Ride to Work

Showing posts with label Carlisle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Carlisle. Show all posts

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Carlisle... Not!

Got all packed and rolled down the road to our meeting point with Royal and Billnparts (two guys from the MGTDr forum that were also headed to Carlisle) in Denver, PA, at the Turkey Hill just off the Penna Turnpike, Exit 286.  We got there in just over an hour, at 11:00. with no problems or issues.  Pulled in the lot, talked to the guys for a couple of minutes, and then got ready to roll out.

That's when things started going down the Turkey Hill path.  The MG would not turn over.  There was some juice because the gauges would move but no cranking or anything.  So the guys proposed to give us a push, get to Carlisle, and there see if the pool of VW guys at the show could figure it out.  That sounded that a good plan to me.

They gave us the push, the MG kicked over, and we rolled of the lot to the Turnpike.  We got as far as just the other side of the toll both when the MG died on the roll.  I pulled over to the side of the road as I watch those guides sail on to the west.  Billnparts called in a few minutes and offered to turn around to come help me but that would have been a 44 mile trip all told and I did not see the sense in that.  I told him that they should go on and I would follow if I could.

Called AAA.  They put me in contact with the Turnpike Patrol which turned up in less than five minutes to guard my six and told me the tow would be there in 15 to 20 minutes.  I fooled around with what I could, mainly the fuses, and found the second from the left fuse had burned.  This is the same fuse I had problems with before.  I replaced that but that fuse but that did not do any good so it was just time to wait for the tow.

The tow got there and the driver could do no more than I did so I asked him to tow it back to Gene's.  I talked to Harold and he said he would look at it.  That's were it is now.  Harold said he had to track the problem down and he hopes to have it ready for tomorrow.

Carlisle is off the plate this year.  I will try again next year but I may tow the MG instead of trying to drive.  It's a big disappointment, I really enjoyed meeting those guys in person and was looking forward to meeting the others that would be there but there's nothing to be done.  At least the ride out Denver was nice and enjoyable.

Such is life.



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Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Carlisle Prep and Other Adventures

Beauty shot
After a dreary an overcast Saturday morning the afternoon cleared and it was time to get the MG ready for Carlisle.  This was a top to bottom Spring cleaning including the engine.  The whole process started with engine de-greasing and cleaning using Gunk de-greaser and protector.  The de-greasing was easy to do, just remove the air filter, cover the carburetor and distributor cap with plastic bags, spray the Gunk, let it sit for 15 minutes, and hose away.  After applying the protector the engine looked better than I've ever seen it, not pretty but still better.

Then it was the vacuum, wash and wax route, followed by Armor All on the leather and vinyl.  I did not undo the top for this but if we end up going to Carlisle I may have to because the forecast calls for rain on Saturday.  I'll worry about it then.

After I was done with the clean up I wanted to take it out for a spin.  Charlene suggested that we shrink wrap it, put it in a plastic bubble, and push it back in the garage but that might have just been a little ridiculous.  We rolled at around 18:00 with no particular flight plan in mind be we had to stop at the PetSmart to buy His Imperial Highness some food since he was almost running out.  We headed out Malin to the West Chester Pike via James and Ann St.

When we got to the PetSmart I was feeling a little queasy.  I attributed that to the smell of fuel which was still in the car from the leak the previous day.  However when we left the store I was not feeling better and I suggested just going back home.

It all went downhill from there.  On the way back I began losing everything I'd eaten since the night before.  This all happened while moving down the road and projectile vomiting over the side of the car.  Of course, it got all over the running board and the driver's door ruining all the work of the afternoon.  I don't know why I didn't just pull over and get out of the car but when I get sick I lose all ability to reason.  I'm sure it was sight to see.

The vomiting continued for the next two days with other interesting side effects which made me think I might had gotten food poisoning during our jaunt the night before.  Charlene had it as well but not nearly as badly as I did so now we are both pretty puny and might to be going to Carlisle if thing don't improve by tomorrow.  I feel much better now, well enough to go to work, but we'll see how tomorrow turns up.

In the mean time, some more beauty shots of the MG with a cool New Bug in the background.  I liked the juxtaposition of those elements.

New Bug and "Bug"

New Bug and "Bug"

New Bug and "Bug"


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Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Carlisle Import & Kit Car Show

Number 16 for Carlisle
I was out all weekend on a work trip so there was no riding to be had.  There was some rain on Monday so no commute then either.  However, this morning cleared up quickly after some early rain that started about 07:00 but was done by 08:00.  I stopped at Boyle's for gas on the way home for lunch but I did not take the Bullet back because I had an appointment with the eye doctor and riding with dilated pupils did not appeal to me.

The good news is that the pass to the Carlisle Import & Kit Nationals came in today's mail.  Now we are ready for Montse's first big show.  The show is just a little less than a month away and I still haven't heard from the welder.  I've called and left a couple of messages but they don't return my calls.  I guess I will have to go with the leaky tank because at this rate I won't have the tank back in time to have it installed.  Not happy about this.

3018.7 at Boyle's
At Boyle's the odo read 3018.7, the next fill up need to happen before 3218.  I got a receipt from the pump but I misplaced it somewhere so I have no way of calculating mileage.  ( Addendum: I found the receipt.  The tank took 2.337 gallons at $3.019 per gallon for $7.06.  That is 140.2 miles since the last fill up for 59.99 mpg.)

On leaving Boyle's I made a right on Conestoga because making a left out of there is taking your life in your own hands.  I followed Conestoga to Church, made a left on Abrahams Lane and then a right on Newtown Road to Darby-Paoli.  At the stop on Darby Paoli I saw a white Tesla making a left onto Newtown Rd.

The exotic car tally now stands at 9 Ferraris, 7 Teslas, 2 Lambos, 5 Maseratis, 2 Cobras, 2 Unknowns, 1 Bentley, 1 DeLorean, and 1 Austin-Healey.
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