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made it hard to start. This one is going to need a distributor rebuild. On the other hand, the pull-handle MGB that ran line crap mostly only needed tune-up type adjustments to be running well again, so by end of day we had smiles all around.

Next day we drove across an 8-mile long toll bridge from PEI back into NS (almost $6/mile for cars and $7/mile for us with the little trailer). Stopped for lunch and some WiFI work, then eastward two hours late night through heavy rain arriving Merigomish, NS near midnight. The following day we had another look at Pat Leahy's new Pertronix distributor with zero mechanical advance. We finally reinstalled his older Lucas 25D distributor (with a Pertronix module) and timed it for 32d BTDC at road speed, after which it settled down to 20d BTDC at idle speed. This was a bit short on expected mechanical advance, as 6-degree stop on the bob weights doesn't seem right to me, but it ran well anyway, still begging for replacement of a broken anti-run-on valve.

On the 13th we were 3-1/2 hours west in Annapolis Royal to visit Declan McCann who is the public contact for British Saloon Car Club of Canada, Atlantic Provinces. He has a personal interest in vintage Mini's, a couple of them in process now. He also has a collection of parts for the Saloon cars, in case you might need something.

Austin A110, Westminster MK II

On the 15th we were in Mount Uniacke (near Halifax) for the opportunity to inspect an Austin A110 (Westminster MK II Automatic) on request for someone interested in possibly buying it. It had a decent repaint (after much sheet metal replacement), all new leather interior, nice carpet, refurbished wood dash, rebuilt gearbox, everything in working condition, drives well. Looks like it will be a nice buy, considering the asking price is less than cost of the new leather upholstery.

On the 17th we had a visit with Gary Dixon in Cow Bay, NS. He used to have an MGA project car, sold it two years ago, so I suppose he has been on our Friends list at least that long. After a long chat he may be in the mood to buy another one, more likely a finished car this time. Next day we had a meeting with BATANS South Shore group in Lunenburg, NS, 20 people but only one Austin Healey as everyone else wimped out due to a little rain. Nice introductions, and everyone got food ordered before power went out (cancelling all kitchen work), after which we settled for deli sandwiches and candle light.

On the 19th we were a couple hours west for lunch with BATANS Western Valley group in Annapolis Royal, NS. Mid-day and mid-week meeting made it some retired folk, seven club members aside from us, nice intimate group. At least we got to chat with everyone this time. After meeting tire kicking revealed a 1960 Austin Cambridge with the 1.5-liter Austin B-Series engine (another variant of MGA) produced in parallel with the MG Magnette Mk-III. Then we cruised an hour back east for a visit with Eric Harry in Wilmot, NS to check out his Jensen Healey. He had the car for three years, but never had it running and reportedly it had not run for several years before that. Since the engine would turn, this didn't look too difficult.

We installed a new battery, reinstalled a coolant hose on top, put water in the radiator, pulled a hose off the fuel tank, stuck it in a jug of fresh fuel, pumped fuel through the line until it came out clean up font, and reconnected everything. With a brief shot of starting fluid, it was running on three cylinders with loud popping on the exhaust side, most likely a blown head gasket (job for some other time).

In the evening we were back in Mount Uniacke, NS with the Austin A110 giving the owner a hand with accessing lots of pictures of the car I had posted on my website. Then we hit the road again, bounced off the north edge of Halifax, and landed in Amherst, NS for the night. Next night we were a bit farther along, back in Moncton, New Brunswick again (crossroads of the Atlantic Provinces?). Still sitting there while writing this report, but we expect to be out of Canada and into Maine before end of day (9/21).

Until next time, please continue to follow our follies (and the rest of the photos and notes) at: http://MGAguru.com/mobile

~~ Barney and Elliot Gaylord