The MGA With An Attitude
MGA Guru Is GOING MOBILE - (March 1 - March 15, 2023)
Wednesday, March 1, 2023:
Navigator insists the 1st of the month is his day for doing data downloads (for what I don't know). I was planning for a work day on the car, so taking a day off the calendar might be a problem, as we are getting close to leaving southern Florida. But I spent some time with future activity planning.
Thursday, March 2, 2023:
Work day on the car okay, more work than time. You might recall back on Feb 7 when we were working on
doors, after the front end repaint, when we noticed some heavy paint blistering (rust spot) at bottom of the driver side B-post, below the lower hinge, just above the body sill. This was our day to fix it. By the time we finished cutting out thin rotted metal back to metal thick enough to weld, there was a remaining hole nearly 1-1/2 inches high most of the way across the rear face of the post, and 1-1/4 inches forward on side of the post. Then pull out and vacuum out a fist full of rust flakes and dust, pretty shocking stuff inside.
 Determined not to remove the front wing for this fix, I spent more than an hour cutting a metal patch with one 90-degree bend, and carefully grinding the edges to precisely fit the opening for flush fit all around. Holding it flush in place with two welding magnets, put a few strategically placed tack welds, remove magnets, many more tack welds, and finally having it welded all the way around. Tough job trying to grind it flush all around in the limited space, but got it close enough to "Bondo" over with JB Weld and call it good.
Sometime soon we expect to remove the kick panel to bore a 1-inch hole on the inboard side of the pillar for access to get inside of the pillar with bent acid brushes to use rust converter (2 applications) followed by Chassis Saver paint to seal it up in hopes to prevent any more future rusting. Last time this was accessed was in early 2008 with body sill replacement, and apparently this space was inaccessible (overlooked) at that time (boo, hiss). A shortcut will often come back to bite you later.
Friday, March 3, 2023:
First things first, priorities, needing time for pain to dry. Here's what the driver side body sill and A-post look like after yesterday's welding repair and primer paint. Grab the power screw driver and remove 8 screws to remove the door. Smash a couple sheets of cardboard into place to serve as masking. Spray the sill and pillars with Sunrise Red from the aerosol can, and screw the hinges back together to reinstall the door. Quick pictures, then close the door before 20-MPH wind gusts blow tree chaff into the new paint. Then just get away from it for a few hours.
I had some time to lend a hand with a special project. Someone downsizing their home workshop space had donated a large bucket of tools, mostly old socket wrench parts. So we were spending a hour or so sorting sockets to assemble several complete socket sets, 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive, inch size and metric, standard and deep well sockets. All of these were ultimately going onto socket storage sticks to make it easy (hopefully mandatory) to put tools back in the proper place after use. Someone hollered "Lunch", so we all had a short break.
After lunch a couple of the guys took a truck to deliver a used washing machine and barbecue grille to a friend in need. Meanwhile there was a mini van leaking coolant. Some pro shop had suggested it needed a replacement heater core, which would be a rather expensive repair. So I pulled out my coolant system pressure tester, topped up the radiator with water, and pumped up a little pressure. Water was spurting out as fast as I could pump up the hand pump, draining on the ground just aft of the engine near the firewall. The fault was a plastic 3-way water hose connector (a Y-fitting) that had split down the side. This looks like a local parts store acquisition, including all connectors and hose clamps, so it should be fixed within a day at minimal cost.
This will be our last day at Tech Central for this season, goodbye to all, heading north, will likely be back in December. WiFi and dinner in Fort Myers tonight.
Saturday, March 4, 2023:
Day off, mostly. Driving north at dusk, got dark, lights on. Battery discharging pretty low before we noticed the dim lights. Broken wire at the alternator connector. Clipped all the wires and installed a complete new connector this time. I think I got it done right with all three terminals connected. Hard to tell when battery is so low, charging at about 8.5 to 9.0 volts. Only drove it 12 miles more with lights on, so may have to wait for morning to drive some with lights off to see if it recovers.
Oh yeah, noticed the new alternator rear bracket is broken again, 3-months, 1500 miles. Boo, hiss. I recon that can wait for daylight. Time to crash for the night, not to be driving with lights on when we don't know the status of the alternator. Also it just dawned on me that we have driven more miles today than any day since mid December, so we must really be traveling again. We got as far as from Fort Myers to Davenport, FL, 145 miles by the short route which was about one week average since mid December).
Sunday, March 5, 2023:
Up early, heading for Sanford, FL. That would be 54 miles by the short route, and a good thing we didn't try to run it last night. No headlights, and switch off everything else except fuel pump and ignition. Starting at 9.8 volts, slightly slow cranking, but it did start. Hour and a half later we rolled into the restaurant looking at 8.5 volts, knowing that ignition craps out at 7-volts, and cannot restart with battery below 8.5-volts (because voltage drops when cranking and kills ignition). But we did get there on schedule before 8:30am for tire kicking (fix the alternator later).
Good morning meeting with British Car Club of Central Florida at Patio Grill Restaurant & Lounge in Sanford, FL. Several cars there before us, so start taking pictures as more were rolling in. First curiosity was what appeared to be a rubber bumper MGC, which of course never existed. Turned out to be a late model MGB LE with an MGC bonnet. Next in line was a Lotus Esprit (a.k.a. James Bond car), a modern Jaguar drop head coupe (XK8 I think), a 1974 Jaguar E-type (with the Sabrina overriders), and a modern McClaren. Turn around to see an Alpine Tiger, restored to be mostly original, with a pair of added exhaust vents in the bonnet.
Next arrivals were a pair of Austin, Minis. The red one with added trim to make it look like a Mini Cooper, including dual carburetors. The grey one being an Austin Mini Moke, also converted to dual carburetors. These things might go 80-MPH on their 10-inch wheels, but don't know for how long. My primary interest here was that from 1969 to 1973 I drove an Austin America, successor to the MG 1100 sport sedan, like a slightly bigger version of the Mini with 1275-cc engine and running on 12-inch wheels, easy to do 85, but not much more.
Then we had a few more Jaguar, an MGB GT, another Triumph TR6, a VERY nice Bentley, a 1974 Triumph Spitfire (also with Sabrina overriders).
Then a very nice Jaguar 595S, big and beautiful, and a Morgan +8 (didn't check if it was petrol or propane fueled). First time I've see a Victory Freedom 106 cu-in Twin V 3-wheeler. Well, it isn't really vintage, or British, but it is out of production. I counted 27 British cars present.
Finally time for 9-am buffet breakfast. Couldn't believe there were 54 people present. I guess we did finally recover from that Covid thing. They had a few new members, a couple of first timers, a few new cars and some car work going on. Crashed through a quick club business meeting, spending time chatting about their upcoming April Fool's Day Multi-Mark Car Show (mostly asking for volunteer help). I got honorable mention, and a few "Thank you" for my website.
Meeting over, people and cars leaving, so it was time to swap out the alternator in the MGA. Standard 15 minute R&R, replacing the broken rear bracket in the process. Oh yeah, also replacing the broken adjuster bracket in the
process. Just one crack this time, so it was still hanging in there when removed, likely cracked after the rear bracket broke. Don't know what kind of steel these are made from, but must be some cheap and dirty recycled stuff (just a gut feeling). Otherwise there may be a hell of a lot of harsh engine vibration, possibly a result of the new engine mounts being too stiff (maybe).
Then we had to push start the car, as battery voltage was too low to crank and spark at the same time. At least the new alternator is charging the battery again. Now to schedule another trip to O'Reilly Auto Parts for another warranty replacement. Probably do that Tuesday morning, as we have another full travel day ahead of us. Landed at McDonald's in Gainsville, FL for late lunch, got kicked out after 90 minutes for loitering. Ha-ha, kind of thought that was coming, as it was not close enough to an interstate exit, more like in a shopping mall. No problem, just stopped at the next "friendly" McD a few miles on (still in Gainsville) at the next exit to bring you these photos and notes. Another 25 miles driving late night.
Monday, March 6, 2023:
We toddled on to Tallahassee, FL for breakfast. No rush, as next appointment is tomorrow.
Tuesday, March 7, 2023:
Rolled on in to Panama City Beach, FL this morning, ready for next appointment. Turn the clock back and gain an hour from the time zone change. Called O'Reilly Auto Parts to order a new alternator. That would come out of Atlanta, not be here before Friday. But we are going to Atlanta soon, so take the chance and wait until we get there to pick one up.
On to our 1-pm lunch time meeting with Bay British Cars club at Triple J's Steak House in Panama City Beach, Florida. Pre-Covid in February 2020 this group could regularly field up to 30 club members for meetings or social occasions. For get togethers early post-Covid (December 2021), they could get 6 to 8 people together, still very hesitant at that time I recon. Now a bit more than a year later things are improving some but still abnormally slow, gathering 12 club members (14 including us). They seemed to be somewhat discouraged with some chat about possibly discontinuing the club. Oops, please no, the world at large needs the club.
With the small group, and not much happening, I got to be the "guest of honor" and "guest speaker" and ultimately "motivational speaker" (I guess), at least had plenty of time to talk. By the end of it they had apparently collected some new motivation, nominated a new Chairman, and were chatting about guest speakers for future meetings, and getting into "home garage tech sessions". That last one might be more for entertainment than for tech, but anything that can maintain interest in the club and the cars must be good.
Then we were off to visit Rich Roesch at his warehouse workshop in Panama City Beach, FL. He has been patiently waiting for our arrival for a couple months. He has an interesting assortment of toys including a large motor home. He had recently divested himself (at least at this location) of an assortment of vintage motorcycles, leaving more space for vintage British cars. Now he has a nice Triumph TR4, a TR6, a Jaguar XK120, and I think a Harley Davidson motorcycle tucked in there somewhere.
But the one we really came to see was a Lotus 7 Series 1 with tube frame, cycle fenders and all aluminum body work. In the traditional Colin Chapman tradition, this one was built to be small and light weight. The engine would be Austin A-series 1275cc (Austin Healey Sprite and MG Midget fame). The gearbox and rear axle/differential would also be Austin A-series parts (MG Midget type). Where the Midget was steel unit body construction, the Lotus has tube frame and aluminum skin assemble with a myriad of pop rivets. The belly pan in this case is more for aerodynamics, but that does make it similarly difficult to remove engine and gearbox.
The issue here was that the gearbox was somehow stuck in 1st gear after the last drive, With the shift lever in neutral. Shifting into 3rd, 4th or reverse would have it locked in two gears at once, in which case it could not move. Shift lever in neutral position could idle with clutch released, but let the pedal up and it would drive off in 1st gear. So it seems the 1-2 shift rod has moved into the 1st gear position, but the selector lever did not mate to go along with it. Now there is no way to get the selector lever into the gate on the 1-2 shift rod to bring it back.
Having seen this before, my best guess on why would be somewhat worn shift gates and interlock parts (sloppy working fit), and a swift shift from 2nd gear into (or toward) 3rd gear. As the selector arm moves out of the 1-2 gate, the 1-2 shift rod continues to move past center neutral position by inertia. It ends up at least part way into 1st gear with the selector arm removed from the gate on the 1-2 rod. The puzzling part here is that the shift lever can be moved into 3rd or 4th gears (locking up the gearbox). I would have expected the 3-4 shift rod to be locked in neutral, not able to go into 3rd or 4th gears. So apparently there is an additional problem of the interlocks between the shift rods not working, possibly some missing parts inside.
The clutch slave cylinder works okay, just a bit of interference with the belly pan (easily fixed). We removed the tunnel top cover and the remote shift extension assembly, nothing wrong there. The next selector rod input lever was properly in place, so the mechanical problems here would be entirely inside of the gearbox housing. The engine and gearbox would have to come out for access even just to remove the gearbox side cover. Bummer, big job beyond my time limit.
We did take some time to look over the car to "appraise" the work required to R&R the engine and gearbox. The propshaft connection is accessible through top of the tunnel. Gearbox rear mount fasteners are accessible through holes in sides of the tunnel. The small engine mounts are easily reached from top. The radiator mount is substantially forward from the engine, so it looks like the engine can pull forward, tilt and lift upward without moving the radiator (that was a surprise).
The car otherwise seems to be easy enough for normal service access with engine connections and controls being easily accessible. That large open bonnet is a nice feature. The "dog bone" stabilizer brace between bellhousing and frame is something I had seen before on Austin Mini (and Mini Cooper), MG 1100 and Austin America (but those are all front wheel drive applications).
In the end, Rich is somewhat short on time, so he has been making plans to ship the car to Jacksonville, Florida for the repairs. Sometimes it's just easier not to work on your own car, but pay the piper and wait.
Wednesday, March 8, 2023:
Catching up with photos and notes from yesterday. Posted a new picture of component parts of Andrex friction shock absorbers installation kit for MGA.
Also posting new pictures of the MGA factory issue Vanden Plas aluminum hard top.
Pointed it north late night, running half an hour across the state line out of the Florida pan handle into Dothan, Alabama.
Thursday, March 9, 2023:
Phone calls and planning, lining up a few appointments. Pointed it back east in the evening, landing two hours later in a cabin in Albany, Georgia. Been here before, we'll see tomorrow.
Friday, March 10, 2023:
Mid morning appointment with Tom Seegmueller in Albany, GA. His wife Kelly's MG Midget has been sitting two years since we last worked on it. Last time we got it running, repacked seals in the brake balance safety switch, bled the brakes, and discovered the rear brake hose as badly clogged with no rear brakes. The hose has since been replaced, not much else. Today we bled and adjusted the rear brakes, but brake drums seemed to be stuck to the shoes, so need to get it running again.
Put a battery charger on it, drained stale fuel, installed a couple gallons of fresh gas, gave it whirl. Noticed a fuel leak, so tighten a loose filter and replace a fuel hose, gave it a sniff of starting fluid, cranked it again, and it started and ran fine (just like it was two years ago).
Rear axle still on jack stands, backed off the rear brake adjusters, gave it a good tug in reverse to get the rear wheels to turn. Reset the brake adjusters with shoes close to the drums, give it a forward run in 1st and 2nd gears, hit the brakes, right wheel stopped but left one didn't. Hand brake killed the engine. So the parking brake works on both wheels, but hydraulic brake works on right only (at least partly), no hydraulic brake on left.
None of this is particularly surprising. Quite possibly this car has had no rear brakes since it was purchased several years earlier. -- Remove left rear wheel and brake drum (with help from penetrating oil and a big hammer and some pry bars). Slave cylinder has a split dust boot with dirt and moisture inside, pistons seized, time to order more new parts. Otherwise done for the day, back to the cabin for dinner and WiFi. We may be back next week when the parts come in.
Saturday, March 11, 2023:
Goodbye Albany, GA. Grab a light lunch before 11-am check out time, and head north. We were scheduled to be in Villa Rica, GA (west of Atlanta) by 8-pm, seemed like plenty of time, top up fuel on the way out of town. 25 miles later, cough, sputter, loss of power, pull into the next little town ahead. Pull spark wires one at a time while running to find no fire on #3 or #4. Remove spark plugs to do compression test, and find 20-psi in cylinders 3 and 4 with air chuffing out of the opposing hole. Damn, blown head gasket. Aside from the fact that this is a freshly rebuilt engine from late August, less than 10,000 miles, and the idea that a health engine is not supposed to blow a head gasket, .... stuff happens. So we found a place to work in the shade of an awning at an old abandoned gas station in Smithsville, Georgia, and go to work changing the head gasket.
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I took a picture of the neat historic building, and took a few more pictures of the car and engine while the head was off, but what you see is what you get (or what I got), just solid black images. Rats, with everything else, the little pocket camera has died again, different failure mode this time.
Standard fare by now, grab the spare head gasket out of the trailer, drain the coolant, disconnect hoses and linkages, remove carburetors and manifolds, 11 head bolt nuts and washers, and lift off the cylinder head. Scrape clean the mating surfaces of head and engine block, wipe clean, and reassemble with the new head gasket. Everything back together with fresh coolant installed, and fired up the engine again in three hours. That struck me as a little slow, but we did change a couple of threaded studs and one hose. Might have gone quicker if it had been raining.
All packed up, on the road again, stopped at the next small town 15 miles on to re-torque the cylinder head bolts and reset the valve clearance. Oops, another quick stop to latch down the trailer cover (dummy). And one more stop for fuel after dark, finally arriving destination on schedule right at 8-pm.
Destination was one of the "Atlanta Garage Party" (first timers) on a narrow and rough gravel road near Villa Rica, Georgia. AGP is supposed to be held third Friday every month (unless otherwise specified). This one was second Saturday on special occasion. It was the 86th birthday party for Chuck Beck who, among other things, has created some very special "Beck" sports cars. After taking a few more pictures, navigator finally figured out the camera was shooting blanks, so I reverted to taking pictures with my dumb phone.
Near as I could count, more than 80 people inside for the party, a few more outside around a bonfire, and more coming and going through the night, likely over 100 attendees. We could put serial numbers on these Beck cars, but I don't know which one came first. This green beast has a Jaguar V12 engine, fuel injected, with automatic transmission.
The white one has a modern Corvette engine and manual transmission. The grey one being the newest addition has a Porsche flat six, mid engine.
One of Beck's sons is into a business of his own, producing clones of Porsche 356 with the Beck badge, apparently a lot of them.
There was a unique motorcycle, hand built one of a kind, older issue, with a Lamborghini V12 engine.
Outside near the fire pit, I think this was another Beck custom. Our friend from southeast Georgia who we were supposed to meet here didn't show up, but did leave a text message. May get to see him later.
Sunday, March 12, 2023:
One appointment this afternoon, stopping in to visit Horace Henry in Atlanta, GA. He has this 1973 MGB with a
Weber carburetor, idles well but coughs on acceleration. That was pretty obvious at first glance, with the Weber carburetor missing the activating lever for the accelerator pump. Put that on his shopping list. Spent some time chatting about how to reconnect the fuel vapor recovery circuit and make anti-run-on work again. -- He also has a 1979 MGB, recent acquisition (with no key), lights & brakes good, clutch with no fluid. Story is an overdrive gearbox was recently installed, but never driven, and maybe the engine has not run for 15 years (but it will turnover). Needs some rust repair (floor pan patches). Debating if he wants to fix it or sell it.
Monday, March 13, 2023:
Mostly sitting in Macon, Georgia today. Placed a parts order for two head gaskets (and some other minor stuff) to be shipped today, sending to a friend's place in Albany, GA, for Wednesday delivery (we hope).
Called ahead to O'Reilly Auto Parts in Savannah, GA to order up another alternator (under warranty we hope), which we can pick up tomorrow (after overnight delivery).
Called a friend we might visit in Savannah, chatted for a while before we discovered he was on a boat in
the Atlantic Ocean well out of sight of land when he took the cell call. This was his (and my) first phone call being patched through the Starlink satellite network with mobile capability. Hey, we're going high tech now. He is captain on a small (80 foot) private yacht, heading for the Northwest Passage. Assuming they get through there, then around Alaska, down the Pacific coast, around the southern tip of South America, and maybe a side trip to Antarctica before heading up to the Gulf of Mexico (long way around to not go through the Panama Canal). The boat owner likes long tours. So it looks like we don't get to see this friend in Savannah until next October. Reason for our interest is, this is the guy who had his baby blue MGA show car smashed last year not quite finished with the extensive pro shop repairs.
On-line Zoom tech session with John Twist, 7:00-9:30pm EST. We try to catch this at least once a month, time permitting. With BBS and email squeezed in between, busy day.
Tuesday, March 14, 2023:
Slept in a bit, then am hour and a half drive into Savannah, GA to pick up the new alternator. First time I recall seeing one fail all three tests at once. -- Short side trip to pick up some engine oil. Then lunch, because we missed breakfast). --
By late evening I was slapping together a new web page for an MGA variant named "Mercante", which was one-off hand tooled with aluminum skin, not well done but definitely unique.
Wednesday, March 15, 2023:
Started the day with posting a new tech page for making a replacement panel for the face of the front wing. -- Two tentative appointments near Savannah,GA cancelled, so heading for Hawkinsville, GA for the evening. Then we got a little farther, landing in Unadilla, GA late night.
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Weber carburetor, idles well but coughs on acceleration. That was pretty obvious at first glance, with the Weber carburetor missing the activating lever for the accelerator pump. Put that on his shopping list. Spent some time chatting about how to reconnect the fuel vapor recovery circuit and make anti-run-on work again. -- He also has a 1979 MGB, recent acquisition (with no key), lights & brakes good, clutch with no fluid. Story is an overdrive gearbox was recently installed, but never driven, and maybe the engine has not run for 15 years (but it will turnover). Needs some rust repair (floor pan patches). Debating if he wants to fix it or sell it. 
the Atlantic Ocean well out of sight of land when he took the cell call. This was his (and my) first phone call being patched through the Starlink satellite network with mobile capability. Hey, we're going high tech now. He is captain on a small (80 foot) private yacht, heading for the Northwest Passage. Assuming they get through there, then around Alaska, down the Pacific coast, around the southern tip of South America, and maybe a side trip to Antarctica before heading up to the Gulf of Mexico (long way around to not go through the Panama Canal). The boat owner likes long tours. So it looks like we don't get to see this friend in Savannah until next October. Reason for our interest is, this is the guy who had his baby blue MGA show car smashed last year not quite finished with the extensive pro shop repairs. 
Slept in a bit, then am hour and a half drive into Savannah, GA to pick up the new alternator. First time I recall seeing one fail all three tests at once. -- Short side trip to pick up some engine oil. Then lunch, because we missed breakfast). --
By late evening I was slapping together a new web page for an MGA variant named "Mercante", which was one-off hand tooled with aluminum skin, not well done but definitely unique. 
