Mike,
Did you have an earlier post about rear leaf spings..or rear sitting too
low?...It could be all of that stuff in the boot! :o)))
To all who want to lower a RBB to CBB level...follow Mikes advice on equip.
to carry for trips. :o)))
Just joking Mike. It sounds as if you're ready for most anything.
Dan Dwelley
77 Midget
Alexandria, Va.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-mgs@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-mgs@autox.team.net]On
Behalf Of MSLishego
Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 1999 11:49 AM
To: Eric Erickson; mgs@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: Long drive
Erik sez:
> Had the alternator rebuilt; got new tyres; repaired the spokes on the
> spare (good tyre on that too); redone the brakes; new front bushes
(yes,
> V8 :); replaced various leaking or suspect seals (except slightly
> leaking rear main); all standard regular maintenance; replaced the
full
> exhaust system.
Sounds like a good bit of planning and work you've done. My only
advice is this: Finish everything you plan to fix at least three or
four days before the trip. This way, you can drive the car around your
town and see how it's going to act. If something isn't right, you
won't have far to go to fix it.
> I have driven her fairly hard and over quite long distances around
the
> country in this State (a few hours at a time) to no obvious ill
effect
> and she runs well.
That's always good to hear; I hope it's not false bravado! <G>
> This long drive will cover around 1,500 miles of mostly highway
driving
> (although some of these "highways" are little more than semi-arterial
> roads) and I plan to take it very easy, driving no more than three
hours
> or so at a stretch before "resting" the car/myself... no more than
six
> hours driving in any one day. Remember, she is a '68 MGB and I don't
> have overdrive!
This is where I take up my can opener and take the top off of these
here worms...From what I remember in past list discussions, an
overdrive really doesn't save your car from that much wear. I believe
that someone quoted John Twist in the matter, and he said that gas
mileage and engine wear were not that different with or without OD.
I've driven both OD and standard cars. My '74 will crank along the
highway as long as I need her to, without overdrive and without any ill
effects. The overdrive seems to make the trip more comfortable, not
really reduce strain on an engine. I only stop to get gas or pee,
which comes about every three hours or so on my 12 hour 600 mile trip
to and from school. Just make sure your car's cooling system is OK and
she'll have no problems running flat-out at 3500-3700 rpm all
day...Barring any 'other' problems, of course! <G>
> Now, I need some decent assessments of what trouble I might expect
from
> the car and what spares/equipment I should take with me (I have a
mobile
> phone, but what the coverage is like on the way I am not sure).
Unless you've done this recently, change your tranny and rear end
fluids. Here's a complete list of the junk I carry around in my car.
It may be overkill, but when I need one of the items listed, I'll be
glad I carried it...
As for spares, here's what I carry - Some lengths of fuel, vacuum, and
radiator hose; some extra wire; an extra box of assorted fuses; a spare
relay; two spare fan belts; my wiper spares; two spare knockoffs;
enough oil for an impromptu oil change (5 quarts); some bottled water;
brake fluid; and washer fluid.
My tool kit is this - A complete socket set; one wrench; a pair of
needle nose pliers with wire cutters; one half inch wrench (for
removing the factory air cleaners); one 7/16 inch wrench (for adjusting
the timing via the dizzy); one stubby Phillips screwdriver (for
adjusting my mixture screws, you won't need this); one all-in-one
screwdriver; knockoff wrench & BFH; adjustable wrench; a Gunson's
colortune; a Uni-Syn; jumper test wires; some heat-shrink tubing with
cig lighter; a multi-meter; one set of jumper cables.
My safety and other stuff kit is - one large towel; one fire
extinguisher; bottled drinking water; suntan lotion; a very large
six-volt lantern; small first aid kit; and flares.
> Being aware that most of you don't know what driving conditions are
like
> in Australia, I would still appreciate any tips on how I should
> drive/handle the beast for this length of drive (yes, it *should* be
dry
> all the way, but who knows). Anything else you need to know to make
an
> assessment?
Eric, it sounds as though you're being very sensible on your trip.
Unless you have reason to worry about the car, don't. You've got to be
100% convinced of her ability to make it or you'll be in for one
miserable trip, worrying about every noise and shake. Just make sure
you're prepared and enjoy the car...They really are great for taking
long trips, even in the freezing cold!
Mike Lishego
1974 MGB
1986 Plymouth Turismo 2.2
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Speedway/3706
(Just for the inevitable flames, my car got between 28-31 mpg on my
last trip - standard MGB four-cylinder, dual HIF's and no OD.)
> Eric
> '68 MGB MkII
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