It Runs!

[aeronca65t]

me ----> <span style="font-size: 23pt">: )</span>



The ~'69 MGB~ runs!

Yesterday, Moss called with my missing MGB parts (piston rings). By mid-day, I was under the car slapping the new parts back in place (I'd spent the morning doing Sprite work).
By dinner time, I had 3 pistons and related parts back in plus a bunch of other things done.
I got up this morning and finished the remaining piston/rod set, cleaned up the lifters (and the covers), got the oil pan back on (ugh!), head torqued down, manifolds bolted on, new oil and filter, etc., etc.
One thing about spending so much time under this car...I spend a lot of time looking at the chassis/frame and it's in great shape.

Anyway, it started right up.

This is a "gentle" rebuilt. The existng pistons are OK so I'm just re-ringing and replacing rod bearings. The bores and rod journals measure perfect. While I was at it, I ground the valves.

None of this was really mandatory. The car ran OK as it was. But since the car sat so long, I wanted to get inside and tidy up the engine anyway. It was pretty gooey in the pan.

Since I have no shop space, I'm doing this on my back lawn with the rear wheels on the ground and the front wheels about 8" off the ground. Lots of jack stands so safety-wise OK, but not the way I'd like to do this. This is the way I used to fix cars in high school....a real Beverley Hillbillies setup. Oh well....

Tomorrow I watch #1 grandaughter all day. And on Thursday, I hope to have the MGB at least basically driveable.

Next week, it gets new tires (Fed-Ex dropped them off this morning). And the brakes seem OK, but I want to bleed and clean them up anyway.

<span style="font-size: 12pt">Then...<span style="font-style: italic">drive it!</span></span>

 

[Jayrz]

Nial,

Wanted to ask you what tires you are using on the Spridget racer ther in your signature picture and, more importantly, do they fit inside the fenders of a square rear wheel arch?

Thanks,

Jay

 

[aeronca65t]

Jay:

Presently, I am running either Toyo RA1s, Toyo R888s or Yokahama 048 "spec-racer" tires.. all in the same size (185/60-13)

As you can see, I "radiused" the rear fenders so they look like a '72 "RWA" Midget. This gives plenty of clearance, of course.

In the picture, the car is running RA1s. (I have four RA1s left over from last year...they're no longer made).
The 888s are the new Toyo DOT-legal race tires that replace the RA1.
No shaving required, so that's an improvement over the RA1s (but they are like $140 each).

I am running stock Midget rim's, so I am obviously a bit oversize on the tires. Kumho and Yokohama used to make DOT-legal race tires in the 175/60-13 size and I used to run them....but neither of those tires are made any longer.

The old 175 race tires would *just* squeeze in under my old square body fenders (but only with a panhard rod to keep the axle from shifting).
I doubt the 185s would fit.
As it is, I am using 1/8" rear wheel spacers to move the tires out, so they clear the leaf springs (they still lightly "kiss" the spring on occassion).
I have decent tire clearance in the front.

 

[Stewart]

Woohooo. You have to love it when it all comes together and works.

 

[Jayrz]

Nial,

Thanks. A panard bar is definately in the cars future. I did find a tire in 175/60-13 called a Nexen N2000 and they are very,,, ummmm,, inexpensive so I thought I'd give them a try.

 

[DrEntropy]

This is the way I used to fix cars in high school....

Second childhood then! :laugh:

What'd ya do to the bores?

 

[aeronca65t]

For me, this is like my *forth* childhood (at least).

Nada to the bores. Just washed them down with kerosene and Scotch-Brite pads. They are straight and round, top and bottom. I would have wound a dingleberry hone up and down them, but I can't find it.

Two of the tappets are worn but the cam is good. I've ordered two new ones and will swap them in next week before any real driving commences.

The gunky old oil cooler is still in the loop (for now). I'll probably shunt around that and delete it.