George Heissenberger's Journal

Cruise Nights Coming To An End

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 05:29:49 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2010-09-04 05:29:49

With Labor Day weekend here cruise nights will be just about over for the year. I took the MGB to the Log Cabin restaurant this past Wednesday and enjoyed the good friends, music, food and nice cars there.

View from my lawn chair behind OURMG

MG Sign CSI

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 04:15:18 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2010-08-23 04:15:18

In the aftermath of the MG sign accident (the trailer flipped in a cross wind about an hour into the trip to the museum)I have laid out the pieces to see if they could be reconstructed. They could if someone was patient and used fiberglass mat to reconnect the pieces and some bondo to fill in the smaller bits that were shattered. The frame is repairable, but we have decided to dismount it from the trailer.

MG sign pieces

MG Sign Headed To Saratoga

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 19:08:14 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2010-08-12 19:08:14

We're ready for towing the MG sign to the Saratoga Auto museum on Saturday. Its a 4.5 hour drive back roads as we don't want to go over 55 mph. We'll let you know how we make out!

MG sign

U Joints

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 04:36:01 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2010-08-04 04:36:01

I've got the driveshaft out and am replacing the u joints this week. I'm going to have to miss our club's laps and lunch track day at Watkins Glen.

MG Sign

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 04:32:07 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2010-08-04 04:32:07

Our club has owned an MG Ausstin Healey sign since the mid 1980's. We bought it from a dealership a few years after MG stopped producing MGB's. Its mounted on a trailer and taken to shows, events, etc. Now after 25 years its hardly used and no one wants responsibility for storing or transporting the sign so its being donated to the Saratoga Automotive museum in Saratoga NY. I'll be towing it there in a week.

Summer Driving

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 04:36:28 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2010-06-23 04:36:28

I've been to a car show each weekend so the summer must be here. Unfortunately the weather hasn't been cooperating for the regular cruise nights during the week. I've not yet been able to get to Fairport's cruise night, but have been to the Log cabin on Wednesdays. I went to the Bristol Fun days car show on 6/13, and the weather was iffy. I parked near a '29 Packard sports roadster that was amazing. The Jack's from the MG club were there with their TR3. On Father's day I went to the Sonnenberg Gardens Father's day car show and the weather was great and lots of cars attended. Ran into several MG club members there and as I was leaving they were selecting John Thompson's Riley as one of best of show.

Bristol Fun days car show

Car Show Wash Out

Sat, 12 Jun 2010 06:42:34 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2010-06-12 06:42:34

Well after months of preparing the big day arrived and we held the 39th annual Sports Car and Vintage Auto Festival. We had a great committee and made a number of improvements to make it a better show. Unfortunately rain started the night before, and with winds, torrential rains and a drop in temperature it was a mess come show day. The field held up well, and we had about 200 cars attend, despite the appalling conditions. At one point early in the day, we thought we might even lose one of our big circus style tents to the wind, but it held up. Thanks to everyone on the committee, the Lions, and the folks who brought out their cars.

MG-Lions Car show 2010

Different Kind Of Vehicle Show

Sun, 23 May 2010 18:42:17 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2010-05-23 18:42:17

My wife and I went to a carriage show yesterday and looked at many kinds of carriages and sleighs. Really cool when you realize how much variety there was in the old days with makes and models and different vehicle types just as now. I saw one that was called a convertible but not for the top- but because it had both runners or wheels that could be attached. Heres a photo of a Studebaker family sedan of the 1890's. Pretty cold and damp for the dad since he sat outside.

1890 Studebaker sedan

Cruise Nights Have Begun

Fri, 21 May 2010 14:05:53 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2010-05-21 14:05:53

We have begun the cruise night season in earnest in Upstate New York. I have been to the Log Cabin for three out of the four past Wednesdays. My wife and I went this past Wednesday night and after handing out about 50 car show fliers we had a nice dinner on their deck overlooking the cars. There are new cruise spots opening and we have our choice of several places each night. Our favorites are the Fairport village cruise night by the canal on Tuesdays(live music, dash plaques, food and drinks). Log Cabin in Macedon on Wednesdays (DJ, Food and drinks, Bar, 500+ cars) Wegmans Canandaigua (now also Webster)on Thursday (food, music, door prizes). Damascus Shrine in Webster on Fridays. This doesn't count car shows, etc.

Photo 051910 001

Good Spring So Far

Sun, 25 Apr 2010 13:23:52 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2010-04-25 13:23:52

I have put just a little over 400 miles on the MGB since taking her out of storage. She is running well, and even on colder mornings I can pull onto the expressway and get her up to 65 - 70 without too much trouble. I am a big fan of the Pertronix electronic ignition conversion I put on recently and would recommend it to anyone as an easy changeover that is also easily reversible if so desired.

Adjusted Carbs- Running Just Right

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:11:40 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2010-04-02 18:11:40

So the carbs were a little lean- I adjusted per the John Twist video and all is running very well. The weather is beautiful, with temps in the 80's so I drove the B all over today and my wife took her out for a drive tonight.

Peggi in MG

Installed Pertronix Today

Sun, 28 Mar 2010 15:18:19 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2010-03-28 15:18:19

Installed Pertronix electronic ignition today. Easy job- maybe 1/2 hour, not counting checking the timing later. Then she fired right up and I took the B for a spin to the grocery store. She ran good, but it always is better once I go through the old gas from the fall.

Photo 03.28

First Ride Of The Season

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:54:42 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2010-03-19 17:54:42

Its been beautiful out- sunny and in the 60's so I took the MG for a ride to the MG club meeting last night. All is well - its spring again! Tonight my son got his Dart back together and took that for a spin. So we are enjoying this classic car season in upstate New York!

MGB and Dart on the road again for another year!

Working On The Side Covers Today

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:29:27 -0800

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2010-03-13 16:29:27

Last Saturday I pulled off the carbs, intake manifold and side covers to put on new side cover gaskets. In the process I removed and replaced the oil breather medium in the front side cover, as my oil consumption is high and there is a known problem with front breathers becoming partially clogged in such a way that they will pull oil through the breather. I had ripped the exhaust manifold gasket taking off the manifolds and lost one of the two side cover gaskets I bought earlier so I couldn't finish in one day. I checked Moss and TRF but ended up with Moss and they had the parts on my front porch in two days! Today I scraped off the old intake/exhaust gasket off the head and put on the new side cover gaskets- cork with a smear of non hardening gasket sealer on both sides. We'll see how that does. I put the new exhaust/intake manifold gasket- a nice metal one, replaced the manifolds and tightened up the manifold bolts to 15 lbs. One nut tightened up fine and then gave me the distinct feeling it was either stripped or snapping the stud, but sometimes when the torque wrench clicks and you're not expecting it it may feel that way so I backed it off and stud and nut all seemed OK. So I put it on as tight as I could with the torque wrench, but about 10 lbs and it feels likes its about to go loose so I stopped and figured its good enough. I have snapped studs before and don't want to go through all that mess if its going to be fine as is. I'll finish putting on the carbs, etc tomorrow.

Side covers off- scraping off the old gasket

Winter Projects On Hold- Too Cold!

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 10:08:09 -0800

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2010-02-06 10:08:09

I had told myself to get started by February on my two winter MGB projects- taking off the carbs and heat shield so I can scrape the goo off the left side of the engine and take off the tappet covers to put on new gaskets. My other project is to replace the u joints on the drive shaft. In January there was a week where it got up to 30 and I should have started, but I didn't. My garage is unheated and its been hovering around 10 degrees this week, so I am not doing any of my winter projects. Even with a little space heater it onlu goes up about 10 degrees at best. My son bought a new old stock radiator shroud for his Dart and when he went to fit it last week it cracked because it was so cold. So I will wait until it gets a little warmer- maybe March!

Thanksgiving Day Drive

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:42:59 -0800

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2009-11-26 20:42:59

I took the MG out for a spin today as it was sunny and 55 degrees. They are calling for snow starting this weekend, so this is a good time to put the car away for the winter and start working on the list of winter projects. I am going to pull the drive shaft and replace a bad u joint, take off the carbs and replace the leaking side cover gaskets. I picked up a used wire wheel that needs to be sandblasted or wire brushed before priming and painting, to replace one that is slightly out of round. I had yet another flat and this time found I had run over chunks of broken glass and it had penetrated to the tube. this was on the spare I have been running since fixing the other tire twice.

The MGB and the Dart ready for a winter nap

Oil Change And A Beer

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:00:28 -0800

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2009-11-21 15:00:28

Pat, my brother in law who owns a '79 MGB stopped over to visit and we did a quick oil change to Our MG. It has been 11 months and 2505 miles since the last oil change. I think in the past season I have added at least 5 quarts of oil. Its just leaking out of the side covers and I think the oil pan gasket too. So I know I will have to address that this winter. Everything went smoothly and we shot the breeze while I did the oil change, then it was time for a beer.

Stretching Out The Season

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:35:18 -0800

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2009-11-17 10:35:18

The tire issues seem to be resolved since I've not had another flat since the pinched tube was replaced. As long as the weather cooperates I've decided not to put the car up for the winter, at least until it snows and they dump salt on the road. So far I am keeping it to short trips because I still have to get the driveshaft off and replace a bad u joint. This weekend it was 60 degrees and although cloudy- a very mild day for November in Upstate New York. Maybe there is an upside to global warming!

Top down 60 degrees in mid November

No Snow So Far In November

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:18:03 -0800

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2009-11-10 04:18:03

We have had a stretch of unusually beautiful weather for November and as long as it hasn't snowed enough for there to be salt on the roads yet I am still driving the MGB. This past weekend was just perfect, sunny and almost 70 degrees..in November in New York! Top down and loving it. We found the bad tire had a pinched tube, so after installing a new tube and slowly inflating it, bouncing it a few times and fully inflating it, all is well again.

Near The End Of The Season?

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:25:21 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2009-10-25 11:25:21

I usually put the MG up for the winter around Halloween, so I added fuel stabilizer and took the B out for a drive today because its so beautiful out. I've put on 2065 miles this season- less than some years, about average I guess. I may get it out once or twice more before the snow flies. I still have something going on with one rear tire because I got a flat while parked in the garage again and we just put in a new tube in that tire two weeks ago. I'm guessing something inside the wheel is cutting the tube. I'm running on the spare now and will dismount the tire from the bad wheel and look for rust or protruding spoke ends. I know there's no rubber band in that wheel, just many wraps of duct tape and maybe that's not enough?

Watkins Glen Weekend Follow Up

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 10:53:54 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2009-10-04 10:53:54

We left Watkins Glen Friday night and drove home to Victor in a driving rainstorm. We stopped for dinner in Canandaigua and had a great meal at Eddie O'Brien's Pub and were home sometime before 10PM. I had pre-registered to attend the Sage Rutty car Show in Mendon on Sunday following Watkins Glen as its only 10 minutes from home and typically the last car show of the year for me. I went to get in the MG Sunday but the rear tire was flat and would not hold air. Must have leaked down after we got back Friday. I put on the spare and it was flat too, although held air but had a slow leak. So I pumped the tire to about 38 psi, washed and waxed the B and went to the car show. I kept checking the tire and when it lost 15 lbs of air in about an hour I had to leave. So my last show for 2009 was a bust! My son put in two new tubes at his dealership and found one tube had a tiny crack, and the spare tube was dry rotted. All's fixed now so I went to the local cruise night last week but this time of year there were only a handful of cars. At least I got to talk with our new MG friend with the B he bought this summer.

MGB's at the Log Cabin in September

Watkins Glen Vintage Weekend

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 07:50:15 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2009-10-04 07:50:15

We had a great time at Watkins Glen Vintage Weekend September 11 2009! My brother in law and I took the MGB down to the town of Watkins Glen for the vintage weekend festival on Friday and we participated in the Glenkhana. We had a great time, did our two laps of the original street course and then watched all the festivities from our favorite spot on Milliken's corner. It started raining just as the race cars arrived but we watched the reenactment, saw the cars on Franklin street and then put up the top on the MG and headed home. I have a video of one of our Glenkhana runs posted on you tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVhPN3JEERo&feature=channel

Glenkhana 9.11.09

MGB V8

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 19:46:35 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2009-09-06 19:46:35

My friend Leon came over today with his MGB V8. I drove his V8 and he drove our 1800 MGB. it was an eye opener for me and pretty much what I expected an MGB V8 to be. Other than an odd shift pattern from the T55 transmission it was very cool and very fast. we were doing 60 mph at about 1700 rpm in fifth. Very powerful and I could have driven it most all day in second or third.

UK Car Day At Riverbend

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 04:25:16 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2009-08-31 04:25:16

The Greater Rochester Triumph Touring club put on the first annual UK Car day last weekend. The weather was iffy but many of our Western NY MGCC members turned out to support them. It was a nice event , well run and over 100 cars and British bikes turned out. My favorite British motorcycle is Norton and there were four of them there, as well as a Dunstall Norton, so I enjoyed that! We had a nice class of MGB's with some really pretty cars. I had thought I might place in the awards, but the winners were all nicer than mine! My friend Hollis has kept his Bermuda hard top on his B all summer and now with the weather decidedly turning to fall he is back in season.

Chrome bumper MGB class at UK Car day

Canandaigua Criuse Night

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:56:18 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2009-08-06 03:56:18

I don't get to the Canandaigua cruise night as often as I do others, even though its close to where we live. I guess I am usually busy on Thursday nights. I did go last Thursday and met a nice guy named Tim with a TR3 from Bloomfield who I have seen around town. He and I have exchanged waves but this was the first time we met. His car was originally from Hawaii and he had it shipped to New York via container. Because I got there kind of late I missed Rod and Doug from our club, who had left earlier.

Tim's TR3

Watkins Glen

Sun, 26 Jul 2009 13:33:47 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2009-07-26 13:33:47

MG car club Western New York Center members visited Watkins Glen International in July and took three laps of the course then had lunch in the Glen clubhouse. It was a thrilling time, and I really enjoyed being on the track that so many legends of my youth had raced on- Emmo Fittapaldi, James Hunt, Jackie Stewart, Jim Clark, Mario Andretti, Mark Donahue to name a few. Lots of fun and OUR MG ran perfect. Beautiful top down summer weather for the drive over country roads to Watkins Glen, and wonderful views of Geneva Lake all the way home. I posted a you tube video of our third lap my brother in law Dan took. You can see it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_SDSOqgG7E

Me and OUR MG at the WGI start finish line

MGCC Gathering At Macedon NY

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:21:36 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2009-06-29 18:21:36

Several MG Car Club Western New York Centre members gathered at Books Etc. in Macedon NY June 28 to mark the showing of "Speed: the art of Steve Oosterling". Steve is going to do the art for the Sports car and vintage auto festival next year. We had about 15 cars on the street until rains arrived and sent us on our way!

MGCC gathering at Books etc. OURMG in front

Bristol Fun Day

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 19:03:34 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2009-06-14 19:03:34

My wife and I took OURMG to the Bristol Fun day today and our son and his girlfriend took his Dart. They have a small car show and the local Fire Department has a chicken BBQ, there's local music, model airplanes, alpacas and a library book sale. Just a fun day in the little town of Bristol NY. Weather was perfect and we had a great drive in the country. I had a guy come up and ask if it was an MG TD- no not quite...

Our MG and our son's Dart Swinger

Sports Car And Vintage Auto Festival 2009

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 19:46:41 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2009-06-07 19:46:41

The Sports Car and Vintage Auto Festival XXXVIII was a big success! We had a lot of help from members of the MG Car Club Western New York and the Victor Lions. Great turnout- 600+ cars on the field. My wife and I were co chairman. Thanks to all involved. We had a great after show party at our house too!

2009 MGB class at our Car Show

Parade Ready

Sat, 23 May 2009 19:11:31 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2009-05-23 19:11:31

I'm getting ready to march in three parades with my fire department for Memorial day and my wife Peggi is going to drive the MGB in the Victor Memorial day parade at the invitation of the Victor Lions club. So far everything is going smoothly in preparation for the show- except- one of our members who hosts the annual after show party is very ill and had to be hospitalized. My wife agreed to host the after party as well as helping run the show- Why not? So, we are painting, cleaning and getting ready for 50+ club members to come over to celebrate the 38th annual show after its all over!

Washed and waxed for the parade

Beautiful MG Day

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:32:11 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2009-04-24 17:32:11

It was a beautiful day to take out the MG with temps in the mid 70's, sunny skies, and the car is running sweet. I drove the car all day and after dinner my wife drove the MG out to the pier at Canandaigua lake. It was just a nice night out. On the way back we though we hit a patch of mist or light rain but it was the darn spring gnats! The whole windshield and front of the MGB was covered! Yuck!

OUR MG at Canandaigua Lake

Tinkering

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 06:28:19 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2009-04-18 06:28:19

Its been a stretch of beautiful but cool mid 40's to 50 degree weather so I've been taking the B on short trips to the store, etc. It never has liked cool weather and tends to not run smoothly until its over 60 degrees outside. Its been too cold to put the top down, and I used to be the guy driving with the top down in the snow! I reset the timing and am now at 15 degrees. It was still running a tiny bit "off" at speeds over 60, so expressway speed is not all that good. I expect it will be better once it gets warmer out. Our club is having a tune up clinic, so I'm going to bring the B there and go over the point gap and timing and recheck the carb settings and synchronization to make sure its as good as it can get.

Ready for Spring

First Drive Of The Season

Sat, 21 Mar 2009 19:09:53 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2009-03-21 19:09:53

It was a beautiful day today- a little cold yet 45 or so, but after checking fluids and making sure the radiator and hoses are all tight I fired up the MG. I took a short ride to the store to recycle bottles and get some beer- a perfect opportunity to go for a ride! The repaired radiator, new hoses and fan all are great. I decided to run the car a little and degrease the engine before tackling the side cover gaskets, because the gook on the side covers is about 1/4 inch thick and in the cold, its like trying to remove tar. Thanks again to Harry on this site for selling me the fan after my ad on the trader forum.

New fan, hoses and repaired radiator

Valve Cover Races

Sat, 14 Feb 2009 16:06:59 -0800

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2009-02-14 16:06:59

I guess I haven't been keeping up with this journal! We held the valve cover races and I got knocked out early this year. The first racer I was up against was #2 a few years ago (Pee Wee's drain pipe or something) so I didn't win that heat. Then I did win another heat by default when the other racer went off course. In the end I was out early so I joined the group drinking / cheering on the others. Leon's "Pee Wee Herman" racer that had knocked me out early won peoples choice, and a brand new car won overall. Really thin wheels are in, but I was catching cars for a heat or two and think I broke one car's wheels when I caught it- they were made from CD's. The other catcher had cut himself on the timing apparatus (a small mirror in the center lane) so I was trying to catch two cars at once. Mike from our club was gracious but I felt terrible. Oh well- sometimes you win, sometimes you DNF.

My valve cover racer "Rule Brittania" and "Pee Wee''s drain pipe"

Sleeping For The Winter

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:08:58 -0800

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2009-01-02 15:08:58

I put the MG away for the winter around the week after Halloween. That was pretty late for us as I make it a point to have it all stored away by the end of October. I drove it in early November but it really does not like the cold and if 30 degrees out the car never warms up fully so it tends to buck and snort. I have some winter projects in mind, once the holidays are over. I found a small leak in the top radiator tank in the fall, so I plan to pull the radiator out. It will be the third time in 25+ years I have had to fix a seam leak in the top tank. Also I may have the distributor "Schlemmerized". It depends on how much we have available after some dental work my wife is going through. So for now its just tucked away and let the bench racing begin. Our club's valve cover races are coming up and I have my valve cover racer ready!

Valve cover racer

Sage Rutty Honeoye Falls -Mendon Rotary Show

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:03:07 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2008-09-09 18:03:07

I entered OURMG in the Sage Rutty show September 7. the day started out clear and bright. They had a nice collection of cars in attendance and I found the show to be very well run and pleasant. I parked next to fellow forum member Julian, his daughter who brought his MGB from Buffalo. They had a pancake breakfast which I partook of and other than spilling syrup all over my legs from the wimpy paper plates it was a really nice time. I met several car show friends and we had a nice time talking and looking over the cars.

OURMG photo at show taken by a friend

Watkins Glen Vintage Weekend

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:22:28 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2008-09-07 13:22:28

I went to the Watkins Glen Grand Prix festival vintage weekend September 5 and had a blast. The whole town is rocking with race cars, sports cars and car folks and everyone is driving their cars and having a great time. We were in the Glenkhana and had a lot of fun, although we didn't win, we did have one of the better times- in the top five as far as I know. The two laps of the old road course were fun and my brother in law Dan was my navigator and with a big grin told me in the middle of our first lap "It doesn't get any better than this." and indeed it does not. I will try to post some video I took later. The whole town is closed off and the streets are full of classic cars, race cars and people. If you haven't been there - I suggest you go its worth it!

Gridded to take our Watkins Glen road laps

50th Anniversary Wagonjack Car Show

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 14:03:48 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2008-08-17 14:03:48

Today the MG Car Club of Western New York held the Wagon jack farm car show in celebration of the 50th anniversary of our club. There were over 40 sports cars and over 100 club members in attendance. We had a fun time and lots of food and good friends. There were some interesting cars there besides the many MG's and Triumphs.

Wagonjack show 2008

Be True To Your Wheels

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:36:51 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2008-08-15 15:36:51

OK The B is back from the shop and I got the news my front wheel is not true. Also my wheel bearings were not tightened to spec. I don't know anybody around here who still trues wire wheels, so maybe someday I'll get those panasport knockoffs. Or chrome Daytons. But for now I'm rotating the wheels front to back again to put the better wheel on the front.

In The Shop

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:58:55 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2008-08-14 18:58:55

I rotated the tires recently and painted the calipers and found an issue with the right front wheel. I dropped the car off at the shop this morning to check it out. I've had the front end rebuilt in stages and now the right front wheel feels like a wheel bearing is going and has a shimmy that a wheel balance did not fix. It may have something to do with the accident two years ago so I'm having everything checked over before I take the car to Watkins Glen in a couple of weeks.

Painted the brake caliper

Cruise Nights And Club Meetings

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 08:29:00 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2008-07-26 08:29:00

This is the peak time to get our little British Cars out and about! I have been hitting the cruise nights heavily all this month. Usually I am at Fairport on Tuesday, Log Cabin on Wednesday and Canandaigua Thursday. I would have gone out Friday but I haven't found a cruise night spot Friday's yet. Last Thursday was our club meeting and the cars were out in force as the photo shows. I spent Saturday checking my brakes and rotating the tires, since I haven't done that since last year. This week was very rainy and I didn't get the car out of the garage until Friday,when it finally was sunny, so Peg and I went out in the MG to the Inn on the lake for dinner!

MG Car Club Western NY Centre meeting

Bristol Car Show And Genesee Valley Car Show

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 12:19:16 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2008-07-13 12:19:16

I took the MGB to the Bristol days two weeks ago and although a nice day it was really windy and raised havoc with the vendor's tents. There was a small but faithful number of cars in the show, and my wife and I joined fellow MG club members Doug and Cindy Jack with their TR6. We left a little early when the wind picked up and it looked like some weather might move in. Sunday 7/13 It rained heavily and thunder and lightening keptr me away from the annual Genesee Valley Antique Car Society Show. I feel for the organizers because all your planning goes down the tubes when its sloppy weather on show day. Instead I helped my son put brakes on my wife's Jeep.

Recent car cruise

Summer Surprise

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:21:49 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2008-07-07 15:21:49

I was surprised to read in our newsletter that OURMG had won second place for the chrome bumper MGB class at the June Car Show! I had left our club's annual car show early as my father had come to the show, can't walk around much, and he was sitting in his car waiting for us to leave. I have been coming to the annual show since 1977 and this is my first award. Although we won a rally award with our Datsun 1600 many years ago. I'll pick up the trophy at the upcoming meeting. Its been hot and dry so I've been driving the B often. I went to some small cruise events the past few weeks, including one at a senior center. Having fun and enjoying the car - that's what summer is about, right?

OUR MG at the most recent cruise night

Our MG placed second in the MGB MKII class

Log Cabin Summer Cruise

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:02:35 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2008-06-26 17:02:35

If its summer I'm at the Log Cabin restaurant in Macedon NY every Wednesday. The weather was perfect yesterday and there had to be 500 cars there. They were full up. There were so many cars and so many friends to hang with. There was even a brand new 2008 Dodge Hemi Challenger to turn everyones head. Lots of fun with our fellow MG club members so after some of the cars moved out we three parked together. Good times.

Not my car but a head turner at the cruise in

Canandaigua Car Show A Wash Out

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:58:55 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2008-06-26 16:58:55

The Canandaigua car show was washed out with heavy rain all day. there were twenty or so cars on the streets. It was sad because the city tried to put in a good effort and had various businesses include coupons and flyers in the goody packet you got for registering. My wife volunteered at All things Art painting, but they had very few folks stop by due to the weather. I stuck around to see if I would get a trophy but by 2:30 or so I was soaked and went home. Maybe next year.

Canandaigua in the rain

Sports Car And Vintage Auto Festival XXXVII

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 04:21:15 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2008-06-03 04:21:15

The 37th annual car show from the MG Car Club and Victor Lions club was this past Sunday. There were some neat cars there- an unrestored L29 Cord, a 1915 era electric, GM Hydrogen vehicle and Mercedes Smart fortwo cars. We had about 600 cars in the show. Thats on par with last year, but if the weather would have been hot and sunny that could have been 800-900 cars easily. The weather was supposed to be nice but as last year was gray and cloudy and it keeps the only driven in sunny day cars from coming. It looked like rain near the end of the show and in fact sprinkled a little. Despite all our hard work to get it prepared its always up to the weather.

Chrome bumper MGB class at the show

Putting On The Miles And The Smiles

Sun, 18 May 2008 05:36:14 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2008-05-18 05:36:14

I have been taking the B out as often as possible. The B is running well and I took it for a good drive yesterday for about an hour and a half. I may check the timing and points just to check them- I don't think it really needs any adjustmentbut we've had the timing light out for my son's car so might as well. I have been helping my son get his car finished the past few weeks. He completely rebuilt his '75 dart engine himself. Its over bored to a 322 with 4 bbl Holley, Headers, and a mild cam. The Dart runs great and is back on the road after almost two years of being apart.

Nice Days- Nice Rides

Tue, 06 May 2008 18:53:09 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2008-05-06 18:53:09

I have been driving the B to work and just bumming around the weekends in it. She has been running good, but I had a backfire when cold that would persist even when warmed up if under a load like low RPMS up a long hill. So I decided to adjust the mixture a little. OK so now it ran very well. My wife- wise about things MG- said- OK leave it alone now. But me being not content- this Saturday I thought I could even out the idle a little, so up a little on this carb, back a little on the other, until after about an hour..it was idling Ok but running so rich it would barely get out of the driveway spluttering and popping out the tail pipe! Yikes- what did I do! Soooo, resorting to an old trick, I turned the mixture screws all the way in, and backed them out two and a half turns, to get a base line and to get the carbs even. Then a little leaner by a half turn or so each and all is right in the world again- in fact running decidedly good. To put things in perspective in my FD role we had a motorcycle MVA on one of the first nice weekends of the year and helped load a patient in the Mercy Flight helicopter. So my problems are small.

Mercy flight

First Ride Of 2008 Season

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 19:01:51 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2008-04-07 19:01:51

I changed the spark plugs and fuel filter last weekend. This Sunday was a beautiful spring day- sunny and in the 60's. I saw lots of nice cars out on the roads, so I got the itch to get the B out of storage. the last time I changed the fuel filter a small piece of hose or filter material got in the float and caused a overflow through the canister. I didn't want that to happen again so I bled the fuel line between the filter and the carb. After making sure the fuel line was clear I tightened it all back up and leak free I started the old girl up for the first time since storage last winter. Fluids OK, brakes OK , antifreeze good, belts tight. Tire pressure OK. Started right up after a few cranks! Went for a short check ride- about five miles. It was a nice day and everything seems in good shape for another year of fun!

First time out this year!

MGCC Valve Cover Races

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 17:28:20 -0800

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2008-01-13 17:28:20

Today we had the MG Car Club Western New York Centre valve cover races. We bracket race each racer until we have a winner! We had 17 racers this year and quite a few new entrants. My racer "Rule Brittania" did OK, better than the short wheelbase setup I ran last year. I won three heats of two races before I got knocked out of the brackets. The overall winner was a nicely done car from driver/builder Bill Baldwin that diced it out with Leon Zak's "Pee Wee's Revenge". Pee Wee's revenge was built in supposedly two hours according to Leon. I spent a good deal more than two hours on my car but its all fun in the winter when the real car is hibernating. We hold our valve cover races every january and its the first event of our season. The rules state it has to be or include a British car valve cover, not exceed 24" long, not exceed 12Lbs weight and meet width requirements. We raced our valve cover racers against the Canandian MG club this summer and found they have no weight restriction- so perhaps we are working on some "experimental" unlimited weight racers for that contest later this year! Fun is the theme and some cars have colorful themes or absurd appendages, but they are fun!

Some of the valve cover racers

My valve cover racer "Rule Brittania"

Little Winter Projects

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 20:11:04 -0800

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2007-12-18 20:11:04

Its getting to be the time of year I take on little winter projects in the garage. Its been blowing and snowing pretty good this week, and my garage is pretty nice to work in. I replaced the stock valve cover with an alloy valve cover from The Roadster Factory last February. The alloy valve cover has a straight vent pipe the same diameter as the inner breather hose diameter, with no restriction. I read on a post here a week or so ago that there needs to be a small restriction in the vent from the valve cover on my mark of MGB. I hadn't noticed any drivability problems, but the factory vent pipe only has a hole about 3/32. So I cut a slot in the vent pipe outlet, and slid in a small fender washer with a small hole, about 1/8. I filed the washer to fit the inner and outer contours of the pipe and fastened it in place with JB weld. Its not going anywhere and will restrict airflow reasonably close to stock. We'll see if there is any noticeable effect on driving or vacuum next spring.

Alloy valve cover

Holiday Party

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 06:16:58 -0800

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2007-12-09 06:16:58

The Western New York Centre MG Car Club held its annual Holiday party last night and we had 96 members attend. good food, talk and fun. The activities chair of Brooks and Gayle Schneider did a great job organizing events these past two years and they put on a great party last night as their final event. There was a crossword puzzle with clues made up of events or trivia that happened at this years events- quite clever! Our next get together is a Morgan club/ MG club Noggin and Natter at the local English Pub, The Old Toad. That's always a chance to swap car stories and drink beer. What else could be better on a cold snowy night?

MGB under the tree

Asleep For The Winter

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 17:59:37 -0800

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2007-11-11 17:59:37

Well I decided with frost on the ground and snow in the air last Wednesday that it was time to put the old girl to bed for the winter this year. I had the B out last weekend and it runs great- but hates the cold mornings. I put on 2098 miles on the MG this year and had no problems except for tearing off the whole exhaust on the way to a cruise night on a steel bridge with a steep approach angle. Even that could have been avoided if I was more careful about my routes! It didn't stop us from going to the cruise night anyway! So now the car related project is working with my son on his '75 Dart. We put the engine back in that about a week ago. We should have it running again by December. I'll keep in touch on MG events during the winter.

MG put to bed for the winter

My son getting ready to install his motor

Is This Really Fall?

Sun, 21 Oct 2007 15:19:52 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2007-10-21 15:19:52

I just got back from a beautiful top down ride in the MGB. I can't believe its 70 degrees in late October in Upstate New York. Incredible- so I have to enjoy it while I can. Not only that but the Bills won today- another incredible feat! I checked the B's gas mileage when I topped off the tank today and it was 24MPG- not bad for an old girl with 104,000 miles.

My Son's Motor

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 16:17:38 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2007-10-17 16:17:38

While the weather begins to slip into fall mode soon to be winter, we have begun the inevitable work in the garage to finish projects or begin new ones. This time last year I burned a valve on the MGB and rebuilt the head. This year the project belongs to my son, who is finishing his bored out and completely rebuilt 318 V8 for his '75 Dodge Dart. I'm proud of him as he has put a lot of work into this car building the motor himself and its coming to fruition. It used to be a slant six, but we did a conversion together several years ago with a junkyard V8. Slightly off topic so I'll leave it at that.

318 bored out and rebuilt

Engine bay ready

Mini Of Another Generation

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 16:07:00 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2007-10-17 16:07:00

The MGB passed inspection earlier this month- as expected, so I've been motoring about in it as the weather and my travel plans at work allow. Interesting development of another kind is that my daughter recently purchased a 2006 Mini Cooper. She is now interested in joining our rallys and may even join the car club. Its a fun car to drive but amazingly more technical than any Mini I ever drove before. Perfect for her though as she is a gadget person!

Greta's new Mini Cooper

Watkins Glen Vintage Grand Prix Festival 2007

Sun, 09 Sep 2007 06:13:25 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2007-09-09 06:13:25

I went to the 2007 Vintage Grand Prix Festival at Watkins Glen New York this weekend. The downtown area is closed off to regular traffic and there is a series of parade laps and tribute laps for various groups of vehicles. Culminating with the vintage racers from SVRA coming down from the nearby race track and parking on the streets for close inspection an hour before they do their "tribute laps". They grid the cars on either side of the streets and its just great. You can get up close and personal with every car. There are cars on display everywhere and lots to see and do. Bugattis and BMW were the featured marque this year. Thousands of folks are enjoying themselves, there is music, food, beverages and its one big party! We took the MGB and were part of the Glenkhana in the middle of downtown. Plus as a participant we got to become a "Stone Bridge Driver" and had two laps of the original street course. There are several groups of these tribute laps and the 20 cars or so in the Glenkhana were grouped with another 130 cars on the Glenora run rally. What a blast it is to roar through the downtown past the hay bales and hear the people cheer and clap as if you were somebody! Our club was there in force helping run the Concours d'Elegance and when we passed them they all yelled like crazy, making for great fun. Several club members are racing Sunday so the gang will be out in force to cheer them on and help in the pits as needed.

OURMG crossing the Stone Bridge on the old course

Waiting for the Glenkhana to begin

Vintage MGB works racer

Wayne Drumlins Car Show

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 04:46:17 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2007-08-20 04:46:17

We had a prior committment, so our son Glenn took the MGB to the Wayne Drumlins car show Sunday. I've never been to that show although this year was the 30th anniversary. There were about 300 cars in the show but only a few foreign cars including fellow club member Doug and Cindy Jack's TR-3, a big Healey and a Saab Sonnet and a few others. Our MG was the only MG represented. No trophy for us, as the Healy was very nice and Doug and Cindy's TR is always a trophy winner.

Cruisin' Along

Sat, 18 Aug 2007 11:19:19 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2007-08-18 11:19:19

I took the MGB to the Log cabin cruise night Wednesday and there were hundreds of cars there. I tightened the muffler down pipe flange bolts over the weekend and the muffler situation is now totally resolved. After looking over the cars at this weeks gathering I sat with the MG for about an hour and a half and explained the finer points of LBC ownership to the uninitiated. A recent buyer of an MGB asked me how to fold the top correctly, another fellow stopped by who is working on a '65 MGB with a blown chevy big block conversion. He's removing the inner fenders so it will fit! I am beginning to notice how many teenage guys come up to the car and have no idea what an MG is or where they are from. I guess since they haven't been made in 27 years thats to be expected, but I never used to get as many comments like "What kind of car is this, dude?" The summer is getting near the end and I'm looking forward to taking the B to the Watkins Glen vintage races in a few weeks.

OUR MG with a late 40's Plymouth

Muffler And Exhaust Part 2

Thu, 02 Aug 2007 17:22:39 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2007-08-02 17:22:39

Ok, so the first fix I did Tuesday night was an emergency one. A solid metal connection from the muffler to the frame under the seat results in massive vibrations when lifting your foot off the accelerator! I put a proper rubber isolated pipe hanger on the pipe at the joint to the header and found that on the hanger after the muffler instead of breaking a weld, the rubber isolator had ripped off the rear hanger. I reattached that hanger with a bolt through the rubber and after an hours work under the car listening to tunes and a beer, bolted all the hangers in place. Voila, the car sounds normal again!

New front muffler hanger

Rear muffler hanger repaired and in place

Muffler Oops

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 19:23:04 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2007-07-31 19:23:04

My wife and I took OUR MG to the Fairport village cruise night tonight, as the weather was beautiful, and we wanted to hear the live band and get a bite to eat there. Wouldn't you know I scraped the muffler on a sharp incline crossing a one lane iron bridge over the canal and -oops off came the whole pipe from the header connection back. Because it was a metal grid deck bridge it caught pretty good and I ripped off all the hangers, plus mangled the rear valance, as the rear clamp and hanger was the only one left hanging on. Now this has hapened to me before- the pipe and muffler are basically OK and all that happens is you have to "slip" it back together and clamp it down. My wife- ever the cool headed one suggested we just take off the whole thing, set it on the car and go to the cruise night anyways- so thats what we did. We wrapped the muffler in the covers from our folding chairs and laid it on the tonneau and the only comment we got was from one guy who thought our car was "kinda loud". All the clamp bolts were usable and everything came off OK. We looked at all the cars and enjoyed the music as we planned. Fellow car club member Gil Langswager lent us some wire and after it was cool enough we slid the pipe back on the header, we wired the whole thing on. Later- the muffler and pipe held for all the way home and then caught and slipped off on the garage floor edge just as I pulled in the garage! I managed to reuse one of the front hangers and got the pipe and muffler on really tight- at least as good as it used to be, but the rear hanger behind the muffler ripped right off the frame- so I may have my son weld it back on at the dealership he works at. I'm kinda P O'd that the rear valance got bent up but after wacking at it with a hammer it looks OK for now at 50 feet.

new front hanger

back hanger ripped off the frame

Log Cabin Cruise Night

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 19:09:43 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2007-07-25 19:09:43

Another beautiful night at the Log Cabin Cruise in tonight, with hundreds of cars. A highlight for me was meeting new MGB owner Chris and his friend Steve and long time MG TC owners Debbie and Corny. We parked next to each other for some Brit fellowship and had a great conversation as well as attracting a small crowd but I was busy having a good time and didn't snap a picture!

Fairport Cruise Night

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 17:25:00 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2007-07-17 17:25:00

Every Tuesday night the village of Fairport on the Erie Canal holds a cruise night in "downtown" Fairport. Its a pretty little setting, in a parking lot right on the canal, next to the lift bridge and alongside restaurants and an ice cream shoppe. They have live band or DJ and food vendors too. They can only hold 100 cars so its usually full by 5:30 or 6:00 PM. One fellow who makes a frequent appearance in an Amphicar and gets lots of stares when he drives by in the canal and toots his horn! There is always a mix of hot rods, sports cars and older 30's, 40's and 50's cars. I have been pretty regular attending Tuesday nights and our club members headed by Bob Tescione have staked out a particular corner under a tree for shade. Tonight it looked like rain and Bob was missing in his Volvo van but Gil and Betty were holding down the fort in their '53 MG TD. I parked next to them in OUR MG and we represented the club. Boats can pull right up to the lot too and its unusual if there aren't interesting canal boats or yachts tied alongside. tonight a big yacht came in and tied up. Really impressive and grabbed everyone's attention from the cars while he tied up.

A July cruise night in Fairport

Multi- Club Picnic Queenston, Ontario

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 04:51:23 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2007-06-24 04:51:23

Our MG joined 14 cars in a caravan from the MG Car Club Western NY centre to attend the first annual multi-club picnic at Queenston Heights, Ontario Canada hosted by the MG Car Club Toronto. It was a beautiful day- clear and sunny. There were approximately 100 British cars at the picnic and events such as best car on the lot, valve cover races and a funkhana. Clubs in attendance were the Toronto MGCC, Western New York MGCC, Ontario MGT register, Niagara (Canada)British car club, Emerald Necklace MG register (Ohio) , Buffalo Octagon Association. Met loads of new people- several website members (Peter's MGitch is first in line the photos)and had a blast all day. The only ripple was in the near one hour wait at customs to enter the border to the US on the way home. Imagine dozens of MG's sitting in traffic barely moving for one hour. Other than that we had a great time. We met a couple from Ontario that had the identical license plate as ours "OUR MG" but from Ontario, so we got plenty of pictures and made new friends! A delightful ride home top-down with several club members capped off the fun day.

Over 40 MGB's were at the picnic

Another view with Our MG in the chrome bumper class

The twin license plates!

Canandaigua Car Show

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 19:30:17 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2007-06-16 19:30:17

We had beautiful weather today for the Canandaigua car show. About 40 cars lined the sidewalks of the downtown area and four club members from the MGCC Western New York Center were in attendance. They had a greeat band playing at the commons right near where our MG was parked. Its wierd to be able to drive down the sidewalks to the designated place for your car! Jim and Dawn Priestly were right next to me and they won popular vote for cleanest engine with their MGB! I had a nice time looking at the cars and stopping in the many shops. Later in the afternoon before the awards I joined Jim and Dawn for a drink at one of the fine local establishments. What a nice day!

Jim and Dawn with their award

Some of the cars with our MG and Jim and Dawns next.

Roger's MGA

Bristol Town Festival

Sun, 10 Jun 2007 17:22:45 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2007-06-10 17:22:45

We took OurMG B to the Bristol town festival today. We joined fellow MGCC WNY members Doug and Cindy Jack with their TR3 and Jim and Dawn Priestley and their '70 MGB there. They had about 35-40 cars there. It was an old time town festival with folk music, a wooden canoe display, chicken BBQ from the local fire department, 4H tent alpacas and a library book sale. There was even an R/C airplane show. We had a fun day!

Our MG at the Bristol festival

36th Annual Vintage Auto Fest A Success

Sun, 03 Jun 2007 16:34:53 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2007-06-03 16:34:53

We had good weather today right up until the very end of the car show. Then a torrential thunderstorm hit and most of the 500+ cars at the show made a quick exit! We had a great time and saw fellow MGB experience members wearing their T shirts at the show. There were about 10 MGB's in my class for post 1970 MGB's including one owned by an elusive member of the MGB experience forum that I just could not catch up with all day. My brother in law Pat was there with his '79 MGB in another B class. I judged sports cars 1975-96, while my wife judged MG Midgets. Looks like a successful show, despite the late rain!

OUR MG third from the right.

Another view of one of the MGB class

First Cruise Night 2007

Wed, 23 May 2007 20:24:06 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2007-05-23 20:24:06

Several members of the MGCC Western NY centre went to the Log Cabin restaurant cruise night tonight. There were hundreds of cars in attendance and we went about handing out car show flyers until our supply was gone. Now we have to hope for good weather for the show in less than two weeks! Here's OurMG next to Gil and Betty's MGTD. Its hard to believe there is only 20 years difference between the TD and MGB yet they are worlds apart in styling and engineering.

OurMG next to Langswagers MGTD

Wash And Wax

Sun, 22 Apr 2007 19:21:53 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2007-04-22 19:21:53

Last night was the first really warm night of the year. I took Our MG out for a few short drives during the day, and then later I took the B out to Canandaigua pier and back just for the fun of it. Thats the local hang out for cars on nice nights. Again today, it was a beautiful day - mid 70's and sunny, so we took the MG to church this morning, then my wife took the B to the store and later I took the MG for a drive around the block. Its about a month before our car show but I started to detail some spots in the trunk that had been scratched. After that I gave the B a good wash and wax. Its nice to finally be able to get out after our long winter nap! Here's a pic I took of an angle I don't usually use... the rear!

IM003945.JPG

Sports Car And Vintage Auto Festival XXXVI

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 18:06:56 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2007-04-20 18:06:56

I took the B to the MG club meeting last night and we're getting ready for our 36th annual car show. Its stopped snowing finally and it is just starting to feel like spring. Still too cold to really enjoy things, and the B does not like cold. Bucks and snorts like an old mule until she's warmed up. But once warm she drives like her old self. Next event will be a show meeting next week. Soon ...cruise night season begins!

Nice Day Out For A Drive

Sat, 31 Mar 2007 16:47:48 -0700

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2007-03-31 16:47:48

It was a nice sunny day, around 55 degrees, so I took the B out for a little drive. I was not alone in the thought as I saw my neighbor taking his '72 Olds cutlass convertible out for his first drive of the season at the same time! Everything checked out fine with the B. So far I have only had the chance to run the engine for a few minutes or pull her out of the garage, due to the weather. I took the B for a trip to the grocery store for a check ride/ beer run and happened to meet a couple of fellow MG club members driving by who stopped when they saw my MG. We had a nice chat and then off for home before it got too dark!

Another view of the rebuilt cylinder head and new heat shield.

Back In Business!

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 17:05:49 -0800

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2007-02-13 17:05:49

I installed the rebuilt head and decided to leave off the air pump after the rebuild. British Auto Salvage did the head work for me. New seats, valves and valve guides. The head, gasket and intake/carb/ exhaust installation went fine. I had a little brain fade installing the ignition wires, but with the help of this forum I got it right. I replaced all the gaskets and hoses and replaced the heater control valve and thermostat. I added a vented alloy valve cover from The Roadster Factory, and had to re-route the heater hose because the hold down nuts are larger on this cover than the stock ones and I couldn't place the coolant line along the top of the cover. I filled the radiator with coolant and after a quick fuel and coolant leak check, fired her up! Despite it being only 5 degrees out tonight, she caught after about 20 seconds of cranking and ran fine! I'm back in business!

Rebuilt head installed

Look What Santa Brought

Fri, 29 Dec 2006 03:57:19 -0800

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2006-12-29 03:57:19

Santa brought my like new rebuilt cylinder head! Since I have the big valve version head I was glad the head checked out crack-free. Everything is rebuilt, cleaned painted and ready to go back on the B. I may or may not pull the motor this winter. I may just put the head back on, drive it for the summer and pull the motor next winter. Other priorities have come up with my daily driver Jeep, which led to buying a brand new 2007 Jeep earlier this month! The head work was done through British Auto in Walworth NY.

Rebuilt cylinder head

Winter Project

Sun, 03 Dec 2006 15:39:20 -0800

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2006-12-03 15:39:20

Since the cylinder head needs work, I plan on pulling the motor and trans so I can get started on a rebuild. Rings, flat top pistons, new bearings and a clutch are on my list. I've needed a main seal for about, um 20 years. I've been told to check the cam and replace the lifters. I'll probably go for a rebore too. I'm going to try to space it out to keep the bills from coming all at once!

I'll pull the motor next

The Latest Adventure.

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 18:53:49 -0800

From journal George Heissenberger's Journal by George Heissenberger
Created on The MG Experience at 2006-11-30 18:53:49

Some of you may have seen the thread on my most recent adventure. The I had the Monday after Thanksgiving off work, so I took advantage of the record warm and pleasant day to tool around and do errands in the B. On my way home from driving around, one cylinder started to miss while I was driving on the expressway at about 65 mph. I'llspare you the long story, but I narrowed it to the number three cylinder and after pulling the head with my son's help I have a burned exhaust valve on number three cylinder. Time for a rebuild! Here's what a burned valve looks like if you've never seen one. Burned is a misnomer I guess, as there's a small chunk missing.

Burned exhaust valve.