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Nunyas

Nunyas

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So yesterday, I took some time and tinkered more with me B. Little things mostly: reset the mixture to where it should be, readjust the idles to where they should be, changed head lamps to use H4 bulbs, and rerouted vacuum and electrical line so they don't cross over the top of the valve cover. I also took some time to properly trim all vacuum and emissions line/hoses to proper length. So, my B looks a little neater under the bonnet now.

When i made the carb adjustments, I did the high idle (choke on)while the engine was cold. Then set the low idle (choke off) after a short drive to make sure it was warm. I believe I have that stuff set now. When I finished, I noticed coolant on the distributor... you can imagine the first two words that popped into my head. In hopes of preventing (more like greatly reducing th amount of) fluid from getting inside the dizzy, I put a dab of RTV on the hole where the wires enter the base. The upside, is the leak isn't spewing fluid every where; It drips once every 10 to 20 seconds or so. So, I believe I can continue to drive the B until I get the new heater valve installed.

I suppose the other upside is this will give me the perfect opportunity to yank the heater core and figure out what's going on with that flapper on the bottom.

Ah well, at least it hasn't blown up. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
 
Awwww, rats.

Can't you just block th' poxy thing off an' drive?

Take a set of tin-snips to work an' chop th' privvy wall inna "Boy's Room" with a 2"x 2" hole... then a paper punch fer th' bolt-holes. Blank off th' valve with the aluminum sheet and add a really bad sparkplug to th' supply side from the vassahpump.

"Fix-I-Go"!!! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif
 
Rob - is the heater valve on the block leaking or is there a leak in the core inside the heater box? I'm confused by your description.
 
The valve diaphragm is the leak, the heater box diverter flap is "reluctant" IIRC.

Another bodge is to loop the heater hose from the pump side to the valve and bypass the heater core. That way you can pull the box and still keep rollin'... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thumbsup.gif
 
the valve itself is leaking. Possibly the diaphragm like doc says. Probably the real source of my recent troubles with driving me B after it warms up. No leak at the heater core, that I know of. Source of the leak seems to be at the valve.

I only brought up the heater core box because I the heat/defrost knob has done nothing but turn since I got the car. I figured this would be a good time to pull it and attempt to attach the cable properly.
 
Rob...you're already frustrated...pulling the heater box will only increase your frustration level...trust me....replace the heater valve with a new one and forget about it.

FWIW....and good luck!
 
In that case, maybe I'll not pull the heater core box and just block off the foot warmer vents so all the air is directed at the windshield. It never really gets cold enough to ~really~ need to use the heater anyways, but the defroster has gets more than it's fair share of use.
 
The cable may have come loose at the flapper (or whatever it's called). On my '78 I was able to get to it by removing the plastic thing on the passengers side and get a new cable fished in there, through the hole in the cable stop, and get it working again. Not a fun job. I'm not sure it wouldn't be better to just cut out the floorboard and put the car on a lift so I could do it standing up!
 
How did you ever manage that?!?!? The hole that I have to access that thing through ('76 MGB) is barely big enough to get one of my hands through. I'd never get my hand back out if I was attempting to retrieve something. It reminds me of the "Raccoon traps" from "Where the Red Fern Grows".

Anyways, I attempted it once, but gave up after about 30 minutes of chafing my hands and wrist. Although I couldn't see it, I did grab a hold of something that felt like it used to be made of steel, but felt more like oxidized fish scales.

I've checked under the driver's side dash, and the knob is still connected, so I know it's definitely come undone at the 'flapper'.

One of my thoughts on pulling the heater box was to assess the damages to the flapper unit and decide whether or not it needs replacement or just cleaning up.
 
Also, I've tried doing a couple of things to prevent it from dripping on the dist until this weekend. First I tried shutting it off, but that seemed to make it worse. Then I tried opening the valve all the way. That seems to have stemmed the leak, but I get to be over warm on my trips home at night. The mornings aren't bad because it's cool enough that I need a jacket, so the extra warmth helps.

I reckon that since it was only a drip coming from the valve at half open, closing it all the way increased the internal pressure and made the drip faster. Opening the valve all the way relieved the pressure enough to stop the leak. Looks like I should make it to this weekend without much problem. However, I think I'm gonna have to clean the rotor and dist cap, even though they're new, before my trip home tonight thanks to the leak.
 
Once they start leaking, they only get worse. I wouldn't touch it. I have a non-leaking valve from my '65 here you can have if you want it. Should last a while.
 
Now if you had a Bugeye I would tell you how to fix it with a rubber band.
 
The heater box flap is do-able ( I did this B not long ago) thru the vent, with hemostats, a chopstick, wobbly 1/4" drive socket and a TON of patience... like those arcade games with the overhead scoop thingie to pick up stoopid 'prizes.'

Downside is: neither one is worth the time it takes.

Pull the box with the cable detached from the control knob assembly. Reinstall the same way. I simply FORGOT to attach the cable and had the poxy thing in place before I realized it. The right seat was out, too...
otherwise it's a *really* nasty contest workin' thru that li'l vent hole. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif


EDIT: I forgot to mention: I've got what friends have for years called "Lotus Fingers"...and an extra joint in both arms half-way between elbow and wrist. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif
 
Steve_S: I have one already. I just need to wait til this weekend to put it on. I don't normally have enough day light left after work to do something like that. Particularly this, where it's a little more involved than just swapping the part. Besides, I plan to give it a thorough flushing since I'll be messing around with coolant anyways.
 
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