Alan,
Seems you have a pretty low opinion of the MG. If your brakes require too
much pressure, chances are that the rear brakes are out of adjustment. They
are not self adjusting so you need to tighten them up every so often. The
lever shocks may be worn out or just in need of topping up. I believe there
was a discussion on that recently. You can use 20 wt motor cycle fork oil
or hydraulic jack fluid or if you can get it, use the Armstrong shock fluid
that is recommended. As far as modifications, most people don't care as
long as it's an improvement, but some are sticklers for originality. It's
your car, do what you want.
Dave 72 B
-----Original Message-----
From: Alan <Alan@health.co.zw>
To: mgs@autox.team.net <mgs@autox.team.net>
Date: Friday, June 23, 2000 6:35 AM
Subject: Originality
>I've owned a '71BGT for a few months and am enjoying the
>pleasures of owning what is here in Zimbabwe a very rare car.
>However I am now beginning to wonder about the effectiveness of
>some of the original parts fitted to the car. All MGs are based on
>mechanicals from very ordinary family saloons which were
>designed to provide reliable service at a low price. Performance
>considerations were not taken into account. Thus we have iron
>cylinder heads, lever arm dampers, leaf springs, drum brakes etc
>etc. It is interesting to speculate what these cars would be like if
>the enthusiasts in the design department had been able to utilize
>"ideal" components rather than "available" components.
>
>There is therefore a strong argument for replacing certain
>components with items intrinsically more suitable for the task than
>the original part. The problem with this is the originality question.
>Should MGs be kept as near as possible to the manufacturers
>specification or is deviation from standard permitted in the interest
>of improved performance and/or reliability?
>
>My own vehicle appears to be very close to the makers
>specification (European version), and I am consequently reluctant
>to meddle with it. But I am becoming increasingly impatient with
>the poor suspension control provided by the dampers, the very
>heavy pedal pressure required to stop the vehicle(no servo) and the
>pathetic push button windscreen washer. I would like to change all
>these things.
>
>How far is it permissible to go in terms of modifications before
>accusations of destroying the character of the car begin flying
>around? Is the criteria that any modification should be acceptable
>as long as it is reversible valid or can you argue that if the change
>makes the car perform better then it is permissible, regardless of
>reversability, bearing in mind that performance is what the car is
>supposed to be about?
>
> I look forward to reading the responses.
>
>
>Alan Morrison
>
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