It seems like only a short time ago that I decided to take on the task as editor of Driveline. Scarey, yes, but a very, very enjoyable task. I got to meet and work with a lot of dedicated people.
Well, as I look back on it was August 2007. Whew, that’s quite a few editions! I feel comfortable that I have made my mark on this newsletter.
This year my wife and I will become “empty nesters”. We have several trips and vacations planned as we move into the summer months. I don’t feel that I can do justice to the club by continuing on as editor. In addition, I will be moving to a new school to teach at so that will require quite a bit of my time as well. So I am looking for someone to step up, run with this great project and make their own mark on the club newsletter.
I will be glad to work with anyone willing to take this task on. It does take an issue or two to get used to things (just ask Barney, I pestered him for several months after I took over). We also are very lucky as a club to have a printing company that is amazing to work with.
So please think about helping out the club and see if this is for you..

-- Bill Reece

Get your MG out of hibernation, cleaned up, tuned up, oil changed, and get back on the road for the new driving season. Join us for our annual Spring Tune-Up Party for oil changes, lube jobs, light work and tuning, etc. Use the lifts. Bring your own oil, oil filter, or any other fluids. The club will have some of the basic fluids on-hand, but don't count on us having everything. We will also have most tools that you will need for basic tune-up work. If you would like to take advantage of the lifts to do a little more than changing your oil, please feel free to contact me and we can see if we can work it in.
Please sign in when you arrive. First come, first served. Club members and MG’s have priority. Guests and other cars may be scheduled if time allows.
While you are there, please say hello and thanks to Mark Leuck for the use of his facilities. This is Mark’s 25th year of hosting us at his third location!!!
Also plan on joining us for a post-party party at Round Heads in Downers Grove for food and adult beverages. As an added gimmick, Reinout will be setting up a "PARTS" contest, with the winner (and answers) being presented at the post-party party.

Spring Tune Up Party
April 24, 2010
4:00pm - 8:00pm
at Quality Tire & Auto
7255 Kingery Hwy - Willowbrook, IL

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. David "Cowboy" Bralich, tech@chicagolandmgclub.com - 630-289-7915

-Dave “Cowboy” Bralich

As part of University Motors’ resurgence, John Twist is holding seminars with other shops to educate MG owners on the proper care and feeding of their cars. If you’ve ever thought you’d like to meet John Twist and get an MG education that is second to none, then you need to make your reservation early for the weekend of May 15-16. You can attend either or both days – details are below on what will be covered each day. “Tuition” is $100 per person per day, payable in advance. Lunch will be provided. To make your reservation or ask any questions, call Wade at W & G at 708-752-1701.
The first day, Saturday May 15, is the "Complete Tune." All day? For sure! The tune-up breaks into four large components:
A. Emissions -( "But I've got a TD, they don't have emission parts." They sure do! And, if they're connected incorrectly your engine won't run right or will smoke!) We will discuss the evolution of the emission controls from the oil draught tube of the T types to the dual charcoal canisters of the 1980 MGBs. We'll show how to check the systems for proper operation.
B. Engine - the important things here are the condition of the camshaft and the compression. We will examine the operation of the engine and then torque the head, adjust the valves, check the compression. The greatest technique you will learn here is how to adjust your valves in less than ten minutes!
C. Ignition - the components here are the plugs, the coil, the distributor and wires, as well as the ignition switch. We'll show how each component works and then service the ignition components of the car we're tuning. The most important lesson here will be that exact timing is critical to engine operation.
D. Fuel - Finally -- the carbs! The fuel system begins at the tank, and ends with the correct mixture of air and fuel entering the engine. We'll have demonstration SU carbs and examine the operation of SUs and Strombergs, with asides about the Webers. SUs are about the simplest carburetters around -- you will learn the importance of cleanliness and consistency. This is an all day event. We have parts galore to pass around, components to open and examine, and lots of explanations on the dry-erase board. All this is combined with actually tuning a car!
The second day, Sunday May 16, is the "Complete Lubrication" and Electrix. The Complete Lubrication takes all day to perform, so we won't actually do a complete lube, but we'll show each part and really examine those parts that are in question so often -- greasing the front wheel bearings for example.
Lucas Electrix makes a fascinating discussion, full of horror stories and easily to follow techniques for sorting out any electrical malfunction.
I have the white board and dry erase markers, I have handouts, I have props and demonstration components, I have a DVD projector with pictures, charts, and graphs. I have factory training videos. Saturday night we will spend at a local restaurant, and if we can set up the DVD projector, we'll have some entertaining MG videos.
If you are a novice, if you are an MG mechanic; if you own one, if you own a dozen, if you have a passing interest, or if MG is your passion; -- this is a weekend you do not want to miss!

-Wade Keene