Oily Hands MG Parts

Despite the blue skies it was cold with a bitter strong wind. Thankfully we had an almost dry drive up with only a few spots of rain unlike the unlucky souls who came from the North. They had torrential rain on their trip.

Apart from the MGs there were many other classic cars there. One noteworthy one was the Delage with it's wonderful straight eight engine. I can't remember if it was 5 or 5.5 litre.

The other was an electric conversion on a Vauxhall chassis, built in the 1930s. The current owner has promised to send me some information on this incredible car. When I get it I will do a write up on it.

Some heavy rain in the afternoon dampened eveything but our spirits and we thoroughly enjoyed the day.

This year the supported charity was Help for Heros. We hope they raised plenty for them.

It was just the right weather for a picnic. Some of the posher ones had tables and pot cups.

After filling our faces we then did a walkabout treasure hunt in the village which was great fun even though we didn't win. A cuppa and slice of cake in the village tea rooms added to the pleasant day with good friends.

A big thank you to John & San for organising the whole day.

The BGT wasn't the ideal car for the weather but the TA is currently lacking in the tyre tread department and had to be left behind.

Ok, it looks like any other B until you get inside.

There you see the normal automatic 'gear' lever and the larger brake pedal.

Driving was a smooth experience. The auto box changes were almost unnoticeable, both up and down the box. Accelleration was slower than a manual,as expected, but nowhere near as snail like as I was expecting. Using the kickdown really made the car come alive.

The short drive I had was enough to show me that this is a very useable car with good performance and the engine should last forever as it's impossible to over rev it. Thanks, Bill for letting me have a go. 

The weather was kind with bright warm sunshine at the start and only cooling off towards the end of the afternoon. Thankfully there was no rain to speak of and everbody we spoke to thoroughly enjoyed the day.

Thank you to Geoff Brown and John Barton and their helpers for a superb day.

It was a great day and we met some old friends and made some new ones. After walking what seemed like miles round the field we gave our weary feet a rest and took a short steam train ride.

The view from the inn across the valley was stunning and this picture from my phone doesn't really do it justice.

The New Board Inn is a great place to eat. Superb food at reasonable prices. Everybody ate well and the conversations flowed well to make a very enjoyable evening. Big thanks to Pete and Sue Sewell for their time and effort in organising this run.

Yep, my attempts at sealing the rocker cover failed. It didn't stop us from doing the whole run, we just contributed to oil company profits. Another job to do. If I can't stop the leak, I'll have to rename the car. How does Exxon Valdiz sound?

The lunch stop at Bainbridge was busy as normal.

The fine weather showed the beautiful countryside off to its best.

I spoke to one of the marshalls at the finish and all cars were accounted for and there were no cars unable to finish. That is a first I think.

Once we got home and the TA safely back under lock and key we set off in the BGT to the finish at Durham for a chinwag and coffee. It was a wet finish to the day.

I must say that I've had better days, but it was still fun. The work begins now to get the TA sorted for the Beamish Reliability Trial next weekend.

I'm often asked why I never have the hood up on the TA. Many reasons.

• It's difficult for me to get in and out of the car with the hood up.
• It's claustrophobic inside.
• Visibility is severely restricted.
• The hood was made in Nottingham from finest English lace
• The hood spoils the lines of the car.
• Hoods are for wimps.
  

The weather was kind to us, and although a little chilly on the hilltops, the rainclouds in the sky kept the wet to themselves and we had a great run. Lyn and Peter Ebden had found some stunning scenery and great driving roads, and thanks to them for all the hard work that went into making the day a thoroughly enjoyable one.

The TA had its, now customary, intermittent misfire on the way there, but performed faultlessly on the run. On the way home it began to run rough and lacked power, so there is some work ahead to find the fault.

As 25 April was 'Drive it Day', we saw other classic cars on the road, including about a dozen Morris Minors and some Lotus 7s or lookalikes (they were travelling a bit briskly to identify correctly.)

It was 61 miles each way to the start and with the 110 on the run it was another 200+ mile day.

We ran with them for over 100 miles, through many counties, and realised that their leader had done well and found the treasures of the North. These treasures being the finest driving roads in the country through landscapes of the most stunning beauty. Treasures well found but thankfully not taken away.

All in all a very well planned run with good rest stops as well as superb roads. Some close parking at lunchtime.

After an excellent day in beautiful weather we arrived back at the start point and said farewell to a great group of people. We hope they have a trouble free run home tomorrow.

A big thank you to Steve for all the hard work that went into such a great day for us Northern lot, and what was hopefully a good weekend for the Flatlanders.

After Honister, we went for Whinlatter, which is a much more gentle climb. Still an enjoyable one with great scenery. After Whinlatter we gave up on the passes because the traffic was surprisingly busy and [RANT] loads of idiot drivers who don't know the width of their vehicles[END RANT]. I lost count of the times I was tight up against a wall or had my wheels on the edge of a drop to make room for somebody who had a couple of feet between them & the edge of the road and still didn't think they could get past.

We cruised around for a while and finished up at Ullswater. I think Ullswater is the most majestic lake with the hills so close to the edge. After a relax with a cup of coffee we set off for home and arrive back about 12 hours after we left. Allowing for the stops we had we reckoned I'd been driving for 8 hours, and we'd travelled just short of 300 miles.

I only had time for a brief chat with the owner and found out that it is a one off special built with Citroen 2CV mechanicals. As the body is steel, it's a bit of a sheep in wolf's clothing, and even though it has considerably more power than a standard 2CV, it hasn't really got too much in the way of performance. With a maximum speed of around 60mph, the owner reckoned that the 400 mile journey he was doing the next day would take about 10 hours. I hope the weather was kind and he made it OK.

We went for a drive out in the BGT yesterday, nowhere in particular planned, and we ended up stopping at the pumping station in Darlington. A fascinating place with the gas engine and the beam engine both working.

Both engines did the same job but the later gas engine made a lot more fuss about it. Compare the noise levels of the two.

It now becomes obvious that these cars are certainly not trailer queens.

This was the state of play on the approach to Richmond so we stopped there and decided to go our seperate ways.

Pam & I decided to chance it and headed for Bowes. Despite the worsening road conditions we made it with only a couple of opposite lock moments at low speed.

After a good look round the Museum, a cuppa and slice of cake, we set off for home, expecting a longer than normal journey. The Gods must have been pleased with us as the roads were clear and we had a good run home.

Thank you to John and his team for your great hospitality and your patience in answering the multitude of questions fired at you.

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.

26th

This little baby was for sale, and I was very tempted but didn't dare ask the price.

There must have been well over 100 cars of all ages there, as well as craft stalls, model displays, and the very necessary food & drink.

It was well worth the visit, even though we were only there for a couple of hours we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and will keep an eye open for the next steaming. Hopefully we'll be able to go in the TA next time.