The Steering Column
Left Hand Drive from our President

The icy grip of winter has finally started to loosen, and flowers are beginning to emerge. Spring is in the air along with sound of coughing sputtering MG engines awakening from there long winters nap. Soon the driving season will commence, and It will be Great to be on the road with friends again.
The Traveling Mechanics have already had their season opener working on a MGTD owned by Frank Abbinanti. We’d started the project last year working on getting the engine started but ran into some fuel delivery problems. Parts were ordered up for the SU carburetors and rebuilt by Frank. When we arrived, the motor was very hard to turn over by hand so out came the spark plugs and a couple shots of penetrating oil went into the cylinders. A few more turns by hand and she loosened up. Next, we pulled the valve cover turned over the engine till the number 1 intake valve opened and closed. Kept turning till the timing mark was in line and set the distributor. A couple squirts of starter fluid and She fired right up -- But No Oil pressure. Quickly shutting it off and then trying to determine Why. There was oil in the sump.....The engine had only been sitting for a few years and not disassembled....... hummmm.... First, we put in a call to Barney who informed us sometimes the oil pump loses its prime. Who would of thought? He gave a suggestion on how to prime the pump by taking out the plug on top of the oil pump (it’s external) and pouring oil in while pushing the car backwards. Well no room to push the TD around so I call John Twist. He had several tips to prime the pump by taking out the oil plugs on the side of the engine block pouring in oil while turning over the engine with the spark plugs out. Well we ran out of time and this project will be continued. I did see on-line though that you can plug the vent holes and apply air pressure down the dip stick tube while turning over the engine with the spark plugs out and possibly getting instant pressure.

On the home front I was able to pick up my rear valance at The All British Swap Meet saving my shipping costs and am in the process of installation. Hope to have the installation completed soon and have the Roadster ready for paint.

~~ Dean Hickenlooper your humble servant

	The Steering Column
	Right Hand Drive   from our Vice-President

Some sad news.

Here we are on our third week in Florida and we haven’t seen one MG. Matter of fact, we haven’t seen a Triumph, Healy, Sunbeam, old Jaguar or any other noticeable British cars anywhere. We haven’t even come across any American classic cars. Other than a few millennial yuppies driving the newer Porsche “station wagon”, this state is void of any car worthy of being called a collectable.

However, while in Titusville waiting to watch a rocket launch, I did run into two separate couples from England. And sure enough the talk turned to MGs and how one owned a few in his younger days. Unfortunately, he never met Steve Skegg and he always seemed to have problems with them. Go figure.

Due to rain today, I looked on the internet for a car museum or collector showroom we could visit. Well, I did find one near us but it is open by appointment only. What a dismal state of affairs when it comes to classic car enthusiasts. Of course, with all the snowbirds clogging the roads here it would be difficult to really appreciate a fun drive. Left turns from right lanes. Right turns from left lanes. And everyone in the middle lane driving slow enough to count the stripes. And I thought the Kennedy was bad. So, we look forward to returning to the Land of Lincoln, MGs and Triumphs.

First thing on my to do list when we get home is to open the Moss catalog and stock up on any needed parts to bring with me to the club’s Spring Tune-Up.

So, look out Cowboy, I’m sure I will be looking for some much-needed guidance.


Be safe out there,

~~ Phil Wydra