DerekS

Try the MGBhive. (yes, heresy!) I took my starter off for a look 3 weeks ago, it had never been disturbed in 35+ years. Looking at the cost of parts made the decision for me, a brand new Lucas unit from there was £56 delivered. If I remember correctly,the Bendix alone was over £20. Very helpful people too.

Sorry if I've just given the impression that I hadn't read and digested what you say regarding sealing holes. You are, of course, perfectly right; there was an excellent article in Practical Classics magazine within the last 2 years about it. Sealing gaps and even tiny holes eliminates a lot of various noises. BUT, mine WAS sealed, believe me!

Frost do a very effective rubberised soundproofing felt which resists oil splashing to a certain degree. They also do a very useful high temperature contact adhesive which I would certainly recommend. I've covered my g/box tunnel both sides with the felt and the results really are superb. I also have an access panel for the g/box filler but that's another story. Incidentally, the heat intrusion is a big downside of using fabricated exhaust manifolds, I got shot of the one on my car as it wasn't too bad in Winter but Summer days the heat was unpleasant. Again, depends what you want.

Also beware the dreaded aluminium solid rack mounts, spawn of the devil. Comfort grade polyurethane mounts are superb. Much much more civilised. Depends what you want though!

For what it's worth, I spent a lot of money on a new complete assembly after noticing slight play on the rocker arms and slight wear on the rocker arm pads... The new one arrived with more or less the same amount of play as the old one, I fitted it anyway but after giving it some thought I dressed the pads up on the old one with an oilstone and refitted it; it's been fine. Don't be too keen on splashing the cash. I could kick myself for wasting so much money.

Just thought I'd pass on details of a potentially very useful gadget for sale on Amazon, if it's allowed. I have no connection with the company. I bought 3 of these late last year and have given 2 away so I've bought another 2... Look for: "LCD CIGARETTE LIGHTER VOLTAGE DIGITAL PANEL METER MONITOR", sold by BuyinCoins. (there are other suppliers) Obviously, only usable via a cigarette lighter socket. They are a brilliant little gadget, precisely accurate and very well made indeed. Made in and sold from China, mine took a couple of weeks to get here. The price? £3.10, delivered. For 2. Sorry I can't attach a quick link.

Pete Lewis suggested a section for "Golden Oldie" photos; I think that would be a real long-term asset to our Club, I really do. Both pics can tell a load of stories, I'm thinking of "The Way We Were" in Classic Car Weekly, always worth having a closer look. Pleased you enjoyed them Colin, thanks for the reply!

I got mine from www.autopartswarehouse.co.uk and I can't believe it's 5 years ago! Never regretted it. At that time they were very competitive for prices.

Hello Darren,Everyone will have their own opinions but when I did a full suspension overhaul (Spit 1500) I used KYB shock absorbers and blue grade Polybush kit. I didn't want to start playing around with adjusting the settings... Again, each to his own but I have been delighted with the outcome, the car really does handle and ride far,far better than before. The info I was given is that KYB supply many new car manufacturers. Good luck!

Absolutely brilliant, thanks Pete!

Forgive me for sticking my nose in here but I'm wondering, given that copper is a really good conductor of heat and potential problems with fuel vaporisation AND modern fuel's volatility, is copper the best material for under bonnet use?

Many apologies to John and Celia Williams for not giving them the credit for their very useful information contained in Bernard Littlewood's article in the December magazine, particularly the DVLA V888 form. Sorry! I sent the form off and, to my delight, their letter landed today. For my £5 fee I got 10 sheets, going back to the original application for registration, absolutely brilliant! This has filled a great gap in the car history I'm putting together though there are still a couple of bits to clarify. I'm still trying to establish the EXACT date that the last Spitfire 1500 was built...

There was a nice yellow 7 on BBC4 last night, a charming programme called "The Detectorists", a Christmas special from a series that's been running lately. It looked like a decent car. Best wishes!

Further to the thread of a car's history, there's a very useful piece of information on page 46 of this month's club magazine by Bernard Littlewood, about the DVLA and the V888 form. Many thanks to Bernard, I was completely unaware of that. And talking about magazines, I much prefer a hard copy to an electronic, one that you can keep and read anytime, on a plane or in a power- cut.

Peter, that is what I was always told, too, good practice on both points, particularly with regards to the grip on the circlip pliers. Also, there could be slight variations with the width and depth of the groove depending on how carefully it had been machined. Always a better bet when doing U/js. There was at one time a need to check the inner race on plain bearings, as the inner race, depending on the manufacturer, had a more pronounced radius on the inner race: side/outer face, it was therefor better for fitting up against a shoulder on a shaft. Why does all this stick in your brain? Best regards, Derek.

Pete, that's a good idea, maybe even a book? Surely Moss would let us use that photo, with a mention? (I might get a solicitor's letter yet...)

John, I cannot thank you enough, this is fascinating! You can't help thinking about the people there and in the background, how they were feeling at that time, optimistic, despairing, relieved even? Photos like this are priceless! Thankyou.

Yes... success! I have to admit I don't find uploading photos easy. Just hope i don't get sued by M**S for this, but it's one of those photos that the more you look at it the more insight you gain, brilliant, absolutely brilliant.

.

John, the Moss catalogue from 2013 and as you say they aren't listed now. I've been assured there is one on the way but... Actually the photo is brilliant, its a really good insight into the system. There's a guy brazing a rear wing on with oxy-acetylene gear, what looks like a brown labcoat, leather apron, black trousers and best black shoes! I am trying to send the photo but bear with me, I've taken a pic on my phone but I'm having troubles sending it on to my temperemental laptop. but I'll get it to you.

Thanks for the reply Pete, I know you have helped me with quite a few questions over the past few years and it IS appreciated! I have a few books and guides I've printed off the 'net, they all just say August. It's like researching a family history, very enjoyable; it also reminds you just how much information members have in their heads!