Well, it happened again. The things this guy did to my car completely amaze
me.
This weekend I wanted to check and/ or adjust my valves (first try, ever).
Without realizing that I could put the car in gear and push to turn the engine,
I began to dismantle the radiator and fan to get to the crank shaft nut.
The only problem was that I was having trouble getting the radiator out. Hmmm
I took out all the screws... nothing in the way.... But it just won't budge.
And then I see them. The dumb SOB WELDED the radiator and shroud into the car.
The two screws on the bottom of the radiator (Which I didn't see, b/c they just
looked like metal deformations (painted over)) were actually welded to the
brace. Apparently they broke the screws on the bottom and rather than drill and
repair, they just welded when they replaced it. The same with the bottom two
scews on the shroud. How the hell did they get in there with a welder? I
couldn't even get in there with a grinder.
Needless to say, I wound up breaking off the lower brace on the radiator and my
shroud's a little mangled. THe radiator's repairable, but I might need another
fan shroud. Anyone have one for a '78 Midget lying around? Moss and VB haven't
got them listed.
I haven't even gotten to the valves yet. Anyone have any advice on how to check
and adjust? I've got the Bently and Haynes book.
I swear, if only I knew...... I'd have probably bought it anyway......
Mike
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