212.0p/g.

Aug-84: Eleventh stop for petrol at Mulhouse, France
6025, 2019.7 odo', 31.03 mpg, 36.47 Ltr, 206.0p/g.

26th August 1984: 6675, 2169.5 odo', left Grandmother's home, Amagney,Doubs, time,08.30

26th August 1984: 12th stop for petrol at Vesoul, France
6714, 2207.8 odo', 27.02 mpg, 31.65 Ltr, 212.0p/g.

26th August 1984: 13th stop for petrol at Le Frere, France
6948, 2441.9 odo', 20.10 Ltr, 217.0p/g

26th August 1984: 7087, 2580.4 odo' arrived Calais, France, time 18.15

26th August 1984: 14th stop for petrol at Dover, Kent, England.
7087, 2581.4 odo', 29.95 mpg, 36.61 Ltr, 186.0p/g.

26th August 1984: 7154, 2647.8 odo', arrived Orpington, Kent,
time 22.35.

27th August 1984: 113,592, 7173, 2666.8 odometer, arrived Wimbledon, London, time 00.05 hours, (15½ hours door to door)

n.b. fuel consumption over 2,666.8 miles = average = 28.26 mpg,
best = 31.03 mpg, worst = 24.48 mpg

average fuel price = £2.02p/g, best = £1.69p/g, Worst = £2.56p/g

<19840815g Leon at Nurburgring>

<19840818c Venice, Italy>

Posted 2012-05-18 09:25:38 by Léon Guyot

July 1984

Fri, 18 May 2012 08:59:04 -0700

Léon Guyot's Journal --

1st July 1984: Easthampstead Park Autosunday, Bracknell, Berkshire

3rd July 1984: 110,110

6th July 1984: 110,136, 3,717, 24.01 mpg, 186.4p/g

7th July 1984: TSSC Anglia Area BBQ, Essex

8th July 1984: 110,353, 3,934, 24.36 mpg, 40.49 Ltr, 186.4p/g
Classic Car Show, Knebworth, Hertfordshire

18th July 1984: My Driving Licence revoked due to bureaucratic cock-up by DVLC at Swansea. (started fight to get it back!)

20th July 1984: Herald first registered 17 years ago today

21st July 1984: Slight welding repair by Bruce Bryan -

22nd July 1984: New 5.5" x 13" 8 spoke wheels and tyres all round and adjusted pressures to 23F/26R,
Adjusted LH front wheel bearings, greased rear wheel bearings, adjusted rear drums, adjusted Spax dampers plus two notches all round, adjusted secondary hand-brake cable, RH front wheel bearings changed.

23rd July 1984: Welding repair by Bruce Bryan completed (LH front outrigger), I painted outrigger & filled it with waxoyl

28th July 1984: 110,594, 4,150, MOT test passed at Phoenix Motors, South Wimbledon

31st July 1984: Road Tax expires today

<Easthampstead Park, Berkshire>

<Wimbledon>

Posted 2012-05-18 08:59:04 by Léon Guyot

Rear Window Louvers

Fri, 18 May 2012 05:39:38 -0700

Gary Brown's Journal --

Bought a set of rear window louvers from Dave Kalb (mgbtf). These were aftermarket items you could get for GT's back in the day. I think they will look great on the '67 GT. Will definately help with cooling in the rear and also slow down the fading of the rear carpet.

<GTlouver>

Posted 2012-05-18 05:39:38 by Gary Brown

Miis Fire

Thu, 17 May 2012 15:36:13 -0700

Chris R's Journal --

car running like a dog...let me down today badly...not happy
i suspect ignition problem...maybe disributor cap
was a low point
put re-condtioned grill on...car looks great

Posted 2012-05-17 15:36:13 by chris R

Some Running Around And A New Speedo Cable.

Thu, 17 May 2012 03:38:59 -0700

Chris Williams' Journal --

Having finished off the clutch re-visit, I've been enjoying the exploration of the OD. After the initial shack-down mentioned in the previous entry I was keen to give it a good decent run.
So after checking on eBay and finding nothing, I gave Heritage motors a ring to enquire about a OD speedo cable.
After some discussion on the phone it was established that they had one there and they would send it up to me.
"Hang on, I might take a ride down and get it." Ok, they will leave it on the counter waiting for me. If I change my mind give them a ring and we'll send it out.

Ok. Sounds like a plan. A good freeway run. Never taken the MGB that far into the city before.
So I set off. Top of the hill, just before the expressway, I stopped to fill up and I was a little worried 'cause it wasn't running real good - nothing magor - just didn't feel right. So I filled it with unleaded without ethanol. Normally I just run on E10.
Pulled over to check the tyres as well and popped the bonnet just to look at everything. Absentmindedly I reached in to check the plug leads.

Hang on! This plug's loose! WTF they're ALL loose.
Then it dawned on me. I'd taken the plugs out to turn the motor over for some reason that escapes me now and I remember just putting them back just to fill up the hole and thinking I'll tighten them later.
Well, I never did. What a bone-head! That could have been nasty.

Anyway I had a old plug spanner with me so I was able to pull them out, check them and tighten them back in. What a dingbat!

Any way after that it ran a lot better and I went down to Smithfield and back without a hitch.

Next day I put the cable it and all is well. The speedo is still not reading correctly but it is the same as it was before.

I'll have another go at sorting that out another day. It doesn't go all the way to zero. I believe that when I pulled it down a few years ago I didn't put enough tension on the spring inside.
I think it would be a simple matter to pull it down again and change that.

Posted 2012-05-17 03:38:59 by Chris W

Springtime (May-June 1984)

Thu, 17 May 2012 00:04:21 -0700

Léon Guyot's Journal --

4th May 1984: 107,605, 1,186 indicated.

6th May 1984: 107,806, 1,387 indicated, 28.04 mpg, (this with Twin Webers & 8-port head)

9th May 1984: TSSC East Berkshire & Hants & Surrey Area Meets on the same night!

10th May 1984: TSSC Thames Area Meet
108,039, 1,620 indicated, 25.75 mpg, 184.1p/g

15th May 1984: 108,229, 1,810 indicated, 27.53 mpg, 184.1p/g

19th May 1984: TSSC International Concours - MOTEC, Telford, Shropshire, 108,411, 1,992 indicated, 28.30 mpg, 181.9p/g

20th May 1984: 108,562, 2,143 indicated, 23.27 mpg, 184.1p/g

24th May 1984: TSSC Thames Area Meet

25th May 1984: 108,719, 2,300 indicated, 25.32 mpg

26th May 1984: Went to 'Rod run' on Essex with Ben Verwer (the Swerver)

27th May 1984: so much rain that all cars got stuck in the mud, 2 to 2.5 feet deep at the field entrance - got lifted/pushed out - typical English Bank Holiday, 108,843, 2,424 indicated.

29th May 1984: Went to Greenwich Autos for Brake Pads
Topped up front trunnions with EP90 oil, inspected old front brake pads, tightened LH front wheel bearing, must replace both soon
108,977, 2,558 indicated.

30th May 1984: Adjusted rear brake shoes - after 5,803 miles, topped up differential with Castrol EP90 oil, 109,034, 2,615 indicated.

1st June 1984: 109,043, 2,624 indicated, 25.33 mpg, 36.23 Ltr 184.1p/g.

2nd June 1984: Went to Greenwich Autos

3rd June 1984: Replaced front brake pads, both sides, replaced LH front wheel bearings., n.b. front pads still had some lining left, but were last changed on 2 April 1983 at 14,924 miles ago.
109,124, 2,705 Indicated.

8th June 1984: 109,210, 2,791 indicated, 22.16 mpg, 34.26 Ltr 186.4p/g.

9th June 1984: 109,377, 2,958 indicated, 24.89 mpg, 30.50 Ltr 186.4p/g

13th June 1984: TSSC Hants & Surrey Area Meet, Pirbright, Surrey
109,555, 3,136, 22.37 mpg, 36.18 Ltr, 184.1p/g

14th June 1984: TSSC Thames Area Meet

19th June 1984: TSSC West Kent Area Meet & boot sale, The Grasshopper, Westerham, Kent
I was stopped for speeding, Rose Hill, Mitcham - got let off on 2 July 1984 - they referred to the Herald as a 'Sports Car' in the police letter!

21st June 1984: 109,723, 3,304 indicated, 22.36 mpg, 186.4p/g.

22nd June 1984: TSSC Kent Area Camping weekend at Paddock wood, Kent

23rd June 1984: 109,732.

24th June 1984: 109,863, Practical Classics Bromley Pageant of Motoring, Norman Park, Bromley, Kent - KGF on display on TSSC stand

30th June 1984: North Weald Bassett Fighter Day, Essex
109,960, 3,541 indicated, 25.00 mpg, 43.08 Ltr, 184.5p/g

<19840500b SAH exhaust system, International Concours, MOTEC>

<19840609a with Ben Verwer's 6 pot Spitfire, Kent>

Posted 2012-05-17 00:04:21 by Léon Guyot

Water Pump

Wed, 16 May 2012 16:15:50 -0700

Anthony Kurilla's Journal --

Got the water pump off this morning and the darn fan clutch does not want to cooperate with my removal attempts. I will see if the auto part store will loan a tool I can use to help with the removal and install on new pump.

Pulled radiator and flushed it thoroughly, it also gives me plenty of access to the water pump.

Posted 2012-05-16 16:15:50 by Anthony Kurilla

Matching Numbers

Wed, 16 May 2012 04:10:33 -0700

MGB GT 1967 Restoration --

According to the Heritage Certificate it's all matching numbers.

<VIN #>

<Engine #>

Posted 2012-05-16 04:10:33 by Robin M

Before And During The Disassembly

Wed, 16 May 2012 04:10:21 -0700

MGB GT 1967 Restoration --

In a very clean garage (not so clean anymore) the GT was rolled in. When working on it, accompanied by its younger B cousin.

<Welcome in the empty workshop>

<Crowded workshop>

Posted 2012-05-16 04:10:21 by Robin M

Disassembly Continued

Wed, 16 May 2012 02:33:28 -0700

MGB GT 1967 Restoration --

Engine is removed, replacement goldseal purchased complete with OD and tranny.

Few weeks later, bought an original complete 3 sync tranny with OD. So maybe goldseal will not be used...

<Empty bay>

<Ready for revision>

Posted 2012-05-16 02:33:28 by Robin M

April 1984

Tue, 15 May 2012 23:30:33 -0700

Léon Guyot's Journal --

3rd April 1984: 24.70 Ltr, 184.1p/g

6th April 1984: 24.70 Ltr, 184.1p/g

7th April 1984: My first motoring offence - speeding ticket on M4 Motorway (90mph), actually 93mph, good thing he didn't see me 10 minutes earlier at 107mph! (I was testing out the mods on an empty M4 motorway early in the morning on a Sunday in Wiltshire! (oh, youthful enthusiasm)

7th April 1984: TSSC Test day at Castle Combe race track, Wiltshire. Herald put up a very good time, but today. Discovered that it could do with wider wheels/tyres, and brakes that work faster!
n.b. tore LH rear tyre from rim! It was a new Pirelli P3
24.70 Ltr, 12.35 Ltr.

11th April 1984: TSSC Hants & Surrey Area Meet
My first broken windscreen.
At night, Flying stone from oncoming Datsun smashed my windscreen - got glass in my finger, 24.70 Ltr

12th April 1984: TSSC Thames Area Meet - The Winning Post Pub.

13th April 1984: 24.70 Ltr

14th-15th April 1984: TSSC Thames Area - South of England Meet # 3 at Chessington Zoo, Surrey

17th April 1984: 24.70 Ltr

19th April 1984: 24.70 Ltr

21st April 1984: 107,500, Renewed Kenlowe Electric fan Thermostat

22nd April 1984: 846 miles, 17.76 Ltr
TSSC Thames Area visit to Goodwood, Sussex & test day, 24.70 Ltr

26th April 1984: TSSC Thames Area Meet - The Winning Post Pub.

30th April 1984: Obtained a replacement tyre

<19840400b Wimbledon, Le Mans Tune>

<19840407f2 Castle Combe Race Circuit with Justin Barwick>

Posted 2012-05-15 23:30:33 by Léon Guyot

March 1984

Tue, 15 May 2012 23:13:45 -0700

Léon Guyot's Journal --

1st March 1984: TSSC Thames Area meet, The Winning Post Pub, Great West Road, Chiswick

4th March 1984: My 25th Birthday

8th March 1984: Third Anniversary of buying the Herald

11th March 1984: 105,492, 20,354 indicated, 31.88 mpg

14th March 1984: Speedometer broke and the angle drive also snapped.
Telephoned SAH, and attended TSSC Hants & Surrey Area Meet

15th March 1984: TSSC Thames Area meet, The Winning Post Pub, Great West Road, Chiswick

17th March 1984: 184.10p/g

19th March 1984: Went to SAH in Leighton Buzzard with Herald & all parts for fitting, including 8-port head, twin 40DCOE Webers etc.
SAH supplied & fitted their 'fast road' camshaft of 30/70/70/30

20th March 1984: TSSC West Kent Area meet in Richard Francis' 1966 S-type Jaguar -wonderful!!!

22nd March 1984: Went to SAH to collect Herald, on train via Euston.
When Léon asked Chris Bull, the SAH workshop manager,how it went, he just grinned and said "not bad!"
What a revelation! 0-60 in 10.6 seconds, and a top speed of 107 mph from about 100 bhp at the flywheel.
Absolutely fantastic & a real transformation, however, brakes were still standard discs at the front, although the leaky plastic bodied and sloping brake master cylinder had been replaced with a vertical aluminium master cylinder from a Wolseley.
actually purchased new at an autojumble. An SAH dual box mild steel exhaust system was also fitted, although the centre pipe was about 4 inches too short and kept falling off, much to the general amusment of TSSC members.

23rd March 1984: 38.10 Ltr, 184.1p/g

24th March 1984: Bristol Classic Car Show, Avon, 30.87 Ltr, 184.1p/g

29th March 1984: TSSC Thames Area Meet - The Winning Post Pub, 24.70 Ltr

31st March 1984: Replaced speedometer with brand new Spitfire Mk.3 (4.11:1) item and new angle drive from Unipart.
Mileage covered without speedo' - approx 579 miles, also with spare speedo' - approx 348 miles.

31st March 1984:
Mileage check:
1) vehicle: 106,419 miles,
2) engine: 45,168 miles,
3) gearbox: 7,548 miles,
4) odometer: zero miles.

<19840301a Leith Hill, Surrey>

<19840324a Bristol Classic Car Show>

Posted 2012-05-15 23:13:45 by Léon Guyot

GPS Speedo And Tach

Tue, 15 May 2012 20:31:07 -0700

Paul Mansell's Journal --

I have been having issues with my speedo over the last 3 years and despite replacing and rebuilding everything I was down to the fact the gear in the gearbox must be stripped. Well as I am going to convert to a V6 in the fall it just is not worth the time or effort to do anything about it.

So I thought lets go with the GPS speedo from Speedhut, that way it does not matter what I do to the car the speedo will report the correct speed.

Nobody seems to have put one in a 73 as the hole is not big enough and I even read that they will not fit, (read that after I ordered the speedo mind you) Any way I measured up and I felt that the 3 3/8th speedo size would work with a bit of work to enlarge the hole.

Well I decided yes lets go for it and I went ahead and ordered both the speedo and matching Tach (again the new engine will mean I will need it anyway) and I spent the extra dollars to have MGB stenciled on the gauges.

Only took me maybe a hour total to remove the old gauge, enlarge the hole and install the GPS speedo. Works really well and it sure looks good, will look forward to getting the Tach in and ordereing matching fuel and temo gauges as well.

I really like the look and it works just great, several display settings can be used, such as clock, trip, direction etc, I have the clock showing as it is nice to have a clock so I know the time as well.

Looking forward to getting all the other gauges in for sure.

<Speedo installed>

<MGB symbol used on the gauge>

Posted 2012-05-15 20:31:07 by Paul Mansell

It's Alive

Tue, 15 May 2012 16:41:52 -0700

Dia T's Journal --

I brought Margaret out of an extended nap (6 years?). First thing she did was lock up her rear wheel real good. Husband says he will jerk it into moving by pulling her forward with a truck. I'm not very much in favor of that.

Margaret is up in the air. I lubed what I could reach. The front end is on ramps, and the rear end is on a pair of jacks. For now, I cannot reach
one nipple on the front right wheel area.

I have never ventured into The world of automotives except for Shining chrome wheels, polishing, waxing... Cosmetics, so I am very very slow at whatever I do.
I started out with what I knew; I shined all the chrome pieces. margaret sustained left rear damage while in the previous owner's possession.

My first order from Moss was for lenses, light gaskets, radiator gaskets, a few bulbs and screws.

I tried my hand at fibreglas'ing the large hole which resulted when I removed rust from the rear right dog leg. I was able to clean up the inside wall as well, which left me with a small surface left inside for me to start the first layer.

Yesterday was a crying day. Very often I break things and forget things (because of a T.B.I. I sustained a few years ago). I was able to break off a grease nipple under its lower head, and I did the same to the breather cap over the rear right axel. I also spilled a large take-home container all over the kitchen counter...

Posted 2012-05-15 16:41:52 by Dia T

Spare Front End Apart - Then Picking Up '65 MGB Parts Car

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:52:48 -0700

Mark M's Journal --

Work slowed after carpal tunnel surgery and dad here for a visit.
Spare front end did get torn down with my son's help. That in itself is a learning experience!

Need to pick up '65 MGB pull handle from the local boneyard this Saturday.
It has lots of cool parts left on it. Then I'll have 3 front ends to sort through and hopefully make one good one. I'm hoping for a couple of good kingpin sets that only need re-bushed. Other than that, all the moving parts will be new becasue I want it that way.

Posted 2012-05-15 14:52:48 by Mark M

She Is Dressed Again.

Tue, 15 May 2012 11:45:02 -0700

Joel Fedchenko's Journal --

Your right I should have been posting pictures. My wife designed the paint scheme(stole the look from the early Vettes,my wife is a BowTie girl), and helped me paint it on.

<going to be a head turner.>

<door hanging 011>

Posted 2012-05-15 11:45:02 by Joel Fedchenko

Engine Bay

Tue, 15 May 2012 10:24:59 -0700

Marin Marinov's Journal --

Now I work on the Engine bay. Complete wiring of new. Now the engine is black. Alternator, intake manifold and valve cover are polished. Fully recyclable alternator, new bearings and brushes. I think I will finish with the engine bay after one month.

<Before>

<After>

Posted 2012-05-15 10:24:59 by Marin Marinov

Changes

Tue, 15 May 2012 10:10:05 -0700

Marin Marinov's Journal --

My first fix on the car was the roof. The old one was verry dirty and I make the ceiling of leather. At the rear of the cabin I fit lighting. Now look very good. Then I bought a new steering. But now I want to sell it and install the original. I buy new audio. Alpine iDa-X 301. The sound is pretty nice. I put new speakers in a backside. The music is enough for the moment. I change the grid. The new one is without emblem.

<Leather roof and lights>

<garage>

Posted 2012-05-15 10:10:05 by Marin Marinov

Purchase

Tue, 15 May 2012 09:46:43 -0700

Marin Marinov's Journal --

I dreamed many times about Corrado. When I went in to UK to work I was sure in that I will buy Corrado. And One day I bought in Acktion VR6 2.9 liters. But after one week I gave up buying. The reason was in Bulgarian legislation. If you buy car more than 120 kW you must pay a lot of excise. For 2.9 140 kW, the excise was ~ 3200.00$. After one month I found 2.0i, 16 valve in Brighton, UK. The car was pretty original. With not so good shape. The car never had a garage. In a right backside have a rust, there is a rust in a place of the battery. The catalyst had come loose and was hanging. The car was pretty noise. I fix it on the next day. After two weeks
I left for Bulgaria, and the car was like a bird. The engine was in verry good condition. In Romania had a problem. The clutch is broke. I drove ~ 450 km without clutch very slowly. When I arrive in Bulgaria it was the first thing which I fix. After six mounts i go back to the UK. Now I am in Bulgaria and work on the car, but not so fast. I don't have so much time.

<With new wheels-one week after purchase>

Posted 2012-05-15 09:46:43 by Marin Marinov

Onto Electrics

Tue, 15 May 2012 03:10:50 -0700

Gary Woolf's Journal --

could not get right side indicators to work front or back so to investigate deeper

<DSCN0811>

Posted 2012-05-15 03:10:50 by Gary Woolf

Bleeding Brakes!

Mon, 14 May 2012 20:38:36 -0700

Anthony Kurilla's Journal --

I bought a power bleeder attachment for my compressor and it definitely got those puppies empty. Not worth beans in refilling. I used a 2 x 4 as a partner to press on brake while I bled each one in order of farthest from the master cylinder. Brakes feel good now! Now I need to adjust the hand brake then move on to the water pump. I should be pretty much road worthy after that.

Posted 2012-05-14 20:38:36 by Anthony Kurilla

Things We Have Done To The Car

Mon, 14 May 2012 17:45:00 -0700

Kimberly Chapman's Journal --

Just a list of the things we have replaced on our 63 B. Front and Rear springs. Rear shocks. Interior kit. Seat covers, Vinyl. Passenger Seat Frame. Turn signal covers. Headlights. Motor mounts. Wing window frames. Door, Frame, Windshield, and Hood seals. Window furflex. Twin voice coil speaker. Windshield washer kit. Hood sound deadening lining. Sound reduction in both doors.

Posted 2012-05-14 17:45:00 by Kimberly Chapman

Winter 1983/84

Mon, 14 May 2012 16:55:53 -0700

Léon Guyot's Journal --

12th January 1984: 103,708, 18,570 indicated, 187.9p/g

19th January 1984: Took Tachometer to Speedy Cables, Islington, London

20th January 1984: Went to Tridon for parts, Thornton Heath, Surrey

20th January 1984: 18,671 indiacted, 30.81 mpg, 183.7p/g

21st January 1984: TSSC Winter Weekend, Fosse Manor, Gloucestershire -icy!

22nd January 1984: 18,931 indicated, 259.6, 34.30 mpg, 183.7p/g

27th January 1984: Telephoned Microdynamics, Caterham, Surrey

28th January 1984: Visited Microdynamics for distributor, then Mitcham Motors for Spark Plugs, then Baldyne Engineering, with my 1200 8-port cylinder-head, 19,152 indicated, 31.22 mpg, 183.7p/g

29th January 1984: Visited Paul Lucas in Chalfont St.Giles for Oil Cooler parts

29th January 1984: TSSC Wessex Area meet, New Forest, nr. Fordingbridge, Hants, 29.01.1984, 19,369 indicated, 183.0p/g

30th January 1984: Telephoned Speedy Cables

31st January 1984: Telephoned Baldynes re: Cylinder-Head

2nd January 1984: Telephoned Baldynes re: Cylinder-Head

3rd January 1984: Telephoned Baldynes re: Cylinder-Head
104,647, 19,509 indicated, 33.63 mpg, 183.7p/g

4th February 1984: Collected new Camshaft chainwheel from Tridon, then to Mitcham Motors for Spark Plugs, Jubilee Clips and mounting brackets, then collected Cylinder-Head from Baldynes.

9th February 1984: Telephoned Tridon & SAH and went to London Car Club in Chiswick High Road.

12th February 1984: TSSC Thames Area photo-call, Richmond Park, Surrey
19,727 indicated, 1,056.20, 29.31 mpg, 179.6p/g.

13th February 1984: Telephoned Mitcham Motors

14th February 1984: Telephoned Speedy Cables

15th February 1984: Telephoned Tridon, Microdynamics & Mitcham Motors

16th February 1984: TSSC Thames Area meet, The Winning Post Public House, Great West Road, Chiswick

17th February 1984: Telephoned SAH at Leighton Buzzard

18th February 1984: Went to Mitcham Motors and Tridon

20th February 1984: Collected parts from SAH-Leighton Buzzard & ordered Camshaft, 105,144, 20,006 indicated, 31.48 mpg, 179.6p/g

20th February 1984: Mileage check:
1) vehicle: 105,175 miles,
2) engine: 43,924 miles,
3) gearbox: 6,304 miles,
4) odometer: 20,037 miles, (indicated)
since last year: 12,479 miles

24th February 1984: Telephoned Chris Bull, workshop manager at SAH, Leighton Buzzard.

<19840122a, Stow-On-The-Wold, Glos, with John Cudmore>

<19840204b pair of ultra rare 8-port 1200 heads>

Posted 2012-05-14 16:55:53 by Léon Guyot

Mgb V8 Conversion

Mon, 14 May 2012 11:46:25 -0700

Stephen Burke's Journal --

still looking for a mgr v8 STEEL front hood for my 75 conversion.i know there are plenty of fiberglass hoods out there but i would like STEEL.thanks p.s. my 68 mgc roadster is coming along nicely

Posted 2012-05-14 11:46:25 by stephen burke

Great When A Plan Comes Together!

Mon, 14 May 2012 00:07:05 -0700

Chris Williams' Journal --

Started this morning and checked that the bolts would go in beside the U joints. Yes! Easy-ish!

So to drill the holes to couple it together.
I was anticipating this to be more difficult than it was so I've gone a bit overboard with the photos. So because I took them you have to look at them!

I thought that I was in for a long fiddly process of measuring and drilling the holes 'cause I wanted to sure they were accurate. Well hit on a short cut using an old valve stem that happened to be the exact size - 5/16". So holding it in a cordless power drill and resting against my bench grinder, I was able to accurately grind it to a point to act as a centre punch as shown in the series of pics below.
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/PICT0098.jpg[/IMG]
Close up of ground tip.
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/PICT0099.jpg[/IMG]
How it was set up to use.
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/PICT0101.jpg[/IMG]
The resulting punch mark. Probably more accurate than I could measure, mark out and then punch.
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/PICT0102.jpg[/IMG]
Then a 1/8" pilot hole. Allowed the the centre punch mark to do the precise alignment of the drill, holding it loosely so it can move to the exact place then holding it tightly. Only works with small drills.
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/PICT0103.jpg[/IMG]
Then using the drill bit to position, I clamped it in position for the next two drills - 19/64" and then 5/16" without moving the setup.
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/PICT0104.jpg[/IMG]
And the 5/16".
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/PICT0105.jpg[/IMG]

Using a short bolt to locate, the opposite one is marked and drilled the same way.
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/PICT0106.jpg[/IMG]
Using 2 bolts to positively locate, the other two positions are marked.
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/PICT0107.jpg[/IMG]
And the second one.
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/PICT0108.jpg[/IMG]

The two remaining punch marks are shown here.
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/PICT0109.jpg[/IMG]

After drilling I used a hand drill to slightly countersink the holes front and back.
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/PICT0110.jpg[/IMG]

And here's the finished piece from both sides.
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/PICT0111.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/PICT0112.jpg[/IMG]

Well I was ready to go! Well, no! In practice the holes were just a little snug so I ended up taking them out to 21/64" and they went together quite easily under the car.

The only other thing I had to do was deal with a missing screw retaining the speedo input. I couldn't find the screw. I don't remember taking it out so I'm thinking it wasn't there in the first place. I just wanted something to make sure the spindle wasn't going to fall out. So I found a bolt that fit 5/16" UNC apparently and ground a little spigot on the end and put it in with a bit of locktite. When I get my new speedo cable I'll sort it out properly.

Well that's it - so it's time for a test drive.

Again long story short - YES YES YES! :) Smooth clutch AND functioning OD. :)

:) :) :) :) :) :)

Works great on the way up. Haven't mastered it on the way down. Remember I haven't got the vacuum switch. So in the meantime I'm clutching on the way down.

It's another good MGB day. Can't wait 'till I can give it a good test drive.

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Posted 2012-05-14 00:07:05 by Chris W

My First EBay Purchase Is A Winner!!!!

Sun, 13 May 2012 20:47:22 -0700

William D's Journal --

While spending time (to avoid winter dulldrums) on EBay looking for a "project" truck, it didn't take me long to find out that "project" truck meant BIG $$$$$ and BIG time committment!!! I came across some very interesting vehicles, but the one that got most of my attention was a 1964 Red MGB, completely restored by a retired principal in Kansas..Kansas, I said to myself, how the heck would I get a car to WV from Kansas???? But, much to my surprise, my wife hit the "easy" button, and next thing I knew, I was the winner of my first mid-life crisis convertible, purchased sight unseen!!! You know, it didn't take much work on my part to get the car delivered via private transport! OMG I thought, for sure I had bought a lemon, especially since it quit running as soon as I backed it off the transport truck..a splash of gas fixed that..and so it goes..we're still getting to know each other and I was very proud of her when I took my elderly mother out for her very first convertible ride on Mother's Day 2012!!! Like two kids, smiling ear to ear, but wouldn't you know, we didn't see one person that recognized us! Maybe next jaunt!!!

Posted 2012-05-13 20:47:22 by William D

Skyline Drive - May 2012

Sun, 13 May 2012 19:57:44 -0700

Mark Williams's Journal --

Great trip this weekend to Monticello, Jefferson's home in southern Virginia

<Skyline Drive>

Posted 2012-05-13 19:57:44 by Mark Williams

New Dash Cover And Found Turn Signal Problem

Sun, 13 May 2012 17:15:29 -0700

Buckeye Mike's Journal --

I bought a cover for my dash. I like the look but I probably will have to take it off to trim it up or attempt to do it in place. I thought I would be able to clamp the dash in place and it would stay in put. The cover is a hard plastic with a vinyl cover on top. I found out the glue will not hold and change the shape of the plastic. As a result I should have trimmed it around the glove box. It rubs there but I'm happy with the rest.

My last two things to sort at were electrical. The main thing was the turn signal. I had no right hand turn signal all last year. I went to the back first and noticed the torpedo quick disconnect was loose, but that wasn't it. I went to the front and discovered that one front wires was cleanly cut in two.

I believe the problem occurred the winter of 2011. I didn't have a journal entry about it but I installed 3 relays; 2 for my headlights, and 1 for my horns. It was a great improvement on both. I believe when I was up front installing the relays I must have cut the wire.

I never changed the horns last year but I lost the high note about half way through last summer. I took it off, blew it out, but was never able to get it working. I went ahead and ordered a new pair because I fiddled with the low note last year and got it working, but I figured it will eventually go out.

Posted 2012-05-13 17:15:29 by Mike Madden

The Driveshaft Adapter.

Sun, 13 May 2012 17:06:47 -0700

Chris Williams' Journal --

Did this on Friday - haven't had a chance to write it up 'till now.

Annoyed at myself for not taking more photos, especially of the block I started with.
Made more frustrating because the times I thought of taking pics I didn't have my camera with me, I'd completely forgotten about my new phone which has a decent camera in it and this was in my pocket the whole time! In fact the 3 pics I have I took with it. They're not great but certainly acceptable.

Well, continuing on, I needed a slug of steel about 86 x 30 and when I went to the steel merchants in the morning - I had to wait for them to open at 7.30am - the closest they thought they had was 90mm dia. Perfect! However, in reality they couldn't find that size in the yard so I went with 100mm dia x40mm. Just a 'bit' more turning. Cost me $15. Sort of a min charge, he reckons he actually gave me a 47% discount. Yeah right!

Still, not too bad.

Went to school to check that I was able to use the lathe and then went to the gym then home to do some 'housework'.
Went back in and spent a couple of hours and came up with this.
This is the side that the shaft attaches to:
I set this up in a 4 jaw independent chuck with the jaws reversed. The recess is a lot deeper than required but I did that so I'd have plenty to grip on the outside of the 3 jaw chuck jaws. (the reverse jaws of the 3 jaw had been lost many years ago.)
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/2012-05-11185103.jpg[/IMG]

This is the side which goes to the box. I would have liked to have bored the centre right out but I didn't have time and I couldn't find a boring bar. Same with the large groove around the centre. It's a bit heavy.
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/2012-05-11185055.jpg[/IMG]

This shot shows the spare flange on the adapter. The ring around the outside about 5mm up is simply a machining mark where i'd changed the angle of the tool. It's only visible and you can't feel it.
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/2012-05-11185138.jpg[/IMG]

After this I took it to my bolts supplier to see about the studs before I drilled for those. Well, long story short, no studs available without special order or me modifying bolts. So I got 4 long bolts and I'll check if I can get them in the drive shaft flange before I simply drill the adapter 5/16".
I suppose that's the easiest and quickest anyway.

Stay tuned for that.

Posted 2012-05-13 17:06:47 by Chris W

Stripping The Interior

Sun, 13 May 2012 13:53:04 -0700

Amba Siketi's Journal --

Once I worked out how to remove the seats the rest has been quite easy, a really messy job though, the last owner must have had a dog as there was hair everywhere, the carpets where mouldy and disintegrated when I touched them. Once they where removed and the side panels came off, I was really surprised what good condition she was in.

Next job getting out the Dashboard

<IMAG0175>

<IMAG0180>

Posted 2012-05-13 13:53:04 by amba siketi

Engine

Sun, 13 May 2012 13:47:21 -0700

Amba Siketi's Journal --

Engine runs but as with most of the car it is in a real sorry state, this will need a lot of TLC, something I will need some help with I feel

<IMAG0166>

<IMAG0168>

Posted 2012-05-13 13:47:21 by amba siketi

Interior

Sun, 13 May 2012 13:44:01 -0700

Amba Siketi's Journal --

The interior is a real mess, the first thing to go are the horrible seat covers, unfortunately they where hiding broken seats. Will need to look at buying new ones or fixing them myself.

<Interior>

<IMAG0165>

Posted 2012-05-13 13:44:01 by amba siketi

My First MG Project

Sun, 13 May 2012 13:40:41 -0700

Amba Siketi's Journal --

I have wanted an MG since I was 12 years old, I went to a car museum fell in love and bought an MG Keyring to go on my MG when I got one.

25 years later and my dream has come true, she is in a sorry state but I plan to get my hands dirty and try and restore her to her former glory.

I have never done anything like this before in my life and I am scared to death

<My first MG>

Posted 2012-05-13 13:40:41 by amba siketi

My First MG Project

Sun, 13 May 2012 13:40:32 -0700

<My first MG>

Posted 2012-05-13 13:40:32 by amba siketi

Spring 2012

Sun, 13 May 2012 09:37:03 -0700

Drew Bertola's Journal --

Took the car over to my local LBC shop to get the carb / choke worked on. The choke seems to have a contaminant in one of the ports, possibly the needle's o-ring had come off and was blocking a duct. Whatever the case, smog is due and I can't get it dialed in myself.

After a new EGR valve, rotor and cap, plugs, wires, fuel filter, dashpot metering needle, float, and other carb parts, catalytic converter (relocated beneath and removable), and a manual choke swap, it is driveable again. It runs pretty well, but still doesn't behave quite right at startup and while warming up.

What next? That's the question.

Posted 2012-05-13 09:37:03 by Drew Bertola

Ok Still Waiting

Sun, 13 May 2012 08:19:25 -0700

Timothy Lee's Journal --

Hello, this is the little green machine, I purchased this MGB for my wife's 50 th birthday present. I drove it for a couple short trips in which I noticed several issues. (3/2012). For the entire month of April in the shop, rebuilt carbs, replaced mirrors, new gas cap, and a run through everything else. May 2012, brakes.. So we have yet to enjoy this little wonder. Plus summer vacation will keep us away for June and July. So we might get to enjoy late summer fall in this MGB.

Posted 2012-05-13 08:19:25 by timothy lee

Firewall And A-Post Weirdness

Sun, 13 May 2012 07:21:06 -0700

My 76 Spit Refurbishment --

My new outer rockers arrived on Friday! They are 18 gauge, and appear to be nicely made. I'll see how they work when the time comes to get them on. I also scored a brand new rear lower valance panel on ebay on the cheap.

I removed most of the outer rocker panel yesterday, and found that the lower A-post support panel is home made. It's a smooth piece of sheet that was brazed to the 2x3 tube. Under this panel is another piece of metal that has been bent and formed to make the lower door hinge area, and part of the footwell area.
I removed some patches on the firewall corner after seeing some more bad brazes and uncovered a whole bunch of rivets and brazing.

At this point I've got to decide what I'm going to do with the 2x3 tube. If the car has been modified too much to make it work by the PO, then it may be too much work for me to put it right.
I'm fairly certain that the tube is screwing up the front A-post/firewall area dimensions. I've definitely got to remove the angle iron piece, so perhaps I can at least cut the front part of the box tube off.

I did finally see why the rust out was so bad. In my previous post I had a shot of the firewall. There was a piece of sheet metal that was bent over the angle iron frame support. This was not brazed or welded to anything. Any water or crud that was flinging up from the road was going under this metal, and then seeping in along the angle iron into the rocker panel areas.

Oddly enough, the inner sill (or perhaps the floor pan) behind the box tube has been feeling solid when I stab at it with a screwdriver. I think it is time to brace the door, and support the floor to remove the box tube and see just what is going on there.

<The home made lower A-post support panel cut open. This exposed the home made sheet metal door hinge support "box">

<The firewall weirdness. There is no rhyme or reason for this hammered in area. It was skinned over with another patch.>

Posted 2012-05-13 07:21:06 by Eric G

Drum Brakes On!

Sat, 12 May 2012 16:18:25 -0700

Anthony Kurilla's Journal --

Finished installing shoes for rear now I just need to bleed them tomorrow and then adjust. Water pump will be next.

Posted 2012-05-12 16:18:25 by Anthony Kurilla

Dash Harness Main Harness

Sat, 12 May 2012 13:18:16 -0700

Stephen B.'s Journal --

I hope someone here can help me. I am looking for someone to replace my dash and main harness as I am unable to do it. Does anyone know of a shop or person along the Southern Gulf Coast, such as New Orleans, LA, Gulfport-Biloxi, or Jackson, MS, Mobile, AL, that can get this done? Any information would be more than appreciated.

Thanks,

Steve Butler

Posted 2012-05-12 13:18:16 by stephen b.

Leaf Spring Refurbed & On

Fri, 11 May 2012 21:00:58 -0700

Anthony Kurilla's Journal --

Finished installation of my refurbished spring and got my other parts for fun tomorrow and Sunday. Brakes tomorrow and Water Pump Sunday.

Posted 2012-05-11 21:00:58 by Anthony Kurilla

Friday Night At Starbucks Fayetteville, GA

Fri, 11 May 2012 19:42:53 -0700

Norm Nolde's Journal --

With my wife in the passenger seat, drove the B to dinner in Fayetteville, GA. Great night for driving with the top down. After dinner went to Starbucks for some mocha. While we were there I met Matthew Coop a fellow MG owner. He just got his 66 roadster out of storage after 21 years. He's got it running. Told him about this site. While we were talking about LBCs, another owner came up and told us about the gathering of British cars at Barry College in North Georgia, and the national meeting in Dillard, GA. Great night.

Posted 2012-05-11 19:42:53 by Norm Nolde

Steering Column Installation

Fri, 11 May 2012 15:42:31 -0700

Wilbur Engelsma's Journal --

The steering column I'm installing is from an 86 Nissan Maxima. It has all the controls in the column (lights, wipers, hazard, ignition, cruise control) and no air bag, so I can replace the existing steering wheel with something more comfortable. The plastic fairing around the column also fits into the notch in the MG dash, so that is a plus. The first problem (of many I assume) is the mounting points don't match the MG, so i am modifying the MG bracket to hold the column in the correct location. I'm almost there, but need a few more tweeks to line up the end of the column with the hole in the firewall.

<86 Maxima column>	<P5110031>	<mounted with dash installed>
<column/dash fit>

Posted 2012-05-11 15:42:31 by Wilbur Engelsma

Still Ffff...reezing!!!

Fri, 11 May 2012 05:14:08 -0700

Roland Gotzke's Journal --

It's closer to summer, and the temps hover around the ffffreezing mark. Amazingly enough, the MG's seem to know that summer is nigh and liven up after a bit of coaxing. It sure is nice to be able to drive the cars once again. The initial shake downs are proving that the restorative work done to date, are making these 2 cars reliable rides. They both feel and run like new... Yeah!!! it's been worth the effort and expense. Lots of smiles per mile.

<IMG 1197>

<DSCF5483>

Posted 2012-05-11 05:14:08 by Roland Gotzke

Painted Leaf Spring

Thu, 10 May 2012 21:02:42 -0700

Anthony Kurilla's Journal --

Cleaned and painted spring after mounting all 8 nylon washers. I used a dab of glue to hold into place. I also painted the drums and differential cover access plate. Now just waiting for more coats o paint on other side of spring and for my parts to show.

Posted 2012-05-10 21:02:42 by Anthony Kurilla

Engine Is Alive

Thu, 10 May 2012 19:01:34 -0700

Mark Freece's Journal --

Well had some major problems getting the plugs to spark. Ended up putting a new coil, points and condenser. But she fired right up. After I felt great about that I connected the gas tank line and put about 4 gallons of gas in the tank, called it a night. Woke up the next day only to find out there was a hairline crack in the tank and only had about a gallon left. Ahhhhh! now my garage has a distinctive odor of gas (I got a head ache!).

Just ordered a new tank from VB but at least it's running!

Posted 2012-05-10 19:01:34 by Mark Freece

Disassembly Continues

Thu, 10 May 2012 18:04:52 -0700

Todd Gaulin's Journal --

Removed both rear wheels and brake drums. Removed bolts between diff and both axle shafts. Removed access cover for leaf spring and removed studs for spring. Disconnected bottom shock mounts, radius rods, spring bushings break lines, disconnected both e-brake cables and removed both axle shafts. Found one bad u-joint on the drivers side shaft. Removed nuts from front diff mounts. Everything went smooth until I got to the long bolt at the back of the diff. I got the bolt out ok, but the damn thing wouldn't come out. After trying a few things I finally got it out using a crowbar in the little gap above the rear bushing between the diff and the frame and jacking the front of the diff.
I put the diff on the bench and removed the bolts from the stub shafts and removed them. I removed the bolts connecting the carrier to the housing and had difficulty separating them. I pounded away with a flathead screwdriver and then discovered I needed something wider. Borrowed a wedge from my neighbor and got it apart. Nothing obvious is wrong with the diff, but there seems to be a slight stutter when turning the pinion. I think I need to put in new bearings and seals.

Posted 2012-05-10 18:04:52 by Todd Gaulin

Love That Jaguar

Thu, 10 May 2012 09:20:29 -0700

Joseph Giesler's Journal --

I have been the enthusiastic owner of my 1999 XK8 for 16 months now. My original 28K garage queen now has 47,328 miles. I drive the car a lot. I entered it in the 2011 Houston Concors De Elegance in the driven division and won class runner up my first time out of the gate. I have enjoyed every minute of owning this car.
Hope to see you out there with the top down
Joseph

Posted 2012-05-10 09:20:29 by Joseph Giesler

Mozzies Chased Me Off So Next Day.

Thu, 10 May 2012 05:30:37 -0700

Chris Williams' Journal --

Mosquitos have been horrendous lately here at any time of day. So thick I had to give it away yesterday.

This morning I went mad with the Aeroguard and managed to replace the fuel filter and start it up again and run it for a few minutes. Smoked like crazy - oil on the exhaust I suppose. Anyway that seemed to disperse the mozzies and I was able to install the switch and the relay.

I used a existing screw to mount the relay and I managed to fit the switch between the fuel gauge and the vacuum gauge. PO had an ammeter where the OD switch blanking hole was and I replaced it with the vacuum gauge.

I felt that the switch should go somewhere there so that's where it went. See pics:
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/Overdrive%20unit%20closeups/PICT0086.jpg[/IMG]

The relay just went where it is because that was where the screw was and it was close to where the wires came up from the gearbox. The two green wires that don't go anywhere are the reversing lights switch.
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/Overdrive%20unit%20closeups/PICT0085.jpg[/IMG]

I made up some short connectors to go from bullet connectors to spade connectors because I didn't want to cut the harness wires. Did that so it can go to standard if I desire. This, however, makes it look a bit messy.

Finished off the inside and put the bonnet back on. That means it's all done except for the driveshaft spacer and I spent some time drawing it up and thinking about how I want to do that. Decided to go with double set of studs so I only have nilock nuts to worry about. Long bolts I don't think would go in.
Here's the drawing of that which I've yet to make.
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/Overdrive%20unit%20closeups/Tailsshaftspacer.jpg[/IMG]

Well that's about it. I ran it again and tested the OD solenoid and tried to hear whether it changed when the OD was activated in 3rd and 4th.
Solenoid clicked in and out loud and clear and I think that I could hear the output speed change but I can't be sure. I'll have to wait till it's on the road to be absolutely sure.

If I had the speedo cable I could tell from that.

Posted 2012-05-10 05:30:37 by Chris W

November To December 1983

Thu, 10 May 2012 00:04:32 -0700

Léon Guyot's Journal --

5th November 1983: 16,484 indicated, 2360.1 engine, 34.50 mpg, 183.7p/g

6th November 1983: TSSC Thames Area/Hants & Surrey Area's visit Brighton Classic Car Show on day of Emancipation Run

13th November 1983: 16,816 indicated, 2692.5 engine, 30.68 mpg, 183.7p/g

20th November 1983: TSSC AGM, 102,170, 17,032 indicated, 2907.7 engine, 39.67 mpg, 183.7p/g

26th November 1983: 17,360 indicated, 3235.8 engine, 31.70 mpg 183.7p/g

3rd December 1983: Changed Oil in Gearbox/Overdrive

December 1983: Léon purchased some rare tuning parts from an advert in the TSSC Courier magazine
i.e. a couple of 'eight port' 1200 cylinder heads in rusty condition c/w an original set of tubular steel exhaust manifolds, a pair of alloy inlet manifolds, two dual choke Weber 40DCOE sidedraught carburettors, and an old oil cooler kit, all from a chap called Paul Lucas, who was then racing an early Spitfire fairly seriously - but had recently changed over to a 1300 engine.

10th December 1983: 17,593 indicated

11th December 1983: 17,594 indicated, 29.12 mpg

18th December 1983: 17,848 indicated, 254.2, 33.30 mpg, 183.7p/g

22th December 1983: Changed LH wiper wheelbox - took me 4½ hours

24th December 1983: 103,231, 18,093 indicated, 33.03 mpg, 183.7p/g

24th December 1983: Mileage check:
1) vehicle: 103,231 miles,
2) engine: 41,980 miles,
3) gearbox: 4,360 miles,
4) odometer: 18,093 miles
since last year: 11,436 miles

28th December 1983: Planned next years country drive for South of England Meet - around pretty bits of Surrey

29th December 1983: Checked rear brake shoes which need changing after 14,100 miles, i.e. since 19th August 1982 and only 2 leading shoes worn.

30th December 1983: Went to work by car this am, changed brake shoes this pm, took 4 hours to replace all 4 shoes (18,287 miles)

30th December 1983: 103,466, 18,328, 733.9, 30.80 mpg, 183.7p/g

Costs in 1983 HERALD

Parts & Labour £1,415.96
Road Tax £170
Insurance £88.90
MOT Test £9.00
TSSC Subs £11
AA/RAC Subs £36.50
Petrol £566.85
Grand Total £2,298.21

Average Value £819 (Practical Classics)
Net Income £4,257.43
% spent on car(s) 54%

VITESSE

parts and labour £4

<19831106, Brighton Marina, Sussex>

<19831204, Syon House, Syon Park, Middlesex>

Posted 2012-05-10 00:04:32 by Léon Guyot

October 1983

Wed, 09 May 2012 23:45:16 -0700

Léon Guyot's Journal --

4th October 1983: Herald to SAH (Dunham & Haines) workshops, Leighton Buzzard, Beds, for Suspension work, including shortest front springs 5 degrees decambered rear transverse leaf spring, dual front anti-roll bars and Spax adjustable dampers all round. Combined with the new Pirelli tyres, KGF now handled beautifully, rather like a roller skate, i.e. hard, but you could throw her into corners with abandon!

4th October 1983: 99,756, 14,618 indicated, 493.7 engine, 26.28 mpg 183.7p/g

7th October 1983: 100,042, 14,904 indicated, 780.5 engine, 36.39 mpg 183.7p/g

10th October 1983: 15,106 indicated, 982.1 engine, 30.08 mpg, 183.7p/g

12th October 1983: 15,300 indicated, 1175.9 engine, 32.05 mpg, 183.7p/g

15th October 1983: 15,545 indicated, 1421.5 engine, 34.22 mpg, 182.8p/g

20th October 1983: 15,772 indicated, 183.8p/g

21st October 1983: 15,835 indicated, 1711.3 engine, 27.75 mpg, 183.7p/g

22nd October 1983: Herald made her track debut today at Mallory Park, Leicestershire to try out new SAH suspension modifications
TR4A and out drove a GT6-2, admittedly a tired out one! - Great Fun!
If the tyres don't squeal all the way around, then you're not trying hard enough!

22nd October 1983: 16,043 indicated, 34.57 mpg, 183.7p/g

22nd October 1983: n.b. last 1,551 miles at an average of 32.33 mpg, also total mileage covered in October 1983 = 1,865 miles.

Some unfortunate side effects of the latest mods were the tendency to ground the exhaust system, slung beneath the chassis on later Heralds, also the rapid wearing of the inside edges of the rear tyres, not to mention the very hard Spax dampers loosening one's teeth etc!

29th October 1983: 16,313 indicated, 34.43 mpg, 183.7p/g

<19831022h, Mallory Park, Leicestershire>

<19831022x, Mallory Park, Leicestershire>

Posted 2012-05-09 23:45:16 by Léon Guyot

September 1983

Wed, 09 May 2012 23:24:19 -0700

Léon Guyot's Journal --

10th September 1983: 2 miles, Round Great Bookham Village, Surrey.

10th September 1983: 19 miles, Great Bookham to Wimbledon

13th September 1983: 44 miles, Wimbledon to Orpington to Wimbledon

14th September 1983: 68 miles, Wimbledon to Pirbright to Wimbledon

14th September 1983: 99,062, 14,315 indicated, 37,811 engine, 183.7p/g

15th September 1983: 21 miles, Wimbledon to Whitton to Wimbledon

16th September 1983: Mr.Smyth, LVLO Inspector called to look at Herald.

17th September 1983: 2 miles, Wimbledon to Merton Park

17th September 1983: 9 miles, Merton Park to A3 (Esher turnoff) and back

17th September 1983: 9 miles, To Merton Park

17th September 1983: 2 miles, Merton Park to Wimbledon

18th September 1983: Waxoyld car outside Richard Andrews' Dad's garage in Merton Park

18th September 1983: 30 miles, Wimbledon to Walton-on-Thames to Uxbridge, Middlesex.

18th September 1983: 6 miles, Uxbridge to Hayes to Ealing (Ealing-M40/J2-Hayes-Wimbledon= 8 + 13 + 4 + 5 +12)

19th September 1983: 9 miles, Wimbledon-Morden(4)-Raynes Park(1)-Wimbledon(4)

20th September 1983: Speedo Cable now refitted with correct angle drive, so mileage without cable = 391 miles

20th September 1983: Tonight, Petrol hose split and I lost about 1.75 gallons. New Addington, Surrey.
TSSC West Kent Area members came to rescue when I phoned them at the Meeting.

21st September 1983: 99,365, 14,227 indicated, 103.5 miles on engine 183.7p/g

25the September 1983: TSSC East Kent Area day trip to France, camping at Hawthorne Farm campsite near Martin, Kent

The Triumphs stayed behind whilst we went over to Bologne on the 'Herald of Free Enterprise'

25th September 1983: 99,630, 14,492 indicated, 367.7, 37.32 mpg 183.7p/g

25th September 1983: On way home, visited Seabrook-on-Sea (on A259), Kent. (between Hythe & Folkestone)

<19830925a, Hawthorne Farm, near Martin, Kent>

<19830925b, Seabrook-on-Sea, Kent>

Posted 2012-05-09 23:24:19 by Léon Guyot

Pulled Leaf Spring

Wed, 09 May 2012 21:19:24 -0700

Anthony Kurilla's Journal --

Since the car was up on stands already, I thought I'd try to implement the quick Spitfire sag remedy using the Nylon washers from Lowes. Got the spring out and cleaned pretty well then put in the washers. Think I will RTV seal it with a dab and then paint the spring tomorrow. I should be ready for a re-install then I can finish the drum brakes and do my water pump too. Also going to use some Lithium Grease on the spring to see how that helps.

Posted 2012-05-09 21:19:24 by Anthony Kurilla

Finally Fixing The Rear End Problems

Wed, 09 May 2012 19:27:36 -0700

Todd Gaulin's Journal --

Finally got around to fixing the vibration and noise coming from the rear end of my car. I've always had it and lived with it up till now. I put the car away for the winter 3 years ago when the vibration seemed a little more pronounced. So this weekend I started tearing things apart. It's been a while since I've done any major repairs and I was much younger then and not as wise. I started out by removing the rear driveshaft bolts then realizing I needed to remove the exhaust pipe. I seem to remember that mounting the muffler was a pain in the ass but the other option was unbolting the header from the block. Decided on the muffler mounts and after disconnecting the pipe clamp at the front of the car, I removed the exhaust. I made not that the front adapter pipe look REALLY shabby. I'll have to replace that. On to the front driveshaft bolts. Whoops, they are above the crossmember. I didn't have any wrenches to go around a corner and there was no access from the other side. I didn't want to do it, but I disassembled the center support for the dash and removed the tunnel cover to access the driveshaft bolts. The driveshaft came out and both u-joints look good. Damn, forgot to mark the ends like it says in the book. Oh well, I probably had it in wrong when I had it apart last time.

Posted 2012-05-09 19:27:36 by Todd Gaulin

Being In All Respects Ready.........

Wed, 09 May 2012 07:17:06 -0700

Trevor Whitehouse's Journal --

With the crazy warm weather we had around here in March, the car rolled out of its winter lair on March 18th with only a couple of minor projects to be addressed before the driving season of 2012 officially began.

I finally completed a project that I started some two years ago, abandoned and then restarted. That was to grind down an original set of SU carb throat plates so that they would fit inside the conical K&N filter housings. The plates couldn't be set between the carbs and the filter housings due to a lack of space between the rear carb mouth and the brake booster. So they had to be put inside the filter housing and that required some reshaping to allow the filter medium to mate with the filter back plate and avoid friction wear between the filter medium and the throat plates while still keeping the shaping effect of the throats. Done - with all of the bottom outside ring of the throat plate ground away and the holding bolts replaced by countersunk cap screws.

I also addressed crankcase ventilation as my previous arrangement had been looked at somewhat askance by Mr. MG - John Twist - at Reno. I had the tappet cover breather connected through a Datsun PCV into the manifold. The SU's that I have are an older version that doesn't have a port for crankcase vacuum. So, I plumbed the breather hose through a y-connector and into the back of each of the carb filter housings. There's probably only a wisp of any vacuum there - more likely just slight negative pressure - but any crankcase vapours are being "burnt" rather than vented to atmosphere. So far, so good no signs of any oil or dirty vapour staining the inside of the carb.

My other project after all of my OD and drive shaft concerns from the Reno trip last year for MG2011 was to replace the drive shaft with a new part. The old shaft had suspect out-of-round u-joint mounting holes in the flanges and I had blown a bearing cap forcing a replacement set of joints into place. So the new British Heritage part - made in India by the way - complete with grease nippled u-joints went into place. I would have liked to replace the connecting bolts between the transmission tail shaft and the drive shaft but it apppears that you can't get the uniquely-headed bolts out without removing the tail shaft to get some clearance. And - the supplied nuts with the new shaft are standard, not nylok, with lock-washers.

But with those jobs done and the regular minor tuning, the car has been back on the road now for some 400 sweet-running miles. This Friday, a group of five cars from our club - me included, are off on an around-the-lower-lakes tour of some 1800 miles through Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit and Orillia. Fingers are crossed for some sunny days.

And in a fit of vanity, I got one of the Australian Overdrive badges to mount on the back of the car. In OZ, they were mounted between the boot octagon and the boot lock but there is a big web inside the boot lid at that location that was going to cause me nothing but trouble in getting the badge cleanly mounted and secured. So I opted for putting it on the left side body between the reverse light and the licence plate and it does look like it belongs there.

<Carb Throats & Crankcase Vent>

Posted 2012-05-09 07:17:06 by Trevor Whitehouse

Lump Back In And Functioning Again.

Tue, 08 May 2012 20:28:47 -0700

Chris Williams' Journal --

This is the morning after. It was too late yesterday (well earlier this morning, actually) to be bothered writing this up but I did put an entry on the forum [url=http://www.mgexperience.net/phorum/read.php?1,2061212,2061824#msg-2061824]click here[/url].

Started at about 9 am and immediately got side tracked with the side tappet covers.
I was pretty sure one of mine leaked so while the motor was out I thought I'd have a go at it. It was the front one and of course it leaked, the gasket was not thick enough to stick above the flange - even when new. I compared the old gasket with the piece that had come from the centre of the gasket when new and it had not compressed very much, if at all. It was always going to leak.
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/PICT0073.jpg[/IMG]

You can see here that it doesn't fill the recess.
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/PICT0074.jpg[/IMG]

So I covered everything and went off to try to by some thicker cork stock. Long story, short, no joy there so I used some thinner stuff I had and added it to the original gasket with lots of gasket goop. The back one is a different design and it was sealing well. I had to take it off to establish that but it went back on with a fresh coating of goop as well. If they leak now ...........!

Ok didn't actually get to the motor/g.box install 'till about 1 pm or something like that. Cleared the garage and lined up the car with the chain block.
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/PICT0072.jpg[/IMG]

Moved the unit into position and hooked up the cable to it and the chain block while still on the stand.
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/PICT0075.jpg[/IMG]

Lifted it up a little, unhooked the stand, lifted it clear of the guards, spun it around and pulled the car under it while letting it down gently. The chain block is very precise and it take no effort to raise or lower it just a little. I had almost everything left on the motor so it was a bit of a tight squeeze but with the trolley jack underneath to alter the angle as I went down and in, it finally was resting on the front engine mounts.
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/PICT0077.jpg[/IMG]

A little jiggling while gently lifting and lowering and I was able to get the bolts for the mounts in.
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/PICT0078.jpg[/IMG]

Next the infamous crossmember. It was then I realised that these weren't where I wanted them to be.
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/PICT0079.jpg[/IMG]

Not such a big deal but I wanted to minimise the time I had to spend under the car.

Well, I managed to get them on without much drama. I actually found it easier to do it completely by feel with my eyes shut.
The crossmember was next and I installed the stay rod to it on the bench to try to make it easier and I'd already done the modification to the crossmember so by moving the supporting trolley jack away from the stay loop I installed the crossmember to the gearbox and then, using the jack to raise the whole lot proceeded to install the crossmember bolts. Wow, this was not going well until I realised that the OD gearbox uses different screw holes and these had not been used ever. After struggling with the bolts and actually getting all four in but unable to tighten, the penny dropped and one by one I took them out and ran a tap up the holes.
What a difference! No photos of the cross member unfortunately.

Anyway, I had to stop there as Sharon and David came home and were expecting dinner.

After dinner I went back out to clean up but ended up continuing and got everything else hooked up and gave it a test run.

Well one little hiccup. I must have damaged the metal fan on the front of the generator and it screamed like a banshee till I bent it back into shape. Took me a while to work out what the god awful noise was and there was a 'small' amount of panic when I started it up.

And I've got a fuel leak at the filter. Haven't looked at it in detail but I may have split the filter, plastic, generic just before the carbs.

However, all is well (ish).

The tailshaft is not connected yet but I engaged all the gears and the box is nice and quite. Not definitive yet but a good sign. Took me about an hour and a half to clean up and pack everything away.

It was just on 1 am when I'd finished and by the time I'd cleaned up and had a shower I didn't get to bed until about 2 am.

This morning I took these 2 pics:
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/PICT0080.jpg[/IMG]

Still some work to do on the inside:
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/PICT0081.jpg[/IMG]

It's 1.30 pm the next day and I've been to the Gym and I picked up a new fuel filter, a bit of fuel line, a generic switch and a simple relay. I'll fiddle about with those bits this afternoon - maybe! :)

Posted 2012-05-08 20:28:47 by Chris W

Drum Brakes Removed

Tue, 08 May 2012 20:21:48 -0700

Anthony Kurilla's Journal --

Got the drums off the car and OMG, what a mess. The shoes appeared to be melting and all the years of crud, abuse , etc were staring at me. It is a wonder the car could stop. I would love to rebuild the entire rear-end but that will need to be at a later date. Want to get rid of the Spit-sag and improve the handling, but fresh brakes and new wheel cylinders will have to do.

I also ordered the water pump so I can replace the one that is about to die on me before it actually does. I discovered what looks to be a home-made drain plug for the differential. It does not look good but I do not want to touch something when it is not leaking. It does look ghetto though so I may have to touch it eventually. I will check my diff.fluid level and consistency to see what is what.

I still need several more rounds of cleaning to get all the crud off the back-plate and around axles, so the drum will be at least clean and ready for the new cylinders.

Posted 2012-05-08 20:21:48 by Anthony Kurilla

Car Is About Completed

Tue, 08 May 2012 17:38:12 -0700

Dave B's Journal --

The new Ford mags wheels make the spitfire look right at home parked amongst today's cars. The front end modification make it look more sporty in my opinion. Will start driving it for the first time later this week. Still a few odds and ends to do on the inside.

<Picture 220>	<Picture 227>	<Picture 231>
<Picture 230>

Posted 2012-05-08 17:38:12 by Dave B

Wheel Adapters

Tue, 08 May 2012 17:29:32 -0700

Dave B's Journal --

Well I installed my new lug bolts and wheel adapter today without any problems. I replaced the original lugs bolts (3/8) to larger 12 x 1.5 . With the adapters installed I can now install my 15 inch Ford Focus 4 x 108 bolt rims.

<old and new>

<adapter cnc machined>

<Ford Focus mags wheels installed>

Posted 2012-05-08 17:29:32 by Dave B

7000 MILES LATER

Tue, 08 May 2012 11:26:03 -0700

Denny Roper's Journal --

I'VE BEEN DRIVING OLE GREEN TO WORK (75 MILES RT) NOW ALMOST EVERY DAY SINCE THE WEATHER HAS TURNED. SHE IS GETTING 27 MILES PER AND RUNNING GREAT. GETTING READY TO START REPLACING SOME SUSPENSION PARTS AND TAKE HER ON A ROAD TRIP. I'VE SINCE BOUGHT A 1974 DATSUN 260Z THAT WAS COMPLETELY RESTORED AROUND 1990. I THINK I MIGHT TRY TO TRADER IT OFF FOR ANOTHER TR6 WITH A HARD TOP. MIGHT BE ABLE TO DRIVE IT MORE IN THE WINTER. THE Z CAR HAS A GREAT HEATER BUT IS NOT GETTING DRIVEN AS MUCH SINCE THE TOP GOES DOWN ON THE TR6. LOTS OF LITTLE THINGS TO DO TO OLE GREEN YET, JUST TRYING TO FIND THE TIME. ALWAYS AN ISSUE.

<BUFFED OUT>

<WILD PIC>

Posted 2012-05-08 11:26:03 by denny roper

Prospective Purchaser.

Mon, 07 May 2012 16:26:12 -0700

Colin Livingstone's Journal --

Hi, I am travelling to Bulgaria soon and may have the opportunity to buy a Trabant from a friend of a friend, (genuine sale). I would appreciate any general info on the pros and cons of owning/running a trabant. MPG, range per tank. Reliability, etc, ect,

Posted 2012-05-07 16:26:12 by Colin Livingstone

Help! Enjoying The B, But There Are Some Issues.

Mon, 07 May 2012 12:16:16 -0700

Adam Lambert's Journal --

This week end I started driving the B for the first time in about 4 years! We had a couple of false starts and we fixed the last major one this weekend by replacing the gas tank, the fuel lines and rebuilding the weber DGV carb. It was a great time finally being able to drive all around and enjoy the car. However there are a few issues. The main one being it's lack of performance. This is my first old car, before this I have owned a 1986 Buick Regal, a 1996 Oldsmobile Bravada, a 2000 Chevy S 10 and a 1995 Jeep Cherokee. All of them had 6 cylinders except the S 10. I didn't expect it to be fast but it's actually quit sluggish and it won't go over 40 with out a little bit of shuddering or maybe you'd call it pulsing? IDK. Any ideas how to fix this? I know MGB's have been known to do almost the ton, but mine won't really do much over 50.
When I rebuilt the carb I blew out all the passages with compressed air and replaced all of the gaskets and whatever else comes in the DGV rebuild kit that Moss sells. I set the float level to what it should be and adjusted the idle to about 900 RPM. I did notice that one of the Auxiliary venturis was a tiny bit loose. Would this cause the extreme lack of performance?
Also, before doing all of this I have done the following to the car mechanically: New Gas tank, and fuel lines, new cam, lifters, timing chain, timing sprockets, new distributor, new coil, new head gasket, new valves (which I lapped in) new valve springs, new water pump, and a 160 degree thermostat, new brakes all around, new wheel cylinders in the back, new brake disks in the front, new parking brake cable and I rebuilt the master cylinder. I will also note that the engine in out of a 1978. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Posted 2012-05-07 12:16:16 by Adam Lambert

New Tires For GT

Mon, 07 May 2012 08:38:48 -0700

Gary Brown's Journal --

Finally got down today and put new tires on the wheels I got from Joemamma. Think they look pretty good. Got 185-65-14's. Probably should have went with 70 series like on the roadster but we'll see how these do.

<new tires 1>

<new tires 2>

Posted 2012-05-07 08:38:48 by Gary Brown

At Last! Ready To Put The 'lump' Back.

Mon, 07 May 2012 01:16:36 -0700

Chris Williams' Journal --

Last 2 day have been 'fiddle about' days.
The wiring up and a few decisions to make about what to do about some issues have taken much longer than I had anticipated.

The new harness came with the reverse and OD harness and I'd packed it away a few years ago. Got it out and wired it up. The 3rd, 4th lockout switch had been replaced with a screw terminal version and rather than cut off the clips on the harness I modified some spade terminals and screwed them in and clipped the harness to them.
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/Overdrive%20unit%20closeups/PICT0063.jpg[/IMG]

Attached the harness to the side of the gearbox with a combination of cable ties and a 'P' clip. I drilled and tapped an unused spigot in the side of the gearbox. A bit DPO but the result is neat. Also drilled a couple of 3mm holes into casting webs to use cable ties. (Very DPO)
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/Overdrive%20unit%20closeups/PICT0064.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/Overdrive%20unit%20closeups/PICT0065.jpg[/IMG]

Then it was time to address the adjustment of the OD solenoid. The manual was a bit sketchy in this area but it became clearer when I actually put power to the solenoid. It pulled in a lot further than I thought it would and it was clearer what the manual was describing.

I've covered the control arm up but it is clearly depicted in the manual. A 3/16" hole is in the brass control lever and it matches a hole in the casting behind it. At rest these two should line up. Well the at rest position is debatable and as the plunger can flop around all over the place when no power is flowing I determined close enough was good enough and went about adjusting the arm at the fully engaged position. Logic and the manual and the Moss video mentioned in a previous entry made it clear that the solenoid drew a lot of current when it was being activated but at the end of it's stroke it only needed a small current - less than 2amps to hold it there. A switching mechanism was built into the solenoid at the end of its pull stroke to drop the current from about 15 to 20 amps down to 2amps.
I just had to make sure that the plunger got to this position at the same time as moving the lever to almost it's full movement.
I needed to be able to measure up to 20 amps. Hmm, both my multimeters only go to about 500 Milli amps. I was almost at the point of giving up when I remembered the PO had an ammeter in the dash when I bought the car and started to search for where I'd put that when another light bulb moment and I remembered my old engine analyser that had been given to me maaany years ago but my college mates on my 21st. I sure it had a method of measuring alternator output so it must go into that kind of range. Well I dug it out and found that it did by using a shunt.
Used my jump start battery (almost flat) and hooked it up and got the 2 readings that I required - albeit a bit low because the jump starter was almost flat but there was enough to show a reading of about 10amps and then dropping to about 2amps.
High amp reading: (should be about 20 amps it's not because the battery was almost flat)
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/Overdrive%20unit%20closeups/PICT0069.jpg[/IMG]
Low amp reading: (Really just a deflection of the needle)
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/Overdrive%20unit%20closeups/PICT0070.jpg[/IMG]

I fiddled about to make sure I was stiil getting full movement on the arm when engaged and it was still a bit slack when disengaged. And I was done.

Used some locktite on the cover plug I got the other day and attached the cover,
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/Overdrive%20unit%20closeups/PICT0066.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/Overdrive%20unit%20closeups/PICT0067b.jpg[/IMG]

All done ready to go!

There was some discussion about the use of the vacuum switch and relay on the forum. I've decided not to use these at this time. I'll just put the link to the discussion by way of explanation.

[url=http://www.mgexperience.net/phorum/read.php?1,2059404,2059404#msg-2059404]Link to forum discussion here![/url]

Maybe the lump will go back in tomorrow. :)

Posted 2012-05-07 01:16:36 by Chris W

August 1983

Sun, 06 May 2012 20:21:31 -0700

Léon Guyot's Journal --

1st August 1983: 98,735, 13,988 indicated, MOT test passed at Phoenix Motors, South Wimbledon

1st August 1983: Attempted to get Herald re-registered as 1967 LG, but DVLC wouldn't wear it, so neither did the Herald, which got KGF21A instead.

7th August 1983: 98,871, 14,124 indicated, Last recorded mileage on original engine GA220654HE, this (original) engine now showing signs of despair.

7th August 1983: Round the back of Police apartments in Hammersmith, West London, Engine, Gearbox & Propshaft all removed.

8th August 1983: Went to Hammersmith by train to work on engine bay etc,

10th August 1983: Went to Hammersmith by train to work on engine bay etc.

11th August 1983: Went to Hammersmith by train to work on engine bay etc.

12th August 1983: Went to Hammersmith by train to work on engine bay etc.

13th August 1983: To Hammersmith, also carried out partial respray of bulkhead area

13th August 1983: Replacement Engine: GA233148HE, (from very rusty 1200 Estate) & D-type Overdrive Gearbox/Sliding Joint Propshaft fitted.

14th August 1983: Finishing off engine fitting etc, added 2.2 gallons of petrol from can.

15th August 1983: Herald finally restarted, after Bruce Jopling (TSSC Thames Area) helped to track down airlock in fuel line, added 2.72 gallons of petrol.

16th August 1983: Herald 'tuned' n.b. To calculate correct engine mileage, add 23,496 miles to indicated figure of 14,124 on odometer,
because replacement engine has covered 37,620 miles on fitting.

17th August 1983: Herald back home with its' newly allocated registration of KGF 21A

17th August 1983: 98,889, 14,142 indicated, 37,638, 16.96 mpg due to tuning etc.

17th August 1983: problem with speedo cable, it failed to record the following journeys, due to no angle drive on overdrive, thanks to Gareth Thomas.

18th August 1983: 5 miles: New Malden to Wimbledon
18th August 1983: 25 miles: Westerham to Wimbledon
19th August 1983: 10 miles: Wimbledon to Roehampton to Wimbledon
19th August 1983: 50 miles: Wimbledon to Whitton to Wimbledon & twice round A316 'circuit'
19th August 1983: 18 miles: Wimbledon to Bookham

<19830812a, Hammersmith, London>

<19830817f, Wimbledon, London>

Posted 2012-05-06 20:21:31 by Léon Guyot

Summer 1983

Sun, 06 May 2012 20:06:33 -0700

Léon Guyot's Journal --

3rd July 1983: Easthampstead Park Autosunday, Bracknell, Berkshire -Herald won 3rd prize in Concours

5th July 1983: 97,735, 12,988 indicated, Best MPG 23.95, 179.1p/g

10th July 1983: Classic Car Show at Knebworth House, Hertfordshire

13th July 1983: TSSC Hants & Surrey Area Meeting,The Royal Oak, Pirbright, Surrey

13th July 1983: 97,922, 13,175 indicated, Best MPG 22.00, 183.7p/g

14th July 1983: 98,021, Herald First registered 16 years ago today

16th July 1983: TSSC Anglia Area BBQ weekend, Whittlesford, Cambridgeshire.
My smokey engine stopped half way through the driving test and wouldn't restart so I got the wooden spoon!
98,129, 13,382 indicated, Best MPG 27.14, 183.7p/g.
of the above drove Orpington-Whittlesford, 70 miles in 45 minutes,
10.35-11.10am, therefore average 93 mph and that with a worn engine!

17th July 1983: 98,344, 13,597 indicated, Best MPG 26.32, 183.7p/g
drove home via Brighton, Sussex, just to visit the seaside in such nice sunny weather!

23rd July 1983: 98,531, 13,784 indicated, Best MPG 23.98, 183.7p/g
Started stripping, inspecting & cleaning the spare low mileage Herald 1200-II Estate Engine which I bought for £9, and fitted the brand new petrol pump that I had paid £4 for on 25th June '83.

30th July 1983: 98,679, 13,932 indicated, Best MPG 18.12 Smoking Well!, 183.7p/g

30th July 1983: Herald Steam Cleaned underneath & some fibreglass came off the back of the LH front Outrigger!

<19830717a, Brighton, Sussex>

<19830730a, Feltham, Middlesex>

Posted 2012-05-06 20:06:33 by Léon Guyot

More Metal Removal

Sun, 06 May 2012 16:21:01 -0700

My 76 Spit Refurbishment --

This weekend I managed to get more little scraps of metal off of the car. In many places I find I have to first break apart brazed pieces, and then drill out the spot welds on the leftovers of original pieces. It's very time consuming. Today I bought a little air powered cutoff tool that will help out.

I started cutting out the rocker panels to see how bad it is inside, and found a 2x3 box tube inside. Out front of the body tub are angle iron pieces on the frame outriggers. I suspect these are welded to the box tubes that run behind the rocker panels. I didn't remove too much of the rocker as I want to wait until the new panels arrive to get a more accurate idea of how much needs to be cut out.

At the front of the car, the firewall has some smaller patches on it, again brazed. These actually don't seem too bad so I may see about grinding the brazing down and if they are solid with no holes, leave them as they are. Some will have to be replaced simply because they are new metal on top of old.

I found the frame has been patched with sheet steel at the very front where the towing T-slot is, so now the body will definitely be coming off to see how bad it really is. I figure I'll do what body work I can with the body on the frame, and then when it's off I can check the hidden areas.

<The patched frame and hole. 20 gauge steel won't cut it....>

<The firewall is in fairly decent shape!>

Posted 2012-05-06 16:21:01 by Eric G

5th May 2012

Sun, 06 May 2012 15:13:05 -0700

Chris R's Journal --

wipers finally fixed ...bought a new wheel box...they are working perfectly..more sanding and priming.
but a disaster
the A post has rot between the hinges...I punched the back of a socket rench right through it...this is a big setback..will have to get a 6 inch squared section welded in ....filled it for now so i wont have to look at it.
I cant wait to finish painting so i can put my re-furbished grill on.

Posted 2012-05-06 15:13:05 by chris R

Front Assembly Installed

Sun, 06 May 2012 15:11:29 -0700

Wilbur Engelsma's Journal --

The moment of truth- I installed the front end under the car, and it looks like everything fits like it was meant to. Woo hoo! The oil pan has about 1/2" of clearance between the bottom and the cross member. The pulleys on the front clear the steering rack nicely. The power steering connection fits between the oil pan and frame, and there is a gap between engine and frame to run the steering linkage (under the turbo, then up to the firewall). It's like I planned it, but it's always nice when the execution actually matches the plan.
Next step: install the steering column and linkage.

<front view>	<front clearance>	<oil pan clearance- left side>
<oil pan clearance- right side>

Posted 2012-05-06 15:11:29 by Wilbur Engelsma

Front Suspension Assembly

Sun, 06 May 2012 14:51:49 -0700

Wilbur Engelsma's Journal --

I completed the front suspension assembly and installed it under the car this weekend. I had a completed assembly that I just moved all the parts from the old cross member to the new one. The only wrinkle is the bolts that hold the member to the frame have to be installed prior to installing the suspension- or the hole the bold installs through is covered up.
The power steering hose connections are easily accessable, and nothing seems to be binding, so this should be good to go!

<completed assembly- rear view>	<completed assembly- front view>	<power steering clearance>
<power steering clearance>

Posted 2012-05-06 14:51:49 by Wilbur Engelsma

Modifying The Cross Member, Part 3

Sun, 06 May 2012 14:41:07 -0700

Wilbur Engelsma's Journal --

I finally finished the cross member:
- welded on the steering rack mounts
- trimmed off the excess material
- trimmed the ends to install the coil over suspension
- painted the finished product

<completed cross member>

<steering rack mount>

<ends trimmed for coil overs>

Posted 2012-05-06 14:41:07 by Wilbur Engelsma

Take The Car For A Spinn To Torghatten With A Friend

Sun, 06 May 2012 12:40:01 -0700

Are ATR's Journal --

Cold but nice trip to torghatten

Posted 2012-05-06 12:40:01 by are ATR

More Body Work

Sun, 06 May 2012 03:20:51 -0700

Andy Foley's Sprite Journal --

Many hours later and the innner and outer sills are done on both sides, new floorpans on both sides, and now I am turning my attentin to the rear quarters. I am waiting for the repair pannels to arrive, so I can work out fitting the inner fender patches. I have allready fitted the closing pannel on the drivers side, and am working on the closing pannel on the passenger side. The trunk floor needs a couple more small patches, but I am going to have to wait untill It is back on the suspension to do these. I have left the center section of the floor open for now, to aid in fitting a 5 speed transmition. Time to get back to work!!!!!!!!!!1

Posted 2012-05-06 03:20:51 by andy foley

The Beginning

Sat, 05 May 2012 15:46:09 -0700

My 76 Spit Refurbishment --

This was my first car, bought with saved up after school job money. It was always a fun car, but the low HP and lack of passenger space eventually found it left abandoned in favour of a 1981 Monte Carlo.

I was telling a friend of mine about the Spitfire a few years after I had bought it, and he was interested in buying it. I told him I'd give it a once over and he could buy it. A bicycle or some other clutter in the garage fell over, hit the rear fender, and knocked a piece of car out. It was a chunk of bondo, and exposed a really bad brazing job that had warped the panel. I told my friend that he probably didn't want this car (I wouldn't have sold it to him in that shape) and so I began tearing it down about 10 years ago.

Over the years I had bought a house which really dented the repair budget, although ebay was always a good place for deals. Seven years ago I was moving here to Florida, so I partially assembled the car and drove down here with it inside the U-Haul truck, towing the Monte Carlo behind on a car trailer.

Now I'm trying to get back to fixing the old car up and getting it driving again. Since it's stripped down I figured I might as well finish what I had started.

The previous owner had spent a small fortune on mechanical components but when it came to the body work, it was shortcut city. Many rusted panels were simply wrapped over with fresh metal and brazed on. The bondo was on so thick that I had no idea that the lower rear fender just behind the B-post, had that little transition from the wheel arch to the flat panel.

So, hopefully I will have some more journal entries with progress. Right now I am doing a bit of investigation to see how bad the body really is. I must admit I have given up a few times and then gone right back to it, so it can't be that bad lol.

As it stands now, I will have to replace the lower section of the rear inner fender, outer wheel well lip, and outer fender. I've ordered rocker panels from ebay, I suspect they might need a bit of fitting as they were pretty cheap price wise.

I'm going to get a bead roller. I have been reading up and watching tutorial videos, and this machine will do quite a bit to save money. (Besides it's purchase cost.)

Sorry about the length of this entry, I just thought it would be good to know the story to this point! Here is the rear drivers side as it looks right now.

<Rear fender area after removal of previous owners sandwich wrapping patchwork>

<The upper and front parts of the inner fender and wheel arch are surface rusty but very solid!>

Posted 2012-05-05 15:46:09 by Eric G

BACK IN THR GARAGE

Sat, 05 May 2012 13:51:01 -0700

Dennis P's Journal --

GOT 200.3 MILES ON THE MOTOR WHEN A FREEZE PLUG BLEW. BRITISH AUTO CENTER , SAID .THAT THE ENGINE SHOP DID THEM? WELL,IT'S GOING IN AGAIN MONDAY .I FEEL LIKE E OR! .

Posted 2012-05-05 13:51:01 by dennis pierce

Another Busy And Productive Day.

Sat, 05 May 2012 07:50:08 -0700

Chris Williams' Journal --

Got a fair bit done today and tomorrow I may be able to get the lump back in the car.

I took off the front cover of the gearbox and replaced the seal. The old one wasn't leaking and it looked ok but I had the new one anyway so...
Was very careful to make sure I had it sealed well. Plenty of gasket goop.

Then after a few pics of the innards I cleaned up the side plate and with a new gasket and plenty of goop sealed it up as well.
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/The%20switch%20and%20swap/PICT0053.jpg[/IMG]

3.6 Litres of engine oil and I was ready to attempt a test of the OD hydraulics. Using my corded hand drill and after scouring to find some suitable hose clamps and a piece of hose, we eventually came up with this:
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/Overdrive%20unit%20closeups/PICT0056.jpg[/IMG]

It's a bit (OK a lot) rough but it functioned. Spinning the box in 4th and tweeking the lever by hand we were able to establish reasonably confidently that the hydraulics and the mechanism of the OD function. An audible and visual change in the speed of the output shaft was quite evident.
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/Overdrive%20unit%20closeups/PICT0057.jpg[/IMG]

The solenoid is new so as long as it functions and I set it up correctly, I feel sure I will be able to get this to function.

After a bit of drama I eventually removed the old spigot bearing. Tried the grease in the hole and a close fitting plunger and driving it out to no avail. Then used a length of 10mm threaded rod with a large nut on the end fed through and hooked over end of the bearing and pulled it out using a heavy length of steel with a hole in it as a slide hammer up against another nut on the other end. Took a while but it came out relatively easily. Cleaned everything out and using the old spigot drove the new one in flush with the front end of the hole. No photos of this procedure unfortunately.

After putting the new spigot bearing in and attaching the clutch using the spare 1st motion shaft as an alignment tool an old guy and a scrawny lad couldn't for the life of us get the two together.
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/PICT0060.jpg[/IMG]

So a different approach was required.
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/PICT0061.jpg[/IMG]

Dropped straight in - no fuss!

And so this is where we are up to tonight.
[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Clutch%20revisit/PICT0062b.jpg[/IMG]

Stay tuned for tomorrows episode.

Posted 2012-05-05 07:50:08 by Chris W