I finally got my MGB's diff filler out. I tried making a
tool by cutting the threads of off a bolt, then grinding the
shank to fit, but this tool would ride out of the plug.
I ordered a punch and chisel set recently--here was a tool
I could use: I took a chisel that fit in the diagonal of
the plug, and a ratchet with a 12mm deep well socket that
fit the shank of the chisel rather well, and after some
massive torque,the plug came loose. The diff was a little
low. I went ahead and drained it and put fresh oil in. The
drained oil looked old, but clean.
(wrote this a couple of days ago)
Right now my street car ('76 MGB) is sitting in the driveway
sans cylinder head. The head gasket had started to leak around
bore #3, and was weeping coolant down the starboard side of the
block. #3 was also blowing coolant out around the sparking plug.
Looks okay though. Seems to be just a gasket leak. I guess I'm
going to miss FORTRAN class tomorrow. Any advice on cleaning
cylinder bores? I usually use a strong vacuum cleaner when I
have to remove a head, to pick up those little pieces of carbon
that inevitably end up in the bores.
On the recent thread on LBCs on TV: Did anybody ever mention
the Avengers? Mr. Steed female companions drove whatever it is
you call more than one Lotus (Loti?). Also, the other day I
watched The Fugitive on Arts & Entertainment. The fugitive returned
home. His brother (not a happy fellow) was racing his old 356
bathtub. This episode has some great scenes of races with (mostly)
MGB's and a Spitfire or two. Also--what about The Man From UNCLE?
They always had an LBC or two per episode. I've got one taped that
has (I believe) a 289 Cobra, race prepped, complete with a dent in the
right rear fender, and a Jag XKE. And, one more, I recall a Batman
episode where Batman went to *the* local hangout and parked the
Batmobile next to an MGA.
Oh well, back to the real world. I've got to get my cylinder out
of the driveway and find a place to store it overnight.
Keith
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