Hello all. I've been eyeing the "Hot 1980 MGB" thread with some concern,
so I'll add my note.
Just bought my first car: a '79 Midget (which is a big deal for me, the
eldest son in a Detroit "Car Family"). The paint on the hood looks a
little oxidized, except for a 1'x1' patch on the left (U.S. driver's)
side front edge, right over the big honkin' rubber bumper. When I
brought it home (second time driving it), I noticed that the hood felt
pretty hot to the touch. I could leave my hand there, but was feeling
some serious heat.
I asked my younger brother, a five year veteran in his '73 Spitfire, what
was up. He says his car (same engine) doesn't do this. Of course, his
engine has more breathing space in its compartment. Dad, a car designer,
simply said, "if you're serious about keeping the car, I just want you to
know that any time you need a place to store it (in parts) we can find
some room at the house." (Real confidence inspiring, but he speaks from
experience. He has a 1929 Model 'A', and has stepped over many a box
containing my brother's Spitfire in the past.)
Now to the point: 1) is the car running hot? (Temperature gage reads
on the C-side, but I don't trust it yet.) 2) Does the oxidized paint
have any connection to it? Note: I pulled out some "Clearcoat Polishing
Compound" (Turtlewax tm) and went to work on some of the paint. It
shined things up, so the hazing appears to be from the top down, not from
inside out.
Thanks in advance, and please excuse me for any "newbie" oversights.
-Kosti Hennighausen J.D., B.S.A.E.
Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics
University of Minnesota
(And please no, "it doesn't take a rocket scientist" comments. We're a
sensitive lot!)
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