[vhgmcbuddy]

50% red diesel, 50% hydraulic oil (viscosity and quality irrelevant) few drops of phosphoric acid. Good shake, into a spray bottle, be generous, jobs a good un.
All of the above ingredients are found “floating about” at work. Failing that half a gallon of 85% phosphoric acid is available from a well known auction site for less than £15. Never really worked out a technical percentage of acid, a good glug in a 20 ltr drum.
Phosphoric acid is important for dissolving the rust, the diesel is the solvent or carrier and the hydraulic oil is the lubricant.
If something is severely corroded, a good cola fizzy drink is about the best i have ever used, i believe there is phosphoric acid in cola and assume the bubbles help to agitate it. Not the expensive branded one but a cheap one. Also lucozade and wire wool for polishing slightly rusty chrome, use it on hydraulic ram rods all the time. Obviously they need cleaning off after otherwise you will have ants anywhere.
Hope this helps some.
All the best.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Progress, the machine is up and running courtesy of a donor fuel tank as cleaning 20 year’s worth of gunge from the original tank revealed more perforations than a certain brand of tea bag.
The only thing outstanding is leaking rotor shaft seals but for the amount of work that it is going to do, rather than get in deep trying to extract the failed seals, I will probably settle for semi – fluid grease in the chain case rather than oil.
Does anyone know the belt size as the existing one does not inspire confidence!

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thank you Stuart, your information was helpful indeed. It seems that 5/32″ BTDC corresponds to the tab on the back plate that isn’t marked so at least I will now be able to make the marks.

Rigging up a temporary petrol tank, as the one that was installed on the machine had some sort of turpentine/tar substance within and is currently unusable, I was able to confirm that the timing was correct as the engine ran for a few seconds until the fuel was exhausted.

I am hoping that I will be able to dissolve whatever is in the tank and reuse it but time will tell, I may be in need of a new fuel tank at some point if anyone has a spare?

The next question for the members is, is there meant to be a fair amount of play in the wheels? The play that I have is similar to the wheel nuts not having been tightened up enough on the axial allowing the wheels to wobble about.
This doesn’t seem correct to me but I am sure someone will advise further?

Still, the dating question remains, if someone is able to help me with that I would be grateful.

John

[vhgmcbuddy]

Will try and book the ts30 in later this evening. I think it best that the mg stays in the workshop as there is lots of loose bits. Would bring the c29 but it’s not that tidy.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Dave I am sure there will be plenty of help to tow your TS 30 plough in or even a dead MG2 If you want to bring it along.There is an auction and autojumble stands.

[vhgmcbuddy]

I always make my own, is much cheapness please.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Any idea when entries close?

[vhgmcbuddy]

Look forward to seeing you all there . Are there any MG crawler owners going to come along?

[vhgmcbuddy]

auction by HJ Pugh, same set up as malvern tractor world earlier in the year.

[vhgmcbuddy]

The mark (line) on the end of the crankshaft on the above photo tells you when the engine is at TDC (Top Dead Centre).If you turn the crank so that the mark is at the 12 o clock position the engine will be at TDC.
Set the points to open at 5/32″ BTDC.Hope this helps.

[vhgmcbuddy]

There is an auction? Im there!

[vhgmcbuddy]

last photo

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[vhgmcbuddy]

A happy ending to a relatively sad story

It transpires that “my” Howard actually belongs to someone else! It seems that this Howard was on loan to an original member of my allotment association and for some reason was never returned to the owner?

The Howard appeared to have been passed from person to person until it came into my possession and having, by chance, become friendly with the owner I insisted that the owner take it back and return it into his collection.

Since we are both members of the local vintage machinery club I thought it only right that the owner take it back and I am pleased to say that he once again has possession of his Howard.
Unfortunately this left me without any machinery but fortunately fate stepped in and I have acquired an Allen Scythe and this now leads on to my next post.

Thank you to all who helped me either way.

John

[vhgmcbuddy]

entry form in the post also putting a few bits in the auction..

[vhgmcbuddy]

Charlie,

Thanks for the advice.

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