Sorry it's been a while, I haven't been terribly interested in posting because I was busy driving!
I'll answer the previous posts and then give an update.
Jowett -- part of the engine trouble has been discovered to be wear in the carburetor (around the butterfly valve and in the jet shaft), but the rest of the marginal running is probably down to wear in the valve train and the piston rings (though the engine gets fair compression on each cylinder). I may have the engine professionally rebuilt next summer. I'm not terribly worried about the front-end alignment -- someday I'll do that myself, or if I run into some money I'll let a local specialist do it. Per your suggestion I looked into jute underlay (my father is a flooring installer, so he can easily obtain many similar materials for cheap), but apparently it's difficult for the local suppliers to obtain. I found it online, but it's
expensive!
David -- you're quite right, Mog turns lots of heads! Some people disrespect the car, tailgaiting and passing closely, but many more people admire it and are kindly. Thanks for your compliments and kindness through the whole process, David!
Alex -- no worries about Mog -- there's still PLENTY to do!
I do look forward to doing Stiltzkin, and I've already done a little bit, but no major stuff yet.
Nick -- everyone at my school is eagerly anticipating Mog's arrival! I have been very pleased by the interest. Bolivar is a very nice place, but could do with some different people, if you follow my drift.
And now the promised update.
I did end up changing the timing chain cover for the 1098 unit (mentioned two pages ago), and that just about solved the leak from the engine at front. I did have to order a later oil thrower, because for some reason my spare 1098 didn't come with one![frame]
[/frame]This was prior to inspection, but I mention it because the repair seems to be holding. I desperately need to redo the sump gaskets, though, because it is leaking horribly (perhaps an indication of leaking pressure from the cylinders), and really I need to remove the engine and place a gasket under the oil pump (somehow it didn't have one, and the lack of a gasket escaped my notice when I last had the backplate off), but that may wait for next summer.
In the month following licensing, I drove Mog about 500 miles in total. The largest trip was a day-long affair from Bolivar to the tiny hamlet of Bois d'Arc, west of Springfield, where my significant other lives; this trip covered a total of 135 miles, which went well, on the whole.
I covered lots of other ground too. Here are some photos.[frame]
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[/frame]This is one of my favorite photos of Mog.
I had Mog appraised, too. Here it is in the appraiser's shop.[frame]
[/frame]The appraiser reckoned Mog to be worth $6200, slightly below the average American market value for a '59 Minor ($6500), primarily because the paint is in poor shape. My seat belts, headrests, gauges, and two-speed wiper motor added a lot of value to it though.
Around 7 August I began having trouble with the speedometer, after trying to calibrate it. I also burnt out the fuel gauge when calibrating IT.
I managed to fix the speedometer somewhat, and it reads accurately (but sticks at high speeds), so I've ordered a new speedo cable. I've also ordered a new speedometer and fuel gauge unit (found on eBay for cheap), so I can replace that gauge, and if the speedo fails I can replace it (or use the new one on Stiltzkin).
You may have noticed I mentioned I do not have Mog right now, despite being back at uni. What gives? Being an amateur restorer, I wanted to have Mog looked over by a professional, and it turns out that in Springfield there is a British classics specialist (Swope Automotive). Swope discovered that the brakes were underperforming due to a kinked brake line, and they discovered the aforementioned carburetor wear. So, since I am unable to correctly flare brake lines (trust me, I tried), and carburetors confuse me, I left Mog with them. Mog should be finished early next week, and after a few days at home to do the work I need to do, I can bring Mog back to school -- perhaps in as soon as a fortnight.
Here's what I've got to do myself:
- Replace speedo cable
Replace and calibrate fuel gauge
Test speedometer function
Replace diff pinion oil seal (leaking scarily)
Adjust headlights
Replace sump gaskets and oil seals
Replace oil pressure warning switch
Stay tuned, folks...