(Continued from page 11)

Bruce MacInnes, MacInnes Motorsports (multi-time national champ) Midget running after 30 years idle.

Ed Diehl shop, Madeira Beach, FL

Gregg Cameron, Punta Gorda, FL

Tech Central, Bonita Springs, FL

Later in the month on Fridays and Saturdays 1/13, 1/14, 1/20, 1/21, we had repeated visits to Tech Central in Bonita Springs, Florida. Been here before, like annual visits in Dec 2014 and Jan 2016. This is a back yard private shop owned by Jerry Wilcox where he likes to tinker with his "Tech Central Racing" race cars. It also happens to be a favorite location for tech sessions for members of British Car Club of Southwest Florida and some other friends in the neighborhood. They collect here on Fridays, and sometimes Saturdays (

Alpine getting restored.

when Jerry is not racing). They were about to fire up a Mazda RX7 race car that hadn't run in four years, and an MG Midget that hadn't run in for 30 years. Also, restoring a Sunbeam Alpine, and some maintenance on a daily driver Midget.

MGB gearbox disassembly.

MGB shot release bearing

On the 13th I was helping disassemble an MGB 4-synchro gearbox and ordering parts to fix failed synchronizers. Next day we were assembling an MGB 5-main bearing engine, finished the short block but not the head (yet). A week later, back on Friday and Saturday mostly reassembling the MGB gearbox, finding several problems with it in the process. A couple other minor things accomplished while there were repair of a door striker tapping plate for my MGA, and repair of a toggle latch on the trailer.

On the 18th we were in Brooksville, FL to meet Jean-Marie and François Gay from Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Canada. François is the guy who donated part of a front fender for repair of my MGA last April. On the 19th we shot over to Orlando for a dinner meeting with Classic MG Club of Orlando, then same night back to the west coast, headed back to Tech Central the next day.

And just for the record, our trip passed 100,000 miles in the MGA a few days before year end. As usual another 4K oil change and lube job, the 12K oil change for gearbox and differential. Otherwise the engine is doing well with 25K miles since the new cylinder head was installed (wants a valve adjustment soon), and 88K since the broken piston repair. And the gearbox is doing okay for 43K since rebuild with the properly hardened layshaft and full complement needle bearings. Getting used to it being more reliable again.

Until next time, find lots more photos and notes, and follow our follies at http://MGAguru.com/mobile

~~Barney & Elliot Gaylord