We would first like to thank Mark Leuck for the use of his facilities at Quality Tire and Auto, 6710 Rt 83, Darian, Illinois. This was an excellent day for the spring tune up party, warm and just slightly wet in the morning. There were at least 30 people in attendance and probably two dozen cars. Most of the cars were in for their spring oil change and lube and a general under-chassis checkup. Also quite a bit of tuning and a few repairs going on. Cars were ariving at 9:00 AM sharp and already beginning to fill the service bays.

Coordinating that single spark with the twin carbs

Broken sway bar and end link. A job for another day.

David Lieb took the opportunity to install a new alternator in the Midget. Sparks and fuel were getting plenty of attention all day long. Barney Gaylord’s MGA had a broken sway bar link, making it just a little slower through the autocross sloloms. Then it also turned out to have a defunct sway bar, being broken clean through but hidden inside of the left side frame mount bushing. Finally, a good reason to install that new 7/8 inch bar that has been hanging around since last summer. Tune-ups continued through most of the day. A little mid day rain didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits, and the cars just kept coming, some getting double parked when all the spaces were filled.

Checking steering racks and front suspensin bushings

The special arch radiator does not help with cooling.

The Midget from the Al Piemonte Ford tech day finally got the new brakes up front. Unfortunately we found what appears to be a generic problem with new Midget brake rotors. The casting is thin and the bolts too close to the edge, so one of the threaded holes breaks out the side of the rotor hub. This one will be going back for a replacement part. Coincidentally, one of the old rotors was also broken out in the same manner. Mike Hirsch was showing off his new “arch style” radiator. This is what happens when the floor jack slips out from under the front cross member. Plenty of front suspension checkups with quite a few worn suspension and kingpin bushings turning up. Maybe material for a future tech session.

By early afternoon it was sunny and warm, great tops down and t-shirt weather. Everyone who wanted to had time to get their car on the lifts, and we even had a couple of empty service bays near the end of the day. One last Midget showed up for a late oil change. We thought we were seeing double until noticing the wire wheels on one car. Brooklands Green was quite popular in the late 70’s. About half of the day’s participants reconvened down the street for pizza and beverage and casual chat after the wrenching was finished.

See more pictures on line at:
www.chicagolandmgclub.com/photos/tune2001