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DrEntropy

DrEntropy

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Last Sunday I chimed up the MG after it'd been dormant for months, lit off and went thru a "heat cycle" like always. The intention was that the following weekend (now) we'd attend the MacDill AFB Airshow and do some running about in the B afterwards. Monday was going to be an oil change in anticipation of some summer motoring. Not to be. Started the thing and it started missing, chuffing blue-white smoke out th' pipe. "Arggg! Head gasket?!?" Off with its head, a look at things seemed to confirm, there was a tell-tale stain from between gasket and head. Did NOT disassemble valves from head. Cleaned all mating surfaces, pulled a new head gasket outta inventory and reassembled. On restart the same problem occurs. Threw in th' towel at that point and will address it sometime next week.

Meantime:
SS1_1858.JPG


And this:

 
Great song to soothe while you ingest you caffeine quota following the disappointment...
 
Ah…. MacDill. I used to drive my scooter there to also watch the air show during college.
I also need to get back to P O’K place of my first solo flight.
Get her fixed doc :driving:
 
DrEntropy said:
Last Sunday I chimed up the MG after it'd been dormant for months, lit off and went thru a "heat cycle" like always. The intention was that the following weekend (now) we'd attend the MacDill AFB Airshow and do some running about in the B afterwards. Monday was going to be an oil change in anticipation of some summer motoring. Not to be. Started the thing and it started missing, chuffing blue-white smoke out th' pipe. "Arggg! Head gasket?!?" Off with its head, a look at things seemed to confirm, there was a tell-tale stain from between gasket and head. Did NOT disassemble valves from head. Cleaned all mating surfaces, pulled a new head gasket outta inventory and reassembled. On restart the same problem occurs. Threw in th' towel at that point and will address it sometime next week.

Meantime:
View attachment 76773
Click to expand...
Black and Decker coffee maker? What, you couldn't' find a Snap-on? :p
 
Snap-on? - I think that if you buy $10,000 worth of tools,
the salesman gives you one free.
 
Basil said:
In other words a standard set of wrenches and screw drivers :scared:
Click to expand...
With inflation that's probably down to just a set of screw drivers.
 
waltesefalcon said:
With inflation that's probably down to just a set of screw drivers.
Click to expand...
Truth hurts! Snap-On in decades past would hand out "trinkets." Promo stuff. Once it was a 1/4" universal, pin removed and key rings through the pin holes to make detachable keyrings. I've a few of those and recently thought it would be useful to have another one or two. My local Snappy guy has his predictable route, I saw him one day and got on the truck. We exchanged small talk and then I asked what a 1/4" universal would cost, thinking I'd make the keyrings with a couple of those... NOT!! The u-joints are now $40 each?!?!

I'll muddle thru with the ones I've got.
 
It wasn’t much better decades ago either. I need a 5 sided socket to get into electrical hand holes for underground services. I was allow access because I was a licensed contractor. Someone told me that Snapon had them. I saw a truck at a garage and stopped in to see if I could get one. At that time it was $34! I took one of the bolts home with me , heated it with a propane torch and stuck into a piece of 3/4 inch pvc pipe. Instant wrench.
 
Rhodyspit75 said:
At that time it was $34! I took one of the bolts home with me , heated it with a propane torch and stuck into a piece of 3/4 inch pvc pipe. Instant wrench.
Click to expand...
Well done. There are occasions where a bit of imagination and time make up for a costly convenience!

I've a "collection" of specialty tools for Lotus and other Eurotrash cars, home-made using diagrams or originals as patterns. In a lot of cases that made for "instant gratification" as well. No having to wait for shipping and cost was minimal.
 
Made many copies of factory tools or improvised with a near look alike.
 
Basil said:
Black and Decker coffee maker? What, you couldn't' find a Snap-on? :p
Click to expand...

I did not notice the brand, but did see that you have TWO coffee carafes but only one cup. Must be a thirsty fellow! (Or that the MG problem requires some serious noggin-scratching!)

In all seriousness, best of luck with the diagnosis / repair.
 
Back when I had a '73 Capri 2000,I bought a hex adapter for
my ratchet.I was surprised that it was only $7.50.
 
AngliaGT said:
Back when I had a '73 Capri 2000,I bought a hex adapter for
my ratchet.I was surprised that it was only $7.50.
Click to expand...
That's amazing! No, I don't mean that you paid $7.50 for a hex adaptor in 1973, I mean it's amazing that you could remember what you paid for something like that from 48 years ago! 🏆
 
I have been married 49 years, yep, remember it well!
 
She won't let me forget!
 
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