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

NEW WIRING HARNESS

I am researching electrical wiring for my car. The old wiring harness was toast, so I’m starting from scratch. In my opinion, it will be less complicated than the original because, aside from the engine wiring, which isn’t a problem, the car will have only head lights, tail lights, signal lights, instrument lights and a fuel pump.
DC wiring is a bit more complicated than AC.  I will be searching the internet for a wiring diagram.  I will keep you posted.

Tom McCurry

FRUSTRATION !!!!!!!!!!

Restoring an old car, any old car, is very often challenging.  After trying to fit the steering column, universal joint and steering rack into this car for almost two hours tonight, I finally just had to walk away before I got angry and threw it out in the parking lot.  It appears that the new steering rack is about a half an inch longer than the old one.  Maybe it's an "aftermarket" issue...

The steering is going in tomorrow, one way or another.  Hopefully I will have some pictures of the finished product on my next post.

Later,

Tom McCurry

RESTORING BRAKE PARTS

If you want your car to look its best, you much pay attention to detail.  Restoration of all the brake system parts especially those under the hood and in the cockpit will add "curb" appeal to this car.  The brake lines and  other associated parts have been ordered and will probably be installed by the end of the week.







Love my car...
Tom McCurry

INSTALLING THE STEERING COLUMN

 At the end of the day, Bill and I spent an hour or so installing the steering column.

With the column in place the two nylon guides on the ends of steering rack shaft and the steering column must be installed to aid in the alignment of the steering column.  When properly aligned the universal joint that connects the two ends of the shafts will work properly.  As you can see in the photo to the left, the alignment is not quite right yet.  The steering rack must be aligned using shims.  The steering rack is then removed, the universal installed and the steering rack replaced with the shims located properly.  It takes some time to get it right.  

Stay tuned,
Tom McCurry

MORE ON THE REAR SWAY BAR

I know you are probably tired of reading about the rear sway bar, but I promise, this may be the last post on the subject.  I was on the internet the other night researching the installation of the sway bar and I came upon a message board where some guy had asked about sway bars.  The comments were all over the board.  You need them; you don't need them; you need to lower the car; the car is fine as it came from the factory.  I finally decided that it isn't the mechanics of the car, it's the nut behind the wheel.  

I have spent a considerable amount of money rebuilding the front and rear suspensions and lowering the car.  At this point, I plan to put some good tires on it, drive it and change it if it needs to be changed.  

Rock on,

TD

READY TO INSTALL THE MASTER CYLINDERS

 As shown in the photo on the left, the master cylinders have been cleaned and refinished with stainless steel paint and they are now ready for installation.

The photo to the right shows the newly refinished master cylinder mounting frame and cover.  The master cylinders for the clutch and brakes will be mounted and then the hydraulic lines connected.  After the brake and clutch pedals are hung and the system "bled", the brakes will be fully operational.  Obviously, the clutch system will not be connected until the engine is installed.

Later,

TD

REAR SWAY BAR

This thing is driving me nuts.  I finally got it put together, but it didn't seem to line up with the differential.  I'm going to do a little research online tonight.  Who knows, maybe tomorrow.

I remain frustrated,
TD

REAR SWAY BAR

We were busy working on Tim's Healey today and I didn't have time to purchase the bolts needed for the sway bar.  Fortunately, my wife had the day off and went to the hardware store for me.  I will be mounting the bar sometime tomorrow.  

The master cylinders look great.  As soon as I rebuild them, they will be installed.  

Life is good !

TD

INSTALLING THE REAR SWAY BAR

I love it when a plan comes together, but occasionally it doesn't.  Today, it didn't.  The bolts that actually mount the sway bar itself to the trunk floor were two inches too long and one of the bolts that tie the sway bar to the rear suspension was damaged.  So, it will be tomorrow or Monday before I can complete the task.  Everything is painted, so it will be fairly easy to install.  

Even though my day didn't go as expected, I did not waste the shop time I had.  The day was spent restoring the master cylinders for the clutch and brake.  I cleaned both cylinders and painted them with stainless steel paint.  Stainless steel paint is a very good product that resists rust, but the jury is still out on how well it stands up to brake fluid...we will see.  Photos of the cylinders will be posted tomorrow.

The master cylinder mounting bracket, cover and line connectors have already been restored, so the installation of the hydraulic system can be accomplished in just a few hours.

Stay tuned,

TD

WILL BE INSTALLING REAR SWAY BAR TOMORROW

I have been working on Tim's Healey all week and I haven't had much time for my little project.  However, I will be installing the rear sway tomorrow for sure.  

I have all the parts for the hydraulic system restored and ready to install.  It is easier to install the hydraulics before the engine is put back in place.

Stay tuned,

TD

I TOOK THE WEEKEND OFF

My daughter Jessica came into town for a visit this weekend so I took some time off.  As it turned out, the time off also gave my body time to heal...LOL.  I hope to be installing the rear sway bar soon.  We will be working on the Healey the next few days in preparation for sandblasting the frame.  Check out timsnewtoy.blogspot.com.
Our next project is another MGB...imagine that.  The car is in exceptional condition.  The body needs very little work.

Later 

TD