Jim Smith's Journal

What A Joy To Drive

Mon, 25 Aug 2014 08:56:25 -0500

Jim Smith's Journal --

I love driving my MG even after 30 years of ownership. Yes, of course, there are always those little things you need, or want to fix, but sweeping through the corners of well paved country roads is like - what I imagine to be - like flying an aircraft around racing pylons. I have owned a number of vehicles since I began driving in the 70's. Only two stand out as being fun to drive, my MG and a BMW I recently owned that was simply too expensive to keep.

Posted 2014-08-25 08:56:25 by James Smith

Repaired

Wed, 15 May 2013 08:32:23 -0500

Jim Smith's Journal --

This spring, I took my MG to Leyland British in Arundel Maine for some much needed repairs. I am told she'll be ready in short order. Changed her plates to Antique Auto to get around some of the more pressing problems that crop up, a change that will not affect driving the car and is actually less expensive than a state registration.

I am looking forward to teaching my youngest son how to drive in this car. He is itching to be on his own, but his older brother commands the one car available for the two of them to drive. So, the MG will come in handy.

Posted 2013-05-15 08:32:23 by James Smith

Running Problem

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 08:21:50 -0600

Jim Smith's Journal --

Just when you thought you were doing well, a problem crops up.

When I first bought an MG B GT, I drove her every day. Although she was 14 years old at the time, she was a reliable vehicle that required just standard maintenance. Now, after having her fully restored, I don't drive her as much as I should and problems pop up on a regular basis. The latest ...

She starts and runs fine, but then seems to run out of gas. The tank is full, but she wont start or even cough a sputter. Wait 20 or 30 minutes, however, and sh will start right up and run for 10 minutes and then seemingly run out of gas again. Need I say that a trip of more than a few miles can take a very long time.

I suspect a fuel delivery problem - ya think? During the rebuild, she went from a Ford 6 psi fuel pump back to an MG original. One of my earliest recollections was that such fuel pumps had to be installed "right side up" or they didn't work reliably. I'll start here as soon as the snow leaves the ground.

Any other thoughts are welcome.

Posted 2013-02-20 08:21:50 by James Smith

FIRST PLACE In Class

Tue, 17 May 2011 06:54:17 -0500

Jim Smith's Journal --

I recently took my MGB GT to the Bonny Eagle Car Show in Standish, Maine (May 15, 2011). It was a dreary wet day, a day that kept many very nice convertibles at home. The result was my taking home, the FIRST PLACE trophy in the Brit Division of the show. While I am pleased to boast of my win, the truth is that there were only two entries in this division - a hollow win. I will have to plan more rainy day show entries.

I do have several changes to the car that I wanted to show off. I exchanged the squarish fender mirrors for round mirrors and up-graded the tired steering wheel to a smaller Moto-Lita-style wheel. The smaller steering wheel provides more room for me and my 6 foot 5 inch son, who likes to spend time practicing driving in the MG in preparation for his driving license. How many 15 year-olds can say they have even driven a classic British auto?

I have one more mechanical issue to fix in the next few weeks. I have to get the wiper blades to move with the wiper blade pivots. Perhaps I will add an additional set screw to lock the blades onto the pivots. Any ideas or successes you have had would be welcomed.

<A waiting judgment at the show.>

Posted 2011-05-17 06:54:17 by James Smith

Good Weather ... Nice Ride.

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:09:12 -0500

Jim Smith's Journal --

I am thoroughly enjoying tooling around in my newly restored MG B-GT. While there are a few items that require attention, steering wheel cosmetics, turn signal switch, rubber floor mats, and dash gauge bulbs, she seems to run better with each foray onto the road. I especially like using the three trumpet air horn to mark my presence next to large semi-trailer tractor rigs that may not have seen my little green silhouette. The car turns heads, and a short blast form the horn solidifies their feeling that this is a special little car.

<1971 MG B-GT>

Posted 2010-06-22 12:09:12 by James Smith

Waiting For Spring

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 22:50:28 -0600

Jim Smith's Journal --

Snow covers the ground and my MGB waits patiently in storage deep in a barn in Harrison, Maine. I can't wait to get out on the road again. Spring cannot come soon enough.

Posted 2010-02-16 22:50:28 by James Smith

She's Coming

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:18:23 -0500

Jim Smith's Journal --

New trunk lid arrived from the paint shop. Doors are painted, interior pieces applied, windows in, and ready to install. Interior is nearly complete. Front end is in the process of being cleaned and restored - new bushings throughout, new sway bar and a-frame on passenger side. Spoked wheels cleaned to show off the chrome. She's looking good. Already planning several car trips this fall to show her off and tour with other MG owners. Just delivered - trim fastners, tie rod ends, quarter rear panels (interior), fender mirrors, horn (Hella 3 trumpet), suspension straps, and pedal pads. Wife is getting the itch to drive her too.

Posted 2009-07-07 00:18:23 by James Smith

Getting There

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:13:21 -0500

Jim Smith's Journal --

Almost a year since we got started and several thousand dollars later, I am beginning to see progress. The shell is back and in good form, with work beginning on the re-population of the shell with all the pieces that make her a car worth driving. In addition to the body work and new paint, I've added new gaskets and seals all around (MacGregor Car Parts specialty), new seat vinyls and door panels, new carpet, and a new dash. I am still waiting on the new hood insulation, but the work progresses.

<She's back>

Posted 2008-10-10 06:13:21 by James Smith

Getting There Some More

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:12:59 -0500

Jim Smith's Journal --

The engine is in good shape - rebuilt in Ohio by a man who used to race MG Midgets, it has a 3/4 race cam and high compression cylinders, racing plugs and other goodies too numnerous to mention. Let's say that I used to run this lovely beast from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Ithaca, New York in under 7 hours, without the benefit of overdrive - and enjoyed every minute of the drive.

We will be adding a new oil pump, paint, and a good cleaning of all the parts. The steering rack and rear axel (steel wheels) will come out and the wire wheel set of axels installed. I'll be putting mirrors on the fenders and eagerly look forward to driving her again.

It's now time to start considering making a home for her in the garage where my boys will have difficulty scratching the paint and dinging the doors.

Posted 2008-10-10 06:12:59 by James Smith

Restoration Continues Some More ...

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:39:05 -0500

Jim Smith's Journal --

Restoration is taking longer than anticipated. Funny, that after doing very little over 12 years, now that the cars are in the hands of another for restoration, I am becoming impatient with the progress. All I have to do is remember how long it took me to get around to getting it done. The orange MGB is being torn apart and the engine recieving some TLC, while the white MGB body work is being finished and the new British Racing Green Paint is applied. Meanwhile, I have ordered tan interior seats and panels (carpet will remain black along with the rear 2+2 seat, which I often leave down). I will be ordering a new dash, door seals, window seals and trunk lid seals shortly, having to decide on OEM style or something that might give better wear.

<Orange MGB GT - Ready to Boogey>

Posted 2008-07-21 10:39:05 by James Smith

Off To The Body Shop ...

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 08:17:01 -0600

Jim Smith's Journal --

Restoration continues. The shell has been stripped of all its parts and she is off to John for cleaning, some body work, and re-painting in dark British Racing Green.

I am toying with putting her back together as close to stock as possible or making some changes to increase power and driavability. I lean one way and then return to what I know and love about the stock version of the car. Perhaps, once I am done getting my driver back I can entertain tricking out my tired parts car.

<mgb gt -restoration 2007-53 edited-1>

Posted 2008-02-05 08:17:01 by James Smith

Introduction

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 05:52:31 -0600

Jim Smith's Journal --

I first learned to drive in my step bothers 1967 MGB GT back in 1974 and its been a love affair ever since. It is the only car my 6 foot 4 inch, 250 pound frame fits into comfortably.

While in graduate school in Ohio I purchased my first MG, a Blaze Red 1971 B GT with wire wheels. I was in love again. I had another "reliable" car, a 1973 Oldsmobile 88, that turned out to be less reliable than any other car I have ever owned. The MG became my daily driver and after a couple of years of repairs, fixing mechanicals on the car that previous owners had put in backwards or upside down, she was as reliable as any car I have ever owned and a breeze to operate. I often drove the car 550 miles too and from my grandparents home in mid-state New York - and never an issue that kept me off the road. After 60,000 miles, I had the engine re-built and I was off again looking for winding roads.

After graduate school and having landed a full time job in Maine making decent money, I purchased my first new car a 1993 4x4 Toyota pick-up truck. The pick-up was clearly a better vehicle to drive in the snow and ice. I was adept a making my MG go in snow, but unhappy with her low ground clearance. I escaped serious damage, but it was only a matter of time before a snow filled pot hole would rip the exhaust system off the car.

Sadly, my old friend sat in the garage year after year. She was there when I got married, when we had kids, when we purchased our first home. I would start her up and run her once in a while, but time had taken a toll on her. Several years ago, she stopped passing the Maine State inspection, a rusted frame left her unworthy in the State's eye. I wanted to restore her, but running my own busniess and raising two young men and maintaining a relationship with my wife was taking most of my time. My wife was getting tired of parking out in the cold, while my first love languished in the garage. So ...

Last year, my wife laid down the law ... "Do something with the MG or give her up." It was time to get her done. After some searching, I found a virtually rust free 1971 Glacer White MGB GT in California for a song. It cost me more to ship the car to Maine than I paid for the car. Although it was in running shape, she needed work. This fall, I found a young lady who re-built an award winning B. Together we began the process of restoring my MG. Taking from both cars to make a single restored example.

I am eagerly awaiting the final result and will continue an affair of the heart started so many years ago.

Stay tuned.

<Gutting the California Car>

Posted 2008-01-30 05:52:31 by James Smith

Introduction

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 05:52:07 -0600

Jim Smith's Journal --

I first learned to drive in my step bothers 1967 MGB GT back in 1974 and its been a love affair ever since. It is the only car my 6 foot 4 inch, 250 pound frame fits into comfortably.

While in graduate school in Ohio I purchased my first MG, a Blaze Red 1971 B GT with wire wheels. I had another "reliable" car, a 1973 Oldsmobile 88, that turned out to be less reliable than any other car I have ever owned. The MG became my daily driver and after a couple of years of repairs, fixing mechanicals on the car that previous owners had put in backwards or upside down, she was super reliable and a breeze to operate. I often drove the car 550 miles too and from my grandparents home in mid-state New York - and never an issue that kept me off the road.

After graduate school and having landed a full time job in Maine making decent money, I purchased my first new car a 1993 4x4 Toyota pick-up truck. The pick-up was clearly a better vehicle to drive in the snow and ice. I was adept a making her go in snow, but unhappy with the low ground clearance that in the presence of several inches of snow and a pot hole or two promised to rip the exhaust system right off the car.

Sadly, my old friend sat in the garage year after year. She stayed there when I got married, when we had kids, when we purchased our first home. I would start her up and run her once in a while, but time was taking a tollon her.

Last year, my wife laid down the law ... :Do something with the MG or give her up. So, after some searching, I found a virtually rust free 1971 Glacer White MGB GT in California for a song. It cost me more to ship the car to Maine than I paid for the car. Although it was in running shape, she needed some work. This fall, we began the process of restoring our MG. Taking from both cars to make a single example. I am eagerly awaiting the final result and will continue an affair of the heart started so many years ago.

Stay tuned.

Posted 2008-01-30 05:52:07 by James Smith