THE MARRIAGE OF THE ENGINE AND GEARBOX

I spent a couple of hours a day this week assembling the engine and gearbox.  The clutch was fitted to the flywheel and torqued to the proper setting.  The clutch must also be aligned with the engine using a special tool that resembles the  splined end of the first motion shaft of the gearbox.   

Some of the peripheral engine parts such as the starter and clutch slave cylinder were installed. They are particularly difficult to access after the engine is installed.  Such items as the intake and exhaust manifolds will be attached after the engine is in place.

The engine and gearbox is now ready to install in the car...Maybe this weekend.

Stay tuned,

Tom McCurry

HYDRAULICS COMPLETED

I finally finished the installation of the hydraulic system in the engine bay this evening.  As you can see, in the photo to the left, the front brake lines are connected to the manifold and the rear brake line is routed from the engine bay to the differential.  

Now that the hydraulics are fitted in the engine bay, we will begin the process of installing the engine and transmission.












Tomorrow evening we will fit the clutch assembly to the flywheel and bolt the transmission in place.  After the starter is fitted to the bell housing, the engine and transmission will be ready hoist into place.

Stay tuned,

Tom McCurry

FINISHING HYDRAULICS INSTALLATION

After applying the epoxy primer to Tim's Healey yesterday, I spent a couple of hours yesterday afternoon working on the hydraulic system on the "B".  The brake lines I ordered were not fabricated correctly so I had to "re-manufacture" them.  I re-installed one of the lines and ran out of time.  The other two will be connected tomorrow afternoon.  

We are planning to install the engine and transmission this coming week.  Photos of the hydraulics will be posted tomorrow.  Stay tuned...exciting stuff coming up.

Tom McCurry

WHERE DO YOU FIND PARTS FOR THESE CARS?

Undertaking the restoration of a British sports car on any level is challenging.  To say the least these cars are a bit quirky.  There are many things to be concerned about, such as body damage from accidents, rust, and an array of mechanical issues.  Probably the point of least concern should be the availability of parts. 

The question I am asked most often is,  "Where do you find parts for a car this old?".  Oddly enough, almost every part on these cars is available.  With the help of the Internet, you can select from numerous suppliers of both new and used parts.  Some of them are even still manufactured in Great Britain.  It truly warms my heart to see that sticker on a new part I just purchased.  Of course, there are also the "made in Taiwan" parts.  They seem to be quite a bit less expensive and frankly the quality just doesn't seem to be there.  

I have found quality parts from Victoria British at victoriabritish.com, Moss Motors at mossmotors.com, englishparts.com, and of course eBay.com.  I use eBay frequently for locating used and new old stock parts.  There is  also a company called The Roadster Factory at the-roadster-factory.com that carries some body repair panels for Triumph and MG that are not available through the other suppliers.   Occasionally you will encounter a part that is difficult to locate, difficult but not impossible.  If all efforts fail, try the MG Experience website at mgexperience.net..  With a membership, you may used their forum to ask questions of the experts.

With these links at your disposal, you should be able to locate virtually any part you need.  If, in you quest for that illusive part, you happen to locate a company not listed above, please share it.

Keep 'em rollin',
Tom McCurry

HYDRAULICS INSTALLATION

I cannot tell you how excited I am about reassembling this car.  It is a long-awaited event.  Now that I have all the parts and the engine bay is properly finished, the installation of the hydraulics for the brakes and clutch is easily accomplished.  I have taken care to route the hydraulic lines as they were from the factory.,  Keeping in mind that this is a modified automobile and factory original is not a major concern, I still have a tendency to restore to original whenever possible.  

The hydraulic lines serving the wheel cylinders will be installed next.

Love my car...

Tom McCurry

THE STEERING GEAR IS INSTALLED...YEAH, BABY

That's what I'm talkin' about.  I was beginning to wonder if it could even be repaired.  Amazing isn't it.  I have discussed this problem with so many experts.  None of them knew how to help me.  The common response was, "when you determine what the problem was, let me know".  Well, it's installed and I still can't understand why the first steering column didn't work.  Oh well, it is done now...NEXT !




 

There it is...that beautiful steering column...in place.

Just wanted to take this opportunity to show you Don's "Fred Flintstone Car".  Notice, he is inside the car and standing on the floor at the same time.  I realize this photo doesn't really look like Don, but take my word for it...

We love our work,

Tom McCurry

FINAL FINISH APPLIED TO TRUNK AND ENGINE BAY

Yesterday, the engine bay and trunk was prepped for the final finish....again.  Hot Rod Black from the Eastwood Company, was applied to both areas.  It is a bit more glossy than the epoxy primer, semi gloss actually, that I originally used.  

Now that the final finish is applied to the engine compartment, the hydraulic systems and steering can be installed.  

Stay tuned,

Tom McCurry

ENGINE BAY AND TRUNK PREPARED FOR PAINT

All the little blemishes in the engine bay and trunk that were tormenting me have been repaired, primed, blocked and cleaned.  Tomorrow, after completing the paint work on Tim's Healey, I plan to apply the finish coat of urethane paint to the "Killer B".  

The parts for the hydraulic systems arrived today and the new steering column has been repainted.  I will give the new paint in the engine compartment a few days to cure and the assembly process will begin. Photos will follow tomorrow.

Can't wait,

Tom McCurry

THE NEW STEERING COLUMN FITS !

Can you believe it. The worst part is, I still can't determine why the old column wouldn't fit.   I guess if restoring cars was easy, everyone would be doing it.

In celebration, I spent two hours late this afternoon repairing some small blemishes in the engine bay and tomorrow it and the trunk area will be prepared for repainting.  I know...I've already done this once.  I just wasn't satisfied with it.  I promise, this is the last time I will paint the engine bay and trunk...probably.  After the final finish is applied to these areas, the body of the car will be painted with several coats of high build primer in preparation for the final "blocking".

I would love to install the engine and transmission, but it is difficult to keep them clean during the painting process when they are fitted to the car.  I must show restraint.

Life is good,

Tom McCurry 

THE MASTER CYLINDER SETUP

Pictured in the photo to the right is the newly restored master cylinder setup for the MGB.  Some of the parts will not arrive until the middle of the week.  The engine compartment should be repaired and repainted by then and the hydraulic system for the brakes and clutch can be installed.

I checked out the new steering column this afternoon and it is good condition.  Hopefully it will work.

Stay tuned,

Tom McCurry

RECEIVED THE NEW STEERING COLUMN TODAY

Hopefully I will not destroy this one.  It appears to be the correct dimension, so the steering should be installed fairly easily.  I almost wish I hadn't said that.  

I spent a few hours today fitting the newly restored master cylinders to the car.  The brass brake line manifold I intended to use was not made correctly for the single line system and it was necessary to order another.  It should be here by mid week.  

Having noticed a few flaws in the paint on the engine compartment, I have decided to repair them and repaint.  Black paint enhances imperfections.  These minor flaws probably would not matter to most people, and with the engine in place, it would be difficult to see them at all.  But things like that seem to push me over the edge.  Do it right or don't do it.

Later,

Tom McCurry

I NEED A NEW STEERING COLUMN

It appears that I have destroyed my steering column in an attempt to "shorten" it.  I have located one on Ebay and will purchase it this evening.  After speaking with the supplier this afternoon, and asking him to check some of the critical measurements, I am confident that it will solve my steering problems.  I remain a bit pessimistic.  All my parts are in for the hydraulic systems and I will hone the master cylinders tomorrow and begin the installation.

Things are looking up.

Tom McCurry 

PARTS RECEIVED TODAY

I received the parts to install the hydraulics on the "B" today.  This weekend, we will fit the new brake and clutch lines to the master cylinders and connect the pedal linkage and pedals.  I'm still having trouble with the steering column, but I'm tired of talking about it.  Pictures will follow....

Tom McCurry