Thread: Unknown Benefits

You say she's 'very pleasant to drive' so it's time to start watching the modifications methinks.

For instance, I've used points all my life and don't have a problem with them - they're even dead easy to set accurately if your dizzy is in good nick and you do it on the bench rather than in the car. People will tell you there are benefits to pointless systems, and probably there are, but will it make any real world difference on this vehicle? On the other hand, if you've already got the bits, give it a go.

Extractors - do you need to change the exhaust manifold? Is it rusty? Bent? If it's doing the job, why mess with it. On the other hand, if your exhaust is knackered and needs replacing, why not?

Whatever you spend now on stuff you don't 'need' is money you can't spend next week on something that is suddenly needed. That's the only concern and, of course, it depends on whether you have the money and like tinkering with your car. Personally, I always manage to find something less exciting that actually does need attention (trim or suchlike).

Hi Crackers,

Yeh I get it...if it is not broken why fix it! But I'd really like to have a car which I can travel at freeway speed (let's say at least 90-100km/h) and let me go to 4wd club get together and/or camping week ends.

Extractors...I read if they are correctly installed they allow the engine to get rid of the gases in a quicker way and have the chambers ready sooner for the next cycle. Also they provide the engine with a small higher output which could make the car less prone to loose speed uphill (lets talk about small hills).
Also, the carburetor at the moment is currently working but it is 41 years old and I assume it won't be clean and sparkling inside. A new one will again improve the flow of juices inside the engine therefore increase (slightly) the performance.

If I had 2-3K to spend all at once I'd love to have the engine completely rebuilt (I have a wife and a mortgage atm) but for now I guess I just need to replace what's old with the same thing but new. The inside (trims & co) is all in perfect order and I have just installed an exmoor trim canvas so it is only the engine, a fresh coat of paint and new steel wheels left..

I'd love to do it myself but unfortunately I have no garage... and I suffer immensely for it!

Originally Posted by Andrea II 88

I'd love to do it myself but unfortunately I have no garage... and I suffer immensely for it!

Actually, you'd be surprised what you can do in the driveway or under a car port, especially seeing you're working with a running vehicle. For example, your new carby will go on in an afternoon. The exhaust maybe longer depending on what's needed. My Landy is lucky, she gets the garage but for the last ten years, it had a half built boat in it and the MGB was worked on in the driveway, as is the MG ZR.

Now that I think of it, Dad and I did the engine in my Hillman in the driveway. Mind you, we didn't have to pull the motor to get to the bottom end, just jack it up a bit. But new rings, bearings, rebuild the head, etc. Not a 'reconditioned' motor, but certainly refreshed.

gday mate

i have put a britpart carby on me mates engine and the first thing had to do was lap the 2 half's.together to get them flat to seal on the gasket, then ran like a scalded cat. i had to put a set of extracters on as well makes a whole lot of difference, runs much better, with the electronic ing and exhaust done it would cruise at 100 and pull up the hills, but then i did do up the head and re-ring the eng. so i would say go for it if it's your daily drive, more pleasent to drive when ya keep up with traffic. cheers wally