Octagon November, 2017

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Stories from the Stables A LETTER TO MISS SWAN by Terry Jones Dear Miss Swan (One of my high school teachers 1964-66) Hope my homework is not too late! The Joys of Restoration 2016/17 by Terry Jones I have owned my 1946 MG TC since 1968. In 1970 it had a rough rebuild and over the following years many minor parts have been replaced. However, in 1972 I broke a crankshaft and that was the last time I delved deep into the mechanicals. Since then I have been happy to keep the car registered and running whilst building a house, getting married (we honeymooned with the TC), having a family and taking up a family hobby of sailing. Towards the end of 2015 I realized something serious had to be done about the engine. It was overheating, pulsating oil and had very low compression on No.1 cylinder. More smoke came out of the engine breather than out of the exhaust pipe, the water pump leaked and the gearbox jumped out of 2nd gear and occasionally out of 3rd. But apart from that it went quite well!! In 2016 restoration began in earnest. I removed the engine and gearbox and degreased and water blasted the whole horrible mess. After disassembly I wondered just what keeps XPAG engines going when in this condition. I discovered that No.1 piston had a bit missing, no top ring and the second ring was broken. No.2 piston also had a broken top ring. After removing the welsh plugs the lower gallery was found to be almost solid with sediment. The cylinder head was heavily coked but in reasonable 14 The Octagon - November 2017 condition. The head, block, crank and con rods were taken to Chilton Engineering in Deshon St., Woolloongabba. David Chilton was very helpful and also interested in things a little out of the ordinary. The crank and con rods were crack tested; however, the crank was found to be cracked. The block had previously been bored to 1390cc and I was advised not to bore it any further so it was sleeved back to the original +.040” approx 1290cc. The cylinder head was skimmed and hardened valve seats were fitted. It was David Wands at Abingdon Motors who put me in touch with an old T-type owner who had a second hand crankshaft at a reasonable price. I had this crack tested and found it to be O.K. and subsequently had it reground. On David Chilton’s advice I discovered that pistons were available from JP Pistons in South Australia. All the components were balanced by Chilton Engineering before they were returned to me for reassembly. A full set of valves, bearings, gaskets, a new water pump, timing chain and gearbox bearings were obtained from Abingdon Motors. I could have purchased these parts on the Internet from overseas myself but if we don’t support our local businesses they won’t be here in the future. During the time the machine work was being done I fell off a trail bike and broke my wrist, necessitating an operation to screw it back together and this put me out of action for about 3 months. So, although I had just about everything I needed I was unable to do very much towards reassembling the engine. Whilst fumbling about in the garage I thought that I should inspect the camshaft. I removed it from its oily rag and for the first time I noticed the difference in height of the cam lobes. I subsequently headed off to Tighe Cams at Wacol, I placed the cam on the counter and without any prompting they immediately identified this to be from a T-Type! When I enquired what could be done they said replacement was the best option and to my amazement they took one straight from the shelf and asked what grind I would like. It is incredible what they have there and what records they keep. Meanwhile my wrist was slowly improving so I thought why not
attack the gear box! I was aware that when removing the main shaft the sliding hub should not be allowed to move (a two handed operation), so I carefully proceeded but soon realized my weak left wrist did not have the strength or movement to hold the hub - with obvious consequences. I never did find all the balls and springs that flew all over the garage. Not to be deterred I took the second and third gears to be back ground at Zeneth Engineering at Milton. I could then reassemble the rest of the gearbox with new bearings and shims which were made to take up any excessive movement where necessary. I then welded the bell housing (which had had a piece broken out beside the clutch shaft for as long as I can remember) and fitted a new bronze bush. My aluminium welding leaves a lot to be desired but it hasn’t fallen out yet! The engine reassembly was fairly straight forward with particular attention paid to the clearance on the rear crankshaft scroll which, after 400 miles, hasn’t yet leaked. Next I removed the bottom radiator tank, cleaned the core and soldered it back in place then all was ready to go back in the car. The starter and generator were checked over by John Wellings Auto Electrics in Ipswich. John is a friend from the Historic Motor Cycle Club and is also interested in all things old. I also managed to get some 16” radial ply tyres from Vintage Tyre Sales near the Bribie Bridge and these have made a big difference to the steering and road holding after the hard cross plies which had been on the car for years. I have now done about 500 miles in the TC since getting it going again and it is running beautifully! I never intended to do any more than a mechanical rebuild, although the body and chassis could do with some attention (maybe in the future). However, for now I am happy to be driving it again. Terry, well done - for (i) getting your homework in on time, (ii) your engine reconstruction, (iii) your prose construction and (iv) your priority in purchasing an MG so soon after leaving high school. Overall rating - a VHA! Don’t forget that your next assignment is due on or before 30th December 2017. E. Swan/Hamilton The Octagon - November 2017 15
Page 1 and 2: Official Journal of the MG Car Club
Page 3 and 4: President’s Report It seems hard
Page 5 and 6: Notice Board The Clubrooms are open
Page 7 and 8: As cars gathered at the Clubrooms f
Page 9 and 10: Introducing our new Management Comm
Page 11 and 12: The standard Morris Cowley side val
Page 13: The Octagon - November 2017 13
Page 17 and 18: T-TYPE RUN -2017 By Lynn Jones; pho
Page 19 and 20: spot for friends old and new to swa
Page 21 and 22: September Midweek Run MG Car Club O
Page 23 and 24: Toowoomba, we dived off right on ou
Page 25 and 26: October Midweek Run Day Run October
Page 27 and 28: The Octagon - November 2017 27
Page 29 and 30: CHAPTER Chatter BUNDABERG & DISTRIC
Page 31 and 32: of Moorepark Beach for lunch at the
Page 33 and 34: CHAPTER Chatter CAPRICORN CHAPTER b
Page 37 and 38: CHAPTER Chatter DARLING DOWNS CHAPT
Page 39 and 40: Both of these towns form a rich par
Page 41 and 42: CHAPTER Chatter FAR NORTH QUEENSLAN
Page 43 and 44: John F’s Midget amongst the Sunfl
Page 45 and 46: Harvey and Kay Williams - Brown Min
Page 47 and 48: A trip along the Esplanade to Pt Ve
Page 49 and 50: all about! We arrived at the Bowls
Page 53 and 54: Competition Corner QUEENSLAND by Ac
Page 55 and 56: Photos below: Chris Johns took adva
Page 57 and 58: to enable Nathan to run again that

Octagon November, 2017

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