Ready To Go Where!?

Ready To Go Where!?

Having decided to stay in the UK for winter I couldn't face the idea of laying on cold concrete under the car trying to locate various faults and so decided to hand it over to the experts. They tackled the noise at the rear first and having checked everything I had already done could not identify precisely what the cause was. They did identify that the nearside rear tyre was distorted and needed to be replaced, but everything else was good. They decided to move on and tackle the oil pressure problem that they believed might be the generally known (by everyone but me) trouble of the crankshaft. It needed to be re-ground and they replaced the main bearings and big-end bearings whilst at it. Also replaced was the oil pump. Whilst removing the engine the mechanic noticed that the gearbox mountings had collapsed and that a mounting bracket was 'non-standard'. What's more it was bent and distorted, so it, and the...
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Wonder (not Wander) Winterland

Wonder (not Wander) Winterland

  When I returned from the Canary Islands in April I said I wouldn't be returning in the Winter of 2019. I have made similar statements on previous occasions but then changed my mind and returned to the sun as soon as the weather in the UK started to cool. This year however, I am still in the UK in November and I am staying! The reason for this stupendous decision is that I am going 'WALK-ABOUT' in 2020. The plan, as much as there is, is to ship Bridget (sorry Bertie) to Halifax, Canada in May. We will then mooch around until the end of June when we hope to attend the NAMGBR event in Calgary. After NAMGBR we will explore the Rockies before descending into the USA where I intend to complete a large circular tour that will include a visit to the Mullin Automotive Museum in California. I am thinking Peter Mullin's new museum being built in the UK would...
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Bertie’s Relaunch

Bertie’s Relaunch

  Say "Hello" to the new Bertie! Now for six months 'bedding in', starting with a rolling road check this weekend. See if the original carbs (HS4's) are properly tuned. I replaced the Weber with these so that I can tweak the mixture at the side of the road should I need too. The brakes have a servo which they hadn't before and the clutch has been replaced, otherwise, mechanically, he is pretty much as was.  ...
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Bridget Visits Bertie

Bridget Visits Bertie

As Berties' restoration nears completion it was only a matter of time before Bridget visited to see 'first hand' the progress. The picture above shows Bridget in the middle of having her fluids checked ahead of her appearance at Silverstone for MGLive. Below are a number of pictures, some featuring both cars, others focusing on 'Bertie the B'. The engine is now complete and ready for firing-up. The original HS4 carburettors have replaced the Weber as I need to be able to adjust the fuel mixture quickly at the side of the road when driving on extreme mountain roads (altitude over 12,000 feet). All the electrical connections of Bertie's new loom were made and the power turned on. Only the side lights worked! I started going through all the circuits comparing them to the circuit diagram and gradually things began to work. When I flicked the left direction indicator the front left light blinked, together with the rear right light! Ideal...
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On The Road in Six Weeks!

On The Road in Six Weeks!

At last! I am making progress with Bertie's restoration. Thanks to fellow MGCC members, Mike Parker and Dave Kato, the power train is back in and the windscreen is finally installed. Initially I did not appreciate that installing the windscreen on the MGB Roadster is a two man operation. The design is identical to the MG Midget and I had replaced Bridget's several times, but I wasted a whole week trying to install Bertie's before several experienced people informed me that I would need help. With both of these tasks completed I can now get on installing the dash, connecting all the electrical items and installing the new interior. I can also start hanging all of the engine components back on the motor, such as the original HS4 carburettors, oil filter and electronic distributor. I have decided to replace the Weber carburettors with the HS4's because I may need the facility to change the fuel mix 'on the run' and that cannot be done...
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