RichK98's 's Journal - April 30, 2011

richk98 Rich Kalenka
Rich Kalenka usa  
San Diego, USA

Total Posts: 5 Latest Post: 2011-05-01 13:46:02
Follow new posts by subscribing to the   RSS Feed
Link to this journal: http://www.mgexperience.net/journal/richk98








April 30, 2011

Rich Kalenka usa — Posted on The MG Experience
Sunday May 1, 2011 1:46 PM
Sold

An enjoyable 2 years of minor upgrading and fun driving



. You can hide this ad & support this site by upgrading to a Gold Membership ~ click here for more info.


Comments on "Journal Entry: April 30, 2011" – No comments yet, you can be the FIRST!

You need a Member Account to access this feature. Please sign in or register to post a comment or leave a rating.

 



Suspension Complete

Rich Kalenka usa — Posted on The MG Experience
Thursday January 7, 2010 7:43 AM
Just prior to Christmas, I received my 69 back from my mechanic. The rear suspension has been upgraded with new leaf springs, hardware and a gas shock conversion to replace the rear lever arm shocks.The fan has been removed and replaced with a thermo switched electric cooling fan. Gas tank replaced and all seals and rubber renewede. Fuel pump replaced with a modern solod state low pressure pump for reliable flow. New upgraded starter motor installed. The car is running reliably and with grest power.

Next up but not urgent is to replace disty and coil with pertronix electronic disty and flamethrower coil.



Comments on "Journal Entry: Suspension Complete" – No comments yet, you can be the FIRST!

You need a Member Account to access this feature. Please sign in or register to post a comment or leave a rating.

 



The Coming Weeks

Rich Kalenka usa — Posted on The MG Experience
Monday June 1, 2009 8:21 PM
Once a $10 peg bolt kit arrives from Moss (BO's 2 weeks), the following will be quickly dispatched:
1) install gear reduction starter
2) install all new rear suspension components
3) install new BH fuel tank with new copper fuel line to fuel pump (there's a crack in the fuel feed connection allowing gas to leak out when running and the tank is filled above 3/4 capacity - nasty - however the PO did inform me of this issue. Somehow fixing it, rather than constantly running on low fuel levels, seems like a better long term solution (Yes, I ran out of gas 2 times in my first week of ownership. Why would I trust a really old fuel gauge).
My mechanic is anxiously awaiting my arrival. Would do all this myself if the GT could be safely lifted, but that's not to be in my garage.

Thinking about upgrading to an all electronic distributor and high performance coil. Any product recommendations or suggestions for a 1969 GT?


P5100510

P5100510




Comments on "Journal Entry: The Coming Weeks" – No comments yet, you can be the FIRST!

You need a Member Account to access this feature. Please sign in or register to post a comment or leave a rating.

 



Some Minor Fixes

Rich Kalenka usa — Posted on The MG Experience
Monday June 1, 2009 8:11 PM
Have owned for 3 weeks now and have done a little bit of work (waiting for BO'd suspension parts has slowed me down)
Installed new compact battery (designed for Miata), obtained from Auto Zone for $90 bucks. Resurfaced console and rear interior quarter panels (with speakers) using nice vinyl picked up from Joann's Fabrics, stripped interior, touched up a few minor rust areas (amazing how well this body has held up over 40 years). Installed Dynamat, sanded and stained wood deck panel in rear hatch, installed new carpet, gas struts for the rear hatch, new seals in doors and quarter windows, new hi capacity alternator, auxiliary fuse box to handle new stereo and auxilary power socket, new wooden sterring wheel (I couldn't fit comfortably in driver's seat given the large diameter of the original steering wheel).

some before and after pix to follow


interior before

interior before




Comments on "Journal Entry: Some Minor Fixes" – No comments yet, you can be the FIRST!

You need a Member Account to access this feature. Please sign in or register to post a comment or leave a rating.

 



Purchase Date

Rich Kalenka usa — Posted on The MG Experience
Monday May 4, 2009 8:51 PM
Bought a newly repainted 1969 MGB Gt this afternoon from a retired marine who has been driving it regularly for the past 18 months. He's done some nice work including an inexpensive repaint, replaced some chrome trim, new tires, new front suspension and rear shocks. There's a long story behind this vehicle and the rest it had between 1978 and 2001 (when it's resurrection by another PO began). I am pleased with the purchase and am developing some plans to improve the interior (carpet, seat upgrade etc), rear suspension, new wiring, etc. The PO provided me with a few boxes of parts including new rear leaf springs, body seals etc. Once I decide the direction I'm heading with this vehicle I'll get to work, but for now I'll drive it and get to know it before doing anything I may regret or find needs to be reversed.

I owned a rubber bumper Midget in the 81-82 timeframe when in college and loved the originality of the MG. I haven't forgotten the reliability issues (more hours in the driveway than the freeway), but after recently restoring a BMW 2002, I am convinced the MG is a great value in terms of parts availability, pricing and ease of repair. I'm looking forward to learning the tricks and methods of keeping this vehicle performing for many years to come.

Day one of ownership was not uneventful. My youngest son rode with me from the PO's home. All started well as we moved off and accelerated through all 4 gears
[:( = non overdrive] heading to the freeway. As we merged into traffic it was up to 60 mph at about 3000 rpm (hard to tell exactly as the speedo was bouncing and the noise levels increased - a bit distracting). After 30 seconds, the vehicle bogged down, rpm fell to 2000 and I lost speed. I limped to the first exit ramp and drove the side roads for 15 minutes at no more than 45 mph and still noticed some bogging at 45. The GT ending up stalling and despite several restart efforts I couldn't get it to stay running. At this point I thought the fuel may be low (learned not to trust gauges on 40 year old cars that I know nothing about)or the fuel filters may be clogged. The car eventually stalled and I couldn't keep it running after many restart attempts. At this point, the cranking power of the battery was gone. A flat bed tow to my house for the last 10 miles, some gas, and a battery charge overnight and wouldn't you know it, it started right up and ran great the next day.

I love these cars.


P5100511

P5100511




. You can hide this ad & support this site by upgrading to a Gold Membership ~ click here for more info.


Comments on "Journal Entry: Purchase Date" – No comments yet, you can be the FIRST!

You need a Member Account to access this feature. Please sign in or register to post a comment or leave a rating.

 

Join Us Today!

Not a member yet? Sign up now for your FREE Membership account
Members Sign In:



Tip: You can sign in to any AutoShrine website with the same ID and password.

MGExp Menu

Front Page

Membership

Forums

Live Chat

Calendar

Library

Journals

Top Journals

Latest Posts

Browse All

Random Post

Registry

Cars For Sale

Model Pages

Motorsport

Directory

Clubs

Store

Search

Promote YOUR Business or Product on this Website!
Advertising Info

From Your Smartphone
mgexp.mobi

Adjust Text Size

Larger Smaller
Reset Save