The MGA With An Attitude
MGA Guru Is GOING MOBILE - (October 1 - October 15, 2024)

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Tuesday - October 1, 2024:
Good news, the new alternator arrived today, one day delivery. In the evening We were off to Darrell's garage for Tuesday night tech meet. We needed some 5/16-24-UNF Heli-Coil inserts, one for the new alternator. We know that Advance Auto Parts no longer sell this part. We stopped along the way to check Autozone, but they didn't have it either. Next stop was Napa West in York, PA. They had none in stock, checked the surrounding stores, found none at Napa East either. Nearest store that had them was an hour drive away, but they could have them delivered here by mid day tomorrow. Do they have two packs? Nope, just one. Okay, we'll take it. Be back tomorrow.

Thank goodness it finally quit raining by the time we arrived at Darrell's garage. We had about 10 guys coming and going in the next few hours, including one new friend/member we had met at the car show. Once most were present there was a short formality to deliver an award from the Saturday MGs On The Rocks car show, 2nd place in the chrome bumper MG Midget class. -- While the social jovialities were going on we unpacked the new alternator, drilled out the coarse thread for the adjuster bracket bolt, and tapped the hole to accept the 5/16-24 fine thread Heli-Coil. That would be easy to screw in the new insert tomorrow. Then we proceeded to install the spare fan and pulley with a new woodruff key and stash the new (spare) alternator in the magic Trailer. The failed alternator then went back into the shipping box to be returned to Moss Motors on the morrow.


Wednesday - October 2, 2024:
Sitting at south end of York for breakfast. At 2-pm, haul on down to Napa west in York to pick up the Heli-Coils. Alas, not there. The store an hour away thought they had them, but could not find them, so no-go. Okay, amble over to Darrell's place to see what we might do for the carburetor problems. That didn't take long. Found he front carb two flats rich, and the rear carb 2 flats jean. That will make it stumble and/or die from slow idle just for stepping on the clutch. A left over remnant from the late night carburetor install after changing pistons in Nevada. After proper adjustment it idles quite well. Give it a day or two to see how it does on cold start.
Chatting with Darrell about the trouble looking for Heli-Coils. I could see the light in his head go on as he said, "Grab your phone and call Al's Auto parts". We did, and waddaya know, Al had them. Miracles never cease. Trot right over there and lay down 8 bucks for a 10-pack. Been here before, this is the place selling alcohol free fuel. I recall buying something here before, just couldn't remember what or when. A quick review says it was cork gasket sheet in 2021. Al must be a car guy. He has stuff no one else has. -- North up the hill to Etters to kill the rest of the day. Soon as parked,we hauled out the new alternator and installed the Heli-Coil. Peachy, couple less things to worry about. -- With most of the freaky problems behind us (for now), it will be time to be looking forward to new travels, and decide what we will be doing in the next few weeks.