Re: aluminum blocks and other mods

[mrbadger]

It is certainly not my intent to attack TATerry or anyone else
personally and I will be very pleased to make some positive comments
based on my 40 years experience driving a TC. Back around the time that
I bought my TC which was the spring of 1960, it was not at all uncommon
to see TCs, TDs, even pre-war cars in daily everyday use or parked on
the street much as you might see an MGB in use today, I did a little
racing and I used to hang out at the old Thompson race track in the N.E.
corner of Connecticut and others, I remember there were a couple of guys
who had put Ford V-8 60s into their TCs, other popular conversions were
Triumph and Volvo engines. While these cars mostly went faster than the
stock ones, I noticed that these well intentioned attempts at
"improvement" ultimately hastened these "better" cars arrival at the
local scrap yard, I well remember the rows of butchered TCs and TDs at
Stuckey's junkyard in Staten Island, NY during the mid 1960s, of course,
some of them were eventually restored back to their original
configuration also. The point that I am trying to make here is that by
re-designing/re-engineering/updating/modernizing/ a major component of
one's MG, while I'm sure one's intentions are honorable, just as were
the intentions of those guys "updating" and "improving" their cars with
V8-60s and while the car may seem to be better off for a while, in the
end, you will have something that is certainly no longer an MG and
probably less than an MG. I would like to make it clear at this point
that I am not just addressing the issue of aluminum blocks but also to
all the other mods I have been reading about such as mods to wheel
bearings, spindles, steering, lighting, electrical, timber framing, and
others.
I don't believe that we actually own our old cars, I believe that we are
really acting as temporary custodians to a little piece of history and
as such, it behooves us to maintain the original design integrity and
not to alter it on personal whim or to satisfy an ego. I believe we owe
that to history and to the future "owners" of our cars.
Derek Durst

TATERRY@aol.com wrote:

> Derek, you know we've done business on Ebay....and recently...however if you
> are not interested in a alloy block, why not just continue to lurk on the
> list...why do you have to attack me? You have never surfaced before on this
> list...why now?
> Instead, why don't you say some positive things MG wise so that we all might
> learn from your 40 years of TC driving? I bought my first MG in 1957, TC in
> 1962...I know whats out there...and FYI, I've had a LOT of interest in the
> possibility of a new bare block...so just back off.
> Terry

[Skip Kelsey]

Derek:

I think that we went thru this thread with a gentleman from Cape Town. I
dont think anyone has the right to be critical of someone elses way of
thinking about their car, and its mods. I like the saying "Safety Fast",
which was coined by MG in the early days. Those were the folks that were
always striving for improvements to their cars. I have owned my "T" MG
since 1960. I have made several mods to it, so that its reliabilty will be
enhanced. I have put 128,000 miles on it, and itrs a long way from the
"junkyard". This thing about being custodians, is in my opinion, a lot of
horse dung. It is my car, and by god I will drive it and maintain to my likes.
Lets have more positive input please!!!

Cheers:

Skip Kelsey.....................


At 02:18 PM 3/4/00 -0500, mrbadger wrote:

>It is certainly not my intent to attack TATerry or anyone else
>personally and I will be very pleased to make some positive comments
>based on my 40 years experience driving a TC. Back around the time that
>I bought my TC which was the spring of 1960, it was not at all uncommon
>to see TCs, TDs, even pre-war cars in daily everyday use or parked on
>the street much as you might see an MGB in use today, I did a little
>racing and I used to hang out at the old Thompson race track in the N.E.
>corner of Connecticut and others, I remember there were a couple of guys
>who had put Ford V-8 60s into their TCs, other popular conversions were
>Triumph and Volvo engines. While these cars mostly went faster than the
>stock ones, I noticed that these well intentioned attempts at
>"improvement" ultimately hastened these "better" cars arrival at the
>local scrap yard, I well remember the rows of butchered TCs and TDs at
>Stuckey's junkyard in Staten Island, NY during the mid 1960s, of course,
>some of them were eventually restored back to their original
>configuration also. The point that I am trying to make here is that by
>re-designing/re-engineering/updating/modernizing/ a major component of
>one's MG, while I'm sure one's intentions are honorable, just as were
>the intentions of those guys "updating" and "improving" their cars with
>V8-60s and while the car may seem to be better off for a while, in the
>end, you will have something that is certainly no longer an MG and
>probably less than an MG. I would like to make it clear at this point
>that I am not just addressing the issue of aluminum blocks but also to
>all the other mods I have been reading about such as mods to wheel
>bearings, spindles, steering, lighting, electrical, timber framing, and
>others.
>I don't believe that we actually own our old cars, I believe that we are
>really acting as temporary custodians to a little piece of history and
>as such, it behooves us to maintain the original design integrity and
>not to alter it on personal whim or to satisfy an ego. I believe we owe
>that to history and to the future "owners" of our cars.
>Derek Durst
>
>TATERRY@aol.com wrote:
>
>> Derek, you know we've done business on Ebay....and recently...however if

you

>> are not interested in a alloy block, why not just continue to lurk on the
>> list...why do you have to attack me? You have never surfaced before on

this

>> list...why now?
>> Instead, why don't you say some positive things MG wise so that we all

might

>> learn from your 40 years of TC driving? I bought my first MG in 1957,

TC in

>> 1962...I know whats out there...and FYI, I've had a LOT of interest in the
>> possibility of a new bare block...so just back off.
>> Terry
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>-- 20 megs of disk space in your group's Document Vault
>-- http://www.egroups.com/docvault/mg-tabc/?m=1
>
>
>
>

[mrbadger]

Greetings Skip.
Let me clarify by saying that, certainly, you or anyone else has every
right to modify his or her own car in any way that he or she sees fit
but please, lets understand that, once modified, it will no longer be an
MG. Now I'm not talking about precisely the exact right original color
or precisely the exact original size of the rear window, (although these
things are also important), I'm talking about the kind of radical
alterations that I have seen recently discussed such as a radical change
in the material of which the engine block is made or installation of a
Nissan steering box, or a re-engineering of a portion of the suspension
system. I have a great appreciation for a really good hot rod, in many
ways it is more difficult to come up with a truly successful hot rod
than it is to do a proper restoration. (I've done both), but let's
understand the difference. Once the original, factory, mechanical
design integrity of the car has been breached, it may be a wonderful and
a very fine car indeed, and it may or may not still look like and MG,
but it is NOT an MG.
Derek Durst

Skip Kelsey wrote:

>
> Derek:
>
> I think that we went thru this thread with a gentleman from Cape Town. I
> dont think anyone has the right to be critical of someone elses way of
> thinking about their car, and its mods. I like the saying "Safety Fast",
> which was coined by MG in the early days. Those were the folks that were
> always striving for improvements to their cars. I have owned my "T" MG
> since 1960. I have made several mods to it, so that its reliabilty will be
> enhanced. I have put 128,000 miles on it, and itrs a long way from the
> "junkyard". This thing about being custodians, is in my opinion, a lot of
> horse dung. It is my car, and by god I will drive it and maintain to my likes.
> Lets have more positive input please!!!
>
> Cheers:
>
> Skip Kelsey.....................
>
> At 02:18 PM 3/4/00 -0500, mrbadger wrote:
> >It is certainly not my intent to attack TATerry or anyone else
> >personally and I will be very pleased to make some positive comments
> >based on my 40 years experience driving a TC. Back around the time that
> >I bought my TC which was the spring of 1960, it was not at all uncommon
> >to see TCs, TDs, even pre-war cars in daily everyday use or parked on
> >the street much as you might see an MGB in use today, I did a little
> >racing and I used to hang out at the old Thompson race track in the N.E.
> >corner of Connecticut and others, I remember there were a couple of guys
> >who had put Ford V-8 60s into their TCs, other popular conversions were
> >Triumph and Volvo engines. While these cars mostly went faster than the
> >stock ones, I noticed that these well intentioned attempts at
> >"improvement" ultimately hastened these "better" cars arrival at the
> >local scrap yard, I well remember the rows of butchered TCs and TDs at
> >Stuckey's junkyard in Staten Island, NY during the mid 1960s, of course,
> >some of them were eventually restored back to their original
> >configuration also. The point that I am trying to make here is that by
> >re-designing/re-engineering/updating/modernizing/ a major component of
> >one's MG, while I'm sure one's intentions are honorable, just as were
> >the intentions of those guys "updating" and "improving" their cars with
> >V8-60s and while the car may seem to be better off for a while, in the
> >end, you will have something that is certainly no longer an MG and
> >probably less than an MG. I would like to make it clear at this point
> >that I am not just addressing the issue of aluminum blocks but also to
> >all the other mods I have been reading about such as mods to wheel
> >bearings, spindles, steering, lighting, electrical, timber framing, and
> >others.
> >I don't believe that we actually own our old cars, I believe that we are
> >really acting as temporary custodians to a little piece of history and
> >as such, it behooves us to maintain the original design integrity and
> >not to alter it on personal whim or to satisfy an ego. I believe we owe
> >that to history and to the future "owners" of our cars.
> >Derek Durst
> >
> >TATERRY@aol.com wrote:
> >
> >> Derek, you know we've done business on Ebay....and recently...however if
> you
> >> are not interested in a alloy block, why not just continue to lurk on the
> >> list...why do you have to attack me? You have never surfaced before on
> this
> >> list...why now?
> >> Instead, why don't you say some positive things MG wise so that we all
> might
> >> learn from your 40 years of TC driving? I bought my first MG in 1957,
> TC in
> >> 1962...I know whats out there...and FYI, I've had a LOT of interest in the
> >> possibility of a new bare block...so just back off.
> >> Terry
> >
> >------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >-- 20 megs of disk space in your group's Document Vault
> >-- http://www.egroups.com/docvault/mg-tabc/?m=1
> >
> >
> >
> >

[Andreas Pichler]

Hmmm...I understand Mr Badger. But on the other hand, I have a certain
feeling while, using a classic car. You are driving it. You exactly know
how to improve this special car. You cant withstand...aluminium
cylinder hand, improved shock absorbers...you are buying everything MOSS
will sell you.
Then you have the perfect car. But its no more a classic car. Therefore
you buy another, old unrestored classic car...vicious circle.
My receipe? You need two cars, at least. I have an MGTD, pretty
original, well restored (John Davis/Bob Luebbert). This is my claasic
car. No modifications. For every day use, there is an MGA, 5 speed box
and all the stuff. Possible to build it back. And if I want to have
really much power - there is a HERTZ car rental at every airport
To become serious: If a modification is re-buildable - why not?
Otherwise - buy a modern car.
(These PORSCHES or so - buy the way, did any gentleman studied the list
of the LE JOG gold medal winners...)?
Regards,
Andreas

[Skip Kelsey]

Derek:

You certainly have a right to your opinion, and can do or not do anything
that you want to your car. But to flatly state that if I improve the
steering, by installing a Datsun steering box in a TC, then it is no longer
an MG is laughable. I agree that major engine swaps and the like are not
the way to go, but to make the car safer to drive is acceptable. I do not
feel that this will turn it into a "hot rod".


Cheers;

Skip.....................




At 04:05 PM 3/4/00 -0500, mrbadger wrote:

>Greetings Skip.
>Let me clarify by saying that, certainly, you or anyone else has every
>right to modify his or her own car in any way that he or she sees fit
>but please, lets understand that, once modified, it will no longer be an
>MG. Now I'm not talking about precisely the exact right original color
>or precisely the exact original size of the rear window, (although these
>things are also important), I'm talking about the kind of radical
>alterations that I have seen recently discussed such as a radical change
>in the material of which the engine block is made or installation of a
>Nissan steering box, or a re-engineering of a portion of the suspension
>system. I have a great appreciation for a really good hot rod, in many
>ways it is more difficult to come up with a truly successful hot rod
>than it is to do a proper restoration. (I've done both), but let's
>understand the difference. Once the original, factory, mechanical
>design integrity of the car has been breached, it may be a wonderful and
>a very fine car indeed, and it may or may not still look like and MG,
>but it is NOT an MG.
>Derek Durst
>
>Skip Kelsey wrote:
>>
>> Derek:
>>
>> I think that we went thru this thread with a gentleman from Cape Town. I
>> dont think anyone has the right to be critical of someone elses way of
>> thinking about their car, and its mods. I like the saying "Safety Fast",
>> which was coined by MG in the early days. Those were the folks that were
>> always striving for improvements to their cars. I have owned my "T" MG
>> since 1960. I have made several mods to it, so that its reliabilty will be
>> enhanced. I have put 128,000 miles on it, and itrs a long way from the
>> "junkyard". This thing about being custodians, is in my opinion, a lot of
>> horse dung. It is my car, and by god I will drive it and maintain to my

likes.

>> Lets have more positive input please!!!
>>
>> Cheers:
>>
>> Skip Kelsey.....................
>>
>> At 02:18 PM 3/4/00 -0500, mrbadger wrote:
>> >It is certainly not my intent to attack TATerry or anyone else
>> >personally and I will be very pleased to make some positive comments
>> >based on my 40 years experience driving a TC. Back around the time that
>> >I bought my TC which was the spring of 1960, it was not at all uncommon
>> >to see TCs, TDs, even pre-war cars in daily everyday use or parked on
>> >the street much as you might see an MGB in use today, I did a little
>> >racing and I used to hang out at the old Thompson race track in the N.E.
>> >corner of Connecticut and others, I remember there were a couple of guys
>> >who had put Ford V-8 60s into their TCs, other popular conversions were
>> >Triumph and Volvo engines. While these cars mostly went faster than the
>> >stock ones, I noticed that these well intentioned attempts at
>> >"improvement" ultimately hastened these "better" cars arrival at the
>> >local scrap yard, I well remember the rows of butchered TCs and TDs at
>> >Stuckey's junkyard in Staten Island, NY during the mid 1960s, of course,
>> >some of them were eventually restored back to their original
>> >configuration also. The point that I am trying to make here is that by
>> >re-designing/re-engineering/updating/modernizing/ a major component of
>> >one's MG, while I'm sure one's intentions are honorable, just as were
>> >the intentions of those guys "updating" and "improving" their cars with
>> >V8-60s and while the car may seem to be better off for a while, in the
>> >end, you will have something that is certainly no longer an MG and
>> >probably less than an MG. I would like to make it clear at this point
>> >that I am not just addressing the issue of aluminum blocks but also to
>> >all the other mods I have been reading about such as mods to wheel
>> >bearings, spindles, steering, lighting, electrical, timber framing, and
>> >others.
>> >I don't believe that we actually own our old cars, I believe that we are
>> >really acting as temporary custodians to a little piece of history and
>> >as such, it behooves us to maintain the original design integrity and
>> >not to alter it on personal whim or to satisfy an ego. I believe we owe
>> >that to history and to the future "owners" of our cars.
>> >Derek Durst
>> >
>> >TATERRY@aol.com wrote:
>> >
>> >> Derek, you know we've done business on Ebay....and recently...however if
>> you
>> >> are not interested in a alloy block, why not just continue to lurk on

the

>> >> list...why do you have to attack me? You have never surfaced before on
>> this
>> >> list...why now?
>> >> Instead, why don't you say some positive things MG wise so that we all
>> might
>> >> learn from your 40 years of TC driving? I bought my first MG in 1957,
>> TC in
>> >> 1962...I know whats out there...and FYI, I've had a LOT of interest

in the

>> >> possibility of a new bare block...so just back off.
>> >> Terry
>> >
>> >------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> >-- 20 megs of disk space in your group's Document Vault
>> >-- http://www.egroups.com/docvault/mg-tabc/?m=1
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>eGroups.com home: http://www.egroups.com/group/mg-tabc
>http://www.egroups.com - Simplifying group communications
>
>
>
>
>
>

[mrbadger]

Why stop with the Datsun steering box? If safety is your ultimate goal,
I can think of lots of changes you could make! How about anti-lock
brakes, airbags, collapsible steering column, disc brakes with power
assist, lo-pro radial tires, but if you go that far, you might as well
just bolt on a Camaro front sub frame, a chrome Jag IRS unit and drop in
a small block! Hey, what the hell, you could still call it an MG if you
want to, I don't care.
Happy motoring! Derek

>

Skip Kelsey wrote:

>
> Derek:
>
> You certainly have a right to your opinion, and can do or not do anything
> that you want to your car. But to flatly state that if I improve the
> steering, by installing a Datsun steering box in a TC, then it is no longer
> an MG is laughable. I agree that major engine swaps and the like are not
> the way to go, but to make the car safer to drive is acceptable. I do not
> feel that this will turn it into a "hot rod".
>
> Cheers;
>
> Skip.....................
>
> At 04:05 PM 3/4/00 -0500, mrbadger wrote:
> >Greetings Skip.
> >Let me clarify by saying that, certainly, you or anyone else has every
> >right to modify his or her own car in any way that he or she sees fit
> >but please, lets understand that, once modified, it will no longer be an
> >MG. Now I'm not talking about precisely the exact right original color
> >or precisely the exact original size of the rear window, (although these
> >things are also important), I'm talking about the kind of radical
> >alterations that I have seen recently discussed such as a radical change
> >in the material of which the engine block is made or installation of a
> >Nissan steering box, or a re-engineering of a portion of the suspension
> >system. I have a great appreciation for a really good hot rod, in many
> >ways it is more difficult to come up with a truly successful hot rod
> >than it is to do a proper restoration. (I've done both), but let's
> >understand the difference. Once the original, factory, mechanical
> >design integrity of the car has been breached, it may be a wonderful and
> >a very fine car indeed, and it may or may not still look like and MG,
> >but it is NOT an MG.
> >Derek Durst
> >
> >Skip Kelsey wrote:
> >>
> >> Derek:
> >>
> >> I think that we went thru this thread with a gentleman from Cape Town. I
> >> dont think anyone has the right to be critical of someone elses way of
> >> thinking about their car, and its mods. I like the saying "Safety Fast",
> >> which was coined by MG in the early days. Those were the folks that were
> >> always striving for improvements to their cars. I have owned my "T" MG
> >> since 1960. I have made several mods to it, so that its reliabilty will be
> >> enhanced. I have put 128,000 miles on it, and itrs a long way from the
> >> "junkyard". This thing about being custodians, is in my opinion, a lot of
> >> horse dung. It is my car, and by god I will drive it and maintain to my
> likes.
> >> Lets have more positive input please!!!
> >>
> >> Cheers:
> >>
> >> Skip Kelsey.....................
> >>
> >> At 02:18 PM 3/4/00 -0500, mrbadger wrote:
> >> >It is certainly not my intent to attack TATerry or anyone else
> >> >personally and I will be very pleased to make some positive comments
> >> >based on my 40 years experience driving a TC. Back around the time that
> >> >I bought my TC which was the spring of 1960, it was not at all uncommon
> >> >to see TCs, TDs, even pre-war cars in daily everyday use or parked on
> >> >the street much as you might see an MGB in use today, I did a little
> >> >racing and I used to hang out at the old Thompson race track in the N.E.
> >> >corner of Connecticut and others, I remember there were a couple of guys
> >> >who had put Ford V-8 60s into their TCs, other popular conversions were
> >> >Triumph and Volvo engines. While these cars mostly went faster than the
> >> >stock ones, I noticed that these well intentioned attempts at
> >> >"improvement" ultimately hastened these "better" cars arrival at the
> >> >local scrap yard, I well remember the rows of butchered TCs and TDs at
> >> >Stuckey's junkyard in Staten Island, NY during the mid 1960s, of course,
> >> >some of them were eventually restored back to their original
> >> >configuration also. The point that I am trying to make here is that by
> >> >re-designing/re-engineering/updating/modernizing/ a major component of
> >> >one's MG, while I'm sure one's intentions are honorable, just as were
> >> >the intentions of those guys "updating" and "improving" their cars with
> >> >V8-60s and while the car may seem to be better off for a while, in the
> >> >end, you will have something that is certainly no longer an MG and
> >> >probably less than an MG. I would like to make it clear at this point
> >> >that I am not just addressing the issue of aluminum blocks but also to
> >> >all the other mods I have been reading about such as mods to wheel
> >> >bearings, spindles, steering, lighting, electrical, timber framing, and
> >> >others.
> >> >I don't believe that we actually own our old cars, I believe that we are
> >> >really acting as temporary custodians to a little piece of history and
> >> >as such, it behooves us to maintain the original design integrity and
> >> >not to alter it on personal whim or to satisfy an ego. I believe we owe
> >> >that to history and to the future "owners" of our cars.
> >> >Derek Durst
> >> >
> >> >TATERRY@aol.com wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> Derek, you know we've done business on Ebay....and recently...however if
> >> you
> >> >> are not interested in a alloy block, why not just continue to lurk on
> the
> >> >> list...why do you have to attack me? You have never surfaced before on
> >> this
> >> >> list...why now?
> >> >> Instead, why don't you say some positive things MG wise so that we all
> >> might
> >> >> learn from your 40 years of TC driving? I bought my first MG in 1957,
> >> TC in
> >> >> 1962...I know whats out there...and FYI, I've had a LOT of interest
> in the
> >> >> possibility of a new bare block...so just back off.
> >> >> Terry
> >> >
> >> >------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >> >-- 20 megs of disk space in your group's Document Vault
> >> >-- http://www.egroups.com/docvault/mg-tabc/?m=1
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >
> >------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> >eGroups.com home: http://www.egroups.com/group/mg-tabc
> >http://www.egroups.com - Simplifying group communications
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >

[AJChalmers@aol.com]

If it was an 8c2300 Alfa I could understand the pur sang thing, but these
cars of ours, to keep driving in California anyway, had better be up to it,
and that means freeway speeds and safety.

[Jim Silva]

I can only hope that you can have a more open mind when the doctor recommends a
pacemaker for you or someone that you care for, get a grip they are only a bunch of
assembled parts, they really don't have a soul!!

mrbadger wrote:

> Why stop with the Datsun steering box? If safety is your ultimate goal,
> I can think of lots of changes you could make! How about anti-lock
> brakes, airbags, collapsible steering column, disc brakes with power
> assist, lo-pro radial tires, but if you go that far, you might as well
> just bolt on a Camaro front sub frame, a chrome Jag IRS unit and drop in
> a small block! Hey, what the hell, you could still call it an MG if you
> want to, I don't care.
> Happy motoring! Derek
>
> >
>
> Skip Kelsey wrote:
> >
> > Derek:
> >
> > You certainly have a right to your opinion, and can do or not do anything
> > that you want to your car. But to flatly state that if I improve the
> > steering, by installing a Datsun steering box in a TC, then it is no longer
> > an MG is laughable. I agree that major engine swaps and the like are not
> > the way to go, but to make the car safer to drive is acceptable. I do not
> > feel that this will turn it into a "hot rod".
> >
> > Cheers;
> >
> > Skip.....................
> >
> > At 04:05 PM 3/4/00 -0500, mrbadger wrote:
> > >Greetings Skip.
> > >Let me clarify by saying that, certainly, you or anyone else has every
> > >right to modify his or her own car in any way that he or she sees fit
> > >but please, lets understand that, once modified, it will no longer be an
> > >MG. Now I'm not talking about precisely the exact right original color
> > >or precisely the exact original size of the rear window, (although these
> > >things are also important), I'm talking about the kind of radical
> > >alterations that I have seen recently discussed such as a radical change
> > >in the material of which the engine block is made or installation of a
> > >Nissan steering box, or a re-engineering of a portion of the suspension
> > >system. I have a great appreciation for a really good hot rod, in many
> > >ways it is more difficult to come up with a truly successful hot rod
> > >than it is to do a proper restoration. (I've done both), but let's
> > >understand the difference. Once the original, factory, mechanical
> > >design integrity of the car has been breached, it may be a wonderful and
> > >a very fine car indeed, and it may or may not still look like and MG,
> > >but it is NOT an MG.
> > >Derek Durst
> > >
> > >Skip Kelsey wrote:
> > >>
> > >> Derek:
> > >>
> > >> I think that we went thru this thread with a gentleman from Cape Town. I
> > >> dont think anyone has the right to be critical of someone elses way of
> > >> thinking about their car, and its mods. I like the saying "Safety Fast",
> > >> which was coined by MG in the early days. Those were the folks that were
> > >> always striving for improvements to their cars. I have owned my "T" MG
> > >> since 1960. I have made several mods to it, so that its reliabilty will be
> > >> enhanced. I have put 128,000 miles on it, and itrs a long way from the
> > >> "junkyard". This thing about being custodians, is in my opinion, a lot of
> > >> horse dung. It is my car, and by god I will drive it and maintain to my
> > likes.
> > >> Lets have more positive input please!!!
> > >>
> > >> Cheers:
> > >>
> > >> Skip Kelsey.....................
> > >>
> > >> At 02:18 PM 3/4/00 -0500, mrbadger wrote:
> > >> >It is certainly not my intent to attack TATerry or anyone else
> > >> >personally and I will be very pleased to make some positive comments
> > >> >based on my 40 years experience driving a TC. Back around the time that
> > >> >I bought my TC which was the spring of 1960, it was not at all uncommon
> > >> >to see TCs, TDs, even pre-war cars in daily everyday use or parked on
> > >> >the street much as you might see an MGB in use today, I did a little
> > >> >racing and I used to hang out at the old Thompson race track in the N.E.
> > >> >corner of Connecticut and others, I remember there were a couple of guys
> > >> >who had put Ford V-8 60s into their TCs, other popular conversions were
> > >> >Triumph and Volvo engines. While these cars mostly went faster than the
> > >> >stock ones, I noticed that these well intentioned attempts at
> > >> >"improvement" ultimately hastened these "better" cars arrival at the
> > >> >local scrap yard, I well remember the rows of butchered TCs and TDs at
> > >> >Stuckey's junkyard in Staten Island, NY during the mid 1960s, of course,
> > >> >some of them were eventually restored back to their original
> > >> >configuration also. The point that I am trying to make here is that by
> > >> >re-designing/re-engineering/updating/modernizing/ a major component of
> > >> >one's MG, while I'm sure one's intentions are honorable, just as were
> > >> >the intentions of those guys "updating" and "improving" their cars with
> > >> >V8-60s and while the car may seem to be better off for a while, in the
> > >> >end, you will have something that is certainly no longer an MG and
> > >> >probably less than an MG. I would like to make it clear at this point
> > >> >that I am not just addressing the issue of aluminum blocks but also to
> > >> >all the other mods I have been reading about such as mods to wheel
> > >> >bearings, spindles, steering, lighting, electrical, timber framing, and
> > >> >others.
> > >> >I don't believe that we actually own our old cars, I believe that we are
> > >> >really acting as temporary custodians to a little piece of history and
> > >> >as such, it behooves us to maintain the original design integrity and
> > >> >not to alter it on personal whim or to satisfy an ego. I believe we owe
> > >> >that to history and to the future "owners" of our cars.
> > >> >Derek Durst
> > >> >
> > >> >TATERRY@aol.com wrote:
> > >> >
> > >> >> Derek, you know we've done business on Ebay....and recently...however if
> > >> you
> > >> >> are not interested in a alloy block, why not just continue to lurk on
> > the
> > >> >> list...why do you have to attack me? You have never surfaced before on
> > >> this
> > >> >> list...why now?
> > >> >> Instead, why don't you say some positive things MG wise so that we all
> > >> might
> > >> >> learn from your 40 years of TC driving? I bought my first MG in 1957,
> > >> TC in
> > >> >> 1962...I know whats out there...and FYI, I've had a LOT of interest
> > in the
> > >> >> possibility of a new bare block...so just back off.
> > >> >> Terry
> > >> >
> > >> >------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > >> >-- 20 megs of disk space in your group's Document Vault
> > >> >-- http://www.egroups.com/docvault/mg-tabc/?m=1
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >
> > >------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > >
> > >eGroups.com home: http://www.egroups.com/group/mg-tabc
> > >http://www.egroups.com - Simplifying group communications
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> eGroups.com home: http://www.egroups.com/group/mg-tabc
> http://www.egroups.com - Simplifying group communications

[Jim Silva]

I can only hope that you can have a more open mind when the doctor recommends a
pacemaker for you or someone that you care for, get a grip they are only a bunch of
assembled parts, they really don't have a soul!!, jim silva

mrbadger wrote:

> Why stop with the Datsun steering box? If safety is your ultimate goal,
> I can think of lots of changes you could make! How about anti-lock
> brakes, airbags, collapsible steering column, disc brakes with power
> assist, lo-pro radial tires, but if you go that far, you might as well
> just bolt on a Camaro front sub frame, a chrome Jag IRS unit and drop in
> a small block! Hey, what the hell, you could still call it an MG if you
> want to, I don't care.
> Happy motoring! Derek
>
> >
>
> Skip Kelsey wrote:
> >
> > Derek:
> >
> > You certainly have a right to your opinion, and can do or not do anything
> > that you want to your car. But to flatly state that if I improve the
> > steering, by installing a Datsun steering box in a TC, then it is no longer
> > an MG is laughable. I agree that major engine swaps and the like are not
> > the way to go, but to make the car safer to drive is acceptable. I do not
> > feel that this will turn it into a "hot rod".
> >
> > Cheers;
> >
> > Skip.....................
> >
> > At 04:05 PM 3/4/00 -0500, mrbadger wrote:
> > >Greetings Skip.
> > >Let me clarify by saying that, certainly, you or anyone else has every
> > >right to modify his or her own car in any way that he or she sees fit
> > >but please, lets understand that, once modified, it will no longer be an
> > >MG. Now I'm not talking about precisely the exact right original color
> > >or precisely the exact original size of the rear window, (although these
> > >things are also important), I'm talking about the kind of radical
> > >alterations that I have seen recently discussed such as a radical change
> > >in the material of which the engine block is made or installation of a
> > >Nissan steering box, or a re-engineering of a portion of the suspension
> > >system. I have a great appreciation for a really good hot rod, in many
> > >ways it is more difficult to come up with a truly successful hot rod
> > >than it is to do a proper restoration. (I've done both), but let's
> > >understand the difference. Once the original, factory, mechanical
> > >design integrity of the car has been breached, it may be a wonderful and
> > >a very fine car indeed, and it may or may not still look like and MG,
> > >but it is NOT an MG.
> > >Derek Durst
> > >
> > >Skip Kelsey wrote:
> > >>
> > >> Derek:
> > >>
> > >> I think that we went thru this thread with a gentleman from Cape Town. I
> > >> dont think anyone has the right to be critical of someone elses way of
> > >> thinking about their car, and its mods. I like the saying "Safety Fast",
> > >> which was coined by MG in the early days. Those were the folks that were
> > >> always striving for improvements to their cars. I have owned my "T" MG
> > >> since 1960. I have made several mods to it, so that its reliabilty will be
> > >> enhanced. I have put 128,000 miles on it, and itrs a long way from the
> > >> "junkyard". This thing about being custodians, is in my opinion, a lot of
> > >> horse dung. It is my car, and by god I will drive it and maintain to my
> > likes.
> > >> Lets have more positive input please!!!
> > >>
> > >> Cheers:
> > >>
> > >> Skip Kelsey.....................
> > >>
> > >> At 02:18 PM 3/4/00 -0500, mrbadger wrote:
> > >> >It is certainly not my intent to attack TATerry or anyone else
> > >> >personally and I will be very pleased to make some positive comments
> > >> >based on my 40 years experience driving a TC. Back around the time that
> > >> >I bought my TC which was the spring of 1960, it was not at all uncommon
> > >> >to see TCs, TDs, even pre-war cars in daily everyday use or parked on
> > >> >the street much as you might see an MGB in use today, I did a little
> > >> >racing and I used to hang out at the old Thompson race track in the N.E.
> > >> >corner of Connecticut and others, I remember there were a couple of guys
> > >> >who had put Ford V-8 60s into their TCs, other popular conversions were
> > >> >Triumph and Volvo engines. While these cars mostly went faster than the
> > >> >stock ones, I noticed that these well intentioned attempts at
> > >> >"improvement" ultimately hastened these "better" cars arrival at the
> > >> >local scrap yard, I well remember the rows of butchered TCs and TDs at
> > >> >Stuckey's junkyard in Staten Island, NY during the mid 1960s, of course,
> > >> >some of them were eventually restored back to their original
> > >> >configuration also. The point that I am trying to make here is that by
> > >> >re-designing/re-engineering/updating/modernizing/ a major component of
> > >> >one's MG, while I'm sure one's intentions are honorable, just as were
> > >> >the intentions of those guys "updating" and "improving" their cars with
> > >> >V8-60s and while the car may seem to be better off for a while, in the
> > >> >end, you will have something that is certainly no longer an MG and
> > >> >probably less than an MG. I would like to make it clear at this point
> > >> >that I am not just addressing the issue of aluminum blocks but also to
> > >> >all the other mods I have been reading about such as mods to wheel
> > >> >bearings, spindles, steering, lighting, electrical, timber framing, and
> > >> >others.
> > >> >I don't believe that we actually own our old cars, I believe that we are
> > >> >really acting as temporary custodians to a little piece of history and
> > >> >as such, it behooves us to maintain the original design integrity and
> > >> >not to alter it on personal whim or to satisfy an ego. I believe we owe
> > >> >that to history and to the future "owners" of our cars.
> > >> >Derek Durst
> > >> >
> > >> >TATERRY@aol.com wrote:
> > >> >
> > >> >> Derek, you know we've done business on Ebay....and recently...however if
> > >> you
> > >> >> are not interested in a alloy block, why not just continue to lurk on
> > the
> > >> >> list...why do you have to attack me? You have never surfaced before on
> > >> this
> > >> >> list...why now?
> > >> >> Instead, why don't you say some positive things MG wise so that we all
> > >> might
> > >> >> learn from your 40 years of TC driving? I bought my first MG in 1957,
> > >> TC in
> > >> >> 1962...I know whats out there...and FYI, I've had a LOT of interest
> > in the
> > >> >> possibility of a new bare block...so just back off.
> > >> >> Terry
> > >> >
> > >> >------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > >> >-- 20 megs of disk space in your group's Document Vault
> > >> >-- http://www.egroups.com/docvault/mg-tabc/?m=1
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >
> > >------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > >
> > >eGroups.com home: http://www.egroups.com/group/mg-tabc
> > >http://www.egroups.com - Simplifying group communications
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> eGroups.com home: http://www.egroups.com/group/mg-tabc
> http://www.egroups.com - Simplifying group communications

[Skip Kelsey]

Derek:

I can only say that you enjoy another 40 years of driving your MG
"custodial unit". If thats your bag,do it. I cant argue with that. But, let
the rest of us "hot rodders" enjoy are cars as we like without disdainful
remarks about our purity. I do believe that it is all of our goal to drive
and enjoy these cars as we see fit. Lets do it in true comradship and peace.

Press on:

Skip........................At 06:01 PM 3/4/00 -0500, mrbadger wrote:

>Why stop with the Datsun steering box? If safety is your ultimate goal,
>I can think of lots of changes you could make! How about anti-lock
>brakes, airbags, collapsible steering column, disc brakes with power
>assist, lo-pro radial tires, but if you go that far, you might as well
>just bolt on a Camaro front sub frame, a chrome Jag IRS unit and drop in
>a small block! Hey, what the hell, you could still call it an MG if you
>want to, I don't care.
>Happy motoring! Derek
>
>
>>
>
>Skip Kelsey wrote:
>>
>> Derek:
>>
>> You certainly have a right to your opinion, and can do or not do anything
>> that you want to your car. But to flatly state that if I improve the
>> steering, by installing a Datsun steering box in a TC, then it is no longer
>> an MG is laughable. I agree that major engine swaps and the like are not
>> the way to go, but to make the car safer to drive is acceptable. I do not
>> feel that this will turn it into a "hot rod".
>>
>> Cheers;
>>
>> Skip.....................
>>
>> At 04:05 PM 3/4/00 -0500, mrbadger wrote:
>> >Greetings Skip.
>> >Let me clarify by saying that, certainly, you or anyone else has every
>> >right to modify his or her own car in any way that he or she sees fit
>> >but please, lets understand that, once modified, it will no longer be an
>> >MG. Now I'm not talking about precisely the exact right original color
>> >or precisely the exact original size of the rear window, (although these
>> >things are also important), I'm talking about the kind of radical
>> >alterations that I have seen recently discussed such as a radical change
>> >in the material of which the engine block is made or installation of a
>> >Nissan steering box, or a re-engineering of a portion of the suspension
>> >system. I have a great appreciation for a really good hot rod, in many
>> >ways it is more difficult to come up with a truly successful hot rod
>> >than it is to do a proper restoration. (I've done both), but let's
>> >understand the difference. Once the original, factory, mechanical
>> >design integrity of the car has been breached, it may be a wonderful and
>> >a very fine car indeed, and it may or may not still look like and MG,
>> >but it is NOT an MG.
>> >Derek Durst
>> >
>> >Skip Kelsey wrote:
>> >>
>> >> Derek:
>> >>
>> >> I think that we went thru this thread with a gentleman from Cape Town. I
>> >> dont think anyone has the right to be critical of someone elses way of
>> >> thinking about their car, and its mods. I like the saying "Safety Fast",
>> >> which was coined by MG in the early days. Those were the folks that were
>> >> always striving for improvements to their cars. I have owned my "T" MG
>> >> since 1960. I have made several mods to it, so that its reliabilty

will be

>> >> enhanced. I have put 128,000 miles on it, and itrs a long way from the
>> >> "junkyard". This thing about being custodians, is in my opinion, a

lot of

>> >> horse dung. It is my car, and by god I will drive it and maintain to my
>> likes.
>> >> Lets have more positive input please!!!
>> >>
>> >> Cheers:
>> >>
>> >> Skip Kelsey.....................
>> >>
>> >> At 02:18 PM 3/4/00 -0500, mrbadger wrote:
>> >> >It is certainly not my intent to attack TATerry or anyone else
>> >> >personally and I will be very pleased to make some positive comments
>> >> >based on my 40 years experience driving a TC. Back around the time

that

>> >> >I bought my TC which was the spring of 1960, it was not at all uncommon
>> >> >to see TCs, TDs, even pre-war cars in daily everyday use or parked on
>> >> >the street much as you might see an MGB in use today, I did a little
>> >> >racing and I used to hang out at the old Thompson race track in the

N.E.

>> >> >corner of Connecticut and others, I remember there were a couple of

guys

>> >> >who had put Ford V-8 60s into their TCs, other popular conversions were
>> >> >Triumph and Volvo engines. While these cars mostly went faster than

the

>> >> >stock ones, I noticed that these well intentioned attempts at
>> >> >"improvement" ultimately hastened these "better" cars arrival at the
>> >> >local scrap yard, I well remember the rows of butchered TCs and TDs at
>> >> >Stuckey's junkyard in Staten Island, NY during the mid 1960s, of

course,

>> >> >some of them were eventually restored back to their original
>> >> >configuration also. The point that I am trying to make here is that by
>> >> >re-designing/re-engineering/updating/modernizing/ a major component of
>> >> >one's MG, while I'm sure one's intentions are honorable, just as were
>> >> >the intentions of those guys "updating" and "improving" their cars with
>> >> >V8-60s and while the car may seem to be better off for a while, in the
>> >> >end, you will have something that is certainly no longer an MG and
>> >> >probably less than an MG. I would like to make it clear at this point
>> >> >that I am not just addressing the issue of aluminum blocks but also to
>> >> >all the other mods I have been reading about such as mods to wheel
>> >> >bearings, spindles, steering, lighting, electrical, timber framing, and
>> >> >others.
>> >> >I don't believe that we actually own our old cars, I believe that we

are

>> >> >really acting as temporary custodians to a little piece of history and
>> >> >as such, it behooves us to maintain the original design integrity and
>> >> >not to alter it on personal whim or to satisfy an ego. I believe we

owe

>> >> >that to history and to the future "owners" of our cars.
>> >> >Derek Durst
>> >> >
>> >> >TATERRY@aol.com wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> Derek, you know we've done business on Ebay....and

recently...however if

>> >> you
>> >> >> are not interested in a alloy block, why not just continue to lurk on
>> the
>> >> >> list...why do you have to attack me? You have never surfaced

before on

>> >> this
>> >> >> list...why now?
>> >> >> Instead, why don't you say some positive things MG wise so that we

all

>> >> might
>> >> >> learn from your 40 years of TC driving? I bought my first MG in

1957,

>> >> TC in
>> >> >> 1962...I know whats out there...and FYI, I've had a LOT of interest
>> in the
>> >> >> possibility of a new bare block...so just back off.
>> >> >> Terry
>> >> >
>> >>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> >> >-- 20 megs of disk space in your group's Document Vault
>> >> >-- http://www.egroups.com/docvault/mg-tabc/?m=1
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >
>> >------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> >
>> >eGroups.com home: http://www.egroups.com/group/mg-tabc
>> >http://www.egroups.com - Simplifying group communications
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>eGroups.com home: http://www.egroups.com/group/mg-tabc
>http://www.egroups.com - Simplifying group communications
>
>
>
>
>
>