VG 2007

[Ken Martin]

Halbe – I have a set of old stock unused Ferodo brake linings for a Minor and the lining thickness is 5mm.
Ken

[halbe]

Hello Ken,

Thank's again, I know they will ask me how thick i want the new linings so 5 mm it is.
I will have them as soft as possible and glued to the shoes for maximum friction area.
The MG people seem to think that you can have up to 10% more friction area this way
and with my brakes I can use all the little advantages i can get

Regards,
Halbe

[Ian Grace]

Itr might be worth measuring the id of your drums. if they have been skimmed (or worn) oversize (over 8"), then you could compensate with thicker linings. I have seen ali strips riveted under linings before, to make up for the extra diameter.

[halbe]

Again , excellent advise

Will keep you posted

Halbe

[halbe]

progress report,

Rear axle finished at last!



Having the diff. rebuilt took some time,
It started with a little play in the pinion bearings and ended with all the bearings renewed ,all is well now
Also all the seals, gaskets and wheel bearings are new this together with the strengthening I hope will ensure a reliable rear end.

While waiting for my diff. I had a look at some small items and made them ready for fitting .



Regards,
Halbe

[Ian Grace]

More solid progress - well done Halbe. Reports and pics like this are an inspiration to the rest of us.

[halbe]

progress report,

Finished the brakes today.
I had the shoes relined with 5mm (really soft) thick linings ,glued to the shoes.
The drums were found to be the right size, not worn or skimmed
All of this should result in brakes that work



Also started work on the bulkhead, the wood was renewed and the aluminium was repaired and cleaned.
I decided not to replace it to preserve the original feel and patina.



All brackets are cleaned , painted and ready to fit.
This weekend I'll clean all the original nuts and bolts ,so there is still some way to go before this is ready.
The good news is that VG is getting to look like a Minor again



Regards,
Halbe

[Highlander]

Halbe, Your work does you credit. This also shows in the cleanliness and tidyness of your workshop. I have just returned from a 7 day trip to the North of Scotland visiting aging uncles and aunts. They all all know I like 'old' things and I have come home with old irons (laundry) oil lamps and a sporran Cameron Highlander badge. Today I have tried to fit this badge to an old leather sporran. I looked for my leather punches to punch two holes in the sporran and could not find them for clutter. In the end I used a nail!!!! I must try and do better. Keep up the good work. Highlander.

[Ian Grace]

You are dead right - here's my garage back in Ada when the B-P was nearing completion, and with my '29 tourer in the background. Working against a deadline to get the car finished and shipped to the UK for Dorset, organization in the garage collapsed and it became a junk hole, and it took me hours to find the tool I needed. I learned my lesson - the new garage in Startup is currently pristine and I intend to keep it so. It does have the benefit of a proper work bench and yards of sturdy racking which will help greatly, but it will take discipline to keep it pristine in the heat of restoration. The worst part about the garage being so cluttered was that I would take my glasses off to see something close up, and an hour later, when I needed them there would be a sometimes very lengthy hunt to find where I had put them down.

[halbe]

Progress report,

The bulkhead is finished, Lot's of elbow grease , no oily rags...................
I used Ian's tips for the bolts (coil and cut out) and also Simon's tip for the extra earth wire (cut out).
Thank's for your input



On with the steering column.

Regards,
Halbe

[Ian Grace]

Very nice Halbe.

What next? The engine? What are your plans for that?

[halbe]

The plan.

Next on the list for this summer are the steering and little bits and pieces.
In the second half of September the Bulkhead and steering parts will come off the chassis.
The body and engine will be next so I'll have to take the body down from the ceilling and hoist the chassis up there

This has two reasons: One is cost, the engine is expensive but not very time consuming and the body is the opposite.
These are two jobs i can do side by side.....

I'll build a frame for the body to sit on while working on it , this also eliminates the risk of damage to the chassis
The body needs new fabric but all the ash is like new, only the plywood floorboards need replacing (worms) but that is an easy job

The engine is going to be rebuilt to 12/12 spec., the block has a little frost crack so that has to be repaired.
I will have the crankshaft crack tested and if ok will use it together with later conrods , the ones with fully floating small ends (MG J2)
Naturally all the internals will be balanced.
Off coarse all the ancillaries will have to be rebuilt/repaired.
I want the engine to look standard with just that little more power from the 12/12 spec.

I expect this to take a further 2 years of fun and frustation working on my car

Regards,
Halbe

[Ian Grace]

The plan.

Only the plywood floorboards (worms) but that is an easy job

Right - just train all the woodworm to hold hands!

[halbe]

I have sent them on a puppy class , I want them to listen and march straight out of my garage

Halbe

[halbe]

Progress report,

Working on the steering column.
I have taken the lot apart to get all the parts replated in nickel
Also cleaned and restored the steering box.
The worm and gearwheel are in great condition so no extra work there



Regards,
Halbe