A drive in the country

Well today I convinced my wife to go with me for a drive in the Michigan countryside. Destination a farm that some friends of ours own. Emily likes to get eggs from them. Had to first get gas, ouch. Never thought I'd see the day that it would cost over $30. to fill an MG, and that's with the Speedway rewards card qwhich gives you 5 cents off a gallon. She was reluctant to take the trip because she doesn't have any faith in the car yet that it will get us there and back. Of course it didn't help when I had told her months ago that MGB stands for "Might Get Back". We made this same trip last Spring and lost the clutch hydraulics when we got back into town. That then started my mini restore project between surgeries. I also opened my mouth on the way out to the farm that in the Spring I'd like to replace the three flexible brake hoses and the one clutch hose. (I think I replaced them in either 2000 or 2001) She said "oh great I was just starting to feel okay about this trip and now I'm going to worry about those hoses". Well got her settled down and what a beautiful drive it was. Trees are turning, sun was out, temp about 71 degrees and nice two lane curvy roads with hills. Got to the farm, visited, said hello to all the chickens and the Llamas (sp?)and got the brown eggs. We left there and decided to drive to her Aunt's house for dinner. That was nice. Her Aunt is 88 and still in good shape but lives alone now. We dug up leftovers and had scrambled eggs, Kraft Mac&cheese, green beans and fried potatoes with some leftover beef chunks in it. Strange combo but I was starved. Hadn't eaten all day. We dug up some peonies plants and ferns for our spring landscaping. Fall is the time to plant these, filled the trunk and got them all in. It was now after dark so I had my first chance to try out the new dash lights. The 1487s 14volt bulbs. They are so much better. Really glad I put them in. The drive back was nice. Got some thumbs up at intersections when we got back to Lansing. One from a driver of a new Cadillac Escalade. Nice trip over all. Tomorow AM we are driving out of town again to a co-workers house in the country. He wants to ride in the B, and I've never been to his house.

Emily's only other complaint which is valid is the ride is too rough on our bad roads. She has a bad back and joint problems. I have tube shocks installed and they are stiff, so the car tends to hop over rough stuff. The other day I found my old rear lever shocks. I'm going to clean them up, re-fill with some ATF and get them back on the car. I hope I can remember how they install. Might be asking questions when I start that project hopefully soon. I know the ride will settle down with them. I just hope it doesn't settle down too far. It already is low in the front. I am now looking for comfort over high performance handling.

I don't remember what model monroe shocks I have on the car now, so it would be risky to ask if anyone knows of a softer riding tube shock. I might end up with what I have already. Someone said that monroe sensatrac shocks for an 80s vintage dodge colt give a good ride. I don't want to spend money now anyway so I'll resurrect the lever shocks.

Read Bob Munchausen's post (BobMunc) about Monroe Sensa-Trac, #5893/ST
<http://www.mgexperience.net/phorum/read.php?1,967,979#msg-979>

I had Monroe 33090s on the GT. They worked great - not too hard, not too soft. I don't know if they are still available though.

Peter,

I don't know if ATF is what you want to use.. Variously I've heard mineral oil, light fork oil for motorcycles and lightweight synthetic.

I don't know if ATF might be either too thick or hard on the seals.

20 wt. motorcycle fork oil is what is usually recommended.

Atf to swell the old seals, that's what I read in earlier posts