Whew, I was away for a week and have finally gotten to last Thursday's
Digest. I printed the weeks output in 8pt type, double column, two sides,
and still got an inch of paper to plow through. Hope I remember all of what
I wanted to say.
First, I don't remember anyone issuing the reminder to go over the
electrical connections to make the fan run better. Those )(*&@)*$#^ bullet
connectors were not designed for the long run. I have two cars, one in which
the connectors were all cleaned and one which is just 28 years old. Which
one do you think works the best?
The idea of an upside down roller shade was offered in the Warshawsky
catalog back in the early 60s. I can remember which car I had it on, but I
think it was the Checker station wagon I owned then. I also had a water
heater attached. I don't remember seeing those as too available now. Some
form of water heater must be available for Alaska.
The heater was about the size of an ignition coil with an inlet in the
bottom, and an outlet on top. The bottom when to the drain plug in the
block, the top was spliced into the heater hose. When you plugged it in it
kept the water, and therefore the oil, in the block warm. Easy start, but
when you started the car the thermostat opened and all the cold radiator
water mixed with the block water, and the temperature plummeted. Warmed up
quickly though. Somewhere I have a similar device I got at a garage sale. It
is designed to replace a section of the lower heater hose. That way both the
radiator and the block get warm.
As far as LBCs being warm, a hard top is nice. When I had my bugeye, for
some reason I bought the hard top with it. Smart move by an unknowing
person. The car had those Plexiglas removable side curtains, and they formed
a good fit with both tops. The heater control consisted of a knob that was
pulled out to open the water valve, and then was turned to turn on the one
speed fan. IT WAS TOO HOT, EVEN IN THE COLDEST, SLOPPIEST CHICAGO WEATHER.
The solution was the Warshawsky catalog. They had a small rheostat designed
for just that problem. It had a bracket that was mounted on the lower edge
of the dash and spliced into the heater motor lead. It also had a small bulb
in it. When you turned it on the bulb glowed dimly, and increased its
brightness as the fan speed increased. That made it comfortable.
Haven't tried the MGC roadster in the winter, but use the GT for fall and
spring. The Healey never did get it's top put on last winter. Even got a
comment from a person standing on a corner waiting to cross the street. His
comment was "You guys are crazy". Today was 33 degrees, and I was warm
enough. No need for a top although when I get the Healey hardtop restored I
will probably use it in the winter.
Open cars are great all year 'round.
Jack
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