My suspension parts did not show on Friday so the plan was to leave the car
alone and enjoy some quality family time this weekend. However, and MGA on
jackstands is a powerful force and I found myself drawn out to the garage
each evening. Several things caught my eye as needing attention and, like
OJ, I had the means, motive, and opportunity to commit the crime.
Friday night I removed, cleaned, inspected, and services my rear shock
absorbers. This was part of my original plan when I put the car up in the
first place but since the front suspension had become so involved, I had
decided to leave the rear suspension for another time. Idle hands are the
devil's playground, however and in this case the devil is painted Rosa Red.
The shocks were low but otherwise serviceable so they were filled and
reattached.
Saturday I fixed the frayed end of the starter cable. I used my
Bernzomatic torch to cut the frayed end off the inner cable and a 32T
hacksaw blade to cut the housing. I had to dress the melted ball cable end
with a file but otherwise there were no technical hitches. There was an
equipment issue, however. It seems that the two oxygen canisters I had
purchased at a local discount lumber yard were defective. One was out of
O2 after one use (an attempt to loosen a rusted suspension parts a few
nights earlier) and the other was empty out of the box. It seems that I
had failed to "save big money" on this purchase. An emergency run to the
local hardware store secured two new canisters and the procedure was
completed.
Later Saturday evening, I pulled the drivers seat to adjust it one notch
further back. It seems that the under carpet padding interferes with the
adjustment so I have to lift the seat to move it. I have not re-installed
the seat at this time since I want to buy larger washers than the ones that
were installed.
Sunday after the relatives left, I went out and assembled more of the
cooling system. I can't put it together all the way until my new parts
order with the proper clamps shows up. I also loosened the fittings for my
left front brake flex hose. I had soaked it every day for the past week
with "Liquid Wrench" and, other than needing a slight jar from a hammer tap
(when something is harder to take apart than I think it should be, I
usually try impact rather than brute force to loosen it), they came apart
easily.
It's supposed to be 60 F and sunny tonight and 65 F and sunny tomorrow. I
hope the parts show up tonight or I will probably tear something else
apart! I wonder how long it has been since the valves have been
adjusted?....
Regards,
Bill Eastman
61 MGA that desperately wants out of the garage
|