The Steering Column
Left Hand Drive from our President

As we come to the close of one year, it is time to think about the next year. What did I not get done this year that I could possibly tackle in the next? Where to begin?

Around the house there are many projects that I could tend to. Fortunately, these are more in the “could do”, than in the “should do” category. That’s not to say there weren’t a few emergency projects that I addressed over the past year. There was the water heater that decided to start leaking around dinner time on a Friday night. One quick trip to Home Depot and we had hot water within a few hours. Then there was the shower valve that broke off in the wall in the open position one Saturday night. That required the water to be shut off, and all day Sunday to open the wall and install a new valve. Problem fixed. I replaced rotted fascia along the roof in back and again over the garage in front. I replaced some light fixtures and installed a new ceiling fan in the kitchen. There was also the new ejector pump and laundry tub I replaced in the basement. So for now, as they say, “my house is in order”.

Now for the MG. For some reason, I have a real fear of messing with this little British teaser. On the whole, this car has been very good to me. It never left me stranded or gave cause for concern. Yet, it intimidates the dickens out of me. With all of the YouTube videos out there one would think you could build an MG from just parts. And thanks to Facebook, I have seen where some people have done just that. We have club members that have no issue with taking torches to frames and hammers to fenders. So why can’t I figure out how to align a door or wire a circuit? I guess if I can’t hide it with trim, or drywall over it, it scares me. There aren’t many mistakes I can’t fix on my house. But if I screw up on the MG, it will always show until I get someone more talented than me to undo what I did.

So to all of you Facebook wizards out there, keep up the good work. But if you ever wake up with two inches of water in your basement, give me a call. Stay safe my friends.

Be safe my friends

~~ Phil Wydra

	The Steering Column
	Right Hand Drive   from our Vice-President

I woke up today to an inch of snow today. Winter is coming sooner than I’d like. I hope to find a few more days of driving. All I need is dry weather and no salt - an Indian Summer as it were - if I’m still allowed to use that expression. It’s getting harder and harder to be Political Correct these days.

On to the car projects. Steve Knoop’s MGB Rover V8 conversion project is coming along with the rebuild engine assembled. Now it’s now time to focus on the transmission and all the other bit this project will require. We’ll need to crack open the LT77 5-speed trans from the Florida TR8 donor car to replace seals, gaskets, and the oil pump. Yes, that’s right the LT77 trans has an oil pump which came from the factory made from resin. Not the best material to make oil pump gears from. We’ll be replacing them with aftermarket steel ones. A lite weight flywheel has been acquired and the new clutch and pressure plate should be arriving soon. We’ll still need to sort out the exhaust system, remote oil filter, engine mounts, cooling system and a few other bits. Hopefully, it will all come together in the end. Well of course it will.

On the home front all is well. The MGA project is coming along with the chassis painted and the engine (MGB 1800 cc) and transmission (Ford WC T5 5-speed) mounted. I got the floorboards made and a club member coated them with epoxy for water proofing. Got them installed and they look great. The front suspension assembly was next. New bushings installed and now waiting for parts that were ordered. Hub seals, tie rod ends and a few other parts which will button up the front and I can move on to the brakes. If you want to follow my progress on the “A” check out the club’s Facebook page.

That’s it for this month. It’s been a pleasure serving you SAFETY FAST!

~~ Dean Hickenlooper    
your humble servant