Hello to All,
I just subscribed to this service two days ago and I am very impressed. I
thought that should send a message introducing myself so that people know
who I am in case I can be of help to someone.
Brief history about me (If I may). Grew up in eastern MA and southern NH.
Did my undergraduate work at Northeastern University, in Boston, and my
graduate work at the University of New Hampshire, in Durham. Been married
21 looong years (Waltraud) and have three children (Anja, 14; Sebastian,
12; Alisa, 6). I joined the U.S. Army in 1972 (actually, the Army joined
me - I was one of the last of the draftees) and for various reasons, I
stayed in until 1994 (with a break for graduate school). My wife is German
(our kids think they are) so after my third tour in Germany we decided that
22 years was enough fun and I got out in Germany. I am now a Department of
Defense civilian, working as a Military Personnel Management Specialist (I
was a Army Medical Department Personnel Officer). We live in a suburb of
Mannheim - I work in Heidelberg, and we are ten minutes from Hockenheim.
LBC History. Bought a 1967 MBG in 1970. It was totaled in 1971. I was
driving, but not at fault. Used the insurance settlement as a down payment
on a brand new 1971 MGB (BRG roadster) in Aug 1971. Still have the car
today. Had the body redone in 1989 while stationed at Ft. Devens, MA (this
might interest Ross Overcash). The car was stored during all my overseas
tours ( 12 years total) and only driven in summer when I was in the States.
When we decided to stay in Germany, I had it shipped to me last year.
Just finished putting a new engine and clutch in it a few weeks ago. Blew
a main bearing while running with a Porsche. Autobahn driving is just tooo
much fun! I do have one confession. Although I have been a MGB owner for
28 (Gawd, I'm getting old) years, I only have theoretical - not practical
knowledge about LBC repair. I'm good at preventive maintenance and minor
stuff, but with all the moving around with the Army it just wasn't possible
to build a tool collection or have a place to attempt/learn about major
work. So, I may ask some stupid questions - and here's one.
The new engine is a Euro spec 18GH. My mechanic tells me that everything
we had to use from the old one (not much, granted) is fine except that the
crankshaft pully is not quite right. Could that be because the old engine
is U.S. spec? Anybody know where to get the correct pully? Every part
supplier I ask (e.g. Moss, etc) says that they are NLA. Any help would be
greatly appreciated.
Thank you for letting me intrude upon your lives with such a long message.
I promise to be more succinct in the future, unless someone asks a question
that requires a 1GB answer. Again, if there is any help/info that I can
provide to anyone, just ask.
Sincerely,
"Jay"
John S. van Syckel
1971 MGB
AMGBA #78-568
MG Car Club, Deutschland e.V.
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