Had a great LBC weekend. Wednesday drove to Manassas Va to visit the
engine of our other 71B and warm up for the drive to Sunday's Hunt
Country Classic in Middleburg VA. Good trip down, but after just a few
miles on the way home, the amber light came on and then water and steam
all over the place. Coasted to a stop at gas and go, poured in some
Bar's leak and refilled. No leak. Started engine and water all over
the place. Water pump bearings non-existent. After flat bedding home,
picked up a new water pump, thermostat and hoses at Motorhead on
Thursday. Finished the installation on Friday and amazingly no leaks.
Heading for the Hunt Country Classic Sunday AM, I just missed White's
Ferry to cross the Potomac. While waiting for it to make the circuit,
Larry Newman and John Strout pulled in behind me in their MGA and TD
respectively. We caravaned to the Scotts' farm for a great show with
fabulous weather. Larry told me my brake lights weren't working and
Dave Mickel thought it was probably the switch. Today I confirmed that
and wife suggested I try the switch from the other B which she found in
a box in the basement (the switch, that is). It was bad too. After
squirting it with contact cleaner, WD40 and liquid wrench, I thought
maybe I could take it apart. Set it in the vise, took a sharp cold
chisel and a BFH and went to work. Couldn't get it apart, but now
checked out OK on the meter. Installed it and now have working brake
lites. Tried the same surgery on the original switch and now it too
checks out OK on the meter. Ordered a new switch from Jeff Zorn at
lbcarco.com but maybe I'm on to something. Oh well. It's no fun if you
can't work on them.
Elliott DeGraff
2 71Bs (one perfect for now, one slowly coming together)
|