April 2016 - MGs of Baltimore, Ltd. Car Club

Octagram
Edition 6
April 2016
The Newsletter of the MGs of Baltimore
Regular Articles
President’s Message
Glimpse to Our Past
3
4
4
6
8
11
20
24
25
Trivia Answers
26
SEMA Announcement
29
Flyers and Announcements
30
About the Club
New Members
Club Calendar
Want ADs
In the March Octagram, I stated we would publish
Chapter 2 of Matthew Dinnerman’s MGB GT V8 restoration
project. Unfortunately, I did not
include Chapter 2 in this editon.
We need some more collaboration
time to bring you the best article
on Matt’s project.
Octagram
Crossword Answers
A Little Tax Humor
Editor’s Corner
April 2016
2
From El Presidente
Well, spring has finally arrived and it’s time to once again get the
MGs and other little British cars out and on the road again. A good way to
start off the sports car season is by taking part in the 27th Annual “Get the
Dust Off” Rallye. The MGOB event takes place on Sunday, May 1st. Look
for a copy of the flier in this issue. There is also Britain on the Green at
Gunston Hall on Sunday, April 24th go to www.motosho.com/event/bog to
register on line. This is followed by the 39th Annual Original British Car Day
on Sunday, June 5, for more info go to
www.chesapeakechaptermgtclub.com and to start off the summer the biggest and the best, MG 2016 in Louisville, KY June 13th – 16th
www.mg2016.com For a more complete list of upcoming events checkout
the events page on our website at www.mgsofbaltimore.org
I hope to see you at one of these.
To assist you, I will always hook the web link to email
addresses and icons or emblems to ease your discovery of
and research of articles and events. So if you want more
information while viewing the newsletter click the associated
icon.
Your Editor
Octagram
April 2016
North American MGA Register,
American MGB Association, MG Car
Club UK, MG Owner’s Club UK
3
The MGs of Baltimore, Ltd. Car club was
established in 1977. The club represents over
150 members in the Metro Baltimore area. As
the name implies, the club centers its activities
around the preservation and enjoyment of the
cars that bear the classic MG marque.
The club is affiliated with the following
national organizations: The North American
MGA Register, The North American MGB
Register, and The American MGB association.
Internationally, the club is affiliated with the
MG Car Club and The MG Owners Club.
The clubs activities include sponsorship of
the nationally known “MGs on the Rocks” car
show, a series of challenging (and FUN)
historic car rallies, as well as numerous fun
gatherings all through the year.
The club membership meets at 7:30 PM
the first Tuesday of every month at Pappas’
Restaurant, located at 1725 Taylor Avenue,
Baltimore, Maryland. The restaurant is located
off the 695 Beltway and Perring Parkway.
Come early (around 6:00 p.m.) and have
dinner restaurant .
The meetings are about sharing
experiences, taking care of club business and
normally include a monthly tech session
provided by our MG “technical guru” Randy
Kegg.
Many members of MGoB are owners of the
other classic British marques and all are
welcomed to join the club.
Suzie Boltz with her 1966
MG Midget.
You can join anytime and on the
next page you will find a membership application for your convenience.
Submit your address changes
and membership applications
to:
Kathy McHenry
5237 Glen Arm Rd E
Glen Arm, MD 21057
Copied from the MGoB Web Site
Octagram
April 2016
4
The MG Car Club T Register created a logo to celebrate this historic and momentous event. Your editor will posting this celebratory logo often in the Octagram as
an anniversary reminder.
Octagram
April 2016
5
MGOB Meeting
April 5th
Kimber Festival (See Flyer on Page 35)
April 8-10th
Gathering of the Faithful South (Flyer on Page 43)
April 21-24th
Britain on the Green (Flyer on Page 32)
April 24th
Get the ‘Dust Off’ Rallye
May 1st
(Flyer on Page 36)
MGOB Meeting
May 3rd
Britfest (Flyer on Page 38)
May 7th
All British Marque Car and Motorcycle Show
(Flyer on
June 4th
Page 32)
The Original British Car Day (Flyer on Page 37)
June 5th
MGOB Meeting
June 7th
MG 2016 (See Flyer on Page 36)
June 13-17th
Octagram
April 2016
6
Richard Liddick
410-817-6862
[email protected]
Ken Olszewski
410-893-1661
[email protected]
Ken Olszewski
410-893-1661
[email protected]
Richard
Randy Kegg
410-592-3733
[email protected]
Randy Kegg
410-592-3733
[email protected]
Mike Lutz
410-592-8610
[email protected]
Mike
Kathy McHenry
410-817-6862
[email protected]
Tracy Trobridge
410-489-7444
[email protected]
Randy Kegg
410-592-3733
[email protected]
Richard Liddick
410-817-6862
[email protected]
Tracy
Jack Long
410-420-1385
[email protected]
Mark Deeds
410-674-2096
[email protected]
Jack
can visit the British Car Week web site,
It is not too early to begin planning for this
http://www.britishcarweek.org , for
year’s British car week. It begins on 28
more information. (Just click on the
May and runs through 5 June 2016. You
icon)
Octagram
April 2016
7
Been in my possession since 1995 at which time I purchased this little
classic in Stony brook New York from the original
owner with only 9003 miles registered. The mileage is
now only 35000 miles, color is original blue, with black
top and tan interior, near new tires, original radio and
luggage rack. Runs really well. Reason for sellingmust reduce number of cars due to space. Best offer.
Call Len 321 752 0737 [email protected] Melbourne, Florida
. $6800 Firm - Great body no
rust. Runs great. Weber carb. Soft top has tear on driver
side. New brakes and bushings. Spare engine and trans
included. Ellicott City area. Anytime 443-996-8238
Octagram
April 2016
8
–
roadster with about 60k miles
from new. Originally from Texas. She runs nice.
98% orig. nos match. Fundamentally tight body,
interior, orig. paint. 4cyl, 4 sp. Dual carb conversion; manual choke conversion for reliable starts;
new top; new rear shocks; new fuel pump & hoses;
new master cylinder; trans. rebuilt. Orig. tools,
manual, service booklet. Has spare parts including AC.
Asking $8,500. Email Jerry: [email protected] or
call 410-303-5218.
One of our customers wants
to sell his MG Magnette. Could you list it in your next newsletter?
It is a 1958 MG Magnette (titled as a 1959). The car is located in
Canton, Illinois. He is asking $5500.00. The owner is Douglas
Freeman, phone (309) 647-2196.
Thanks.
David Wright
Minor Classics Restorations LLC
Restoring classic British motorcars since 1978
www.minorclassicsrestorations.com
Octagram
April 2016
9
- Age is different for everybody, I guess, but I'm
getting too old for this project car, and will never finish it .... I have two MGA's ... a 1960
roadster, which is a driver (about a $ 25K car), and the '62 MK2. I don't need both cars ...
my wife can't or won't drive a 4-speed, and my sons don't really have any interest in old cars,
or British cars. Better to pass this thing to someone who has an interest in them and can appreciate it for what it is.
I can send a CD with pix and detailed info on the '62 ... it should be worth 35 to 40K
when completed. It is SN GHNL2/108410, shipped on 13 April 1962. Originally red with
red interior and tan hood, I planned to re-do it in black with a red and black interior. The
engine and interior of the the main clip has been sprayed in black, and the doors, trunk lid,
and hood have all been done in black by a pro. The rest of the clip is in primer. It was at a
pro body shop for over a year, finally brought back home because the body guy was putting
my money up his nose, not in the car.
The carbs have been rebuilt (by Joe Curto) and are on the engine, finger-tight. Ceramic coated exhaust manifold, also loosely attached; Moss alternator; Pertronix ignition ... entire engine is now on an engine stand, stored inside a trailer with other large parts ...
fenders, etc. My plan is to sell the trailer along with the contents ... this is a 12 foot two
wheel utility trailer with a ramp door.
I don't want to give this car away, but there it would be a real sweet deal for someone
mechanically inclined, and 50-ish instead of 70-ish like I am. Let me know if your are interested, and you send the CD with all the particulars - contact [email protected]
Octagram
April 2016
10
1
3
7
9
10
11
12
14
16
18
1925
XPAG
train
Brooklands
Magnette
MGC
Cemetery
Morris
Hayter
Buick
1
2
4
6
8
11
13
15
17
1977
Fast
Bonneville
Boundary
Nuffield
MGA
Thornley
fabric
TB
The Octagram is published monthly by the
MGs of Baltimore Car Club. Opinions
expressed herein are not necessarily those of
the Club, Club officers or the newsletter
staff. Technical information is believed to be
accurate. However, any repairs or
mechanical advice is attempted at the
reader’s own risk. The Club, officers, or
newsletter staff will not be responsible for
any misinterpreted or incorrect technical
information. If in doubt, consult with a
certified technician. Articles appearing
herein may be used by other automobile
clubs and organizations in their newsletters
and for other informational purposes
provided appropriate credit and recognition
of the source is given.
Front Cover: MG VA at Classic
Car Show at Knebworth
Back Cover: M.G. M-type Midget
2-Seater Sports 1929
Octagram
April 2016
11
By Jack Long
While Liz and I were returning
from the dedication of the new Saint
Michael’s, Maryland antique car museum headquarters just before
Thanksgiving, my 1954 MG TF-1500
suddenly lost power and began running very rough. We limped into a
shopping center in Easton, Maryland,
confirmed that all 4 plugs were firing
but only the front 2 cylinders were
responding, and called the good folks
at Hagerty for a ride home. The response was very quick and we were
loaded on a rollback and on the way
back to Harford County within an
hour. Liz was not all that unhappy
since the wrecker had a heater and the TF
does not. Once home, I managed to get it
into the garage on 2 cylinders and called it
a night.
The next day I pulled the valve cover
and turned the engine over with the hand
crank (a useful device, indeed). With the
plugs out it turned easily and I was pleased
to see that all the valves opened and closed
properly. This told me that the cam, timing chain and crankshaft were probably all
okay. Good news indeed since these engines have been known to break crankshafts and new ones are crazy expensive. I
next checked the compression and found
125 psi on cylinders 1 and 2, and a perfect
zero on 3 and 4. Since the firing order is
Octagram
1-3-4-2, I suspected that the head gasket had
failed between #3 and #4 and that compression was just pushing from one cylinder into its
next door neighbor. The TF-1500’s are well
known for that, because when the factory bored
out the earlier 1250cc engine to 1500 cc’s, the
spaces between cylinders 1 and 2 and between
3 and 4 became very narrow and there are no
water passages between them. Roger Marshall
had a similar experience with his car a few
years ago and I remembered Randy Kegg’s tech
session on it. So, it was off with her head!
After removing the air filters (no fun on
a TF), carburetors, intake manifold, distributor
cap and rotor, side cover, rocker arm assembly
April 2016
12
and pushrods, and draining the cooling system
and removing the upper hoses, I was ready to
pull the head. I remembered from another of
Randy’s tech sessions to keep the pushrods in
order.
It came apart pretty easily, with just a
couple raps on the head with a wooden block
and hammer to loosen it, and with the head off
the problem was obvious; most of the head gasket between #3 and #4 was AWOL, with a glob
of molten metal stuck to both the head and engine block. The head gasket had a huge gap in
the same place.
Octagram
Other than a lot of carbon on the piston tops,
the rest of things looked in pretty good order to my
untrained eyes. At this point Randy kindly came
over to my house and inspected the damage, with
Larry Heaps providing moral and machinist support. They carefully checked the block and head
with a machinist’s block and found they were both
very flat and would not need any machining. That
was a relief. We flipped the head over and used kerosene to fill the combustion chambers. After 15
minutes, none of it had leaked out so we knew the
April 2016
13
valves were in good shape and sealing well.
Another relief. Several of the old cylinder
head studs were stretched or “hour glassed”,
and one head stud near the gasket failure
showed signs of light rust which could mean
that water had been oozing for a while. Randy also checked all the pushrods to make sure
that none were bent, and pulled the lifters to
inspect them. There he found a problem.
The lifters were badly worn and several of
them had significant spalling damage. I suspect this was why my car had noticeable valve
train noise even immediately after I adjusted
the valves, and why they were not staying in
adjustment. The lifters were wearing and
thus increasing the valve clearances.
The good news was, when we inspected the camshaft lobes through the lifter bores
while turning the engine with the hand crank,
they were sound and undamaged. I know
that it is a best practice to replace cams and
lifters as a set, but camshaft replacement on
this engine is a major effort that requires either pulling the engine or disassembling most
of the front sheet metal. I decided to roll the
dice and replace the lifters while leaving the
camshaft intact. Time will tell the wisdom of
that decision but at most I will be out some
labor and a set of lifters.
I spent a lot of time on the British MG
Car Club TD-TF bulletin board, which has
years and years of archived information, and
discovered that there was a large batch of improperly hardened aftermarket lifters being
Octagram
sold in the late 1990’s – early 2000’s. Since the
engine in my car was rebuilt in that timeframe
by the previous owner, I suspect that is what
ended up in my car. Also, this model engine is
kind of legendary for chewing up its tappets
(valve lifters). It has a pretty aggressive stock
cam profile, and the double valve springs designed to allow higher RPMs put an extra load
on them.
After Randy’s post mortem, I set out to
find the best quality parts for the repair that I
could. Everyone says that Payen makes the best
head gasket, but it is not available for the 1500
engine, so I had no choice there and went with
the Moss version. It is a 2-part gasket with a
steel bottom and copper top. The lifters were
more problematic; I found a vendor in England
who hardens lifters using a process called
“Parkerizing” but he did not offer much more in
the way of information. Moss sells hardened
lifters for the aftermarket Crane cam but they
won’t work with a stock cam. Then I found a
fellow on the MG Experience BBS here in the
states that had an unused set of original tappets
that had been remanufactured and Parkerized
by a machine shop many years ago. He was
willing to send them to me for evaluation, and I
was able to sign off on the quality of the parts
before I paid him. I also wanted to avoid a repeat of the stretched head studs so I bought
ARP brand studs and nuts. Everyone says that
April 2016
14
these are the gold standard for threaded fasteners. ARP studs and nuts to fit the T series engines are only available from one source, Tom
Lange up in Bar Harbor, Maine, who has them
custom made. His ARP studs are threaded for
the stock brass nuts, but because those also
stretch and deform I elected to go with the ARP
nuts as well – they don’t look stock but I prefer
reliability to authenticity. Tom also manufactures a lot of other high quality T series parts
including neoprene valve cover and side cover
gaskets, and cast stainless blanking plates for
the rear of the head in place of the stock
stamped sheet metal parts that rust out. Tom
was very helpful to me with advice and answering dumb questions as well.
I had all the parts assembled by late January but it was too darn cold to work in my
unheated garage so things went on hold. February warmed up considerably and I spent a lot
of time very carefully scraping carbon from the
alloy piston tops (I was fearful of scratching the
alloy so used only plastic scrapers and thumbnails, so this took quite a while). That was
probably overkill but I wanted to be super careful. My thumbnails will eventually grow back. I
used Scotchbrite pads to clean the iron block
and head surfaces and get carbon out of the
combustion chambers, and used straight razor
blades to carefully get the molten head gasket
chunks off both mating surfaces without leaving a mark. I finally had them all very, very
clean and ready for reassembly. I also painted
the head and its accessories while it was off
using Moss T series engine paint.
The last Saturday in February, it was
time to tackle the reassembly. I had lots of assembly lube on hand for the new lifters and the
valve train along with a Zinc-rich assembly
paste to lubricate the bottom of the lifters and
the cam lobes. I also used a light coating of
Octagram
April 2016
15
new head gasket was slipped into place. It was
copper spray to coat the new head gasket to help
ensure that any irregularities in the 62 year old
head and block castings were compensated for. I
had pre-ordered all the necessary gaskets and
seals except for the thermostat housing gasket,
so I made one out of gasket paper.
The ARP studs have a 4 mm hex cast into
the top so they can be screwed in using a hex
socket without touching the threads. Tom
Lange recommends that they be torqued to 10
lbs. After the studs were in and torqued, the
Octagram
pretty and shiny and I hope to not see it again
for a very long time.
The head was then carefully lowered into
place. I had not removed the studs for the intake
and exhaust manifolds to there was a little bit of
wiggling required to clear the exhaust manifold
while lowering the head, but it went pretty
smoothly. Once the head was back where it belonged, the nuts were torqued in the pattern
April 2016
16
since it is polished so nicely. This next photo
shows the rocker arm assembly reinstalled, the
new ARP head nuts, and the heat shield.
The rest of the reassembly was pretty
straightforward. I also drained and refilled the
called for in the shop manual, starting at 20 lbs.
and working up to 50 lbs. Tom Lange recommended 60 lbs. of torque for the ARP studs but
the shop manual and John Twist’s MG tech book
both recommend 50 lbs., so I stopped at 50. The
ARP studs tightened up nicely and gave a very
firm click when torqued. Once the head was
torqued, the pushrods were lubed and reinstalled
in order, and the rocker arm assembly was lubed,
reinstalled and torqued to the shop manual specs.
One thing that seems odd in these engines
is the mix of fasteners. The head stud threads
are Nuffield “mad metric”; the original head nuts
are Whitworth nuts with metric threads; the
rocker arm tower bolts have 2 different sized
metric heads, and most of the engine ancillaries
are a mix of SAE and Whitworth. For duffers like
me, it’s basically a case of “keep trying a wrench
until one fits”. I have now compounded this by
using the ARP 12-point metric 12mm star nuts
on the head studs. I own no other thing that uses
that fastener, so that socket will stay in the car at
all times. I also took this opportunity to install a
stainless steel heat shield sourced from Barrie
Jones of the MG Car Club in England. TF’s are
notorious for vapor locking with modern ethanol
laced fuels, and mine is no exception, so I
thought it can’t hurt. It also adds a little bling
Octagram
oil since some of the carb cleaner I had used on
the carbon deposits had no doubt found its way
past the rings and into the sump, contaminating
the oil. The hoses were reattached and the radiator filled, a careful valve adjustment was done
(love that hand crank!), I ran it on the starter
until it had oil pressure on the gauge (it only
took 10-15 seconds), and it was time to fire it
up. It took quite a bit of coaxing to get it to fire,
and I suspect that I deranged the carburetor settings in the process of removing, cleaning, storing, and reinstalling them. She finally fired and
was run at varying engine speeds for about 20
minutes until the thermostat opened. At first
there was a small ooze of water from the head
gasket at the right rear corner of the head, but it
stopped when the engine warmed up, and there
was a persistent water leak from the base of the
April 2016
17
thermostat housing – a testament to my gasket
making skills, or the lack thereof. It was then
shut down, the valve cover removed, and the
head was re-torqued hot using 60 lbs. this time
as per Tom Lange’s recommendation. The
valves were re-adjusted, I reinstalled the valve
cover and re-fired it. The carburetors were balanced (they were way off) until it idled nice and
smooth at around 900 rpm. The oil pressure was
a steady 50 lbs. hot at idle, and the water temperature stayed at 85 degrees Celsius, right where
the thermostat opens. My homemade gasket continued to leak, so I will remove the thermostat
housing, sand it on some emery cloth to get the
casting smooth, and use a proper gasket to replace it. The only remaining challenge will be to
get Satan’s own air filters back on. I swear they
used 6-year olds on the assembly line at Abingdon, at least for that operation.
I learned a lot from this project, and developed a lot of self-confidence from it. I also
Octagram
learned that I need to invest in more and better tools, and to keep the tools I have a lot
more organized. Half of the project seemed
to involve searching for the right socket, extension or screwdriver.
Safety Fast!
Jack Long
A man, called to testify at the IRS, asked his
accountant for advice on what to wear. "Wear
your shabbiest clothing. Let him think you are a
pauper."
Then he asked his lawyer the same question,
but got the opposite advice. "Do not let them intimidate you. Wear your most elegant suit and
tie.
Confused, the man went to his rabbi, told him
of the conflicting advice, and requested some resolution of the dilemma.
"Let me tell you a story," replied the rabbi. "A
woman, about to be married, asked her mother
what to wear on her wedding night. 'Wear a
heavy, long, flannel nightgown that goes right up
to your neck.' But when she asked her best
friend, she got conflicting advice: 'Wear your
most sexy negligee, with a V neck right down to
your navel.
The man protested, "What does all this have
to do with my problem with the IRS?"
"No matter what you wear, you are going to
get screwed."
April 2016
18
- This is the first name of a legendary British marque - taken from a famous Buckingham hill climb
competition.
- This Sunbeam model actually resulted in a Chrysler-owned company
- This GT car featured a V8 mid-engine design
building a car with a Ford engine.
and became the basis for the Ford GT-40 race car.
- ERA stands for
- Before Donald Healey completed his deal with
- “What builder of luxurious and power- Austin, the “Big Healey” was known as the Healey
ful sports cars was Ettore Bugatti speaking what?
about when he said “He builds fast trucks”?
- BRM stands for
- Their motto was “Grace …
- Manufacturer of the legendary Super Snipe.
Space … Pace”
- A series of satirical stories in “Car and Driver”
- This small Ford sedan was tuned
magazine in the 1970’s praised this fictitious manuby Lotus to become a very successful
facturer’s “Super Chauvinist Mark VII” model, sayrace car.
ing it had “an excellent hooter and a first-class
- This British sports car featured
jack”.
an unusual water-cooled flat-four en- This small British manufacturer that had great
gine mounted ahead of the front axle
racing success in the early fifties built cars without
(model name).
engines but would configure the engine bay for in- This manufacturer never disstallation of your choice of American V8 engines.
closed horsepower figures other than
- Lots of trouble, usually serious
saying it was “adequate”
- This sports car manufacturer’s first product
was a small 3-wheeled delivery truck.
Octagram
April 2016
19
I’m proud to be paying taxes in the United States. The only thing is, I could be just as
proud for half the money. — Arthur Godfrey
The trouble with the profession of tax
collecting is that 90% of its members give the
rest a bad name. — anonymous
The art of taxation consists in so plucking the goose as to obtain the largest possible
amount of feathers, with the smallest possible
amount of hissing. — Jean-Baptiste Colbert
Why does a slight tax increase cost you
two hundred dollars and a substantial tax cut
save you thirty cents? — Peg Bracken
Day in and day out, your tax accountant
can make or lose you more money than any
single person in your life, with the possible exception of your kids. — Harvey Mackay
The Taxpayer’s prayer: Oh Mighty Internal Revenue Service, who turneth the labor
of man to ashes, we thank thee for the multitude of thy forms which thou hast set before
us and for the infinite confusion of thy commandments, which mulitplyth the fortunes of
lawyer and accountant alike. — Russell Baker
What’s the difference between a tax auditor and a rottweiler? A rottweiler eventually
lets go. — anonymous
I owe the government $3,400 in taxes.
So I sent them two hammers and a toilet seat.
— Michael McShane
What is the difference between a taxidermist and a tax collector? The taxidermist takes
only your skin. –– Mark Twain
Unquestionably, there is progress. The
average American now pays out twice as much
in taxes as he formerly got in wages. — Henry
Louis Mencken (1880-1956)
People who complain about paying their
income tax can be divided into two types: men
and women. — anonymous
If Patrick Henry thought that taxation
without representation was bad, he should see
how bad it is with representation.— Farmer’s
Almanac
For every tax problem there is a solution
which is straightforward, uncomplicated-and
wrong. — anonymous
Octagram
How can you tell when a tax auditor is
trying to trap you into a confession? Answer:
When his lips are moving. — anonymous
The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax. -Albert Einstein
The Government that robs Peter to pay
Paul can always depend upon the support of
Paul. -George Bernard Shaw
April 2016
20
can be increased to as much as 1950cc. (We
suggest that you use British Automotive's
1924cc conversion).
MGA 1622cc engine block already has
the advantage of being able to rebore to
1800cc. This article would then be more useful to the MGA owner with either the 1500cc
or 1600cc engine.
The following conversion is relatively simple:
The following article describes a procedure for adapting the 5 Main Brg MGB 1800cc
engine (18GB through 18V) to an existing
MGA transmission. Although, we have not fully
carried out the modification below, we have
done all the preliminary work leading up to the
installation of the engine into the car.
Retain your original rear engine plate
and have the center bored to accept the 5 main
rear oil seal part #88G621 (Moss #120-820).
This bore diameter is approximately 4.125."
Make 4 spacers 0.750" OD x .225"
Depth with 21/64" bolt clearance hole. These
spacers will be used when installing the rear oil
seal retainer plate, part #12H1547 (Moss
#120-830).
If you are using one of the 18V series
engine blocks, you may come across a crankshaft having only one flywheel locating dowel.
If this should be the case, and since we are
fitting the 18GB style flywheel, just use the
We see quite a few MGA's passing
through our shop that have the MGB 1800cc 3
Main Brg engine fitted and mated to the OEM
transmission. This modification is perfectly
okay. But why not use the later 5 main bearing
engine block? Unlike the 3 main bearing engine block, the 5 main bearing engine block
Octagram
one locating dowel.
The depth of the crankshaft bore and
pilot bushing are different on the 18GB --->
18V engine crankshafts (1.1255" to 1.126"
OD x 1.5" long) than that of the 18V series
April 2016
21
crankshaft (1.255" to 1.256" x 1" long)
Transmission pilot shaft OD .622". However, a custom oilite bushing should be installed for either crankshaft with the
following dimensions: 1.1256" OD x 1.125"
depth with 0.625" bore. Note that Moss #
330-570 bushing that could be used for this
conversion will not fit 18V style crankshafts,
unless machined to length. In addition, it is
simply one bush fitted inside another bush,
with the tendency for the inner bush to fall
out and, thus, is not recommended.
Originally, we tried, unsuccessfully, to
adapt the MGB diaphragm style clutch cover
and throw out bearing assembly to work with
the MGA transmission, However, since that
time we have received customer feed back
pointing out that it is indeed possible. We
proceeded as directed and used the front
transmission cover from the MGB non synchromesh series transmission along with the
matching release bearing arm. We did all the
necessary measurements and concluded that
the only problem that may arise would be in
the amount of release bearing arm travel required to release the clutch, after new clutch
component replacement, before the clutch
slave cylinder piston exited from the slave
cylinder. We measured several MGB¹s for
maximum pushrod travel (driver actually depressing the clutch pedal fully to the floor)
and found this to be approximately 1/2². If
clutch release does becomes a problem, then
lengthening the pushrod by approximately
(1/8²) should solve this.
Octagram
To allow for the fitting of the bendix style
starter motor we must grind away the excess
casting material, which prevents the starter from
lining up with the backplate. Also, it may be necessary to grind a small amount of the 3rd, from
the rear, oil pan retaining bolt threaded Boss.
Obviously, there is no provision on the 5
main bearing engine block for the tachometer
drive, so, use 65-67 MGB electric style tachometer, wire in and modify the bulb holder.
To allow for greater fan blade to radiator
clearance, one of the later style water pumps
should be used, either part #GWP117 (434
035) or GWP130, (434-045) matched with a
used fan pulley part #CHM56 (434-325) and
pulley spacer both from the MGB electric fan
model (1977--> ). This will require that you
drill the pulley to match your original fan blade
mounting 4 hole pattern. Alternatively, you
could secure the fan blade by only using the 2
April 2016
22
additional holes that are provided in the
blade. I personally prefer to use the 4 bolt
securing method. You could also install
plastic 7 blade fan part #12H4744 (434340) without the spacer, which, should provide sufficient clearance, especially if you
move the radiator as far forward as is possible with the use of packing strips part
#AHH5144 (2) (296-110). Another alternative would be the 6 blade steel fan part
#BHH1604 (434-330) as fitted to the
MGB. A longer fan belt will be required
such as Dayco part #15365 or Gates part #
7365.
In the event of a front end collision
you may consider installing used MGB (6874) engine mounting recoil brackets part
#AHH7890 (413-075). This should prevent the fan blade from burying itself in the
radiator if a collision should occur. Make
sure that your transmission mount is in
good condition i.e. not saturated with oil, as
many are. Replace if necessary.
manifold. Install a free flow exhaust system to
take advantage of this installation.
The consequences of installing a 1800cc
or larger capacity engine, with its potentially
increased BHP and Torque, could result in
premature transmission failure. Anytime we
significantly increase engine power output the
OEM transmission gears have to transmit
these same power increases resulting in greater tooth surface and laygear bearing loads.
We are presently working with Bob
West of Pontefract England to bring you his
MGA 5 speed transmission conversion. However, we do not see this modification being
available here in the USA until later this year at
the earliest.
Either the 5² or 6² size crankshaft
pulley can be used, just be sure you have the
matching front cover so that the timing
marks match the crankshaft pulley TDC
mark.
To resolve exhaust manifold fitment
problems, use the LCB exhaust header part
#EXL99. You will also benefit with a little
more HP over the stock OEM cast iron
Octagram
April 2016
23
As we prepare for spring, we can look forward
to and begin planning for this year’s car
season. I’ve thrown some highlights of old
favorites and maybe some different ones to
start the car season off. And if you are in for a
day trip, maybe a museum would be good.
Just consider them windows of opportunities
This list is not all inclusive and check out
Page 38 for the new 26th Annual Spring Get
the Dust-off Rallye flyer.
You will notice the Octagram has more
pages this month. We are now beginning the
2016 car season I will be including notices and
flyers for upcoming events. I will always do my
best to organize the newsletter in a way that allows you to select individual articles and/or fliers
for easy printing.
I would also like to feature pictures of
member's cars, either finished or as project cars.
If you have good quality pictures of yours or of a
friend’s car, please contact me and I will make
arrangements to get a hi-res copy of your photo
and also get a little information about the picture.
I would also like to feature a car project,
along with our technical corner and Randy’s
Octagram
Tech Tidbits. The car project could be a past,
present or planned renovation/restoration project.
If you know of anyone that might be willing to
have their project documented, please let me know.
Always remember, this is your newsletter
and I am always open to suggestions. Please let
me know what you want to see in your newsletter.
April 2016
24
Octagram
April 2016
25
1. Which company owned the MG brand from
1994-2000?
C) Milton Gaskets
D) Mannford Gears
4. What is the 0-60 time for the 2014 MG
MG3 Form Sport 1.5?
B) Fiat
C) Toyota
D) Nissan
2. How much horsepower does the 2001
2005 MG ZT 120 have?
B) 12.1
C) 8.7
D) 6.9
5. Which layout do 1962-1980 MG MGB
cars have?
B) 235
C) 190
D) 290
3. What does ‘MG’ stand for?
A) Manchester Grilles
Octagram
B) Front-Engine, Front-Wheel Drive
C) Mid-Engine, Rear-Wheel Drive
D) Mid Engine, Front-Wheel Drive
April 2016
26
One of the most important days of
the year is Tax Day. Whether your celebrating or
grieving, one of these recipes might be suitable for
your mood and taste. As always, please drink responsibly
Aged rum and Fernet make for a spirited match in
the assertive Bitter Pill cocktail from Los Angeles.
1 1/2 oz. aged rum (Swan uses Zaya 12-year)
1/2 oz. Fernet Branca
1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
1/2 oz. demerara sugar syrup (1:1)
1/2 oz. fresh egg white (pasteurized if you like)
Tools: shaker, strainer
Glass: lowball
Garnish: orange twist
This citrus-sweetened mix of gin and vermouth is great for taking the edge off during
tax season, but it goes down easy any time of
year.
Shake ingredients with ice and strain into an icefilled glass. Garnish by twisting the peel over the
finished drink.
1 1/2 oz. gin
3/4 oz. dry vermouth
3/4 oz. sweet vermouth
Juice of 1/4 orange
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Tools: shaker, strainer
Glass: cocktail
Garnish: orange wheel
Combine all ingredients and shake with ice
to chill. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish.
Octagram
April 2016
27
(Cont.)
Whether served hot or cold, this mix of Cognac,
rum and curaçao soothes to the core.
The Painkiller Cocktail is one of the most beloved recipes in the tiki playbook.
1 oz. Cognac
1 oz. Jamaican rum
1/2 oz. orange curaçao
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 tsp. apple juice
1/2 tsp. simple syrup (1:1)
Tools: shaker, strainer
Glass: goblet
Garnish: lemon twist
2 oz. navy rum
2 oz. unsweetened pineapple juice
1 oz. coconut cream
1 oz. fresh orange juice
Tools: shaker, strainer
Glass: Collins or highball
Garnish: fresh nutmeg
Combine all ingredients and shake with ice to
chill. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish.
Combine ingredients with ice and shake well. Strain
into ice-filled glass. Garnish by grating fresh nutmeg
over top.
Octagram
April 2016
28
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2016
Media inquiries contact: Della Domingo
909-978-6723
[email protected]
-- SEMA to Oppose Action as Threat to Modified Racecars and Parts Suppliers -Washington, DC (February 8, 2016) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
proposed a regulation to prohibit conversion of vehicles originally designed for on-road use into racecars. The regulation would also make the sale of certain products for use on such vehicles illegal. The
proposed regulation was contained within a non-related proposed regulation entitled “Greenhouse
Gas Emissions and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles—
Phase 2.”
The regulation would impact all vehicle types, including the sports cars, sedans and hatch
backs commonly converted strictly for use at the track. While the Clean Air Act prohibits certain
modifications to motor vehicles, it is clear that vehicles built or modified for racing, and not used on
the streets, are not the “motor vehicles” that Congress intended to regulate.
“This proposed regulation represents overreaching by the agency, runs contrary to the law and
defies decades of racing activity where EPA has acknowledged and allowed conversion of vehicles,”
said SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting. “Congress did not intend the original Clean Air Act
to extend to vehicles modified for racing and has re-enforced that intent on more than one occasion.”
SEMA submitted comments in opposition to the regulation and met with the EPA to confirm
the agency’s intentions. The EPA indicated that the regulation would prohibit conversion of vehicles
into racecars and make the sale of certain emissions-related parts for use on converted vehicles illegal. Working with other affected organizations, including those representing legions of professional
and hobbyist racers and fans, SEMA will continue to oppose the regulation through the administrative process and will seek congressional support and judicial intervention as necessary.
The EPA has indicated it expects to publish final regulations by July 2016.
About SEMA
SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association founded in 1963, represents the $36 billion specialty automotive industry of 6,633 member-companies. It is the authoritative source for research, data, trends and market growth information for the specialty auto parts industry. The
industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger and recreational vehicles. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr.,
Diamond Bar, CA 91765, tel: 909-610-2030, or visit www.sema.org.
Octagram
April 2016
29
Open two seater Mark IV 1928
- The Gettysburg address is 269 words, the Declaration of Independence is 1,337 words, and the Bible is only
773,000 words. However, the tax law has grown from 11,400 words in 1913 to 7 million words today.
- The IRS sends out 8 billion pages of forms and instructions each year. Laid end to end, they would stretch 28
times around the earth.
- Nearly 300,000 trees are cut down yearly to produce the paper for all the IRS forms and instructions.
- American taxpayers spend over $200 billion and 5.4 billion hours working to comply with federal taxes each
year, more than it takes to produce every car, truck, and van in the United States.
- The amount of effort needed to calculate and pay federal income for individuals and businesses in the United
States is the equivalent of a staff of 3 million people working full time for a year.
- The IRS employs 114,000 people-twice as many as the CIA and five times more than the FBI.
- 60% of taxpayers must hire a professional to get through their own return.
- Taxes eat up 38.2% of the average family’s income; that’s more than for food, clothing and shelter combined.
Octagram
April 2016
30
http://www.capitaltriumphregister.com/bog/
Gunston Hall Plantation
10709 Gunston Road
Lorton, VA 22079
http://www.gunstonhall.org/
Capital Triumph Register
http://capitaltriumphregister.com/
John Buescher
4519 North 19th Street
Arlington, VA 22207
703-522-6571
[email protected]
[email protected]
John Buescher (Typically items offered by companies
like Classic Motorsports, Moss Motors, etc., when we post to their event calendars)
Pre-registration received by April 11, 2016: $25 per car
Registration after April 11, 2016: $35 per car
Adults: $10
Children 6-18: $5
Children under 6: free
Family of 5 (2 adults, 3 children): $25
Please join the Capital Triumph Register on Sunday, April 24th, 2016 at our club’s 19th annual all marque British
car and motorcycle show and our fourth season at Gunston Hall Plantation, the home of American patriot George
Mason, located just south of the Washington, DC, area along the Potomac River. Enjoy the 2016 driving season
with a picnic, a day of British automobiles, and a complimentary tour of the historic house and grounds. There
will be participants’ choice judging as well as food and merchandise vendors. Past shows have featured over 200
British cars registered in 25 classes. The price of show car registration includes a dash plaque, a commemorative
poster, and a tour of Gunston Hall. Spectator admission will be at standard Gunston Hall prices, which include a
tour of the house and grounds as well as the car show. The 2016 commemorative poster by renowned artist Joseph Craig English will feature the Best of Show winner from the 2015 Britain on the Green show, the 1947 Bentley Mk IV owned by James Stejskal. In 2016 we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the
Triumph GT6 with the GT6 as our featured model. In addition to awards in each judged class, special awards
include Best of Show (the Gunston Bowl), Best Resto Mod, Best Survivor, and Best Display.
Octagram
April 2016
31
Octagram
April 2016
32
Octagram
April 2016
33
The North American Council of M.G. Registers is pleased to announce that MG2016
will be held from June 13th-17th, in Louisville, Kentucky!
Join the North American MMM Register, the New England MGT Register, the North
American MGA Register, and the North American MGB Register for four fun-filled days of
MG camaraderie. Louisville is home of the “Louisville Slugger” (the official baseball bat of
major league baseball), Churchill Downs (where the “most exciting two minutes of sports”
is held each May), and is the source of 1/3 of the world’s supply of bourbon. Louisville will
have something to offer to everyone in attendance.
Louisville is centrally located for the majority of the host registers’ members. The midweek event will allow for travel to and from Louisville on weekends! Contracts have been
secured with a group of seven hotel properties (essentially across the street from each
other) that will meet your budget and expectations.
Plan to arrive in Louisville on Monday afternoon as you will not want to miss our
opening ceremony that evening at Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby. (This
event will have limited seating, so register early!)
Event information, registration, regalia sales, and hotel information is available at
www.mg2016.com in the fall of 2015.
Mark your calendar today to save these dates. We know that you will want to be a part
Octagram
April 2016
34
Registration for the event will be $75.00 and includes
museum admission, the Kimber Festival day, and both lunch
and dinner on Saturday.
The Kimber Festival brings together enthusiasts who
are keenly interested in M.G. history. Organized as an
academic conference, the program consists of
presentations about all M.G.s with topics that may
include design and production, technical discussions,
competitors, and competitions. You do not need to be
a NEMGTR member to present or attend. All MG
enthusiasts are welcome!
Registration fee includes Friday evening and all day
Saturday admission to the classic car museum, a wine
and cheese reception on Friday evening, with the
literature swap meet, the Saturday festival
presentations by M.G. researchers, luncheon, and the
Saturday night dinner with speaker.
Friday the 8th of April enjoy the museum in the
afternoon followed by a meet and greet. Dinner on
your own followed by a natter
in the hotel bar.
Saturday, starting at 9:30
there will be a series of
speakers. Lunch and dinner
will be at the museum with a
speaker at each meal. We will
also feature a book show and
tell where attendees can show
a book that is special to them
and explain why.
America on Wheels Museum is our host for this year's
Kimber Festival. The office in the museum is the only
remaining part of the old building which use to be a meat
packing plant called A&B meats (founded in 1887). In total
he building is 43,000 square feet. The museum offers over
23,000 square feet of Exhibit space divided into three main
galleries and several smaller Exhibits. It also offers food and
educational experiences for all.
Ramada Inn, 1500 MacArthur Road, Whitehall, PA, under
2 miles to the America on Wheels museum where the
Kimber Festival will be held. Call the hotel at 1-610-4391037 to make your reservation. The special room rate of
$71.99 can be booked by asking for the Old M.G. rate. The
hotel requests that reservations be made by March 8th to
receive this special rate.
The Registration fee is $75.00 per person
and includes Saturday lunch and dinner.
Register online and save a stamp! Click here
for the registration form
If you wish to sign up by snail mail, click
here to download a PDF of the Registration
form
You may also visit the New England MG ‘T’
Register by clicking here, for more
information.
The New England MG T Register is seeking proposals for papers to be presented at its Kimber Festival to be
held from April 8 through 10, 2016 at America On Wheels Museum in Allentown, PA.
This meeting brings together enthusiasts who are keenly interested in M.G. history. Organized as an academic
conference, the program consists of presentations about all M.G.s with topics that range from design and
production to competitors and competitions. Papers about the last MGB will be as welcome as one about the first
M.G., Old Number One.
Proposals for papers on subjects related to the old car hobby will also be welcomed. A few years ago, for
instance, we had a presentation about flower arranging using M.G. parts. Following the Festival, a certain number
of the papers will be selected for publication in The Sacred Octagon, the Register’s magazine.
A computer projector will be available at the venue. Proposals must be received by December 31, 2015;
notification of acceptance is anticipated by January 31, 2016. Proposals should be submitted online using our Call
for Papers form below. Please make sure to attach a one-page abstract describing the content of the presentation
in the file upload section of the form.
For More Information please go to www.nemgtr.com
Questions should be directed to Richard L. Knudson at [email protected].
Octagram
April 2016
35
Octagram
April 2016
36
Sunday, June 5, 2016
Lilypons Water Gardens - Adamstown, Maryland
The Chesapeake Chapter of the New England MG “T” Register is proud to invite you to the
39th meet of The Original British Car Day. This event is held for the enjoyment of all
British car and motorcycle enthusiasts. This year’s Featured Marque will be the MGB GT,
in honor of its 50th Anniversary!
The event is held annually from 8:00 AM until 3:30 PM at the beautiful grounds of Lilypons
Water Gardens. Come and enjoy this gathering of all British marques in one setting and the
beauty of the water gardens. Bring your leashed pet and picnic lunch or partake of the food
and drink offered by various food vendors.
Whether you are displaying your car, or just coming to enjoy the event, the drive is beautiful
no matter which direction you come from. Lilypons Water Gardens is located in Adamstown, Maryland on Lilypons Road. It can be accessed easily from the North I-70 or I-270
via Route 85, or from the South via Route 28. Please visit their web site at
www.lilypons.com for directions and more information about their establishment.
The contact person for OBCD is John M. Tokar, Chairman, who can be reached at 410-7750500, or by email at [email protected]
For more information please visit our website at: www.chesapeakechaptermgtclub.com
We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, June 5, 2016!
Octagram
April 2016
37
MG Car Club Central Jersey Centre, Inc. Presents
Britfest 2016
sm
www.mgccnj.org
When:
Saturday, May 7th, 2016
9am-3pm Rain or Shine!
Pre-registration before 4/15/16: $15
After 4/15/16 & at the gate: $20
Spectator Admission: $3
Children under 12 FREE
Location:
Horseshoe Lake Park
Roxbury Twp. Recreation and
Municipal Complex,
72 Eyland Avenue, Succasunna,
NJ 07876
Celebrating the MGB-GT and MGC-GT
Door prizes • Vendors
Food Catered by Tastefully British, Pompton Plains, NJ
Swap Meet/Vendors
Pre-registration required
No limit on spaces per vendor
Car Show
All British marques welcome.
Voting 9am-12 Noon
Prizes awarded at 2pm
Dash plaques to first 150 registered cars!
Directions:
From I-80 East: Take exit 28 to Ledgewood Exit,
Route 10 East. Route 10 East to Eyland Ave.
See below (from Route 10).
From I-80 West: Take Exit 43 to I-287 South, I287 South to Exit 39, Route 10 West,
See below (from Route 10).
From Route 10: Take Eyland Ave South to Roxbury
Recreation Complex, follow signs.
Octagram
April 2016
Contacts:
Eliot Ganek
125 Rynda Rd
South Orange, NJ 07079
973.762.8116
[email protected]
Charles Tregidgo
12-68 Fourth St.
Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
201.791.6675
[email protected]
38
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Interfaith Food Pantry of Morris
County. Please support this worthy cause by bringing a non-perishable food item
from their current needs list found at www.mcifp.org. Thank you.
Britfest 2016 / Entry Form
sm
Make checks payable to: “The MG Car Club Central Jersey Centre, Inc.”
Mail form and checks to: 12-68 Fourth Street, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
Name :__________________________________________________________________
Address:________________________________________________________________
City:____________________________________________________________________
State:_______________
Zip: __________________________________________
Email:__________________________________________________________________
Telephone:______________________________________________________________
Car Make:_______________________________________________________________
ModelYear:______________________________________________________________
Car Pre Registration (closes 4/15/16): $15 • After 4/15/16 and at the Gate: $20
Vendors: ____________ spaces at $25 per space = ______________________
Vendor Total:__________________________
Registration:___________________________
Grand Total:__________________________
*(20’x20’ space MUST Pre Register)
I hereby release the MG Car Club Central Jersey Centre, Inc. and its
sponsors from any liability as a result of my participation in this event
Signature ________________________________________________ Date____________________
www.mgccnj.org
Octagram
April 2016
39
Dear British Car Enthusiast/Vendor:
I am the chairman of the MG Car Club Central Jersey Centre Britfestsm 2016 planning committee. The
show is for British sports cars, motorcycles and other vehicles and will be held on
Britfestsm is one of the first British car and motorcycle shows of the
season in the Northeast and has been held annually since 1992.
The show is very popular with British car and motorcycle enthusiasts. This event attracts up to 250
vehicles and 800 spectators annually. The show is a popular vote event, with trophies awarded in 18 classes,
together with special classes for the People’s Choice Award and President’s Award. Dash plaques are given to
the first 150 entries. There are also automobilia and parts vendors, door prizes and food is catered by Tastefully
British. You can pre-register for this year’s show using the attached registration form. The form will also be
available on our website (www.MGCCNJ.org) for download by February 1.
The club is also offering you, your business or organization an opportunity to participate as a sponsor
of the trophies awarded to the class winners at a cost of only $100 per class. This is an excellent means to
advertise before hundreds of spectators, car show participants and vendors. We offer the following to all
sponsors:
● Sponsor’s names will be contained in advertising for the show, on the brochures distributed at the show
and on the club’s web site mentioned above.
● Sponsor’s advertising materials will be included in the registration packages for each car
show participant. We prepare 250 registration packages and will need your materials on or
before April 15, 2016.
● Your company’s name will be announced at the trophy awards. The club will also include
your business card or advertising material in the monthly newsletter through April, 2017. If
you have a company banner, the club can arrange to display it at the show. If you wish to
take a more active part in the show, you may set up a display or table at the show as well.
To register your British car, motorcycle or other vehicle, participate as vendor or to sponsor a trophy
class, please complete the appropriate form and return it to me with your check.
If you are
sponsoring a trophy, please also indicate three choices for class sponsorship, which will be determined on first
come, first serve basis. Copies of the registration form for the show, together with a list of classes of vehicles,
are also attached for your convenience.
If you have any questions regarding trophy sponsorship, please call/email either
or
at
.
at
Very truly yours,
Octagram
April 2016
40
Octagram
April 2016
41
Octagram
April 2016
42
Octagram
April 2016
43
by Bob Wilson
It’s a bit like high school, just about the
time you think that you know everything and
can quit learning, along comes something new
and you realize that you weren’t quite as smart
as you thought! Lots of things are like that;
cars, more specifically MGs, even closer...MG
meetings.
The Milwaukee MG Gathering Of the
Faithful in the summer of 1990 is the case in
point. Lots of nice cars, many great cars, a
gaggle of first timers along with one ID that
few had ever seen and even fewer knew anything about. “An MG built in Germany...Not
a chance!” “A beautiful interior, but why
would someone spend this much time and
money and do it wrong?” “This is a neat restoration, but it looks nothing like any TD that I
ever saw.” The event was buzzing about this
‘different’ TD; in the end, the car was dismissed as a fluke. We had expected that, and
were a bit amused at the reactions. We were
prepared for the controversy, but we were not
prepared for the onslaught of activity in the
next year.HOLD THAT THOUGHT
Let’s roll back to the fall of 1956. As a
young teenager I am walking to church with
my father and see a neat red roadster...a sports
car if you will...The conversation goes something like” That’s the kind of car that I want
when I start to drive.” Quick retort, “Save
your money, son.”
Lexington, Kentucky, is not that big,
but I never saw that red car again until the
spring of 1962 when a neighbor brought it
home for his new wife’s approval. She said,
“no,’ but I said, “yes.” and the odyssey began.
Octagram
The seller warned me that it was weird, something about a “German racer”: he was most
concerned about a bulge on the side of the
bonnet...for the generator. which tums out to
be about the only normal thing about the car.
It didn’t take long to figure out that this thing
really was different. E.g. This guy is over 2
1/2” wider inside the tub, a MG. TF tonneau
fit much better (with a few adjustments) than
the standard Amco TD tonneau. The side curtains which were ordered from Sears (Sears
had EVERYTHING for sports cars in those
days) failed to fill the rear quarter by nearly
three inches. (Sears paid to have them altered
to fit, thinking that they had made them
wrong, and satisfaction was guaranteed). Body
bolts were metric, while chassis and running
gear bolts were Whitworth. The fuel pump
looked like an English built unit; but in fact
was made in Germany. Electrical bits were Bosch including the coil, the biggest battery that
I had ever seen, and twenty- two, count ‘em,
twenty two fused circuits, all with those neat
little ceramic and flat-strap fuses used in Mercedes and VWs. Really an MG?” We campaigned it heavily in SCCA until 1967 when I
moved, now with wife and first child, to Columbus, Indiana.
April 2016
44
While in Indiana, and later after moving to Illinois, the TD gradually was retired
from daily service through a “fix-up” restoration to a complete body off, bare frame, classic
basket case. And there it sat for many years.
After a few forays at repairing rotted wood and
metal, while being continually reminded that
nothing was the same as the parts on a British
made body, we started on a full blown complete restoration. At this point we decided that
we needed to know as much about ‘German
built” TDs as possible. The more we asked the
clearer it became that we know more than anyone that we could find. That was not much,
and certainly was not good enough. The first
big break came in1985 while visiting the
Porsche factory in Stuttgart. I inquired about
the dealer whose plate was on the right front
cheek panel of the TD. Some quick Teutonic
search revealed that the dealer was still in
business and still selling Austins and Jaguars,
but had moved from Heilbronner Strasse in
the center of the city, to a suburb just out of
town. The visit was the gold mine immediately
recognized the car from my pictures, saying
“Oh you haff one of our cars. There were only
twenty five, you know.” We spent the afternoon talking cars in general, with frequent returns to the subject of the TDs. More
specifically, my TD. Notes from that meeting
with Herr Rensler state:
* The chassis came to Stuttgart bare, with no
bodies and miscellaneous parts in a wooden
box, which was used as a makeshift seat for
the drive from Cologne?
Octagram
* There was only one chassis at first. A handmodel was made for approval, and later the
other chassis arrived in two batches.
* Three sedans were also produced. (Magnettes???) One is still operational in Munich.
* After the first two batches were completed
the MG. factory did not send any more chassis. They said That the project was not “worth
the effort”. Whatever that meant.
* There were never any drawings. Bucks
were built and body pieces were produced, by
hand, from a few photographs.
* After the project was scrubbed several other
cars were produced on wrecked chassis and
many M.Gs were repaired from lesser accidents, some with complete new German fronts
or rears. (Their favorite was a car with a British left side and a complete new German right
side.)
* They estimate that 100-125 cars were either built or repaired, including the first 25.
* They have no records of the project, nor do
they have much passion for the subject. This
was just another opportunity to produce for
the large GI population that wanted cars, and
had money to spend.
* Although the chassis were produced in
1951 they were titled and sold as 1952 models.
April 2016
45
Armed with the information from our visit to
Stuttgart, and fueled with newfound enthusiasm for the project, we started the final stage
of our restoration. This took two years. Dave
Raymond told me of another “German” car in
Florida, and with his help we found it. The car
has a similar immigration story. (Having been
brought back from Germany by a GI stationed
there.) However, thirty plus years have been
spent Anglicizing it. The gas tank has been
changed. The windshield frame has been
replaced.(But the owner still has all of the
original pieces and is in the process of refurbishing them for re-installation.) The interior
has been replaced with a traditional, British
style kit. All of the Bosch is gone, traded for
“proper” Lucas. The car is pretty; wire wheel
conversion, cream cracker color scheme and
some extra chrome which is to be expected.
But, beyond the evolution, remain the subtle,
but now familiar, German differences. The
fenders are still lower, flatter, and narrower.
The cowl humps are still flatter. The bonnet
louvers are still all the same length, with the
latches still further outboard than those produced by Morris Bodies in England. And the
door latches are not the traditional silent bloc
style, they are German made Bomoro with a
striker/ latch plate in the edge of the door
frame rather than on the side.
The serial number lines up with the list
that we later found on a shipping list of units
sent as ‘LHX chassis only”. Dave Raymond
then told me that he has the back end of what
he always called “that damned German thing”.
We decided that I should have it for spares and
when the pieces arrived they were the keystone
Octagram
to lock the entire puzzle together. Here were
the original purse style door pockets EXACTLY like 9238. Here were the Bomoro door
latches. And all of the remaining body parts
matched. Bingo, proof positive.
The restoration is now nearly twenty
years old and publicity in The Sacred Octagon is turned up three more cars bringing the
total to 6 cars located There is no doubt that
this MG is different, and we have made every
effort to keep it that way. Not different for the
sake of being different, but different as built,
for the sake of being true to its origins. No
doubt, we had some real advantages in this
project... When I first purchased the car it had
very few miles showing and everything
seemed to be as built: black Hartz cloth top,
black leather bound tight weave coarse
carpet...typically German, leather flat topped
seat back and purse-style door pockets, no
storage box for side straps through footman’s
loops to the rear deck), and leather door
check straps. These wearing parts were intact
and in great shape for patterns. TD #9238 is
as complete and correct as we can make it
from what we know, hut we are certain that
there is more information out there. We just
have to find it...maybe another GOF...what
goes around comes around.
April 2016
46
Neil Nelson, our founding father, felt that Doug Pelton
the founder and owner of From the Frame Up would be
a great guest speaker for our GOF South. Like Doug,
Neil restores MG TCs. Unlike Neil, Doug also manufactures and distributes low-demand, hard to find parts for
our little British cars.
Doug accepted our invitation. Doug will give a
PowerPoint presentation on MGs at our gathering;
don’t miss it.
Doug Pelton was raised on a family farm in Western
New York and at an early age, he learned how to fix
things just to keep things going. Parts were not always
available, so he had to refurbish, rebuild and repair with
the basic tools of his day. As a kid, he remembers first
seeing his cousin's MG TC. Little did he know that thirty-five years later he would dismantle the same car and
restore it to its original condition.
Doug is also a retired Air Force pilot and A320 Airline
Captain with US Airways.
He is the author of several TC technical articles that
have been published in MG club periodicals worldwide including the MG Classics of Jacksonville
newsletter.
He is the founder and owner of From the Frame Up.
FTFU is an MG parts manufacture, distributor, and
restoration operation. In the fall of 2007, it began
with the offering:
as its first item. Today, that set still remains popular.
By the summer of 2008, Doug’s single page catalog
grew to four pages. At this time, it contains more than
4000 items. The cataloged now has 100 pages and is
growing; weekly, it adds items. Doug sells several
components not available from other suppliers.
Overall, FTFU offers the most complete set of parts
for the TC globally. Neil’s experience reveals Doug
as a good man dedicated to helping his customer.
Without the likes of Al Moss, Doug Pelton and others
like them, the restoration of our MGs would not be
possible.
In 2004, Doug began restoring
that it was, at best, a parts car.
not knowing
Without
realizing how much was wrong with it, he set his goal to
Octagram
restore the car to factory
standards as a tribute to its
previous owner, his deceased
cousin.
Later, when too far committed, he realized the error of
his ways. Regardless, he
pressed on to find the pieces
needed. Like so many of us, his search began with
the ever important Moss catalog. However, soon
he realized even Moss had items listed -
When Moss didn’t have the part needed, he expanded his search to other distributors. Regrettably, his dilemma continued. Again, there was no
problem with common high-demand items, but it
was difficult to find those low-demand parts that
are nonetheless, still needed.
Persevering, he found the parts needed to return
TC 7670 to its former glory. Fortunately, he took
notes on where he located critically needed parts
and the sources that made them in small batches.
Because of his experience, he determined others
should not have to spend so much time finding
what they needed. He soon realized if he could
provide those needed bits, others would benefit.
Before, he believes many enthusiasts simply gave
up because they could not locate what they needed.
Today, From The Frame Up is a prime source of
hard-to-find MG parts. Simply stated, they find or
make them. Reportedly, FTFU has the most complete set of parts for the TC anywhere
April 2016
47
Octagram
April 2016
48
Octagram
April 2016
49
Bring your own treasured vehicle.
All makes and models are welcome.
Registration 9am – Noon
Awards 1pm
Take a tour of our facility
See the amazing vehicles we are proud to service
Beautiful cars and great friends
12340 Owings Mills Blvd
Reisterstown, MD 21136
410-833-2329
Octagram
April 2016
50
Octagram
The Newsletter of the MGs of Baltimore