David E's Journal

I got this beauty last year. I have been SLOWLY going through it to make sure that after sitting 20+ years it will run. The engine was not seized. it only has 14000 original miles. The poor thing sat unused in an auto collection, housed a hundred yards from the train tracks. Dry rot and a plaster coating from the 100 year old downtown Ponca City warehouse has done a real number on her interior. I got her fired up! I checked the gears it shifted fine, so I drove around the circle in my neighborhood. Then when I tried to stop. NOTHING. no brakes except the e-brake handle. good thing I was only puttering along. So she runs but does not stop. I tried to bleed the brakes but only got a Tablespoon of fluid out of both rear brakes. After searching the MG Experience, I found that the brake lines are subject to tow trucks crushing them around the axle. I looked under the car starting at the passenger rear wheel and followed the brake line out and up around the axle to a crushed line. Bummer. Then I went to the other wheel and followed it's brake line to a second crush. Double bummer. So I thought maybe a new line. I looked again and followed a line to a union block. Both lines out of the block have that crimped spot. Triple Bummer! So that is how she lies. Waiting for me to get out and fix the brakes. Summer has to wait for now.

So I finally got my parts in the mail. It has taken me all day to pull out the old master cylinder. I have the new one bench bled and ready to install. The rust is everywhere. I am glad I bought new lines. the rear lines were crimped against the axle on both sides. Then I found out today that the front lines are ran up by the hood hinges. I found 2 more crimped lines where someone had over lifted the hood at some point. I have all new rubber hoses going in too. Lots more work, work, work to go.

Today, I finally got her on the highway since I bought her. So much fun. The sun was out and the wind was fair. I went through all the gears and chuckled as I kept looking for a nonexistent fifth. She drives quick. I managed on chirp in second gear on the fresh rubber. I kept a look out on the gauges, most were in range. The coolant kept a slightly warm reading between Normal and High. I still have a list of things to work on for her. including an interior refresh. This morning, she would not start at all. This afternoon, after church it started right up. So I will be looking into the cold start issue. Thanks.