I got my 'B put back together tonight. I took a quick shower and
changed clothes, just in time for a thunderstorm to hit. I guess I'll
test my brake job tomorrow....
I found the solution for rusted wire wheel spokes that refuse to
tighten. If you remember my last post, PB Blaster didn't quit cut it.
I purchased a MAPP/Oxygen torch at work tonight. The price was around
$50. I used to heat the nipples (of the wire wheels) with my propane
torch; it took about 5 minutes for the nipple to glow cherry red.
The MAPP/Oxygen torch burns so hot, in 20-30 seconds the nipple was
glowing red. I wrapped a wet rag around the nipple, and after letting
it cool, the nipple turned easily.
Remember how the PB Blaster was succesful on 2 out of 8 spokes? The
MAPP/Oxygen torch was succesful on 8 out of 8 spokes. I'd say that's
pretty good.
I was reading the 'Reliabilty' thread with muted interest. I lost my
position on the soap box, but I remember my 'B getting me home more than
once. There was the time I lost a U-Joint coming home from Baton Rouge
with my girlfriend. There was the Christmas Eve drive to my parent's
house with a whining water pump. And I'll never forget the time me and
the 'possum met at full throttle on a Louisiana back road. I had to
drive home minus a headlight and with my air dam rubbing the front tire.
I guess my point is that no matter what you drive, where you drive it,
the damn thing _can_ break. The alternator on my Pathfinder could shoot
craps tomorrow, it probably won't. (I hope it doesn't - I have no idea
how to get the old one out.) Drive your LBC, carry your tools or your
AAA card, and have fun.
That's why we have them.
Thomas James Pokrefke, III
1970 MGB
1995 Nissan Pathfinder
(guess which one's throttle is going to be mashed to the firewall
tomorrow? I'll give you a hint - my Pathfinder's engine has never spun
faster than 4K.)
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