For the true gearheads (Page 2): MGAs are cool. I had one, and we ultimately put an 1800cc MGB engine in it when the 1600cc engine died. Here’s an image of an MGA you don’t see very...

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Curmudgeon wrote:

My 59 MGA turned belly up whenever it rained. Just had to wait until it dried out again. Ever try to disassemble and reassemble a side draft carb?

MGAs are cool. I had one, and we ultimately put an 1800cc MGB engine in it when the 1600cc engine died. Here’s an image of an MGA you don’t see very often - one with the twin cam head developed for LeMans. And yes, I have disassembled/reassembled and synced many SU carburetors - I still have my UniSyn.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

I used to make a living (Sort of) rebuilding carburetors. American ones. The first time the boss wanted me to tackle a British one I gave it two days and threatened to quit. He gave it to someone else and I went back to my niche!

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

The fellow who put me on to this photo told me that Lucas light switches have three positions: dim, flicker and off. If Lucas had made weapons there would not have been a war. Unfortunately, the Lucas vacuum cleaner line was their only product that did not suck.

sheldon minsky Loc: iron mountain michigan

TriX wrote:

I hope he was properly prepared. Why do the owners of British cars wear driving gloves? So they can rip the burning wiring harness from under the dash (before it sets the car afire) without burning their hands. Ask me how I know (Triumph TR4).

TR3 for me. Those wires do get hot

sheldon minsky Loc: iron mountain michigan

Curmudgeon wrote:

My 59 MGA turned belly up whenever it rained. Just had to wait until it dried out again. Ever try to disassemble and reassemble a side draft carb?

Yes and I do not want to do it again.

Testie Loc: Armidale NSW Australia

Been there done that and am still doing it.

cdayton

dgrimsman wrote:

If it was foggy or rainy "I'm not starting today"

1956 XK140

Ah, yes. That was my 1960 XK150 roadster. Or, try running though a puddle. My next 7 Jags have been a lot better.

alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ

Ahhh, Lucas the inventer of warm beer.

Burtzy Loc: Bronx N.Y. & Simi Valley, CA

Curmudgeon wrote:

My 59 MGA turned belly up whenever it rained. Just had to wait until it dried out again. Ever try to disassemble and reassemble a side draft carb?

The Japanese learned the hard way. I owned a Datsun 2000 roadster. And those twin SU carbs were almost impossible to tune. I had a British mechanic who could do it by feel only. When his hand was sufficiently sucked and stuck to the draft side of one, that was in tune. When he couldn't get either hand out from my engine, it was perfect...or so he said. I had to drive around town with him running alongside. He was pretty spry. Okay, that last part was imaginary.

pendennis

Reminds me of an earlier thread: The Prince of Darkness

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-585160-1.html

DAN Phillips Loc: Graysville, GA

I had a '58 MGA, no problems except an old geezer in a Buick Roadmaster run a stop light and pushed me into a florist, as I was being loaded into an ambulance my last vision of the car was flowers on what was left of the front end and the radio playing. (Nearly killed me)The old man's insurance company could not find a replacement so ended up with a cash settlement. I bought a new Grand Prix.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That's a bit extreme, isn't it?

junglejim1949 Loc: Sacramento,CA

TriX wrote:

I hope he was properly prepared. Why do the owners of British cars wear driving gloves? So they can rip the burning wiring harness from under the dash (before it sets the car afire) without burning their hands. Ask me how I know (Triumph TR4).

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Burtzy wrote:

The Japanese learned the hard way. I owned a Datsun 2000 roadster. And those twin SU carbs were almost impossible to tune. I had a British mechanic who could do it by feel only. When his hand was sufficiently sucked and stuck to the draft side of one, that was in tune. When he couldn't get either hand out from my engine, it was perfect...or so he said. I had to drive around town with him running alongside. He was pretty spry. Okay, that last part was imaginary.

There’s actually a very useful device to balance multiple carburetors (of any type) that measures airflow called a UniSyn. Mine is 50 years old, but they’re still made.