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MGA 25 year restoration, Dash wiring

MGA 25 year restoration

We then headed back north for a week-long 1600-mile loop through South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, southern Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia. First stop was to visit George Lawson in Lexington, SC where we were putting some finishing touches on an MGA that has been in restoration for 25 years. That one is an interesting time capsule having some older "new" parts that don't fit properly, new tires that are age expired, and vintage 6-volt batteries that may still be good because they have never yet had fluid installed. Not ready to run yet, we may return to this one later.

Catawba Valley British Motor Club, Hickory, NC

Then heading north, we stopped briefly to visit a shop in Burlington, NC where the partner who had worked on vintage British cars had retired (rats), and then on to an evening meeting with Catawba Valley British Motor Club in Hickory, NC, where I had the opportunity to hot wire a TR6 with faulty ignition switch to get him home. Next day we touched a shop new to our list, highly recommended Unique Automotive LLC in Louisville, KY, finding them closed a few hours early (bummer). In the evening we had a meeting with British Sports Car Club Louisville, across the river in Jeffersonville, IN, the typical mix of friendly folk with a common interest.

Next morning two hours west to visit Gary Graves in Petersburg IN. Gary has an MG TD with MGB 1800 engine that has not run for decades. Also, an AH Sprite and an MG Midget, both viable projects with uncertain future for lack of time. Then we pointed it

Brake balance safety shuttle valve

"Grandpa's MGB", Canton GA

south and stood on the throttle for most the rest of the day, out of Indiana, through Kentucky and Tennessee, and into Georgia.

Friday 11/17 we had an appointment with Keith Farley in Canton, Georgia, a recent transplant from Columbus, GA. You might remember "Grandpa's MGB" from prior visits in Columbus. This time we were repairing the dual line brake safety shuttle valve and switch, fixing a hydraulic leak and bleeding brakes and clutch (and it is still a happy car).

Another 3-1/2 hours south we had a Saturday appointment to visit Bill Waller in Albany, GA. Been here before, but this time to tinker with his wife's ex-MGB (not a misprint). His wife insisted on selling this car just as they were getting married many years ago, so Bill bought it. The car having been laid up for many years, we were now installing a new cylinder head, and by day's end it was running again, also with a new clutch slave cylinder. Not off the ramps yet, but I think his wife had a casual grin.

What you get after the tune up

On Sunday the 19th we spent most of the afternoon in a tech session with Brits in The Valley in Columbus, GA where we gave a couple MGBs a tune up, and touched a couple MGA briefly. Next day we were back in Albany again, all day, working on a late model MG Midget with Tom and Kelly Seegmueller to retire the thermal fan clutch, install an electric fan, and fire up the engine that hadn't run for nearly a year. That produced a couple friendlier smiles (to put it mildly). Next day we were bleeding brakes to put the car back on the road.

About that time, we had depleted our Planning list and needed some time to look ahead again. Also looking at Thanksgiving weekend, which means no shop hopping for a while, and not wanting to disturb folks having family plans for the holiday. So, we drove a couple hours south across state line, ending up in (friendly) Tallahassee, Florida for a while.

So, until next time, follow our follies at http://MGAguru.com

~~ Barney and Elliot Gaylord