At 06:07 AM 12/20/96 +0000, you wrote:
>I have a true sadness to report but the realization of it may lead to
>better things....
>
>When I purchased my 73 BGT in july i knew it was by no means a " shave
>and a haircut " restoration, the car had stood albeit in covered storage
>for more than 14 years and whilst the original mileage was only 49000 the
>engine was locked solid as were the brakes and diff for that matter. I
>felt it was salvageable and since my passion is for the GT (much as i
>love my roadsters) I was determined to do all i could.
>
>It is now December....I freed the brakes- all four were rusted to hell!,
>got enough work on the diff done to get it moving and got a lot of
>"emergency" bodywork done so the car would not deteriorate further
>outside (plus since the o r i g i n a l owner had seen fit to paint the
>car pink with gold detailing over the original black tulip,I was keen to
>see as much gray primer as possible!!!) stripped the interior (except the
>dash) and
>now comes the melancholia!! .... every weekend out came the largest
>spanner i own and a length of pipe, spanner applied to shaft, pipe placed
>over spanner - much grunting, pushing and slipping.....
>In july, i removed the plugs, filled the engine with penetrating oil
>which has been religiously topped up ever since and started this spanner
>ritual and we are no nearer to freeing the beast than we were on the
>first day. I have had several pros look at (and have a crack at) it,
>there have been a few suggestions-all followed but most said "just
>persevere - ive seen worse"
>Now the dilemma, I think i may well be wasting my time at this point
>either the rings are so rusted they are never going to move or there is a
>"demon" in the lower depths and this thing has been standing 14 years
>because it seized first!!! - (no evidence on the outside but...) If this
>is to be an engine rebuild as well as restoration then frankly it is way
>past my expertise, I can do the surface engine work but the deep world of
>big-ends and crankshafts are the domain of others far more experienced
>(and expensive!) so i think its time to move on...
>.I will part out the car (I can take an engine to bits - its the
>reassembly thats the bugger!) and enter the market for a GT more suitable
>for my abilities, I would like to find one that can be a daily driver
>located in north east region preferred but will consider further afield
>any age chrome bumper and will pay as much as 5000 if I find the right
>one (meant what i said about daily driver) - anyone have any leads?
>If anyone wants/needs GT parts - well im here and will swap or sell
>reasonably whatever is needed (in fact a lot of the Gt interior parts are
>already restored and/or cleaned and detailed )
>The body shell is very sound - surface rust but truly no serious rot -
>Ill give it gratis to anyone who'll promise to either restore it or
>dismantle it and part it out
>Oh - and come to CT and get it of course!!
>
>So there is the sad tale - im not one for giving up but I know when im
>out of my league - I just hope someone more able will want it and
>someone else out there will have my new transportation!!
>
>apologies for windbagging but its an emotional decision!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>- hand me a therapist!!!!!
>
>
>mike robson
>69 roadster
>72 roadster (summer daily driver)
>73 BGT (the last time this will be mentioned here.....)
>
As a last resort to unstick frozen pistons, pour approx. 1/4 cup of seven-up
in each cylinder. Let sit overnight. Guaranteed !!
Butch
1957 MGA fhc
1960 MGA rd
|