RickB
Yoda
Offline
I just found this forum today after searching for MG related web sites.
I bought a 1969 MGC GT back in 1985 while living in Anchorage AK. It needed work, in fact I had to renew & refit the steering gear and the lower bushing before I could drive it off the PO's property.
I worked on it while living in AK. Got it running fairly well, then drove it down the AL-CAN highway when I moved to Seattle.
During the drive south a small stone bounced up and hit the clutch slave cylinder dead on. It broke in half and I had to drive the rest of the way without a clutch. I could shift without it, timing the gears and never grinding any. When I got to Vancouver BC I learned it was the day Princess Diana and Prince Charles were in town. I had to maneuver my way through the city with no clutch - very exciting. When I finally arrived in Seattle I bought a new cylinder first thing!
Some time after living in Seattle and due to radiator failure it overheated, I pulled the motor apart and replaced the head. I bought a replacement from Aurora Auto Wrecking in Seattle, then I had it rebuilt by Precision Engineering. I put it all back together and then moved again, just about 30 miles east of Seattle to Snoqualmie.
I suppose with the financial responsibilities of buying a home and raising a family the MG ended up in the back yard up on jack stands on a 10' x 25' concrete pad.
15 years later... I put a canvas shed up that covers the MGC. Apparently this was a big mistake - it made a nice dry area that was too tempting for some outdoor creatures to resist.
Ahead one more year, finally feeling the financial and time freedom I decided it was time to get to work on the old MG.
Upon opening the hood - RATS!!!
The nasty beasties have taken up the engine compartment as their living quarters.
I was so disgusted I simply left the hood open with a light hanging there. Later in the evening I took out a rat trap & tossed it in there.
Now I'm thinking that I will most likely have to pretty much disassemble this vehicle to make everything right.
After the vermin have been dealt with that is.
I've loved this car, but haven't taken as good care of it as I should. I still believe it's salvageable, but am daunted by the extreme amount of time & money it seems like it's going to take to get it into running order.
There are two good British parts places in Seattle, and I know there are many more online.
I'm looking for advice, pep talk, sage wisdom, or maybe just a bit of commiseration. Thanks in advance!
I bought a 1969 MGC GT back in 1985 while living in Anchorage AK. It needed work, in fact I had to renew & refit the steering gear and the lower bushing before I could drive it off the PO's property.
I worked on it while living in AK. Got it running fairly well, then drove it down the AL-CAN highway when I moved to Seattle.
During the drive south a small stone bounced up and hit the clutch slave cylinder dead on. It broke in half and I had to drive the rest of the way without a clutch. I could shift without it, timing the gears and never grinding any. When I got to Vancouver BC I learned it was the day Princess Diana and Prince Charles were in town. I had to maneuver my way through the city with no clutch - very exciting. When I finally arrived in Seattle I bought a new cylinder first thing!
Some time after living in Seattle and due to radiator failure it overheated, I pulled the motor apart and replaced the head. I bought a replacement from Aurora Auto Wrecking in Seattle, then I had it rebuilt by Precision Engineering. I put it all back together and then moved again, just about 30 miles east of Seattle to Snoqualmie.
I suppose with the financial responsibilities of buying a home and raising a family the MG ended up in the back yard up on jack stands on a 10' x 25' concrete pad.
15 years later... I put a canvas shed up that covers the MGC. Apparently this was a big mistake - it made a nice dry area that was too tempting for some outdoor creatures to resist.
Ahead one more year, finally feeling the financial and time freedom I decided it was time to get to work on the old MG.
Upon opening the hood - RATS!!!
The nasty beasties have taken up the engine compartment as their living quarters.
I was so disgusted I simply left the hood open with a light hanging there. Later in the evening I took out a rat trap & tossed it in there.
Now I'm thinking that I will most likely have to pretty much disassemble this vehicle to make everything right.
After the vermin have been dealt with that is.
I've loved this car, but haven't taken as good care of it as I should. I still believe it's salvageable, but am daunted by the extreme amount of time & money it seems like it's going to take to get it into running order.
There are two good British parts places in Seattle, and I know there are many more online.
I'm looking for advice, pep talk, sage wisdom, or maybe just a bit of commiseration. Thanks in advance!