Here's a couple I'd like to get commentary on...
1) The MGA is giving a little puff of grey smoke on starting and when
shifting. It's not blue (oil) or white (coolant), and even though it's not
black, I suspect an overly rich mixture. The previous owner hadn't had it
tuned up for 2 years (i.e. about 1500 miles), so my mechanic is giving it
the once over including the carbs (I don't do the SU thing myself -- could
never get it just right). We'll see if that stops it, but if not, I'm
wondering what other culprits could be the cause?
Would valve wear cause that? I'd expect the blue tinted stuff from that as
oil gets burned... but...??? I don't think rings are the issue because the
engine was rebuilt 10,000 miles ago and I'd definitely expect the blue stuff
if that were the case...
2) Also, here's a wacky one. I topped up the gearbox oil the other day. Just
short of "max" on the dipstick. Well, she leaked like a sieve for about an
hour, then dried right up with the oil showing at "min" -- whaddya think?
Bad seal? Wrong dipstick? Am I an idiot and overfilled it despite being
quite careful?
3) Last but not least, her muffler is a goner. Any thoughts on putting in a
stainless steel system? Any downside other than a little extra cost (really
not bad at $169 US from Victoria) and not being "original?"
Kris
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