FeL'ruary 1996

Tn'e MORGA N Sports Winner of more competitions

than any car in ifs. class . . . I

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1996 MOGNW CALENDAR Feb 15 Thurs MOGNW Midlands Centre monthly social meeting Terry Campbell (206)284-6097

New location - 7:00 PM at Cafe Veloce (405 at Totem Lake, north of 124th) at 12512 - 120th NE

Feb 17 Sat MOGNW Northern Centre monthly social meeting Mike Powley (604)261-0901 Valentines Heartbreak tour by John and Sue

Feb 20 Tues MOGNW Southern Centre monthly social meeting Heinz Stromquist (360)573-6582 7:00 PM at the Cornelius Pass Roadhouse Cornelius Pass Road at Hwy 26

Feb 28 Wed Deadline for March MOGAZINE Craig Runions (206)542-7137 April 20 Sat Spring Tour (Skagit Valley, WA) Bob Nelson (360)387-3241 May 18 Sat Vancouver All Brit (Vancouver, BC) the Therouxs (604)522-5885 May 24-26 Fri-Sun Classic Motorcar Rally, Bellevue, WA start/finish Arne Taub (206)644-7874 Jun 28-30 Fri-Sun Morgans at Devil's Punchbowl (Oregon coast) Heinz Stromquist (360)573-6582

more details inside. Act now! Reservations (503)765-2572 July 13 Sat Bellevue All Brit (Bellevue, WA) Dartl Ozuna (206)869-2228 July 26-28 Fri-Sun Rally in the Valley (Okanagan, BC) Gord French (604)545-0419 Aug 2-3 Fri-Sun Morgan club weekend in Soap Lake, Eastern WA Mike Amos (206)881-2054

at The Inn at Soap Lake, complete with country Bob Nelson (360)387-3241 Victorian rooms, cottages and antique furnishings Reservations (509)246-1132

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--volunteer - - - ? Sept 21 Sat Whistler Tour (British Columbia) Ric MacDonald (604)938-8086 Dec 7 Sat Annual Holiday Banquet (Seattle, WA) ? --- v o I u n t e e r --- ?

TgEAsuE's KEPO KT, from [3ol2 Hauge..... Beginning balance, 1/1/96 $2,189 plus dues 600 plus advertising 50 less January MOGAZINE - 124 less awards, misc - 32 Ending balance, 1/30/96 $2,683

Er?. NOTES: I want to encourage everyone to submit articles for publication in NW Mogazine, whether a monthly column or one -time-only piece. My first preference is e -mail (plain ascii text format) or diskette (MS Word 6 for Windows). Next would be any wordprocessor hard copy printout (simple format in 12 point to facilitate scanning) and last is a paper fax (very difficult to scan even if it has been computer generated) or handwritten copy, both of which require all new keyboard input. Remember - deadlines are always the last week of the month.

COVER: 1962 poster celebrating Morgan's class win at Le Mans

NW MOGAZINE is the monthly newsletter of MORGAN OWNER'S GROUP NORTHWEST, a non-profit organization serving the interests of Morgan automobile enthusiasts in the Northwestern United States and Western Canada. Copyright (C) 1996 by MORGAN OWNER'S GROUP NORTHWEST. Permission is hereby given to reproduce any portion of this newsletter, except for other identified copyrighted material contained herein, but not for sale or profit, with credit acknowledging NW MOGAZINE, month/year of issue and the author, source or photographer, if stated. Material for publication may be snail-mailed or phaxed to the Editor (see below) or preferably e-mailed to ........................ mognwaol.com

PRESIDENT Mike Amos 8056 - 161 St Ave. N.E., Redmond, WA 98052 (206) 881-2054 SECRETARY Gil Stegen 17257 N.E. 116th, Redmond, WA 98052 (206) 883-6722 TREASURER Bob Hauge 2704 Dover St., Longview, WA 98632 (360) 425-8796 EDITOR Craig Runions 17759- 13th Ave. N.W., Seattle, WA 98177 (206) 542-7137 REGALIA the Morrisons 915 Front Street S., Issaquah, WA 98027 (206) 392-6457 HISTORIAN Bob Nelson P.O. Box 353, Stanwood, WA 98292 (360) 387-3241 NORTHERN REP Mike Powley 1867- 37th Ave., Vancouver, BC V6M 1 N3 (604) 261-0901 MIDLANDS REP Terry Campbell 3637- 32nd Ave. W., Seattle, WA 98199 (206) 284-6097 SOUTHERN REP Heinz Stromquist 8005 N.W. 17th Ave., Vancouver, WA 98665 (360) 573-6582

Business meetings are held quarterly as published in the calendar. Social meetings are held monthly (times and locations as stated above in the calendar): Northern Centre (Vancouver/Victoria) as stated, Midlands Centre (Seattle/Bellevue) on the third Thursday, and Southern Centre (PortlandNancouver) on the third Tuesday. Dues are as stated on the Membership/Dues Form published frequently in this newsletter. Club merchandise can be ordered using the Regalia Order Form published frequently in this newsletter. Non-commercial advertising is free to MOGNW club members. NW MOGAZINE commercial advertising rates are US$ payable in advance and are based on camera-ready ad copy.

Business card size $ 5.00 per issue or 3 for $ 12.50 or 12 for $ 50.00 Quarter page $10.00perissue or 3for$ 25.00 or l2 for $100.00 Half page $20.00 per issue or 3 for $ 50.00 or 12 for $200.00 Full page $40.00 per issue or 3 for $100.00 or 12 for $400.00

~ ~--<2~ , ~~~

Vol 16 No 2 2.yute February 1996

THE PREZ

S wz I hope all brave Morganeers are surviving the cold winter and are looking

forward to an early spring. My Morgan is the dirtiest it has been in many a day. I can't even wash it or there would be a solid sheet of ice and we couldn't get out of the drive.

Put August 2nd and August 3rd on your calendar. Reserve the date for our 1st official Morgan only weekend celebration. YOU need to make a commitment and call your reservation in so we can have the place booked before the tourists book rooms there. Bob Nelson has picked a truly unique setting and you should not have to worry about being cold and/or wet. Bob Hauge said we could call this the first FYBO weekend (any ideas what that stands for?). Any questions give Bob a call and plan to come.

Welcome to new member Russ Austin. I had some severe wiring problems with my 240Z and had it at a repair shop about 6 blocks from the office. I went over there one day in the Morgan and a fellow next door that runs a paint and body shop came running out and wanted to drool at the Morgan. He then took me inside and there was a '59 +4 roadster that he was in the process of restoring. D U E S ! The owner turned out to be Russ and he has owned the car since new! For the last fourteen years it had been sadly neglected and it is now beginning to look like a new Morgan again and should be ready in a couple of months. Ask him to tell you about the Bug atti that got away - it will make you want to cry.

The Midlanders had their first meeting at the new locale - Cafe Veloce - everyone seemed to like the atmosphere and the food and we are gong to try it again this month. We had about 14 members there which is not a bad turnout considering there was snow on the ground. Any guess who had the only Morgan in attendance? Yours truly setting a good example. Hope to see more of you there this month.

Till next month - keep on Moggin. michael

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Vcl 16 No 2 February 199

Northern Nan5en5e, from Mike F'owley.....

THE POETRY IN MOTION TOUR TURNS OUT TO BE.. THE VIRGIN ISLAND TOUR .... Ah!, the brisk, bright days of January, just the thing for a top down tribute to the Scottish bard himself; weather that would remind even ROBBIE BURNS of Scotland winters ... our small band huddled at the Lougheed Mall, not knowing what to anticipate either in the weather or the route to our final destination in FORT LANGLEY. With two Morgans on hand - the POTS and DAVE COLLIS - both top down, we found it hard to chide the BURKHOLDERS or TED CAREW-GIBSON (with his son EVAN and friend) who could blame these poor souls for their high degree of sanity. ROSEMARIE (Lady POT?? 'er POT Lady??) had devised a devious plan to keep her out of the outdoors by being the car jockey in our new FORD ESCORT??? as we're going to drop the Morgan off at Dave Collis's place in Maple Ridge later that day. This was great for the POT as it meant the tonneau could be left up on the passenger side to capture every morsel of heat from the high efficiency, factory installed Smiths Heater.

FORD ESCORT - POT? WHAT? ..... A brief di-gression must be made here on the purchase of this fine auto, just to still the laughter. First, it is one of the family, Morgans have long utilized Ford power products and now that Jaguar is part of the Ford group; who could resist - a unit even worthy of mention in the MSCC's MISCELLANY;

and I quote form Editor Chris Rowe's "RAMBLINGS" ... I like Jeremy Clarkson' ...on the BBC's "Top Gear' ... Clarkson is the one you may remember, who said of Morgans, "Who wants a car made of wood?" But then he also said that current Ford 'Escort' and Toyota 'Corolla' would be commercial flops they weren't! ...so there!, the Pot's Ford right in there with the best of bad motoring critics predictions.... meanwhile back on tour...

WAS IT YOUR FIRST TIME TOO? ..... For many it was their first time to circumnavigate BARNSTON ISLAND, and for some even finding out where it was, made for great excitement... so over on the ferry nose on, back off circumnavigate right out to Mann Point and back on, nose off - all our travelers no longer virgins of the Island. The Northern Pod really must do this again in warmer weather most say.

PUSH ON TO THE PUB.....We then had a snowy run out to Fort Langley to the FORT Pub & Grill where our proprietor had set aside some tables for our group - yes again we get separate bills other than the beer, where we tried to stick the last one in with that bill - didn't work. Shortly we were joined by RON and YVONNE THEROUX - no JAG, no MORGAN, drink beer, no pay cause then member-wanna-be BRIAN WALLACE the "LAIRD OF LANGLEY" and QC as well shows up and parks right in front of the pub in the spot where COLLIS and the POT have left because of the fire hydrant (keeping in mind this pub burned to the ground a few years back) but RANK DOTH HAVE IT'S PRIVILEGES and the LAIRD parks his top down 1969 4/4 top down and all - so we have three hardy soles now. The POT then hands for at least the hundredth time a

Club membership application form • and now we get BRIAN's new

excuse, "just where is the serial number that the form needs" ... he is set straight. We all then start to order lunch as Brian anticipates who might come even later and buy the beer. His wish comes true as LATE LARRY SHARP comes in (we all know why he has not got a Morgan to drive at present) and drinks the beer! not buys the beer.

LUCKY LARRY??'?'? ..... It turns out he is not even the last in as DAVE PADGHAM, Morgan car inspector extra-ordinarie (just ask LARRY) arrives, and it is then quickly determined that all our late ones are Virgins of the Island and will need to await another event to join the exclusive group of BARNSTON ISLAND CIRCUMNAVIGATORS. DAVE no stranger to our group just ignores the beer buying rule and settles into lunch and drink with the rest of us, in preparation for the formal meeting of the POD.

CONFESSIONAL WITH THE POT? ..... During this time the POT holds confessional and out it comes we will now request of RON and YVONNE their gracious permission to hold the May All Brits after party at the new home, again just to test the pool we say. TED it seems had a couple of barriers put in front of his offer to host the event such as removal of his old-timer cars and a complete landscaping job. We all thanked TED for his offer and TED thanks us for the fact that his landscaping challenge would now be off.

(continued next aQe)

February 1996

more Nonene, continue/ ft-'ort-i Mike

The main thing is that RON and YVONNE will be finding a hotel near by so that all the driving for distance is done in the daylight and the post party driving is short and local. The whole club should be looking forward to this part of the weekend as it will be one of the highlights we all think. After this bit of business we all chowed down, and good thing too as we were to have after lunch work to do.

A PUSH FOR THE LAIRD OF LANGLEY'S MORGAN? ..... Powerful as the LAIRD is he

cannot make the car start, and so all the club VASSALS are recruited and away it and the LAIRD go ... the post-push activity then being antique hunting at the big FORT LANGLEY antique market. In all, a day that ROBBIE BURNS himself would have enjoyed.

All now are looking forward to the Sue and John's Valentines Heartbreak tour for SAT. Feb. 17th ... may the weather GODS smile upon us all for that one!

cheers - THE POT.

riail call..... e-mail and snail mail correspondence....

From Bob Hauge:

Two new members:

Vern Dale & Amanda Johnson 1532 King St. W. Toronto, Ontario '66 +4, 4 str

Russell A. and Barbara Austin, Jr. E-11683 Highway 106 Union, WA 98592 '59 +4, 2 str

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From Brian Pollock:

I have visited the Morgan web home page and it is interesting. The information on the space frame Mog is scarry.

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From Roscoe and Russ:

My genius boy(man)child returned from college with a burning desire to show me something really c0000000l he found surfing the net -- the officially sanctioned Morgan homepage -- when you see it you'll love it.

From Freeman Keller (condensed):

I belong to two single marque clubs - a 63 Plus 4 shares my garage with a '75 2002. The Dec newsletters from the two clubs (NW Mogazine and Zundfolge) contained new prices of a Plus 4 and a Z3. So for your $30K you can get either a thoroughly modern computer controlled overhead cam roadster with heated seats or a 1930s styled wood framed sliding pillar sus-pension last of the real sports cars" with blow-up seat cushions and almost no weather protection at all. And there is a waiting list for ewach. Someone even suggested that the front of the Bimmer looks a bit like a Moggie that was left in the sun (or was it a Dodge pickup?). Now if I could just get a Z3 with a bonnet strap and wire wheels. P.S. - The Morgan people are probably wondering what the hell a zundfolge is and the BMW guys are looking for their scuttle and bonnet.

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From the Editor:

Correspondent's e-mail addresses will not be listed unless so authorized by the person. Let me know if it's OK with you - we could publish a listing if there's enough interest. Whatever your decision is, send your stuff to:

mo

aol.com

Midland Matter5, from Terry Cmpll.

The Cafe Veloce turned out to be a really neat place, smoke free, O.K. parking (try the bank lot next door), a great marinara sauce over wagon wheel pasta, good prices (dinner and a beer, ten bucks), and a hug from the waitress. What more could a Morganeer want? Only good directions, so here is an attempt to enlighten those of us who suffer from East Side navigational impairment.....Heading north on 405 take exit 20B, 124th, peal off on the 0 U Totem Lake offramp ..... Cross N.E. 124th and you are magically on 120th Avenue N.E ..... Look to the right for the red neon sign.

Unexpected Morgan mentions. I was leafing through the latest Daniel Smith artists' materials catalog on a recent snowy morning and reading an article on Twinrocker handmade papers, of Brookston, Indiana. It seems that the owner, "Howard (Clark) even drives a handmade car, a Morgan roadster built in England the way cars were made many years ago. 'The whole notion of archaic technology in a modern world is so

interesting,' Kathryn (Clark) says. 'Why is anything handmade important? Printing on handmade paper or driving a handmade car gives a joy, a connection with other people you don't get with a machine made object. You enjoy fine craftsmanship. ..it enhances your quality of life on a very sophisticated level.'"

Speaking of archaic technology,

S ! President Mike passed around a pair of new rear shock mounts for tube

shocks. A rather neat design. We spent an interesting few minutes re-engineering them for his benefit. If you keep the old levers topped up with fluid they work just fine unless you are into "gofast". Bob Nelson reasserted his claim that his through the bonnet carb breathers gave him a lot more top end. "But what about driving in the rain?" asked Alan Geiger. "Just cleans out the carbon." said Bob. So enjoy the archaic technology, connect with people, and buy a few shares of Bardahl now that leaded gas is gone forever in the US.

5outhern Chatter, from Heinz 5 tromquio ....

E

After a two month absence, the southern pod met fifteen strong at the Roadhouse for our January cholesterol fix, libations and conversation. Dwight related the latest chapter in the three-wheeler saga which was to have had the title "let's start the engine for the first time." Alas, that was not to be. On the first attempt to crank it over, a cloud of smoke appeared and the battery went dead D U as a result of a fused starter motor. It's unfortunate that the dreams of pastoral motoring in three-wheelers are occasionally offset by smoke and nightmares or termites! One thing is certain, when Dwight finally rolls the completed car out of the garage, it will do the marque justice.

Don't ask for details, but at my end of the table there was the most unusual conversation in progress about Giardia, Scabies and Impetigo

just as the food was being served - a bit unusual for a car club dinner topic. We looked at the food then at each other and instantaneously reached a consensus on changing the subject.

Malcolm intends to change to a Triumph differential in his '58 4/4 whenever the mud

allows him to get to the car to which

S it is still attached. A spring project for the Hauge garage before the

Vancouver field meet? The lengths people will go to enable them to drive 60 mph under 5,000 rpm.

There was considerable interest in the Devils Punch Bowl tour in June. Several ideas were advanced on potential routes so we decided to do a one day run in the spring before anything is finalized. Roll on, summer!

Vol 16 No 2 'IL'' 29aace February 1996

MORGANS AT DEVILS PUNCH BOWL

The concept of Morgans at Devils Punch Bowl was first discussed at a Southern Center social meeting last October but no action was taken until I was reminded at the Holiday Party to get off the dime and do something. Phone calls were made, a site selected, dates chosen, but before the details could be written up for the Mogazine, word of mouth and the appearance in the calendar brought more interest than anticipated. At this writing (1/28/96), 16 cars are registered with some couples doubling up in the eleven units available to us. It's time to get creative, so if you would like to join us, please see the details below.

WHAT: A three-day MOGNW event at the Oregon coast.

WHEN: June 28 - 30, 1996. Depart Portland in the morning of June 28 and motor through the backcountry to the coast. Return on June 30.

WHERE: We have reserved all eleven units of Alpine Chalets located on the south bluff of Otter Rock eight miles north of Newport and six miles south of Depoe Bay.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Each chalet is an individual A-Frame with fully equipped kitchen, living room, one or two bathrooms and can accommodate two to four couples in varying combinations of bedrooms and loft. Depending on layout, number of toilets and how cozy you want to be, one to two couples per unit is ideal. Because all units have been booked, we have two options available to us. One or two additional couples can be accommodated by doubling up or, if the interest is greater, I will make arrangements for a second facility - most likely the Inn at Otter Crest.

ACTIVITIES: The Alpine Chalets are located on a very scenic part of the Oregon coast, have private beach access, ocean views and are within walking distance of Devils Punch Bowl and tidal pools. To allow for individual activities, no attempt will be made to fill each day with group events. Group or individual options include a short driving tour, the Oregon Coast Aquarium, historic Newport with its gift and antique shops, lighthouses etc. - details to be worked out.

RESERVATIONS/QUESTIONS: Call Heinz Stromquist (360) 573-6582

It's No Mystery to Him The Province, Vancouver, B.C. Monday, December 11,1995

submitted by Mike Powley

We asked some of the best-known people around B.C. - "What would you like for Christmas?" Laurence Gough, mystery writer, responded.

"We live in a part of the world that's stuffed to the rafters with glossy imported automobiles, Club Meds, silk lingerie, butter-soft leather goods, fine wines, virtually undetectable hairpieces, fibre optics and libraries full of wonderfully written books. And you're giving me one lousy wish? OK, here

goes. I'd like to live, together with my family and loved ones, in good health, to a ripe old age. If that's too boring, give me limitless wealth and power and wisdom, plus a pass for eternity to Whistler/Blackcomb. If package deals are out, I'd like a Morgan automobile. Stocking Stuffers? It would please me greatly if no one ever again asked me if I had Air Miles."

So You Want to Rebuild Your Morgan !!!!! by Les Burkholder .....

I am no expert, (not like some of you) but I would like to share with you a few notes I made along the way, that may of some help to other unknown Back Yard Mechanics. This relates to my 1969 4/4, 4 seater, 1600cc Ford Engine. The general information also applies to +4 & +8.

Where should I start? Ah - Yes, it was on that eventful 1992 tour of Powley's. We were on our way to Thunderbird Marina to look at some beautiful restored MG5, when we developed a howling in the area of the transmission. A noise I thought was the throw - out bearing. Wrong (more about this later). We survived the Tour and that fall I decided to pull the engine and trany to replace the bearing.

Doing the throw out bearing is one thing, doing a restoration is another. The biggest problem I had was knowing when enough was enough. Once you start and get into the project one thing leads to another. You think, "I have come this far there is no sense in not doing the best you can so as not to have to return and replace an item at a later date".

As a Photographer I took many, many pictures; even at that I missed some things. Also, make sketches and notes, but remember to refer to them constantly as you are reassembling. Not like me, reassemble, then read the notes. You are sure you won't forget how things go together, but after a year the old mind doesn't remember. I am getting close to senility! Then that means you have to attend the monthly meetings so that you can crawl under every ones car to check things out.

Once the engine and trany were out, I started to poke around at the body, and found the inner front wings were rusted through to the bulkhead, passenger and driver side. No wonder my feet got wet.

Removing some of the upholstery along the sill, what do I find, rotten wood and long thin rusty nail like spikes that were once bolts that held the body to the frame. Taking that into account, remember the old Mickey Mouse Cartoon when he stops suddenly, only the chassis stopped and the body kept going. Interesting concept. On further investigation, the body skin lip on the underside next to the chassis was badly rusted, and in some areas missing. An air cut off tool was handy in removing many bolts very quickly.

Although the body looked good from the outside, inside was another story. We decided we knew most (using the term lightly) of the problems and that I always wanted to take on a project like this. So we would go ahead and restore the car.

Checking with the local Lumbar Yard I was assured that I could order in Kiln Dried Ash. Rebuilding the wood frame would be no problem. (I was a Wood Pattern Maker for the Ford Motor Co. a few years back. OK, OK, a great many years back).

Checking around with different suppliers, I found the factory to be the best bet. I asked for a Drice on the Darts I needed to reDlace some of the

wood and skin of the body tub, also requesting a price on a complete new tub. I found the new tub was only $800. (Canadian) more, and I would have a new body complete w/ doors. This is what we did, along with the new tub we ordered the inner front wings, bulkhead and kingpin assembly etc.. This was ordered the latter part of February and was in Vancouver the end of April. Much faster than I anticipated.

What a day it was when the forklift brought a slatted crate out on the Loading Dock. The attendants were all very curious as to what kind of car the tub was for. When told, they were very gentle and lifted it by hand into the truck. I was like a kid with a new toy.

While I was waiting for the new tub to arrive, I started to take the body, fenders etc. off the frame. Remember what I said "TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES Besides pictures make sketches of wiring and their colour. My car is a 1969 and the factory wiring diagram for my car fell into 1965 onward, and then it changed completely in 1970. Wouldn't you know it! I have a little of both. This meant looking under Powley's hood a few times.

I marked the ends of the wire with a number on masking tape and a corresponding number on the sketch as to where the wire was located. This did not work well as no matter what you did the masking tape was greasy, thus making it difficult to read a year later. The best thing I found for marking the wires was at a stationary store, - those little sales tags with string attached. They never seemed to get as dirty. When redoing the wiring I removed all the existing tape covering, cleaned the wires, used plastic zip ties to hold the wires together, and covered the wires with split plastic tubing. Eliminated the push type connections, and installed under the dash a grounded buss bar to ground out all the instruments.

Now I am down at the frame. I took the frame into Surrey to a shop where you can do your own sandblasting. It cleaned it up all right but the frame was pocked marked from rust with numerous pinholes. Now What? Making a number of phone calls, I settled on Mog Fab Industries in Demorest, Ga. The price was very good even with shipping, and the frame was 1 ga. thicker than the Factory.

There is one thing that I should caution you about. DO NOT throw out old body parts or frame before you have completed the project. When you receive the new body, frame, wings, inner front wings, bulkhead etc. there are NO drilled holes for locating parts together. You need those old parts for reference.

On dismantling the front suspension, removing the main spring from the upper sleeve of the stub axle it revealed deep grooves in the sleeve from the wear of the spring. Talking to the factory this does occur sometimes. You cannot buy just the sleeve you have to get the complete stub axle, plus 4 bearings as my oriciinals were pitted. (continued next two pacies

ylk

Rebuild, continued from Les .

At this point I took the rear end into Vancouver to be checked out and to replace the inner & outer bearings. I made some notes so that when I was ready to reinstall the rear end and springs, to make sure I installed the bumper brackets first. Well you know what Dum Dum did? He didn't read his notes until the car was put together and painted. This made it very difficult but possible to get those bumper brackets in place.

We decided it was time to take a holiday, so off we went to England and Europe for two months. Of course a revisit to the Mother Factory. While June was looking around Malvern, I was left in the Toy Shop. This has to be the most difficult time, as your car is at home in bits and pieces, and you are at the factory with all those shinny new parts. By the time June caught up to me I had a new rear shock absorber tubular assembly (same as the +8s), over shoulder seat belts etc., etc. and she is still speaking to me. Very understanding Lady, or more to the point - she tolerates me.

While at the factory, we had them look up our 1962 Drophead that we purchased new back then. It was ordered in Nov. of 61 and was on the dock March of 62. As the Stevedores were raising the car and moving it over to the ship something let go. Car fell to dock, bounced, and went into water. Yuk! Three months later I had a new Car. Great service.

Returning home we started to look at the engine, and replaced the cracked head with a used one complete w/ new hard valves, inserts, springs, and a little shave off the surface. Replaced the clutch, and picked up a used flywheel with a new ring gear from a Cortina. Fatal mistake. I only looked and compared the ring gears. I did not try the starter in the gear. You Dummy!!! Now I have to find a Cortina starter or starter gear. Going to great lengths of traipsing through a number of Auto wreckers to see what I could find, one Auto wrecker gave me some cotton gloves, a flashlight and said "Go to it. You may find something out in the last shed". What I did find was that Cortinas have a different bell housing and starter cover. I eventually found the proper ring gear from a Ford Dealer in Vancouver, so all was not lost Anyone need a good Cortina flywheel & ring gear???

Ever look into your trany? So many interesting gears, rods, spacers etc.. One look and I thought, that's nice but not for me and closed it up. I don't know why I did not listen to my intuitions?

Lets start assembling. Setting my frame on sawhorses like the factory, level and make sure everything is square, dig out the old frame for reference holes and away we go. The most critical part was setting the sub frame, or crosshead, or whatever you call it. You know, that thing that runs across your frame to hold the stub axles and kingpins. Everything going well. Engine and trany in place rear springs, rear end, new rear suspension, gas tank, place welting along frame, body, and inner front wings

all in place. Finally things are coming together. But wait, you have not put the starter in. N000. Why not? Well I want to clean it up, will do it later. You will be sorry. (Note, I always talk to myself. Comes with age).

Just a note re the body: I asked the factory to just tack the skin on the Ash frame, as I wanted to seal the metal on the inside as well as what they do on the outside. I found on the original this was bare and rusting through from the inside out. I used rust inhibitor paint and primer. Although the Ash was treated, I sprayed it for extra protection to delay the rotting that occurred in the original. The floor boards were waterproofed with Thompsons Water Seal, & Marine Paint. Where metal met metal, wood met metal all the joints were filled with seam sealer. Overdone I agree, But I Am A Nut!!!!

Stripping the wings, bonnet, and cowl down to the metal, to find the rear wings pitted with pinholes. Another FAX to the factory on Friday. I thought it would be a month before I would receive the wings, thus giving a little time to save up some money. How wrong can one person be? The following Thursday I had a call from the airport that there were goods from England for me. I didn't believe it!

One thing I must do is give credit to Paul Trussler, Spares Manager, for getting the parts to me quickly, and the employees who were super in taking the time from their busy schedule, to answer my questions while at the factory. It as a real treat and greatly appreciated.

After cleaning the metal on the wings, they were etched and USC Base Coat Filler (has little bits of metal in it) was used with many many relentless hours of sanding, more filler, more sanding. The final coat was Worth Fin Spartel Polyester Filler, and more sanding, followed with priming, sanding, priming, and more sanding with 400, 600, grit. The 600 grit leaves enough tooth in the primer to hold the paint. Note use a primer that is compatible with your paint. I used Dupont Urethane Primers, Chroma Base (colour coat), Chroma Clear (for clear coat). Under the wings I sprayed on 3M Rocker Panel Coating, a rubberized material that you see on the sides of some American Cars. It gives the underside protection from stones if you go on Powley's Tours over Gravel Roads.

Installed the re-cored rad. It was at this point, before the wings were installed that I would start the engine to make sure everything was as it should be. Remember the flywheel ring gear? It turned three cogs and locked the starter. After obtaining a new ring gear, the engine and trany were out and back in and running in 5 hrs.

Continuing the installation of the wings, and cowl everything was going well until I tried to fit the bonnet. It was too short. On the phone to Ross (our son) bring your Mig Welder, I have a job for you. He did a beautiful job. It is handy to have such a son, as he has helped me out may times. He practices on me, while restorina his MG and 1951 Mercury. (cont.

E

still more

I planned on having someone else paint the car, but found that no one wanted to give a quote unless they could do all of the body work. One did consent reluctantly and painted the car with the wings hanging loose, and the bonnet & cowl off the car. If I was to do this again, I would have used a solid yellow colour first before the transparent Yellow Urethane. The yellow paint chip matched Ford Mustang Yellow.

The Car was returned from the paint shop on a flatbed tow truck and the final assembly was started. Purchased from a local Fastener Shop, were SS bolts, nuts washers, & screws complete w/ Loctite. Loctite is a liquid that comes in a little tube. You apply this to your bolts, thus preventing the nuts from coming loose. Necessary for Morgans. You only need the medium strength. If you use the heavy duty one you need heat to remove the nuts.

When I came to do the upholstery I called on Ron Theroux and his son for information. They were a big help with may good points to share. Thanks Ron.

It was getting close to the Bellevue All Brit, and we were not sure if we would get there. The week previous I had been working feverishly (early morning till late at night) trying to finish the car. The morning that we were to catch the Ferry, I had not yet driven the car. I was up at 4AM fitting the bonnet, cowl, bumpers, seats etc. There seemed to be so much left to do. At 1:30PM I started the car after a little coaching, it sounded good. Shutting it off I then proceeded to bleed the brakes (guess this is a necessary item to do before embarking on a 400 kI trip). With June pumping the brakes and clutch, we finally had it completed. Time was running out I started the car again, tried to put it in gear and it wouldn't go. Under the car again with June pumping the clutch peddle and I bled the Master again. All to no avail, it would not go into gear. Frustrated I said to June, "forget it we are not going to make the Ferry". June said, "we are too close to stop now". I couldn't think straight so I called a friend. He listed a number of possibilities and the last one as soon as he mentioned the travel I knew what the problem was. In two minutes I started the Morgan put it in gear, drove down the block back into the garage, June threw in our luggage while I drilled holes for the Aero Screens. No time to fit the windscreen.

We locked up the house and drove to the Ferry and just got on. While on board I finished putting on the Aero Screens. We met up with the Therouxs and off to the border to meet up with the rest of the group. When I think of it, we were crazy to take off on a long trip without testing the car on a few short runs. It was nutty, but fun, as we were in the company of good friends, and I guess that is what living is all about

Remember I thought it was my throw out bearing that had started this restoration? Well we made it back from Bellevue without any problems, but

still from Les .....

the next morning there was a large pool of oil under the trany.

Well what else do I have to Do? Out comes the engine and trany (I can do this in my sleep now), into Vancouver to Richmond Auto Clinic and said "Fix It". After new bearings and seals I was on my way home to reinstall the engine and trany. "OK lets try this again. It works fine, but what is that vibration?" By process of elimination, I was soon pulling out the seats again to get at the drive shaft. Universal joints shot. Thank goodness the universal joints are identical to a Volvo. Soon we were back on the road and everything seems to be running smoothly. So Far.

Let me point out a few things at this point:

Books for reference: Morgan Four Owners Workshop Manual 1,936 to 1981

by AutoBooks. I picked this up at the factory. Ford Cortina MKII Workshop Manual 1966 to 1970 -

1600. Used this for engine and trany reference. Notes From a Morgan Garage, by Fred Sisson, 5807

Western Hills Drive, Norcross, Ga. 30071 Phone (404)446-7124. I found this to be most helpful. It is a collection of Morgan information from enthusiasts.

It deals mainly with the +4 but there is a wealth if information applicable to other models.

Famous Car Factories - Morgan, by Bengt Ason Holm "Handmade: The Making of a Morgan" Video from the

factory A variety of Hot Rod & Custom Magazines They have

tips on choosing paint, painting, metal fabrication, bodywork, welding, & tools etc.

Additional tools besides conventional hand tools: Air Compressor 3hp w/ Cut Off Tool, Orbital Sander,

Binks Spray Gun Makita 125mm disc Grinder - 10,000 rpm

I have a confession to make. I installed a non standard HEATER that I picked up from a Custom Car Shop. 000h it is cozzy. Does that mean I am not a Purist? Oh well, be what it might, we are toasty warm.

I hope I have not turned you off in restoring your car. There is a lot of leg work in tracking down parts and information. At times you can be very frustrated, or on a real high, but you will be surprised at the cooperation and help you will receive along the way. You have to decide how far you are going to take the restoration. Knowing when to stop is difficult. In the end you will enjoy your accomplishment.

Would I do it again? Yes. I am now trying to locate my 1962 Drophead - Black with Red interior, Wire Wheels. Serial No. 5068. Have you seen it? We sold it when we were living in Long Beach, California in 1965.

Ti

Vol 16 No 2 1t' ajute February 1996

Classic Motorcar Rally "Run to the Gorge"

May 24-26, 1996

The Puget Sound British Automotive invites you to participate in the fourth annual Classic Motorcar Rally - a rally/tour covering about 450 miles over Memorial Day Weekend. This premier driving event is open to American and European sports, touring cars and saloons built prior to 1969. Exceptions appropriate to the spirit of the event may be accepted. Run in the style of the European events, entrants will be given a route book and maps, so you will know where you are going, no traps! There will however, be some timed sections to keep it interesting.

The weekend will start with a tech inspection and a traditional cocktail party Friday night. Saturday morning you will leave Bellevue heading south through the back roads to Mt. St. Helens, and continue winding down to the Columbia Gorge. After an overnight stay at the Hood River Inn, you will run the second half of the rally on Sunday ending up back at the Bellevue Club Hotel for dinner and the awards presentation.

Since we must limit the number of entrants we suggest that you submit your entry as soon as possible, thus insuring that you won't miss out on a great weekend of driving, dining, and enjoying the company of your fellow entrants. By entering this event you will also be helping to raise funds for Juvenile Diabetes.

The entry fee of $400 ($450 after March 31st; entry deadline is May 1st), includes Saturday and Sunday meals for drivers and navigators, gala festivities, regalia, and prizes. Hotel accommodations are additional costs and are the responsibility of the entrants. Special rates have been arranged for Friday and Sunday night accommodations at the Bellevue Club Hotel (1-800-579-1110) and for Saturday night at The Hood River Inn (1-800-828-7873). Please mention the Classic Motorcar Rally when making your reservations.

For more information and entry form, contact Arne Taub, 17610 NE 8th Place, Bellevue, WA 98008, phone (206)644-7874, fax (206)747-0205

FOR SALE

1953 +4 4 seater, chassis #P2593, restored, Best of Show at Cambria in 1993 US$19,850. Contact Ray Wood (503)665-6984 Oregon

Parts as listed below. Reasonable offers and trades on all items. Prices are Canadian funds FOB Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Dave Gard (403)229-1813

Plus 8 Plus 4&4/4 Moss box bellhousing/tube/new bushing $225 2 lever shocks w/mounting plates, rebuilt $125 Rover intake manifold w/used SU carbs 500 1 set hood bows, used 125 early air cleaner w/connecting tubes 300 2 wing lights, used 40 2 new engine mounts, early alum. 225 3 spare tire luggage rack spacers, each 10 new master clutch cylinder spacer block 25 license plate light bracket, 4-seater, new 25 2 door striker plates, early type 15 new LHD firewall bulkhead 250 2 reinforcing door plates, early 10 new tool tray 80 7H-A axle housing, 1983 +8 700 new amber Lucas turn lights 45 2 axle shafts from above 250

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— August at the lake — Virgin islanders - Pot's confessional — e-mail & snail mail — keep levers filled — Burkholder rebuild — neat 4-sale stuff — coastal invasion — archaic technolog

DUES!

FIRST CLASS