My brother had an MGB, MGB Midget and TR7. I think it was one of the reasons he became an electrical engineer. He too ended up rewiring them but that was back in the 70s when DIY stuff was hard to find but we had great “shop” teachers back then.
He sold the lot and got a 69 Super Bee then sold that and got a 73 Corvette that he kept in top top shape. All standard shifts of course.
I cut my teeth on old Leyland cars. MGs and Austin’s were trickier to work on than triumphs. I used to pickup 5 year old cars for next to nothing when owners started having electrical issues that could cost more to rectify than the cars were worth.
We never did troubleshooting or repairs for electrical problems in Leyland cars, it was simpler to run new wires than diagnose and repair factory wiring. Can’t count how many trailer wiring kits I installed in old Leland cars. $5 for 20’ 4 wire kit at Canadian tire. One for the back, one for the front.
I cut my teeth on old Leyland cars. MGs and Austin’s were trickier to work on than triumphs. I used to pickup 5 year old cars for next to nothing when owners started having electrical issues that could cost more to rectify than the cars were worth.
We never did troubleshooting or repairs for electrical problems in Leyland cars, it was simpler to run new wires than diagnose and repair factory wiring. Can’t count how many trailer wiring kits I installed in old Leland cars. $5 for 20’ 4 wire kit at Canadian tire. One for the back, one for the front.
I remember the points and distributors being flakey. I remember messing with the timing lights and sanding the points. I was the wrench and screw driver getter. I was also the watch for the superintendent as we weren’t supposed to work on the cars in the underground parking. But winter and we needed lights.
We used to take the bus to British Leyland to get parts, on Bermondsey just south of Eglinton I think.
I remember the points and distributors being flakey. I remember messing with the timing lights and sanding the points. I was the wrench and screw driver getter. I was also the watch for the superintendent as we weren’t supposed to work on the cars in the underground parking. But winter and we needed lights.
We used to take the bus to British Leyland to get parts, on Bermondsey just south of Eglinton I think.
Abington Motors. They used to sell me the cheapie cars their customers didn’t want to pay to fix.
Ignition problems were common, the ignition circuit carried power to blower, starter solenoid, and ignition. The Lucas switches and bullet connectors in the wiring were prone to corroding which led to current and voltage drops that impacted points, condensers and coils. Very expensive fix at a Leland dealer - often the value of the car.
$15 fix for me. Hack out the single wire feeding those circuits, add a 14guage power wire to a relay, then separate and fuse the 3 power feeds, replace points and condenser - voila!
Another issue was moisture. Disty caps sealed poorly, and plug wires were poor quality. This crusted up the rotors and disty cap connections. Sealing the cap and replacing points, condenser, cap, rotors and wires was $40, all parts available at CTC.
Abington Motors. They used to sell me the cheapie cars their customers didn’t want to pay to fix.
Ignition problems were common, the ignition circuit carried power to blower, starter solenoid, and ignition. The Lucas switches and bullet connectors in the wiring were prone to corroding which led to current and voltage drops that impacted points, condensers and coils. Very expensive fix at a Leland dealer - often the value of the car.
$15 fix for me. Hack out the single wire feeding those circuits, add a 14guage power wire to a relay, then separate and fuse the 3 power feeds, replace points and condenser - voila!
Another issue was moisture. Disty caps sealed poorly, and plug wires were poor quality. This crusted up the rotors and disty cap connections. Sealing the cap and replacing points, condenser, cap, rotors and wires was $40, all parts available at CTC.
Used British parts were plentiful at Standard Auto Wreckers at Steeles and Sewells Rd. Cheshire Motors in Thornhill used to break Jags and Rovers, Almost Racing in Markham had lots of cheap racing parts.
Today I mostly use Rock Auto. If they don’t have it, Moss.
Thread necromancy: Just rented a manual transmission car. 2025 Renault Clio. First time driving stick in close to 15 years.
It has some kind of "anti-stall" technology where if you stall the car in gear (did I mention first time driving stick in a decade and a half? Also, was reversing the car over an obstacle. Also 65hp...), pushing the clutch in immediately automatically restarts the engine.
Thread necromancy: Just rented a manual transmission car. 2025 Renault Clio. First time driving stick in close to 15 years.
It has some kind of "anti-stall" technology where if you stall the car in gear (did I mention first time driving stick in a decade and a half? Also, was reversing the car over an obstacle. Also 65hp...), pushing the clutch in immediately automatically restarts the engine.
Does it also have the horrible anti-rollback crap where it leaves the brakes on for a second after you release them? I hate that with a passion and turn it off on cars I own.
Thread necromancy: Just rented a manual transmission car. 2025 Renault Clio. First time driving stick in close to 15 years.
It has some kind of "anti-stall" technology where if you stall the car in gear (did I mention first time driving stick in a decade and a half? Also, was reversing the car over an obstacle. Also 65hp...), pushing the clutch in immediately automatically restarts the engine.
Does it also have the horrible anti-rollback crap where it leaves the brakes on for a second after you release them? I hate that with a passion and turn it off on cars I own.
Unfortunately, I got the base 65hp one. Still, you get to wring out each gear to redline with the stickshift.
However, there is a shift-light indicator on the dash which *strongly* urged me to granny-shift the car in every gear except sixth. I dutifully ignored it and happily paid for it later with €1.70/L E95 petrol...
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