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MG MGA - Is that guy NUTS?

Hi folks. My 16 year old son has been pestering me to go for a LONG drive in the MGA. So today we took a 150 mile jaunt from Kitchener, Ontario, to London Ontario via the 401 highway. Temperature outside was 34 degrees C without the humidex! We had a fabulous steak dinner in London at the Great West Steak House, and then returned home. In total about a 300 miles round trip. People on the highway could not believe that we were travelling in a 50 year old car, at highway speeds in tropical heat, without air conditioning. One young couple asked us if we were crazy, when we stopped for gas. Of course I said "yes". We got lots of thumbs up as we continued along on our journey. We both sweated through our clothing because of the heat, and had to drink constantly there and back to keep hydrated. We did a constant 60 mph on the highway, and got passed by literally every vehicle on the road! No matter. We both enjoyed the trip, but think the next one will be when the weather is quite a bit cooler. Are there any other crazy people out there taking longish MG trips in this hot humid weather? lol Glenn
Glenn

Chuckle.

http://mgaguru.com/pic89/tjmx.htm
http://mgaguru.com/pic89/trmont.htm
http://mgaguru.com/tales/umlparty.htm
Barney Gaylord

Barney, those are great pics. I used to drive my B like that in the snow. Thankfully, we never see it like that down here.
Wray

Hi Barney. Guess my teensy little trip really must make you chuckle! lol. Well, if People think I'm crazy, they must think you are INSANE....... Keep on driving that A!
Cheers! Glenn
Glenn

Glenn,
I thought that the speed limit on the 401 was 70 kmh?
mike parker

Hi Mike. Nope. 401 speed limit is 100 KPH.
Glenn

All the time! Did a 350-mile trip over a couple days through the desert in the MGA a while back. It was pretty hot but we managed by consuming mass quantities of water, gatorade and ice cream.

I've got a few stories about such adventures on my web site.

http://www.lbcnuts.com/mg/tales
Steve Simmons

Cleaver web site, Steve.
Baz


http://mgaguru.com/pic89/trmont.htm

Liking the Temp gauge action Barney !!!

Seen that many times myself...

But the one time I wasn't watching... Bang at 80MPH....end of that 1500 engine...


I've driven from Perth to Brisbane and back before in a mates MGA... Dodging the animals was the hardest part.
Mark Hester

Reminds me of the time we were driving back from Italy. According to the roadside thermometers it was 36C. We ended up running the heater at maximum to keep the car happy!
Dan Smithers

Hi folks. I checked out the picture of Barney's instruments, and have a (perhaps dumb) question for Barney: With the temperature guage going off scale, werent you concerned about engine damage? I become concerned when the temp guage rises much over 200 degrees on my car, and always pull over, and let the engine cool down. I have terrible visions of cracking a block or head, or blowing a rad hose or head gasket to bits! Do you know something the rest of us dont? Perplexed, Glenn
Glenn

The key to comfort and enjoyment of long trips in an MGA is keeping the heat out of the cockpit. There is already tons of stuff written up in the archives and at Barney's site too, I would guess, on the subject.

However, driving home from NAMGAR GT at Lake Tahoe some years ago across the deserts of Nevada and Idaho (yes, Virginia, the southern third of Idaho is DESERT) in over 100F degree heat underscored the need to do something about this. The car ran well, the engine temp kept IT'S cool, but all that waste heat just loved migrating into the cabin.

I could fully understand after that drive why Mercedes had used exhaust venting on the sides of their 300SL for their engine compartment. Since that was not an option for an MGA, insulation and heat deflection had to be the next best alternative ~ and it was.
Bob Muenchausen

Hi again Barney. I read your story of the trip to Alaska, in your MGA, and have to say that I am impressed! To undertake such a long trip in an MGA is a distinct act of daring bordering perhaps on lunacy. Back in 1980, (at 27 years of age) I had just finished restoring my MGA. I had put just 500 miles on the rebuilt engine, and had donne it's first oil change. A few of my "friends" rather rudely stated that while my MGA was was a nice car for around town trips to the barber, variety store or pub, that it would NEVER be able to withstand a trip of any length. I told these naysayers that my MG certainly could and WOULD withstand a long trip. The words tumbled out of my mouth and before long, I had stated that I would be driving my MG out to Nova Scotia and back as a "test drive." I also said I would leave the next week! After shooting off my mouth, I checked a map, and found that Nova Scotia was a 1400 mile trip one way. That's 2800 miles return! I also invited my Cousin Barry to come with me, since he loved British cars, and had helped with my restoration. Without a second thought, he said "sure, sounds like fun." The day before we were scheduled to leave for our adventure, I discovered that my SU carbs were leaking profusely, so I pulled them off, rebuilt them, bolted them back on, tuned them, and then went to bed. Next day Barry and I left Kitchener. We mainly travelled the trans canada highway, taking turns driving, and stopping for food and gas when necessary. We eventually drove through Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Fredericton. At one point in New Brunswick the roadside sign said "Next service center 200 miles" We gassed up, checked fluids, and tires, and headed off. It is in this situation that one begins to wonder if the self rebuilt engine and tranny will go the distance! The car got through the 200 mile wilderness which consisted of NOTHING but boulders and trees! Not one building, car, or person was seen on that stretch of highway! We entered the Province of Nova Scotia, and set a course for Lunenburg, right on the Atlantic coast, and home of the famous "Bluenose" Schooner. While on the downhill run into Lunenburg, the engine began misfiring badly and then quit. We coasted down the hill and stopped in "downtown" Lunenburg, which was a tiny town with quaint houses and shops. It was then we discovered that the MG's entire electrical system was dead! No ignition, starter, lights, signals, NOTHING! My cousin was freaking out, saying that he would look around Lunenburg, and would try and find a trucking outfit that could flatbed the MGA back to Ontario. I told Barry to chill out, and then crawled under the ailing MG. The problem (and my stupidity) was immediately obvious!) In my haste to complete the restoration, I had neglected to fasten the main battery cable to the frame rail. The battery cable had "migrated" close tho the driveshaft, where it came in contact with the rotating U joint! The U joint had cut clean through the battery cable, causing the ills noted above! I walked to a local Marina 30 yards away, and asked the proprieter if he had anything to splice a battery cable together. He rooted around, and came back with a copper metal block with screws protruding. A whopping $2.00 or so purchased the splice. After baring both ends of the cable, the splice was installed and wrapped with electical tape. Some baling wire fastened the cable to the frame. Barry was completely amazed as the "dead" MG immediately came back to life! We stayed in Nova Scotia for several days sampling local cuisine, mainly shrimp and lobster! I was laid up for 2 days as a result of eating a bowl of clam chowder. I had no way of knowing that I had a food allergy to clams, until I was worshipping the "porcelain idol" in our motel, for 6 hours straight! When back on the road,We stopped in Springhill Nova Scotia, (home of singer Ann Murray) and where a coal mining disaster killed many people. We toured the remains of the "syndicate mine" and were awed when the lights were turned out. The mine shaft we were in was absolutely black, and unbelievably damp. The miners had been a brave and unique bunch of men, to be sure. Our trip home via the US route was pleasant and uneventful. We easily crossed into the USA, and drove through Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire, which had fabulously hilly and twisty MG roads! Several days after our arrival back home, I phoned the numerous " naysayers" who said the MGA would never be able to complete a long trip. I invited them to come over and view the photographs that had been taken at "strategic" points along out trip, with the intention to PROVE the MG had made the trip. I still relish the look on the faces of the naysayers, as they viewed the road sign "Montreal Centerville" or the picture of the MGA with the Bluenose II clearly visible in the background! To anyone with an MGA, I say just DO IT!!! Cheers! Glenn
Glenn

Glenn
Nope your not Nuts -- plenty of us drive the cars as they were meant to be driven. A few years ago I drove my A from NJ to Minneapolis/St Paul and back along with some friends - from the UK, Holland and Michigan. Then two years ago the same group did the trip from NJ to Oregon and back (the return via Canada). That trip was over 8,000 miles in three weeks.
(See MGA! or the new book by Hubbard/Martin "Call it MGA" for the story of our adventure.

I just a month ago completed a 3,300 mile plus trip from Florida to Ohio to Ottawa to Mackinaw, Michigan and back to Florida in my 73 Mini 1000.

As you say "Just do it!"

Rick
Rick Brown

I found that my midget and MGB drove through snow quite well. Just add a little bit of weight to the trunk and they went just fine. In fact they went places that I never thought it would go. Although I do remember having the tailpipe of the midget and eventually the entire underside of the car acting as a snow plow one morning while attempting to cut through a fresh 12" snow fall! I cannot say how the A does in relation to the other two since it is still on jack stands. Good thing for me Texas isn't known for its white stuff.

Glenn,
I can relate to your story. I went to college in Virginia and got my first job in California. Unfortunetly my MGB's head was leaking profusely just days prior to my intended departure. I took it off and had some good ole boys weld the crack up and I put it back on the same afternoon I left. Over the course of four days two of my friends, my 750 motorcycle AND my B made it 2500 miles through the Mohave desert in July and arrived in tact and on time. I showed up for work in Ventura the following day like nothing happened. Sure is nice to young and stupid!
Ken Bowen

Glenn,
Great story about your trip to Nova Scotia! Driving an MG makes any trip memorable doesn't it? My wife and I took my '73 MGB (which I still own) on our honeymoon in 1974. We drove through Muskoka, up through Algonquin Park, down to Ottawa, through Hull, on to Quebec City. We stayed several days in Muskoka, Ottawa and Quebec City. Then we went down to Montreal and on the way down the car quit running while driving at 50 mph. As we coasted off on to the shoulder it started up again, so we kept on going and made it to Montreal. We were camping, and upon leaving the campground the car quit running again. A guy in a beautiful Austin Healey 3000 stopped to help me. He said "its probably your fuel pump" He was going to help me push it back to the campground and I tried to start it again and it started right up. The next day I looked up a British Leyland dealer, and they cleaned the points on the fuel pump and said it should be OK. We then went to Man and his World exhibit for 2 days (the former Expo '67) On the second day we were leaving Montreal and this time the car quit on the Jaques Cartier Bridge! I don't know how we didn't get rear ended as cars kept coming up on us at high speed and pulling around at what seemed like the last second. A cop happened to be driving by and stopped traffic for a minute while we let it roll back to a small parking spot off to the side, maybe for maintenance crews or something. By this point I was suspecting the fuel pump again, but noticed the driver's side rear marker light was on when the key was on, but the lights weren't on. I wiggled the socket from inside the trunk and all of a sudden the light went out and the fuel pump started clicking. The car started right up and we went to Upper Canada Village, Morrison Island and back to Essex without a problem. I took the car in to the BL dealer in Windsor and they found the problem. The car had been rear ended about 8 months earlier and the body shop had forgotten to re-attach the ground wire for the rear harness, so everything must have been grounding through the light sockets or something, so there was never anything wrong with the fuel pump. Believe it or not that same fuel pump is still on the car today at 146,000 miles.
What about MGAs? We went to GT-30 at Mackinaw in July and back through the Sault, Sudbury and Muskoka over a 2 week span. This is the longest trip I have taken in my '57 1500 since finishing restoring it 2 years ago. 1302 miles and no problems at all. It was, however, HOT!!! The car didn't do too bad peaking out at about 200 deg. F at one point on the hottest day, but the occupants cooked. I looked over at my wife as we sweated our way along Hwy 17 and said "isn't this fun?" The look I got back told me she wasn't having fun!!!
So next year the GT is in Tennesee and the year after in Whistler BC. We are seriously considering both of these trips with Whistler being the climax trip.

Ralph
Ralph

My first A was a 58 coupe it was my daily driver when I went off to college in 75. It sat outside in the dorm lot and never failed to start. Went great in the snow. Made the trip back and forth home to Denver from Provo Utah in any weather many times. A few years ago I took my daughter to an Avalanche hockey game almost home my truck threw it's fan belt. The next morning all I had to drive was my 57 A roadster. O course the top and side curtains were at work. It was so cold that the 6 inches of snow was just powder on the road. I drove in to work in my ski bibs a snow parka a scarf around my neck and a motorcycle helmet. I waved to all who pointed at the crazy guy in the old car. It was kind of fun to drive in that way.
Randy
R J Brown

Love all the stories bringing back memories of my own! My 1960 MGA-1600 (GHNL88669) never gave me any trouble on long trips: Norfolk, VA to Point Lance, Newfoundland and back - no problems. Unless you consider a flat tire every 75 miles on the 600-plus miles of "Plowing Newfoundland Gravel Roads" a problem! The MGA definately had a "clearance problem" on "Unimproved Roads" (gravel) and more so on "Provincial Trails" (bare dirt), resulting in dozens of "Pit Stops to Check the Oil Pan & Gas Tank" when the old girl hit yet another boulder in the middle of the road. It sure was great to finally hit the 3-lane cement highway in Nova Scotia coming back, and I felt so good I drove straight through from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Trenton, New Jersey,a LOT of miles! Finally, I couldn't drive any more, drew the tonneau cover over me and SLEPT FOR NINE HOURS IN THE FRONT SEAT OF MY MGA! Some time I'll tell about the floorboards catching fire (REAL floor BOARDS on an MGA!) - put out with "WINDEX" because if I stopped to put out the fire I would be late getting back to the Naval Base and get "busted" two pay grades instead of taking the exam for promotion next week! Smoking past the astonished Marine Gate Guards to make it to "muster" where the Petty Officer was only two names away from calling out my name, after which I would be late and in deep doo-doo! Had GHNL88669 for 8 years in 4 different countries and racked up maybe 150,000 miles with only ONE engine problem, blown head gasket, after which I fitted the "Competition Head Gasket Set" (Copper). Most fun was in Japan, intimidating the locals with a NOISY DOWNSHIFT TO 2ND any time I wanted to change lanes. Or driving on SUPER NARROW STREETS where the steering wheel being on the "Wrong Side" meant I could SEE the "Benjo Ditch" BEFORE I drove off the road into it! My buddies in Japanese cars didn't have that advantage.
wattswh1

Gotta love the driving stories, but getitng back to Glenn's second question, no, I'n not the least bit worried about begging the temperature gauge and running it like that all day long (as long as the temperature doesn't go beyond teh peg where you can't monitor it). I have been doing that regularly with no proiblem for a couple of decades, including lots of trailer towing at speed, hundreds of VERY serious autocross dates, and occasionally getting stuck in stop and stop "rush hour" traffic in hot weather.

The only trick to keeping the engine happy is to be absolutely sure that you always keep liquid coolant in the engine, no bubbles and no boiling allowed. With a tight cooling system and 7 PSI pressure cap you can peg the gauge at 230dF without boiling, and room to spare.

On very rare occasion I may turn on the auxilliary engine cooler (AKA: "passenger heater"), but that is usually only needed for a few seconds at a time, perhaps approaching the crest of a long hill when the needle goes off the scale. A slug of cold liquid from the heater core into the engine will give an instant 10dF drop in running temperature, but it only lasts as long as it takes for the system to heat up the new jolt of coolant, maybe a minute or two. After that you need to find slightly cooler running conditions, or you run the risk of permanently alienating the navigator.

The high end running temperature only comes on with prolonged high speed full throttle operation, when the engine is burning about 4 GPH of fuel or more (80+ MPH and 20 MPG). For poking aroung in traffic in hot weather a fan shroud does wonders for keeping the coolant under 220dF regardless of environmental conditions.

Barney
Barney Gaylord

I know a guy in the Michigan Rowdies whom I have looked to for advice on MGAs, having owned his since he was about 20 years old. He says like Barney, as long as it isn't spitting coolant out ie. boiling, it will be fine. It has worked for him all these years, although I have to admit if I saw 230F on the gauge, I would be pulling over!

Ralph
Ralph

This thread was discussed between 01/08/2005 and 09/08/2005

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