Fellow fiends:
Three items:
#1: to whomever posted the original message on engine rebuilds: there was
still some problem with my subscription to mgs at that time. Things appear
to be working fine now (Thanks, Mark!) Can you (or someone out there)
re-post it to me, as I'd like to read your experiences.
#2: there is an article in the latest "Victory Lane" on rebuilding the B
series engine for performance (i.e. vintage racing). I've only skimmed the
first few paragraphs but it looks like there might be some interesting
things there (at least for the novice learning about tweeking his/her
engine). Most emphasis seems to be on the 1500, 1600 and 1622 cc
three-mains found in the MGA, but some remarks regarding the 1800 engines
are there also. For instance: I was unaware that there were evidently some
significant changes in oil passage drillings in the crank when the early
5-main engine was brought out that markedly enhanced its reliability under
race-like conditions.
#3: keeping on the theme of engine rebuilds: I have high hopes of getting
Old Whitesides ('63B) back on the road in March. Yipeeee :-)! The car
only has about 200 miles on its "new" engine. There is a faint chance that
I'd like to take the car to North Carolina in April or May (from Detroit).
Any thoughts on the suitability of extended highway travel on a reletively
fresh engine? I'm hoping that by departure time I'll have put another 300
or so miles on it, mostly commutes and around town stuff. Of course, there
will be a head bolt torque check, fresh oil, and such before the trip. Bear
in mind that I don't have overdrive so I'll likely be cruising in the 3700
RPM range. Taking the B is not that important, so if it is considered
unwise, I can leave it at home.
#3.5: okay so I lied, there are actully four items: a member of my local
car-guy support group has cautioned me not to keep the engine at constant
RPMs for a long time. He says its good to vary the RPMs. Why would this be
true? Rings seat better with RPM changes? Or is he just passing oil?
Cheers,
Will Zehring
|