Bart-
Welcome to the NW! Of course it's wet up here (you know we don't tan here,
we rust) but we usually only get a couple of snowfalls a year and
occasionally enough for sand/salt. Because of the hills and bad snow
drivers, ya gotta watch your butt!
As far as parts/service goes: Performance Motors in Lynnwood is a good MG
shop and Aurora Auto Wrecking in Seattle is good for parts, or try NW Import
Parts in Portland, OR for good prices & delivery
http://www.classicar.com/vendors/nwimpprt/nipcont.htm
Just did a lube job on my MG: there are 3 nipples on each side of the front
suspension. I had to clear a bunch of gunk off to get to them! There are
also lube points at the propeller shaft behind the transmission, and on the
hand brake cable towards the rear.
I'd also like to invite you to join the MG Car Club Northwest Centre. The
North End club will be having a meeting this Tues at 7:30pm at the Alfy's
Pizza in Everett. http://www.eskimo.com/~mgccnwc/
Good Luck!
Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys
to teenage boys. -(PJ O'Rourke)
Steve Conley
Marysville, WA USA
'76 MGB Roadster
GHN5UG393585G
mailto:swconley@foxinternet.net
MGB Online = http://web3.foxinternet.net/swconley
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-mgs@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-mgs@autox.team.net]On
Behalf Of Bart Niswonger
Sent: Saturday, October 30, 1999 3:29 PM
To: mgs@autox.team.net
Subject: [MGS] howdy & several questions... (long)
<this is long, sorry>
Howdy! I have been lurking on the list for some time now, but I have
finally decided to surface and ask some of the questions I have
accumulated -- I have many to choose from!!
But before I do, I would like to say how useful this list is for me.
I have basically no knowledge, and this list has answered many of my
questions (without my even asking!). Its a fabulous resource, and I
really appreciate all of you who make a living working on these
things, or just have lived working on these things, or dont have a
clue but have ideas, throwing me (us?) bones.
I got my 74.5 RB B nearly two years ago partially cause its such a
cool car, and partially so I could learn how cars work. As you might
expect, I have screwed some stuff up, and it runs a little worse than
it used to, but I am proud that I have not had anyone but myself work
on it (towing it, well that's another question...), and it still runs!
My first few questions are for anyone in the Seattle area: I have just
moved up here, good auto parts places? Good mg shops? I am in the
Wallingford area. This car is a california native, used to the dry
hills, while I am an new englander, used to salt in the winter. Here
it just seems to be wet, what precausions do folks take to retard the
rusting out of their cars up here? Is it a problem that should cause
me sleepless nights (as it might in new england)?
OK -- this note is going to get long,
1) Suggestions on tuning? I have dual HIF-4 carbs (I believe, I
always get confused, they have the integrated float bowls), and have
played with them a bit. I always read that there should be no play in
the linkages, but what is "no play"? How can I tell if they are
moving too much? Are there particularly good/bad books on these
things?
2) Has anyone played with putting snazzy sound systems in these cars
without loosing space/"originality" I have noticed there is a big
empty space under the rear shelf (where a second battery might go),
anyone played with using this? As you can tell, I am not really an
originalist, I hope that doesnt bother too many, I like to drive the
car!! I like the appearance of orginality, without necessarily all
the trappings.
3) I have a squeaking (?) noise from the rear (and sometimes the
front) wheels when I turn and go over bumps, like turning into a
driveway, sounding sort of like something is not lubricated, or the
shocks are wearing oddly. Ideas of things I might look for?
Sorry to be so long, I have been saving up --
Thanks much, both for what I have already learned, and any new bones
you might have to toss me!!
Bart
74.5 RB MGB -- Needs tuning, brakes, cleaning, oil change, lube?, all badly
|