Oily Hands MG Parts

The head wasn't too bad either, with minimal play in the valve guides, so after discussion with a mechanic friend, it was decided to replace the head and see what happens.

It's always a joy to do this run when it's fine, not only because it's more comfortable for us but the fine weather brings out the watchers and their waves and shouts of encouragement really make the day.

The TA perfomed well all day and had no trouble at all on any of the hills. This is a short clip of the ascent of the Stang, a long observed climb.

There was one that snuck in on the quiet.

After a good lunch break with loads of chat with other drivers and friends who turned up to see us we set off again for the homeward run. The warm day started to turn a bit cooler towards the end of the day but it was still a very good run.

Back at the finish there were few cars about as some had already left to go home and quite a few still had to finish.

I'm not sure if we are upmarket here or if the Roller is just slumming it.

As usual the organisation of this event was flawless and a big thanks to all the organisers, marshalls, observers and those who asked all the awkward questions!

It's a bit difficult to take a picture of my own car in action while I'm drving so if anybody reading this has any pictures of entry 44 in action on the run, I'd really appreciate a copy for this site. I'll give full credit of course.

Belt Sander:

An electric sanding tool commonly used to convert minor touch-up jobs into major refinishing jobs.

Craftsman 1/2 X 24-Inch Screwdriver:

A very large pry bar that inexplicably has an accurately machined screwdriver tip on the end opposite the handle.

Dremel Tools:

A very useful tool for modelers which allows them to make more mistakes much faster, thereby turning $100 kits into spare parts, and completely justifying the purchase of another $100 kit.

Drill Press:

A tall upright machine useful for suddenly snatching flat metal bar stock out of your hands so that it smacks you in the chest and flings your drink across the room, splattering it against that freshly-stained heirloom piece you were drying.

Eight-Foot Long Yellow Pine 2x4:

Used for levering an automobile upward off of a trapped hydraulic jack handle.

Electric Hand Drill:

Normally used for spinning pop rivets in their holes until you die of old age.

Hacksaw:

It transforms human energy into a crooked, unpredictable motion, and the more you attempt to influence its course, the more dismal your future becomes.

Hammer:

Originally employed as a weapon of war, the hammer nowadays is used as to locate the most expensive parts adjacent to the object we are trying to hit.  It is often used to make gaping holes in walls when hanging pictures. Also used as replacement for screwdriver.

Hose Cutter:

A tool used to make hoses too short.

Hydraulic Floor Jack:

Used for lowering an automobile to the ground after you have installed your new brake shoes, trapping the jack handle firmly under the bumper.

Mechanic's Knife:

Used to open and slice through the contents of cardboard cartons delivered to your front door. It works particularly well on contents such as seats, vinyl records, liquids in plastic bottles, collector magazines, refund checks, and rubber or plastic parts.  Especially useful for slicing work clothes, but only while in use.

Oxyacetylene Torch:

Used almost entirely for lighting various flammable objects in your shop on fire.

Also handy for igniting the grease inside the wheel hub when you are trying to remove a bearing race.

Phillips Screwdriver:

Normally used to stab the vacuum seals under lids and for opening old-style paper-and-tin oil cans and splashing oil on your shirt; but can also be used, as the name implies, to strip out Phillips screw heads.

Pliers:

Used to round off bolt heads. Sometimes used in the creation of blood-blisters.

Radial Arm Saw:

A large stationary power saw primarily used by most shops to scare novices into choosing another line of work.

Skill Saw:

A portable cutting tool used to make studs too short.

Straight Screwdriver:

A tool for opening paint cans.  Sometimes used to convert common slotted screws into non-removable screws.

Table Saw:

A large stationary power tool commonly used to launch wood projectiles for testing wall integrity.

Tweezers:

A tool for removing wood splinters and wire wheel wires.

Two-Ton Engine Hoist:

A tool for testing the maximum tensile strength of everything you forgot to disconnect.

Mole-Grips:

Generally used after pliers to completely round off bolt heads.  If nothing else is available, they can also be used to transfer intense welding heat to the palm of your hand.

Welding Gloves:

Heavy-duty leather gloves used to prolong the conduction of intense welding heat to the palm of your hand.

Whitworth Sockets:

Once used for working on older British cars and motorcycles, they are now used mainly for impersonating that 9/16 or1/2 inch socket you've been searching for the last 45 minutes.

Wire Wheel:

It cleans paint off bolts and then throws them somewhere under the workbench with the speed of light.  

Also removes fingerprints and hard-earned guitar calluses from fingers in about the time it takes you to say, "YEOWW!

It's a 1970s Wizard Van, based on a VW beetle floorpan and mechanicals. Much work is needed but it should be very interesting when finished as the owner plans to fit a 2 litre engine. It should go quite well, given the lightness of the fibreglass body.

Saturday started bright and sunny, if a little cool, but it soon warmed up and it was a joy to be driving on fairly quiet country roads. We took some of Grant's advice and had a blast on some real 'T Type' roads with breathtaking scenery. We stopped off to do some of the touristy things, including a visit to the Wensleydale Creamery, where much cheese was tasted.

After a brief return to The Vicarage for a freshen up, it was off out to find an evening meal. There are so many places in the area, and such a variety of menus, we were spoiled for choice.

After another hearty breakfast, we set off on Sunday for some more fun in the sun and had a great day including a visit to Castle Bolton, and Hardraw Force. Hardraw Force if the highest single fall in the Dales and has the added advantage that you have to go through the pub to get to it.

In the course of the day we visited the beautiful Semerwater, where the TA dipped its tyres for a cool down.

Up to now there was no sign of the elusive water leak. I think the leak seal in the radiator did the trick.

Monday morning saw us saying a sad goodbye to Wensleydale, as we set off to Duncombe Park for the annual fair, where we met friends from the Tees Valley MG Owners Club. A scorching hot day, so hot that my head was burning and I had to buy a hat. Despite the heat it was a super day, with some good chat and plenty to see in the field. Our grateful thanks to Roger for organising the day for us.

All in all a very good weekend, only spoilt slighty by the return of the mystery misfire on our way to Duncombe Park. The TA ran superbly otherwise.

2 May 2009

This is mine

No prizes for guessing who has the money then!

We set off, consoled by the fact that there were plenty behind us in case we had snags, but the old girl behaved herself all day, and the car ran pretty well too.

The first leg of the trip was about 35 miles (depending on how often you got lost) to Otterburn Mill, where many stopped for refreshments.

Clouds had now started to replace the wall to wall blue skies, and it was a bit chilly when the sun disappeared but we didn't see any rain, even though some saw a few drops.

The second part of the journey took us some 50 miles to our destination at Brockbushes Farm near Hexham where we had a dedicated parking area. Lots of tales about the run, and a cream tea, rounded off the day.

Somewhere along the way the TA had been shedding water, as the rusty water marks down the sides of the bonnet showed. I topped up the radiator before leaving for home and we did the 50 mile journey home with no problems. The source of the leak will be investigated in due course.

All in all it was a superb day and I'm sure Pam & I won't be the only ones very thankful to Lyn & Peter Ebdon (Sorry your name is second, Peter, but I know which side my bread's buttered) for their hard work in planning this run.

Thanks also go to all the helpers who carried out the vital roles of marshals and keepers of the signing on sheet, without whom this event wouldn't have run so smoothly.

We had a pleasnt run to Richmond where we had a short break for coffee and a leg stretch, before setting off for Masham. The run to Masham took us over the top of the Dales with stunning views. The cold wind didn't detract from our enjoyment though and we arrived suitably invigorated.

We took part in the very interesting tour of the Black Sheep Brewery and had a coffee afterwards before wending our way home again.

The TA performed well apart from a mystery misfire which would bring us to a halt. On restarting the car the misfire vanished and all was well until the next time. It happened about half a dozen times on the way home, but as long as we were making headway I wasn't about to start pulling things apart at the roadside so we kept going. It's on the list of things to sort out now.

 

A Reminder

The MG Car Club Tyne Tees Center hold its first major run of the Year. The Cobweb Run takes place on 26 April and there are still a few places available so don't delay, enter today.