BritishV8 Forum

The space between the hanger forks is 0.500" exactly.
The boss on the air horn is 0.425'' on its guide surface.
so the stud would need to be 0.425" or less.
The hanger only protrudes 0.100" @ max lift so even a couple of AN washers would get the job done.

Could be...

Why not just grind a flat spot on it?

'cause it might not tighten down the same next time.

Jim

I turned the rod down and now the flappers will open all the way.

steve

Steve/Jim/Carl:

Just to clarify, the secondaries not opening fully was a problem with the OLD carb that also carried over to the NEW carb-- yes?

M

No.

Max,
When the new rod holding the air cleaner on was installed the flappers would only open part way.  Both carbs are Rochesters and there for the same.  It is now fixed.  
Latest MPG was 14.5 in all in town driving.  This carb seems to help.

Steve

Are we running Premium in the Roadmaster, or will it run on 89?

It's 8:1 compression at best so it should run fine on anything.

Jim

Also, factor in the big cam probably has a fair amount of overlap and we are running aluminum heads.

I put Shell regular in it, 87 octane. I did not detect any ping.  Also, added Valvoline VR1 20W/50 motor oil.

Bill, your extendable 1/2" drive ratchet showed up this week.  I guess it was on backorder.

Regular gasoline will save us some expense!  Good news!

I ran regular in it when I had it and it ran fine.

Among the Spurious there has been a little concern about Dan and I not being able to make the BritishV8 meet in Palestine next month and I just want to reassure everyone that we will be with you in spirit if not physically, and that we both look forward to the prospect of a cook-out at Mantell Motorsports this fall should that come about. I wrote a rather lengthy response to the Spurious and felt it would not be inappropriate to publish it here in a public forum, so for your consideration then, the text follows with some slight revisions:

As much as I appreciate the sensibilities expressed in this (email) message, as a matter of principle I think it is incumbent upon me to protest in some manner. All I did was provide some guidance and do a little work. I don't really see where that is so much different from anyone else who put time, effort and money into making this happen
It just happened that I was in a position to do what I could to help. And I opened my big mouth and stuck my foot in it. I know good and well that every one of you are more than capable of doing the same thing. Now as much as I'd enjoy hanging out with everyone for a few days, it won't be that long before we're gathering up in Sydney for a cook out and I'm sure to be there. As for kicking off the Roadmaster's world tour, I think we've done that already and I know none of you are any more set on a formal ceremony than I am, so I don't really see where my and Dan's presence or absence in TX is going to make that much difference.

Guys, we pretty much take what we can from life and do the best we can with what we get. If we can benefit our friends with that, then few things can be more worthwhile and personally satisfying. But our resources are limited so we sometimes have to make choices that limit our future options in some way. It doesn't make us a hardship case, it just means we looked at it and decided to go this way rather than that. By definition that means we accept the outcome. Now when we started BADASS, none of us really expected to spend five years building a car. None of us really expected to end up with something of this quality, and none of us really expected to do anything more than prove that it could be done. We have exceeded everyone's expectations by such a wide margin, that there is simply no way any of us could avoid being very proud of what we've done. And it was an honor and a privilege to be at the helm during that time. But like everyone else my resources are limited and I had to make choices. There are any number of ways I could have done things differently, but I made the choices that I felt were the best for everyone involved, and now some of those choices are bearing fruit. In this I am perfectly willing to accept that fruit in whatever form it takes, as I made these choices knowingly. There is good fruit and bad. The car is now on tour and is going to greatly increase our credibility in the automotive world. It may not elevate us to the level of Club Shelby, but to those who are willing to look, it will daze and amaze for what it is. Nobody is going to believe that this car is as good as it is until they get in and drive it, but word will get around. Just think for a minute about what we have created. A big block MGB that rides better than stock, handles as good and potentially better, has all of the legroom of the original, has every bit as much performance potential as a Shelby Cobra, but is a comfortable car to drive! And all of this in a 1969 car! Fellas. we have honestly and truly created what the ultimate MGB could have become back in the day, and this is a car that could have gone head-to-head with any racing machine of that period, and won.

For my part I am very thrilled to have had a hand in it, and am more than happy with my contribution, I am ecstatic. And let me tell you, that more than offsets the downside of missing a get together. It more than offsets turning the organization over to a new President. It more than offsets missing out on the Power Tour, and it more than offsets not being present at the Mitty. I am a patient man. I can wait for September or when we meet again. And when we do it will be all the sweeter for having seen how others have risen to the occasion to continue the good work that we have started. Five years ago nobody could have foreseen where we would be today, and three years down the road, none of us know where we will be then. I had a little insight on where we might be, based on the people who volunteered to help, and I have a little insight for the future that I'll be happy to share, but understand it can't pretend to be accurate.

My prediction is that this car will catch the imagination of a new generation of car enthusiasts that did not even know the car (MGB) existed. Provided we get a little credible press coverage, word will eventually filter through the automotive world of an ultra-performance retro machine that is everything we have come to expect in our conversion cars, yet can take on any of the big boys on their own turf. An inexpensive little machine that is comfortable and driver friendly but can romp on any production car out there. I predict that MGB sale prices will go up as a result, so maybe you might want to go ahead and grab that pristine example you've been eying, and that the value of your conversion will increase. I think it will draw new blood into our sport, helping to insure that MG and LBCs in general continue to have a place and not be lost to the dust bins of history. And I think that it will help restore the prestige of this once proud Marque in a world that has all but forgotten it.

For the most part Life is an evolutionary sport. These past five years have evolved in a singularly satisfying way for me, and I very much look forward to the next five. I'll be honest, it was fun taking a leadership role. I wouldn't mind doing it again sometime. But it is somewhat draining in many ways, and it is best that that particular burden of leadership be shared. And, as I mentioned earlier, we are at the limits of my own personal ability to lead into the future simply because I do not have the skills that are now needed. Because others do, it is now your responsibility to find the person best suited to take up the mantle of leadership for the coming year or whatever period you deem most suitable. Bill has stepped up to organize the rotation schedule and to my mind he is a very good candidate for leadership and so I endorse him as the man I would choose, but the choice is yours rather than mine and I would not presume to tell you what to decide. I'm very confident in the abilities and integrity of all of the members and know that a good choice will be made. And don't worry, you won't have to go forward without me. I will be there, it is just as much an honor to be counted among the rank and file of this fine group of individuals as to stand before them. We will all see each other again soon.

Jim

As a side note, the Roadmaster will be appearing at the Mitty the last weekend of this month, alongside the Grassroots Motorsports tent. Curtis will be there, and if there is any way possible for you to make it, you should definitely go by. I do not know what possibilities are available or what Curtis has planned, but if there is a chance of taking the car out for a lap around the course you should definitely take advantage of that.

Jim

The only problem I have with all this Jim, is not being able to meet you and Dan in person at Palestine Tx. Both of you have helped me with my own build more than you know, with support. It is harder to meet some of you eastern people in this group for us westerners (distance). I do understand your decisions on this matter. For that being said "Thank You" to the both of you.

Sometime down the near future would be awesome to meet up would be very nice!

Calvin & Brenda

Same.  Gonna miss seeing you guys.

Right back at you guys.  I would really love to see Rob's car finally, and especially to meet Calvin and see that car, being a TR guy myself.  But there will be other years, other events, etc.  Thanks for the kind words!

I've been a little slow getting to the bank, but contributions from Max, Rick, and Todd McCreary have now been deposited, adding a bit to the bank account.

Jim

Roadmaster left here today at about 12:30.  It broke down last night on the way out of town and we brought it back to fix it.  The starter fell out.  One starter ear broke and the other bolt broke off.  Got it all fixed taday and Curtis left.  Hope her will have no more trouble.

Steve

Steve, did you use the old starter for a core? If not, hold on to it and we'll see if we can get a new nose for it. The unit itself is somewhat better than average quality, better gears and whatnot, and we can probably come up with a replacement nose, doesn't have to be new. That would give us a spare.

Jim

I'll post a full report on a new thread when I have time to do it with more care and thought... but I've got a two minutes and I've finally found free wifi here so I thought I'd give you an update.

RoadMaster is FANTASTIC!

The drive from South Carolina to Road Atlanta was a breeze. The car is running great. It stops traffic, and it's impossible to stop for gas without someone striking up a conversation.

Today Classic Motorsports did a pretty long photo shoot at about 9:30am. I let their reporter drive it (of course) to a spot with a nice forested background that he had scoped out in advance. It was a nice, damp, overcast morning, which is of course what you want for that kind of photography. Perfect! Passer-bys stopped to say how much they love the car. The reporter was obviously impressed by the car, and even called me back at about 3pm to arrange for more photos and a second interview. This time, we drove the car down to Jerry Richards' (MGB GT V8 racecar) paddock, where we removed a rear wheel and then a front wheel so the reporter could get photos of the suspension.

Between those two sessions, the RoadMaster was parked along the pedestrian-only vendor row! One of the vendors there had seen the car and we had struck up a conversation. He said he be delighted to have the car in front of his business. I listened in on conversations, and was impressed by how very positive everyone was. I talked to a few people, and one of them commented that he could tell a ton of passion had been well invested in this project. I couldn't sum things up better than that.

Gotta run now...

Curtis, Cool report for a cool car!

Thanks for the update!  I've been wondering all day how it was going.

That's just fantastic Curtis. One thing I forgot to mention about the rear suspension, is that it was designed to allow a whopping 8 inches of wheel travel, one of the things that makes it ride nice. Sounds like you're having a good time there. Enjoy!

Jim