The Steering Column
Left Hand Drive from our President

This year summer solstice was at 4:34 PM Saturday, June 20. I am hoping that everyone was able to take a ride in their MG to celebrate the beginning of summer. In the past we have met at designated ice cream shops around the Chicagoland area to pay homage to the passing of spring to summer.

Unfortunately, with the dreaded covid-19 hiding around every corner, we were not able to do a group drive this year. Not wanting to jeopardize anyone’s health, as a club we are still in the shutdown slowdown mode. Hopefully, in the near future we will once again be able to congregate without fear of suffering any consequences. I look forward to meeting for coffee in the morning before a lovely drive ending with a group lunch where we again witness Bill Kalafut and Jean Heasley taking first place.

Back to the solstice. June 20th was not the longest day this year. That honor was bestowed upon June 11th. That was the day that seemed like it would never end for me.

It started out like any other weekday. Like a good father, I offered my services letting my son’s dog out that afternoon while he was at work. I decided to take the MG. Here is where it all went downhill. A few days earlier, I changed the oil. However, because I had other things scheduled that day, I neglected to run it after I topped the oil off.

When starting the vehicle I noticed there was no oil pressure while cranking it over. I immediately stopped and opened the bonnet to check the oil. The oil had moved. Instead of in the crankcase where it belonged, the oil decided it would be more comfortable on my garage floor. Apparently I cross-threaded the filter. It took three times of carefully re-mounting the filter before I accomplished the task successfully.

As long as I had to move the car to clean the floor, why not take it to the coin wash to clean the engine compartment. The vehicle ran fine the whole time I was cleaning the engine and drove away without incident. On the way home I decide I would top off the fuel. When I finished gassing up, like a kid throwing a tantrum after a bath, the B rebelled against me and wouldn’t start. The station attendant took pity on me and helped push the car off to a corner. She understood, her father had an old Jaguar.

Then the rain started. Scrambling to get the top up, I got soaked. Now I had to have my wife pick me up so I could face the oily floor. After 15 pounds of oil dry, a quart of citrus degreaser, a cup of laundry detergent and an hour scrubbing the floor on my hands and knees, I had a clean but slightly stained garage floor.

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	The Steering Column
	Right Hand Drive   from our Vice-President

Well another month has come and gone along with the summer solstice sooooo now that summer has finally arrived, I hope your MG has become your Daily Driver. I know mine has. The hardest part is which one to Drive. The 1977 B or the 1979 B not to mention the 1954 TF or that other British car which will remain anonymous.

The Traveling Mechanics have been quite busy helping member and nonmembers (hopefully soon to be members) getting their MG roadworthy. Firstly, we were able to get the brakes working on a 1964 B. All it took was a little brake fluid and some bleeding of the brake lines. Then helping with an ongoing full restoration of a B being converted to right hand drive. This one will take some time to say the least. Next the ‘65 Midget with the 5-speed conversion which if you remember from last month’s Driveline had a cam bearing which decided to slide forward out of its bore! ?? The good news is the engine has been reassembled and installed back into the Midget and RUNNING! A couple more gremlins to sort out and it will be back on the road.

In my own garage the MG TF is out of the garage driving and stopping! Well until I noticed the large amount of gas coming out of the front carb. Turns out the brass float had a split on it and was full of gas. Go figure a float that doesn’t float.... So, I did what any resourceful mechanic would do. Take it apart and solder the split right? Drilled a couple small holes to get the gas out then rinsed it out with water several times. Put the torch to it and some acid core and soldered up the split and one of the holes. Tried an air pressure test only to notice several other splits! So, onto the web to order new floats -- but wait -- $65 for one new brass float?!! There must be another option. Finally, I did find a pair of composite floats at $12 apiece. Should be here in a few days and she’ll be up and running soon to be up on the auction block.

That’s it for now.
See you on the road! ..or maybe in your garage....

~~ Dean Hickenlooper    
your humble servant