Oh for a supercharger!!
Monday, August 22, 2005
Long time no blogging
Blimey I cant believe that I haven't posted anything since June and its now August.
So what's been happening well Broken engine/Silverstone/fixing the B/Castlehill.
Broken Engine.
So I had a slight problem with the B. I broke the timing chain. Fortunately it happened when I was starting the car rather than at 6000rpms. The immediate damage appeared to be the chain and the lovely aluminum timing cover. At this point I then had to travel to Turin on business for two weeks leaving the car in a non working state was not pleasant. Off I went to Turin which was hot. I did manage to find a couple of bits that had been used in the Italian Job which was fun.
Also on that fateful weekend Tom Withers was over in his midget and we went for a spin in it and then Tom decided he was going to demonstrate some of the driving skills needed for Autotest. And promptly broke the diff! The midget was duly raised up on axle stands and left on the drive. Body count was 2 dead mg's 1 alive and I was going no where near kate's midget!!
Silverstone.
When I came back from Turin(no work comments on this blog) Silverstone was the following weekend and the car was still in bits. Tom had managed to clear his midget off the drive by changing the diff for a recon one from Summit. Richard Withers, Tom's father had very kindly agreed to let me double drive his car at Silverstone and I was set to drive Kates midget in the autotest on the Saturday. Tom drove over to our house on the Friday morning to pack up the cars and load anything extra into the Golf which I was driving up. Off we went. Nice drive and found a good camping pitch in the competitors camping area. We managed to create quite an enclave with Iain McDougall-Bell as well and also Ian Tapner . Weather at this point was good.
Friday we spent wandering around the stands and drinking a few beers, watching a bit of racing. Very nice time. It was after the BBQ that Tom and I decided to take Kates midget out to "practice" for the Autotest in the morning. We drove over to the nice empty carpark at the gates of Silverstone and I decided what I need to try was a doughnut in the midget as the B does them very nicely. 1 doughnut later and I had blown the diff. Got on the radio and asked Kate to come and rescue us in the golf. The response on the radio was controlled!!
Saturday morning I spent with Ian under the midget changing the diff for a 4.2 that we found on one of the stands(£35). Got the car ready for the sprint and calmed Kate down enough for her to compete the following day.
Sunday was WET WET WET. Actually it was really wet, so wet it felt like you were being hosed down from a firehose. The sprint was really a waste of time as it was almost too wet to drive in. But needless to say Richard and I both did one timed run in his B and called it quits. We went back to the campsite and packed everything up and got wetter. Then headed home.
Fixing the B.
I managed to get all the parts needed to fix the B and Tom came over and we dialed in the cam shaft without taking the head off the engine.Which with hindsight probably wasn't the right thing to do. As the car isn'tt quite perfect. It is still quick but not A1. We did it correctly and took our time over it and didn't rush and checked and rechecked everything before we moved onto the next step. A good day and lovely to have the car drivable again.
Castlehill.
Long drive down to Cornwall for this hill climb but a hill worth traveling to. Kate and I had decided to compete on both days of the weekend and this was great fun.
Saturday was a bit wet but good practice. And then a few beers in the evening with friends, which is always good.
Sunday and it was close between Richard, Mike and myself however Mike beat Richard by 5/100thss of a second. Well done Mike and never mind Richard.Ii was off the time buy about a second and a bit. (cam not quite perfect, should have taken the head off)
Nice drive home on the Monday which only took about three hours compared to the five and a half it took to get down there.
Next?
Next is Wiscomb hill climb which I am not competing in as I think the B is also losing compression so I am not going to push it and I will save the engine for Castle Coomb at the end of the season instead. But I will be spannering for Kate as she attempts the hill for her first time.
Photos to follow and thanks for getting this far!
So what's been happening well Broken engine/Silverstone/fixing the B/Castlehill.
Broken Engine.
So I had a slight problem with the B. I broke the timing chain. Fortunately it happened when I was starting the car rather than at 6000rpms. The immediate damage appeared to be the chain and the lovely aluminum timing cover. At this point I then had to travel to Turin on business for two weeks leaving the car in a non working state was not pleasant. Off I went to Turin which was hot. I did manage to find a couple of bits that had been used in the Italian Job which was fun.
Also on that fateful weekend Tom Withers was over in his midget and we went for a spin in it and then Tom decided he was going to demonstrate some of the driving skills needed for Autotest. And promptly broke the diff! The midget was duly raised up on axle stands and left on the drive. Body count was 2 dead mg's 1 alive and I was going no where near kate's midget!!
Silverstone.
When I came back from Turin(no work comments on this blog) Silverstone was the following weekend and the car was still in bits. Tom had managed to clear his midget off the drive by changing the diff for a recon one from Summit. Richard Withers, Tom's father had very kindly agreed to let me double drive his car at Silverstone and I was set to drive Kates midget in the autotest on the Saturday. Tom drove over to our house on the Friday morning to pack up the cars and load anything extra into the Golf which I was driving up. Off we went. Nice drive and found a good camping pitch in the competitors camping area. We managed to create quite an enclave with Iain McDougall-Bell as well and also Ian Tapner . Weather at this point was good.
Friday we spent wandering around the stands and drinking a few beers, watching a bit of racing. Very nice time. It was after the BBQ that Tom and I decided to take Kates midget out to "practice" for the Autotest in the morning. We drove over to the nice empty carpark at the gates of Silverstone and I decided what I need to try was a doughnut in the midget as the B does them very nicely. 1 doughnut later and I had blown the diff. Got on the radio and asked Kate to come and rescue us in the golf. The response on the radio was controlled!!
Saturday morning I spent with Ian under the midget changing the diff for a 4.2 that we found on one of the stands(£35). Got the car ready for the sprint and calmed Kate down enough for her to compete the following day.
Sunday was WET WET WET. Actually it was really wet, so wet it felt like you were being hosed down from a firehose. The sprint was really a waste of time as it was almost too wet to drive in. But needless to say Richard and I both did one timed run in his B and called it quits. We went back to the campsite and packed everything up and got wetter. Then headed home.
Fixing the B.
I managed to get all the parts needed to fix the B and Tom came over and we dialed in the cam shaft without taking the head off the engine.Which with hindsight probably wasn't the right thing to do. As the car isn'tt quite perfect. It is still quick but not A1. We did it correctly and took our time over it and didn't rush and checked and rechecked everything before we moved onto the next step. A good day and lovely to have the car drivable again.
Castlehill.
Long drive down to Cornwall for this hill climb but a hill worth traveling to. Kate and I had decided to compete on both days of the weekend and this was great fun.
Saturday was a bit wet but good practice. And then a few beers in the evening with friends, which is always good.
Sunday and it was close between Richard, Mike and myself however Mike beat Richard by 5/100thss of a second. Well done Mike and never mind Richard.Ii was off the time buy about a second and a bit. (cam not quite perfect, should have taken the head off)
Nice drive home on the Monday which only took about three hours compared to the five and a half it took to get down there.
Next?
Next is Wiscomb hill climb which I am not competing in as I think the B is also losing compression so I am not going to push it and I will save the engine for Castle Coomb at the end of the season instead. But I will be spannering for Kate as she attempts the hill for her first time.
Photos to follow and thanks for getting this far!
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Lydden...Gurston.... Festival of Speed.
Blimey been really busy so sorry for the lack of up date.
So last weekend was Lydden Sprint and Gurston Down hill climb. Both scorchingly hot days strangley the aircon in the B doesnt seem to work must be because it isnt fitted!
Anyway what happened was a brilliant couple of days eventing with good friends. Did my fastest time ever at both venues as did Kate in the midget, which is going like the clappers!
Lydden I really figured it was in the bag but Mike Cole beat me by 4 tenths of a second in the final run, Drat but well done Mike. A really great days competition and I still got an award for fourth in class.
Gurston was another scorcher. And another fab day. Went really well but couldnt catch Richard Withers on the last run he edged past me by 2 tenths of a second, which was what he was beating me by after the 64ft time. I really must practice my starts. Because on the first timed run we did an identical time.
So this brings me to this weekend and yesterday. Got a phone call from a mate asking if Kate and I would like to go the Festival of speed at Goodwood house. Do bears sh%t in the woods? Of course we would love to go.
So off we went yesterday and there were some amazing cars which I will publish some photos of. And another great day of motorsport.
Next weekend... we are sprinting at Goodwood race circuit. It'd free entry so why not come down and watch I am car number 55.
So last weekend was Lydden Sprint and Gurston Down hill climb. Both scorchingly hot days strangley the aircon in the B doesnt seem to work must be because it isnt fitted!
Anyway what happened was a brilliant couple of days eventing with good friends. Did my fastest time ever at both venues as did Kate in the midget, which is going like the clappers!
Lydden I really figured it was in the bag but Mike Cole beat me by 4 tenths of a second in the final run, Drat but well done Mike. A really great days competition and I still got an award for fourth in class.
Gurston was another scorcher. And another fab day. Went really well but couldnt catch Richard Withers on the last run he edged past me by 2 tenths of a second, which was what he was beating me by after the 64ft time. I really must practice my starts. Because on the first timed run we did an identical time.
So this brings me to this weekend and yesterday. Got a phone call from a mate asking if Kate and I would like to go the Festival of speed at Goodwood house. Do bears sh%t in the woods? Of course we would love to go.
So off we went yesterday and there were some amazing cars which I will publish some photos of. And another great day of motorsport.
Next weekend... we are sprinting at Goodwood race circuit. It'd free entry so why not come down and watch I am car number 55.
Friday, June 17, 2005
Preparation...........the weekend awaits.
So i have done quite a few modifications to both the B and midget over the past couple of weeks. hopefully these will prove effective on the track this weekend as we have lydden in dover on saturday and Gurston down in Salisbury on sunday.
B changes.
So I had a bit of a disaster last week with the B when i found at the rolling road that she was only running on three cyclinders. Had a panic drive home fearing the worst and dreading what i might find when i stripped the head off. Thankfully i found that it was only the exhaust valve not seating correctly on number 2 cyclinder so a quick trip up to SummitMG on saturday morning to relap the valve in. (Thanks Ian and Gary). Then whizz home to rebuild the engine. Had her up and running by the afternoon. Now it really flys!
Midget mods.
Decided to try the HIF44 carbs that were on the B prior to the weber installation. Teehee!! totally daft now goes like stink and Kate has got hold of a new exhaust which will be fitted before the weekend to allow it to breathe smoother.
Again fingers crossed for a dry warm successful weekend.
I will let you know what happens.
B changes.
So I had a bit of a disaster last week with the B when i found at the rolling road that she was only running on three cyclinders. Had a panic drive home fearing the worst and dreading what i might find when i stripped the head off. Thankfully i found that it was only the exhaust valve not seating correctly on number 2 cyclinder so a quick trip up to SummitMG on saturday morning to relap the valve in. (Thanks Ian and Gary). Then whizz home to rebuild the engine. Had her up and running by the afternoon. Now it really flys!
Midget mods.
Decided to try the HIF44 carbs that were on the B prior to the weber installation. Teehee!! totally daft now goes like stink and Kate has got hold of a new exhaust which will be fitted before the weekend to allow it to breathe smoother.
Again fingers crossed for a dry warm successful weekend.
I will let you know what happens.
Monday, May 30, 2005
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Off my rocker!
Ok so having now had the car finished and put back together I felt i should take it up to show my sponsors www.summitmg.co.uk what has been done to the car. So I got up early this morning and washed and polished the car to a beautiful shine. Also managed to wash the midget before Kate left in it for work. Told you it was early!
Anyway so I figured let the traffic die down and have a fun drive upto maidenhead after the rush, so with that in mind I left around ten and headed up the M3 not at too silly a speed just going with the flow!! I got to Basingstoke and realised that I didnt have enough fuel to get me to the services so decided to get some in B'stoke. Pulled off the motorway and stopped at the roundabout and there was the most alarming noise coming from the engine bay and the car was only running on three cylinders. Oh I was soo happy! Pulled up in a side road and with some hesitation took the bonnet off. What damage awaited me? Well to start with it looked like nothing too major, all the bits that attach to the engine were fine ..... uhoh this means its internal oh God what have I done.
I then removed the rocker cover to check the valves were all in place(Jim this is the shiny bit on top of the engine!) So they looked OK but on closer inspection the end exhaust valve rocker was broken. Bugger! This explained why the car was only running on three.
Quick call on the mobile to Kate at her office and I was heading home in her car to get a spare rocker shaft that I had in the garage. (Ok so for those of you who dont know what a rocker shaft is its the bit that opens and closes the valves of the engine to allow it to run correctly it is controlled by another bit in the engine...)
Got home, got rocker, back to car and remove broken shaft and refit new one all at the side of the road..what fun I was having! Then back home to set the clearances correctly. car now working correctly!
Never did get upto madenhead maybe tomorrow............
Anyway so I figured let the traffic die down and have a fun drive upto maidenhead after the rush, so with that in mind I left around ten and headed up the M3 not at too silly a speed just going with the flow!! I got to Basingstoke and realised that I didnt have enough fuel to get me to the services so decided to get some in B'stoke. Pulled off the motorway and stopped at the roundabout and there was the most alarming noise coming from the engine bay and the car was only running on three cylinders. Oh I was soo happy! Pulled up in a side road and with some hesitation took the bonnet off. What damage awaited me? Well to start with it looked like nothing too major, all the bits that attach to the engine were fine ..... uhoh this means its internal oh God what have I done.
I then removed the rocker cover to check the valves were all in place(Jim this is the shiny bit on top of the engine!) So they looked OK but on closer inspection the end exhaust valve rocker was broken. Bugger! This explained why the car was only running on three.
Quick call on the mobile to Kate at her office and I was heading home in her car to get a spare rocker shaft that I had in the garage. (Ok so for those of you who dont know what a rocker shaft is its the bit that opens and closes the valves of the engine to allow it to run correctly it is controlled by another bit in the engine...)
Got home, got rocker, back to car and remove broken shaft and refit new one all at the side of the road..what fun I was having! Then back home to set the clearances correctly. car now working correctly!
Never did get upto madenhead maybe tomorrow............
Monday, April 11, 2005
Rushmoor Arena
Spent today at Rushmoor Arena with the Farnborough and District Motor Club. Fantastic day even though I wasnt driving, due to the deer damage. So spent most of the day helping Ian with his Bgt and all the other guys in the MGCC Speed Championship.
I will definately do this sprint next year as it seems quite technical and a lot of fun. The course is the shape of a capital A. With you starting at the bottom left of the leg and coming across the middle up to the top and down to the middle then across and down the right leg. All on quite a bumpy cambered tarmac road.
Well I have also put up some pictures of the day. Enjoy.
I will definately do this sprint next year as it seems quite technical and a lot of fun. The course is the shape of a capital A. With you starting at the bottom left of the leg and coming across the middle up to the top and down to the middle then across and down the right leg. All on quite a bumpy cambered tarmac road.
Well I have also put up some pictures of the day. Enjoy.
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
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