MGB's - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ImBroke · #31 08-18-2008, 06:39 PM

Miata with an LS6 powerplant.. Now you're talking. Chick cars don't lay rubber at will. (Ooooh, that's gonna sound bad, I can tell.)

t walgamuth · #32 08-18-2008, 08:01 PM

The TC was sold. Are the cycle fenders noteworthy?

Tom W

Carleton Hughes · #33 08-18-2008, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

The TC was sold. Are the cycle fenders noteworthy?

Tom W

Aftermarket or the result of an enthusiastic amateur.

Purists like'em original and this is reflected in the pricing one sees.

P.M. me and I can send you scads of websites with M.G.'s for sale in ALL conditions.

PaulC · #34 08-19-2008, 12:43 PM

Tom,

Look at the TF 1500 as well, which possesses a few more badly need horsepower over the 0-60 in 20 seconds TC.

crash9 · #35 08-19-2008, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alabbasi

If you are serious, get on the MG forum (http://mgexperience.net).

Like I said, spend the money on a good runner because a basket case will cost far more money to restore then you would ever get out of it (ask me how I know).

Yep, but depends on where you are. There is quite a scene out in the “Valley” in LA for British cars, but what’s in St. Louis? They’re great fun at 60mph and are much more reliable than their reputation if you tinker. I’d hold out for a 67’ and try to get one with overdrive if you can. You can actually build a new one with parts from Moss Motors. You’ll need a warehouse, because you’ll be bringing rollers home for just a few parts if you’re restoring. Go to the major car auctions – there are deals there, often out in the parking lots. They are very roomy – I’m 6’2” and 210
Bottom line – pay up for one somebody else’s project and you’ll save a bunch. I built up a good roller for my daughters HS graduation present. She now knows cars and loved it, but I had 20,000 in a 4,500 dollar car when I was done.

MTI · #36 08-19-2008, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC

Tom,

Look at the TF 1500 as well, which possesses a few more badly need horsepower over the 0-60 in 20 seconds TC.

I'm prejudiced, but the TF's flowing front wings make it a much prettier car than the TC, but with all the similar design cues.

t walgamuth · #37 08-19-2008, 10:30 PM

I like TFs too but probably not enough to buy one.

This TC though hit a chord with me especially with the cycle fenders which i suspected were a very rare factory option.

Carleton says not factory though.

And of course its sold, too.

Tom W

alamostation · #38 08-20-2008, 06:41 AM

If you compare the cars you should have bought but didn't (in my case an oil-burning 1954 Packard Carribean for $3000, a rusty 1956 T-Bird for $1600, and a lead-sled 1937 Ford with a Pontiac 389 for $700) versus the cars you bought but shouldn't have (again in my case, a 1968 Opel in 1976 while in college, and a 1988 Taurus brand new because my ex had to have a six passenger sedan), it is the cars that got away that you really regret.

If you have to error, error on the side of did it and regretted it rather than the side of caution.

My favorite quote ever. By Rudyard Kipling "in the world of men, the saddest words are 'it could have been."

In other words, it is better to have done and failed than to have never tried.

Good luck with the purchase.

BTW, the Sunbeam Alpine that I bought when everyone said don't, was more fun and a bigger learning experience than I could have hoped for at the age of 21.

LUVMBDiesels · #39 08-20-2008, 08:13 AM

If you want to drive a British car you need to understand the Lucas Theory of Electricity:

ELECTRICAL THEORY OF SMOKE...BY JOSEPH LUCAS
Positive ground depends upon proper circuit functioning, the transmission of negative ions by retention of the visible spectral manifestation known as "smoke". Smoke is the thing that makes electrical circuits work; we know this to be true because every time one lets the smoke out of the electrical system, it stops working. This can be verified repeatedly through empirical testing.

When, for example, the smoke escapes from an electrical component (i.e., say, a Lucas voltage regulator), it will be observed that the component stops working. The function of the wire harness is to carry the smoke from one device to another; when the wire harness "springs a leak", and lets all the smoke out of the system, nothing works afterwards. Starter motors were frowned upon in British Automobiles for some time, largely because they consume large quantities of smoke, requiring very large wires.

It has been noted that Lucas components are possibly more prone to electrical leakage than Bosch or generic Japanese electrics. Experts point out that this is because Lucas is British and all things British leak. British engines leak oil, shock absorbers, hydraulic forks and disk brakes leak fluid, British tires leak air and the British defense establishment leaks secrets...so, naturally, British electronics leak smoke.

Author Unknown

The Theory Explained through Discussion.

When wires smoke, how come the smoke is not the same color as the wire?

This is not completely true. When the smoke is in the wire, it is under pressure (called voltage). The pressure difference causes the color to change from the normal color we are used to. Not unlike the blood in our veins and arteries changing color due to the oxygen content. When the smoke escapes the wire and is exposed to air, the pressure is released, and the color reverts back to what we commonly recognize as smoke. The wire then changes to the color of the smoke that escaped.

I hope this helps you understand.

I would only question the last sentence of that description. It has been my experience that the wire turns a color directly opposite of the smoke.

Not always true, I think it must depend on the composition of the smoke in question.

I should have made it a little clearer; the color the wire becomes, is directly proportional to the escape velocity of the smoke. Higher velocities generate higher heat. This heat tends to burn the wire and affect the coloring. The statement was meant to be a generalization, indicating the fact that the color of the wire does in fact change. Sorry for the miscommunication.

I was speaking of electrical smoke which is generally white. The spent smoke casing generally assumes a color somewhat near black after the smoke leaves.

I can't stand it anymore! If, as you say, light bulbs suck up darkness and convert it to smoke which is transmitted (via wire) to a power source for recycling...why do car batteries go dead when lights are left on? Do car batteries (and flashlight batteries for that matter) have a limited amount of storage capability? Is it like a hard drive that gets so full that you have to double-space and then lose all data?

Now you're getting it.......

I thought you guys were smarter than this. Of course the battery stores the smoke. In fact it can store so much smoke that if you open the top and light a match, the resulting explosion can do serious damage. I'm sure you are aware that usually where there's smoke there's fire. If you connect the battery to a charger, the smoke is then returned to the wire (Remember, a light bulb wont work unless it is connected to a wire system) for the utility companies to use. Your hard drive analogy is a very good example.

Our hardware guys might be onto something in their quest for superior wiring. I have noticed the unique method of of series/parallel wiring the power strips on our systems seems to prevent the smoke from getting out of the wires. A "Smoke Loop" of sorts. In the case of the "smoked" workstation recently, you should notice that this was a conventional single power strip installation.

Since color is percieved by the cone shaped receptors in our eyes, and cones require more light that their rod shaped counterparts. Is the sky blue at night?

At night the process including contraction of the pupil is visual purple by which the eye adapts to conditions of increased illumination when facing 300 candle power redeflecting devices.

Since there is a spectrum of light that we as humans cannot see, I support the theory that everything is going up in smoke, we just can't see it. This may explain why the neighbors dog barks for no apparant reason.

I think your basic understanding of smoke systems is remarkable. However I find a flaw with your theory. The battery is a reusable storage device for smoke. therefore, one would assume that some sort of one way valve (we can call it a diode) should be needed to prevent pressure flooding back into the system while at rest. Unlike the A/C system, the smoke system is collecting darkness at the headlights and converting it to smoke. This causes the system to fill up. The battery can contain much higher pressures and volumes than the wires. If this pressure exceeds the capacity of the wire, it will cause a rupture as you described. The rupture can be controlled by a sacraficial device known as a fuse. But this still doesn't eliminate the problem. Perhaps a two way valve (zener diode) is used to allow a small amount of pressure to return to the system, and partially equalize. I find this theory unlikely though, due to the increase in the force required to start the pump (which is now under pressure) working again...

The smoke continues circulating through the system, due to the pressure differential in the battery (smoke pressure/vacuum reservoir). When the reservoir becomes depleted, the pressure simply equalizes everywhere in the system (similar to an A/C system when it's turned off) and stuff just wont work. Notice the relations: Work (W) = Force (F) x Distance (D); Force (F) = total difference in pressure (Dp) x Area (A). Therefore, the work done in a pressure system is: Dp x A x D. If the pressure differential (Dp) is reduced to zero then W = 0 x A x D = 0.

The smoke only escapes the wires when a path is created between the pressure differential areas (@ either the reservoir or the pump) that has too little restriction. When this happens, the smoke travels through the wires so fast that the friction between the smoke and the outer walls of the wiring heats the wires until they rupture. The smoke continues to escape until its pressure is equalized with the atmosphere, or until the conduit that provides the path between pressure areas is severed. When this happens, the sudden drop in pressure allows the wires to "collapse" slightly and, being soo hot, as the edges of the ruptures and severed ends touch, the material becomes fused, sealing the system and retaining the remaining smoke.

Don't forget, when the system is at rest, all the valves, (switches and relays) are closed, keeping the pressure areas separated. When restarting the pump, as long as everything is OK, the smoke pressure is equal on both sides of the pump and there is no net force on the pump when it begins operating again. Also, within the pump there are pressure/volume actuated one-way valves with restrictors built in, arranged in such a way that they keep excess smoke volume recirculating through an integral smoke loop, which maintains the pressure within manageable limits.

The excess smoke, created by the light/smoke converters (headlights and other darkness absorbing devices), is changed back to darkness and dissipated in small unit concentrations so its dark effect is not locally observed. The smoke pump impeller (stator), converts smoke into magnetic flux which does work on the engine. Some of the excess work energy is dissipated through the cooling system and exhaust in the form of heat, while the remaining work energy is converted back to smoke and distributed evenly in small concentrations as you drive. This maintains the total quantity of smoke in the system at an average that does not change over time.

You will also need your replacement smoke kit. Make sure you get ORIGINAL LUCAS SMOKE!
http://www3.telus.net/bc_triumph_registry/smoke.htm

mattmacklind · #40 08-20-2008, 04:55 PM

I have a new username but I've been on this forum for many years, posting only occasionally. At any rate, I'd say go for a BGT if you don't plan to use it as a daily driver.

They are really wonderful cars but they do require attention and maintenance, and maintenance doesn't mean changing the oil and the points, it means paying attention to little things and fixing them before they become a problem, something every older car presents.

They handle well, and you don't need to shoehorn a V8 in them to make them fun to drive. I think frankly the TR6 is overrated as a drivers car, it looks nails and is more expensive, but relatively stock to stock I'll chase one in an auto-x anyday. I read some talking about the TD and TC, but these cars are antiquarian even compared to an A or B, that would be such a different ownership and driving experience. Personally, I have no interest in the pre "A" MG's other than looking forward to seeing a few of the models at shows and so on.

Find one with an overdrive if you can, or try to find an overdrive transmission later (which is what I did), it really changes the driving experience.

My car is an internet whore, meaning photos and specs are posted in lots of places. Don't tell her, it goes to her head. I bought it totally bone stock, put in poly bushings in the suspension everywhere, heavy duty shock valving, heavier leaf springs, an overdrive transmission, bored out 60 over with a mild cam, installed 15" (stock is 14") minilite wheels with decent rubber, put in a CD player and the amber fog lights. You can have AC installed, but it saps a lot from the engine to run it.

Maybe you are ready for:

davestlouis · #41 08-20-2008, 10:14 PM

Now that's cool...great looking car.

t walgamuth · #42 08-21-2008, 05:45 AM

I have always liked the bgt. That front spoiler is a bit extreme for my taste though!

Tom W

732002 · #43 08-21-2008, 11:03 AM

I do like the BGT but a Datsun 240Z is a better car,
performance, reliability, price. The Datsun does lack the british
class though.

Lotus Super Seven?

I would look at a wide range of late 60s, early 70's sports cars, not
just MG's. See what you like and what is for sale in your area.

davestlouis · #44 08-21-2008, 09:33 PM

Good grief, it looks like another E30 may be following me home...guess I'll put the MG thing on hold.