Hi again Stu:
Your car sounds really intriguing. Do you down shift into forth when you
want to pass another car on the highway (remember the term, passing gear)?
What gear do you use going up hills on the highway? In my TD the power band
seems to start around 3000 rpm.
I really don't have a good feel for how good the TD drum brakes are. I've
had my TD thirty years, but I've never had to make a "panic" stop. My B's
brakes never impressed me until one day when I really had to stomp 'em. One
thing to remember about four wheel drum brakes: once they get wet (like from
driving though a deep puddle) you have absolutely no braking power for
several seconds. These can be very long seconds, if they're wet at the wrong
time! (Ask any old timer.)
IMHO:
As for the trip, with that many miles you will have to lube the front
suspension some where along the way. Also, I would do a tune-up half way
though. Points will never hold good timing over that distance without
adjustment (if you're still using points). I'll copy mg-t on this message, I
think other listers will have valuable input. I personally have never taken
a trip of that magnitude.
Bob Donahue (Still stuck in the '50s)
Email - bobmgtd@insightbb.com
52 MGTD - NEMGTR #11470
71 MGB - NAMGBR #7-3336
.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Stu Keen" <simbafish@comcast.net>
To: "Bob D." <bobmgtd@insightbb.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 23, 2002 8:54 PM
Subject: Re: Old vs New Rear Half Axles / Tire Squealing
> At 55 mph, I am running about 2800 rpm in fifth gear (I also have an MGA
4.3
> rear end). The highest rpms I ever get is around 3700, which is 70 mph. I
am
> TERRIFIED to drive faster than that with drum brakes. When I installed the
> transmission and took the TD on the interstate, my speedometer read 48 mph
> when the mile markers said I was going 70! At this rate I will never burn
up
> my engine. So pushing my luck, just tonight I have finally decided to be
> adventurous and drive from Florida to California and the NW in September,
> maybe as far as British Columbia. Think I'm crazy? The engine should last
> forever when max rpms is 3700 or less. I will accompany a 1968 e type Jag
> for part of the trip, to Colorado.
>
> Stu
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