MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - MGA Guru in Alaska

As most here will be aware, the itinerant MGA Guru travels the continent in search of MGs to repair. But some may have wondered, where does the Guru go when his own MGA is in need of repair? As it turns out, he goes to my house. 8^)

Barney arrived in Anchorage a few days ago with his left front shock absorber held on by only 2 of the 4 bolts; the inboard aft had the threads in the frame stripped, and the inboard forward was broken off, with the stub remaining in the hole below the surface. Initial plans were made to tackle the repair on Monday morning, but he had to cancel due to rain, and I was unfortunately unable to offer him indoor space due to my garage being currently plugged up with stuff ( I recently moved into this house). Tuesday was right out due to the 4th of July parade (Barney joined the British Sports Cars Alaska crew in the parade), so we arranged to try again today (Wednesday).

The weather was great today, and the mosquitos not too bad at least for the first part of the day. Barney helicoiled the stripped thread, and then successfully drilled the broken stud, and turned it out with a screw extractor. A quick trip to the Ace hardware yielded 4 new grade 8 bolts, and the suspension was reassembled.



D Rawlins

Ready to re-install left front shock.



D Rawlins

Barney and Attitude in my driveway next to the M-Jeep.


D Rawlins

Between the suspension repair, replacing some other hardware on both car and trailer, and getting caught up on fluid changes and chassis grease, Barney and Elliot were here until early evening and I really enjoyed the visit and also looking over the gurumobile.

It was also interesting comparing the different approaches to making the same repair on an operational vehicle, versus one that has been stripped for restoration. My dad suffered a similar shock mounting failure back in the 60s that ended in a suspension collapse and roadside expedient installation of oversize studs. Decades later, I performed major surgery on the frame crossmember to remove the 3/8" thick plate that has the threaded holes, and weld in an undamaged piece sourced from a parts car frame. Some of the pics of that process are on Barney's site for those who may be interested.

-Del
D Rawlins

Barney never ceases to amaze me. This is his second trip to Alaska with the MGA, but that's another story!

George
George G.

250,000 or more miles takes it's toll.

Barney's legs disappearing under the beast in my driveway last year:

(Yes, there's a stand under there somewhere.)

MAndrus

Gee. That picture still has the fresh paint from April 2016. Doesn't look that goodt any more.

Try 525,000 miles takes it's toll. But this is the first time it has ever broken the suspension. Lucky it was just bolts and threads.

Running well now, and we are in Homer, AK this evening. Pretty much end of the road on the Kenai Peninsula, 235 miles out from Anchorage. Time for another fuel stop. The workshop we found out here appears to be permanently closed.
barneymg

We lived in Homer for a couple of years when I was little. Lots of good memories there riding around in the MGA with my dad.

-Del
D Rawlins

When are you going international, clearly the USA isn't big enough for you and the LBC!
Mike Ellsmore

Mike, have spoken with both Barney and John Twist at MGA events, and both are willing to be invited at the cost of a return airfare! John is now starting to travel the World to do his tune-up sessions, and already has done one in the UK, with another later this year. He would be a great attraction to a National here in OZ.
Gary Lock

We have already gone international.

On the way to Alaska we drove through British Columbia and Yukon, Canada. Spent a couple days near Chilliwack in southern BC June 26-28, headed north through BC on the 28-29th, went through YT on the 30th. In Alaska since July 1st, may spend a couple weeks here (big place).

Then mid July back south to Victoria, BC, followed by trans-Canada west to east, all the way to Gander, Newfoundland, maybe three months (as long as the weather holds up). We will be doing our best to visit all known MG and all-British car clubs and shops in Canada (as well as possible in time allowed). Then back into the U.S. and south for winter. There is the idea to maybe touch Cuba for a bit (but not likely). We have tentative plans for another summer of travel in North America in 2018.

I don't recall saying anything about air fare. If we go intercontinental I would like to take the MGA along and stay for a while. Australia is tempting, being the world's second largest assembler of MGA cars. Likewise South Africa, maybe, some day, being the world's third largest assembler of MGA cars. Merry Olde England is of course fairly high on the international priorities list.

We can't be everywhere at once. The bucket list keeps getting longer and more time consuming. Trying to attack the most productive projects first (and we are not done with the North American Shops list yet). Three years two months so far on this road trip is (as always) a good start, but is beginning to look like a drop in the bucket.
barneymg

Barney,

Since you are now going international, here is another for your shop bucket list. This past May I caught a glimpse of this MG shop sign whilst on a tour to the Roman aqueduct at Pont-du-Gard, France. The MG shop is east of Avignon on N100. Didn’t spy any MG’s in the yard.

Cheers, John


John Backman

Barney,

First up, love your site, thanks for all the effort.

As a British MGCC member living in Indonesia, hence close to Australia, I recommend you pursue your idea to take your MGA to Oz for a year, what a wonderful country with a phenomenal group of MG folk.

We have attended the last 2 Australian MG National Meetings {Perth 2016 and Adelaide 2017, this year with our MGA, owned for 42 years} and we have every intention to join the 2018 Natmeet in Tasmania.

Stay safe on the road..

Doug

Doug Wallace

This thread was discussed between 06/07/2017 and 08/07/2017

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGA BBS now