british-cars
[Top] [All Lists]

Spridget parts, waving

To: linus!att!speedy!gerry@EDDIE.MIT.EDU
Subject: Spridget parts, waving
From: phile@pwcs.StPaul.GOV (Philip J Ethier)
Date: Wed, 18 Jul 90 9:08:30 CDT
> On the way up, I started revving the engine to 4000 and then to 5000, 
> but I was disappointed with the performance of the engine,
> considering that I had installed some go-faster goodies. I also noticed
> that fuel economy over the previous 2 weeksd dropped to 23 mpg (which
> is annoying only having a 7 gallon tank ). Anyway as the day progresses, my
> navigator and myself were discussing the situation and we came
> to the conclussion that the exhsuat is possibly restricting the engine -
> however as an experiment, we decided to take the air filter off and
> see it made any differeence.
>
> WOW - what a difference - all of a sudden the engine started coming alive
> and the engine seemed to rev much easier. So the moral of this little
> tale is check your air cleaner frequently and change it if in doubt.

It could be that your carbs were tuned too rich to start with.
Carburettor is a French word meaning "leave the dammned things alone"
(- Dick O'Kane) to me, but I'm sure Roger Garnett can help.  I use
velocity stacks and foam socks to get the low restriction.
>
> Some posted yesterday that they know of a source which sells adjustable
> upper arms for Midgets. The name and address were a little bit vague so
> I would appreciate if they would post their full address or tel number.

You bet it was vague.  I didn't have it with me and was relying on
memory.  What memory?

Jack White
NOVUS
7471 Slater, Unit G
Huntington Beach, CA  92647

(714) 842-0707    

They also do business as "Five Points Classic Auto Shocks".  Tell Jack
I sent you.  He has been going the extra mile on service for me and I
would like him to know I am trying to help him, too.

> British car we cordially waved and flashed our lights. Every car returned
> our gestures except ALL TR6 owners. We passed TR4's, Spitfires, Healeys and
> several TR6's and none of the TR6 drivers even acknowledged our presence.
>
> On the way to work I see a TR6 almost every day and I always used to
> wave but never got a response. 2 Other friends on mine (who drive Bugeyes)
> have also noticed this phenomenon. Last week I even had a Lotus Esprit Turbo
> flash his lights at me (which really caught me off guard with surprise).
>
> In general though, I would say it is rare to have a TR6 driver wave back.
> So what is it about TR6 drivers ? why do they seem to look down on MG's ?
> Is it just me or has anybody else noticed this ?
>
In Minnesota, all brit roadster drivers will wave back to my decrepit
Spridget.  There are not that many of us on the road.  Maybe where you
live, TR-6s are more commonplace.  As I recall (Bill Sohl and Dr.
Bobwrench will tell me if I am wrong) there were a lot of sixes made.
This, and the fact that they are the newest of the classic roadsters
means that many are probably in the hands of those that are not dyed
in the wool britcar freaks in higher proportions than other Britcars.
The just don't feel the connection.  Others, like Dr. Bobwrench, are
six pilots who are britcar freaks.  You have just been fated to meet
the former.  Any Triumph owner who would look down on an MG is just
not a real britcar kinda guy (term used not intended to be
gender-specific).  You probably were fortunate to meet a late-model
Lotus owner who feels the kinship.  Many newer Loti and esp. Jags are
in the hands of yuppies who have no sense of the British sports car
tradition.  On the broader subject of waving, Howard Mohr has written
a piece on the proper ettiquette of waving in rural Minnesota.  He
read it once on the "Prairie Home Companion".  Funny stuff.
>
> Gerry.
--
phile@pwcs.stpaul.gov    In real life: Phil Ethier
(612) 298-5324


<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>
  • Spridget parts, waving, Philip J Ethier <=