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Post by biggles on Oct 22, 2022 20:05:24 GMT
I must confess I’ve been looking at other cars recently and have booked tickets for the classic car show at the NEC, hoping to get close up with something a bit sportier than my trusty 1.5. This happens for time to time or at least it has over the course of the ten years or so that I’ve had Biggles. Part of the problem is that I own a car that on the face of it is pretty well sorted, so I don’t actually do much with it other than drive it. The difficulty with owning a car like that is that anything you do start takes it off the road and if your skills are as basic as mine, there’s a good chance you’re going to make things worse. So, this morning I decided to fit a replacement washer pump and the aforementioned temperature sensor, what with it being sunny and all. The washer pump was relatively straightforward, and the old sensor wouldn’t budge, typically, but it was clear that all was not well under the bonnet. I’ve been quite proud of how ‘original’ it is under there – heck, even the plug leads are original, but it’s now really looking ratty. Biggles drives great, but the engine bay is far from pretty. I don’t have a lot of skills in the automotive sphere. I did rebuild the front suspension with plentiful help and encouragement from this forum and I had a respray done afterwards. I have a garage and a little time and some funds. I even have a local friend who knows A and B series engines quite well (he says) and a local garage who recently serviced and waxoiled Biggles for me. What would you do? Take everything out, have the engine rebuilt for unleaded and the engine bay resprayed? Take the opportunity to tune the whole thing or go for originality. Biggles is a sound car and all original so I don’t want Saab seats and a roll-cage, but could he become a bit of a wolf in sheep’s clothing and is this achievable by a novice? I don't have any local firms I can hand it to, and I wouldn't see the point in doing that, so if it was your car but my skills, what would you do? Simon Attachments:
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Post by ozieagle on Oct 23, 2022 21:16:40 GMT
Hi,
Sorry but your picture didn't post.
To spruce up Biggles, performance wise, you could fit an MGB engine. Looks the same but nearly 50% more HP. There are some issues with doing this, like the strength of the transmission, etc.
Herb
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Post by biggles on Oct 24, 2022 19:48:26 GMT
I have added a couple of pictures as attachments. Hopefully that will work.
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Post by Roger Holman on Oct 26, 2022 8:15:05 GMT
Good morning Simon.
I have no connection with the 1.5 at all, but my dilema is very similar. DAG runs like a dream, all the mechanicals are sorted; totally rebuilt engine, refirbed gearbox, new half shafts, new hood, rebuilt seat, not a lot else to do, except the bodywork!
I have had the body off the chassis before (1975) and I know what it takes. I know that it will take me a year to do the job properly, and I wouldn't want to do it less than properly. In that year I will be unable to drive DAG, which will be a great loss. Add to this the fact that I have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and who knows where that will lead, I certainly dont.
The upshot is that DAG will continue to be used 'as is', she looks crabby, goes like hell, and everyone who sees her admires her, one way or another.
At the root of your question is the matter of perfection and originality. Our cars, any car in fact, is only original once, and, if it is driven, perfection is fairly transient. Perfect examples may be seen in museums, corroding silently away whilst under exercised. A car is meant to be driven, and hopefully enjoyed. Go drive it, enjoy it, keep on top of what NEEDS doing. Your underbonnet shots look good to me, cared for, but not overdone.
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Post by canuck on Oct 26, 2022 17:50:22 GMT
Hello Simon, First of all your under bonnet photo is exceptionally original looking, Bravo! These little cars do respond well when some loving is bestowed on them. The amount of loving you offer is up to you. My 2p worth, May I suggest you do some cosmetics while enjoying the drive? Simple small duration improvements will not be tiring, simple to do and provide rewards. fresh Black paint on the horns is an afternoon job and will look nice, fresh Black paint heater box will also wake up the engine bay. Mask off carefully the specification plates, and pop off the clips to spray them 'silver' if you want. the air cleaner can will also look nice with fresh paint. the battery hold down bar will look nice with fresh Black paint also. clean up the windscreen washer bottle metal cap and repaint. Use a spray can, (Rustoleum?) satin finish Black to fit nicely. The satin finish will not be too shiny. While you have the air cleaner off, clean the carburetters and get them looking smooth aluminuim again. The rubber seal at the rear of the engine bay will look better if the overspray is cleaned off of it. Be careful these seals are no longer available. As to the engine out? Roger brings a good point to the surface so be very careful of scope creep. FWIW the engine should be MG Maroon in colour so you may want to carefully clean and re paint components as you can. Maybe a clean with a power washer will suffice. As has also been mentioned in our search for power, (a good thing BTW ) putting in a 1798cc MG engine will be a bonus, but not without caveats. If so inclined you will want the early MG engine with the mechanical tachometer drive which will allow you to maintain the lovely Jaeger dial on the dash. Flywheel and starter motor are involved along with clutch assembly depending on your approach. A larger exhaust system is preferred. I am doing this engine conversion this winter. I have the engine, it is built up and ready to go in. The added torque of the 18G engine will no doubt wreak havoc on the axle half shafts so a beefed up rear end or racing half shafts will be considered. Aesthetic improvements under the bonnet will make you feel good for sure. I would start there. Bruce
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kiwimc
Junior Member
Posts: 84
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Post by kiwimc on Oct 26, 2022 18:52:21 GMT
Wow, Bruce has said everything I was going to say.
In short, repaint all the black bits with satin aerosol can. Your choice how well you want to prep (if the black original is pitted or chipped you may want to put the work in to get a flat base). Clean your alloy bits. If you don't want them to shine too bright just use a soft brass brush. To finish I use something like WD40 or CRC 556 on a cloth to blacken the rubbers and give some depth of colour back to the paint work. It also acts as a good cleaner.
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Post by ozieagle on Oct 26, 2022 21:26:50 GMT
I have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and who knows where that will lead, I certainly dont. Hi Roger, I too was diagnosed and treat for prostate. I started a thread on the MG forum, which you might like to browse. Many others have come out of the woodwork to tell of their journey. Unfortunately some are no longer with us. www.mgexp.com/forum/off-topic-forum.47/prostate-cancer.3211575/Herb
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Post by biggles on Oct 27, 2022 18:52:37 GMT
Thanks for the fulsome replies everyone. If you don't mind, I'll use this thread to post pictures as I go.
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Post by canuck on Oct 28, 2022 16:22:26 GMT
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Post by biggles on Oct 28, 2022 17:18:12 GMT
Hi Bruce, Those look excellent. Might do that once I have everything looking nice. The sun was out today so I made a start by clearing the garage and giving myself somewhere to work. regards Simon
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Post by biggles on Oct 29, 2022 15:58:45 GMT
Ok, took the horns out and also the washer bottle and cage. It's amazing how it opens the engine bay up. Was surprised to see that the horns are handed left and right. Surely it would have been cheaper to design and manufacture them the same. Then I took the air cleaner off. This is still an oil bath air cleaner. Is it an option to move to a paper cleaner and would that be a sensible or daft idea? Anyway - lots more space to explore now. Simon
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Post by ozieagle on Oct 29, 2022 20:52:52 GMT
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Post by biggles on Oct 30, 2022 20:39:07 GMT
Sorry, but I can't follow that link as it says I need to be a member.
Simon
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Post by canuck on Oct 30, 2022 23:11:40 GMT
Simon, Well done you. You don't hang about! FWIW those Windtone horns are Hi & Low note so be kind to them. If I may? if you have no intention of moving away from the oil bath filter then clean it up, paint it and carry on. There is no better filter than an oil bath type and the large shape attenuates the induction sound . This is one of the OE systems that is difficult to improve upon. Bruce PS: I am mega jealous of your 'clinically clean' garage work space.
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Post by ozieagle on Oct 31, 2022 5:14:34 GMT
Hi Simon,
Sorry, I was not aware of that. However, why not join up, free and lots of good advice, particularly in the 1500 forum, which is a very similar car. Our friend Canuck is also a member.
Herb
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