MG Magnet Positive to Negative

[enigmas]

Jun 29, 2018 7:15:16 GMT stan said:

Jun 29, 2018 0:29:34 GMT enigmas said:

Truly Stan...the pump (points type) doesn't care unless it's an electronic version of the SU and is polarity sensitive. The clock may be an issue although the clock in my ZB Magnette didn't care as it's pre-modern circuitry...no diodes,capacitors or transistors internally.
Any photos of the Magnette?😁 I used to run the Wolseley 15/50 version of that car and loved it. Super reliable B series engine and unlike the Rover quite an empty engine bay with easy access. I still kept my Wolseley clock and it actually worked, one of the few in the club that did! Mushrooms used to grow in the rear carpet (due to leaking rear screen rubber and spores in the carpet, bought it from a farmer) happy days.

Ok...it's off topic but you did ask. It's been slightly modified.





Just to add some plausibility to this the LED headlights (negative earth) of my P5 coupe are providing the frontal lighting.

[stan]

Jun 29, 2018 9:43:28 GMT enigmas said:

Jun 29, 2018 7:15:16 GMT stan said:

Ok...it's off topic but you did ask. It's been slightly modified.

Oooh nice!😀 There will be some ruffling of The Times and sound of biscuits dropping into teacups at the sight of those pictures!! 😂😂😂

Looks great, sits well on those wheels. Still the same engine or something beefier?

You cant deny they got that bodyline right back then.

If one day they have (cheap!) Electric conversation kits and the battery is the size of a small hamster I might convert the P5! Of course I will have to record the engine sound now , so it can play whilst the washing machine motor spins. 😁

Just for fun here is me eary 1990s ,first house, moved in the day that picture was taken and we moved everything with the Wolseley. Sadly not many belongings but you have to start somewhere.

[enigmas]

Nice picture Stan. It speaks volumes. Been there myself. First car was a Wolseley 4/44. I couldn't afford a Magnette at the time so the Wolseley sufficed. I eventually broke the crankshaft cresting a hill at speed whilst dropping it back a gear. That led to a quick and nasty engine/gearbox upgrade but that's another story.
As for the Magnette it's in its 4th iteration. Rover SD1 V8 engine, Triumph 4 speed trans with laycock overdrive, narrowed Capri V6 final drive and a few other things. Most of the mechanical work done 25 plus years ago. If you didn't notice its also now a 2 door coupe (front doors lengthened 7")

PS. Don't be wary/afraid of any of the electronic ignition kits available for your Rover. I've had a Piranha electronic ignition kit in my P5 coupe for over 25 years (daily driver for 20 years) and it's perfectly reliable. Less servicing and accurate timing cyl to cyl...especially on a V8. Points though simple don't provide the timing precision of an electronic trigger. My old lucas points distributor had up to 6° timing variation.

[stan]

Jun 29, 2018 11:26:41 GMT enigmas said:

Nice picture Stan. It speaks volumes. Been there myself. First car was a Wolseley 4/44. I couldn't afford a Magnette at the time so the Wolseley sufficed. I eventually broke the crankshaft cresting a hill at speed whilst dropping it back a gear. That led to a quick and nasty engine/gearbox upgrade but that's another story.
As for the Magnette it's in its 4th iteration. Rover SD1 V8 engine, Triumph 4 speed trans with laycock overdrive, narrowed Capri V6 final drive and a few other things. Most of the mechanical work done 25 plus years ago. If you didn't notice its also now a 2 door coupe (front doors lengthened 7")

Thanks its the tall grass and turn up jeans! 😀😀

I was too busy admiring it I didnt notice it was 2 doors! No wonder the bodyline looked very smooth.

Well done, I hope you beefed up the brakes and shocks I seem to remember them being a bit wobbly around corners.

So when are you getting the lighting for underneath the floor and illuminated spinners on the wheels?🤣

What have you done with the interior? Stock?

[stan]

Jun 29, 2018 12:12:40 GMT @dicky said:

Is that young man Vince or Stan? If Stan is now 80 he would have been a very youthful looking 50ish in that Photo.I'm confused.

Haha thats me! Top tip never put your real birthday on a forum,its one piece of info they need for credit card authentication remember, not that I am paranoid or anything.😁

[enigmas]

I'll take a few interior pix for you tomorrow Stan. I thought I had some archived for display but no; perhaps this little video will suffice for the moment.
The videos were done a number of years ago before the glass was cut for the windows hence the plywood panels.


and so we're staying within context of the topic...a video of the Magnette clock running with a negative eatth power supply. It is one noisy little mutha!

[stan]

Jun 29, 2018 15:11:16 GMT enigmas said:

I'll take a few interior pix for you tomorrow Stan. I thought I had some archived for display but no; perhaps this little video will suffice for the moment.
The videos were done a number of years ago before the glass was cut for the windows hence the plywood panels.


and so we're staying within context of the topic...a video of the Magnette clock running with a negative eatth power supply. It is one noisy little mutha!

Pretty impressive. Did you go drag racing it or is it just a motorway blaster?
I like the collinder air filters on that engine.

That clock is not that loud blimey you want to listen to my P5 clock! Whats the point in insulating and making the car quiet then stick Big Ben in the dash!😁

Thanks for posting the videos btw.

[enigmas]

Here are some interior pix I took this morning Stan. As for your query about the car being used for drag racing or blasting down motorways...no on both counts. I simply like making/altering/modifying mechanical things to my own taste. I've always liked tne Z series Magnettes since my late teens...and this one goes back that far. I also like V8s...that particular burble. Both cars are set up for distance driving, good brakes and strong reliable engines. I don't like breaking what I build so cruising with ease is the focus.

* The front seats are from a 1960s Alfa Romeo. The car was in a house fire (2009) and this was the impetus for the rebuild (coupe & interior) as you currently see it. I didn't see any point in rebuilding it to it's original spec.

Fire Damage
I reconnected some of the wiring and it started in this condition. Fortunately both the engine bay and boot with it's custom low boot mounted fuel tank were untouched!




The pix below are current

[stan]

Jun 30, 2018 3:44:35 GMT enigmas said:

Here are some interior pix I took this morning Stan. As for your query about the car being used for drag racing or blasting down motorways...no on both counts. I simply like making/altering/modifying mechanical things to my own taste. I've always liked tne Z series Magnettes since my late teens...and this one goes back that far. I also like V8s...that particular burble. Both cars are set up for distance driving, good brakes and strong reliable engines. I don't like breaking what I build so cruising with ease is the focus.

* The front seats are from a 1960s Alfa Romeo. The car was in a house fire (2009) and this was the impetus for the rebuild (coupe & interior) as you currently see it. I didn't see any point in rebuilding it to it's original spec.

Fire Damage
I reconnected some of the wiring and it started in this condition. Fortunately both the engine bay and boot with it's custom low boot mounted fuel tank were untouched!




The pix below are current

Thanks for taking the time to post these.

Its terrible to see it burned out but thank goodness for thick metal, any modern car would not have survived that!

As you say by modding it to your needs and enjoying, its still alive after all this time.

(I will say this quietly not to upset people) i used to get Hot Rod and Custom magazine when I was in my teens, no money fora car but I could dream. Used to love the slammed and chopped roof Chevy's and Ford Mercurys from the 50's!

I do generally like my old stuff as it came out of the factory (the Rover) since we are just custodians of these cars really.My vw beetle and van are open to my own flavour though.😁

But I dont believe any classic car was ever built to be just that, so its always going to be a daily driver, best way to keep them alive and enjoy them.

Whats the plan for the next bit of work? When they invent hover board technology, maybe the Magnette can try that out? 😁

[enigmas]

None of that holds any interest for me Stan...just like self drive and electric cars. Push a button...may as well be in an elevator. I'm passionate about mechanical things and only like the modern tech if it adds to the experience...hence programmable ignition systems and the like. It is possible to mix old and new tech (Wozza's airbagged P5) and in the process enhance the ride quality of a P5. Similarly with LED lighting. If you're still running a positive earth generator and want to take the load of it and have effective lighting, then simply polarize it to negative earth and run a whole lot of current, useful tech.
Anything next on my cars, as its always been, is in increments.

[stan]

Jun 30, 2018 13:31:25 GMT enigmas said:

None of that holds any interest for me Stan...just like self drive and electric cars. Push a button...may as well be in an elevator. I'm passionate about mechanical things and only like the modern tech if it adds to the experience...hence programmable ignition systems and the like. It is possible to mix old and new tech (Wozza's airbagged P5) and in the process enhance the ride quality of a P5. Similarly with LED lighting. If you're still running a positive earth generator and want to take the load of it and have effective lighting, then simply polarize it to negative earth and run a whole lot of current, useful tech.
Anything next on my cars, as its always been, is in increments.

Agreed. Good luck with the next addition 😀

[enigmas]

Thanks Stan...and good luck with your motoring experiences and your negative earth task. It really is quite straight forward.

PS. How about posting some pix of your car.

[johnwp5bcoupe]

Jul 2, 2018 9:51:49 GMT Warwick said:

David (Admin), are you asleep at the wheel? Isn't it time you stepped in and did something about all this negativity? Do I have to name names? OK. Here goes. Vince, Stan, Richard. And if that's not enough, we have Phil stepping in and giving them the thumbs up.

I guess you are referring to the post being split Warwick it wasn't David! its a problem when posts go way off topic it's not being negative I can assure you! no one more positive about Vince's work than me

[enigmas]

Hi John...I think Warwick is playing with the meaning of words/semantics...focusing on 'negative' and its various connotations. Humour

PS. I could see how it was going to go south in the 'negative' earth discussion when Stan started asking me questions about the Magnette.

[johnwp5bcoupe]

No Problem Warwick no offence taken never would be I have ordered my Aussie translation manual

[stan]

Jul 1, 2018 22:57:12 GMT enigmas said:

Thanks Stan...and good luck with your motoring experiences and your negative earth task. It really is quite straight forward.

PS. How about posting some pix of your car.

Thank you Sir. I have some pictures under Ron The Rover thread. I will take some pictures tonight, its still sunny out there!

I just resprayed the wheels in Snowberry white (left over paint from the Morris Minor we had) I wanted that 50's type look and think it compliments the whitewalls?

Anyway I think you Aussie guys are really funny and always very helpful so thank you for taking the time to post pictures for me and offer advice. Its like Phil has Aussie cousins. 😀

[enigmas]

Hey Stan, I'm of the generation (baby boomers) that had their Primary education embedded in British history (classroom world maps with large portions coloured pink...you may know the comment "the sun never sets on the Empire". Australia was still considered part of the remnants in tbe 50s - 60s even though that period was truly over. Sadly, the larrikin element, disdain for pomposity and spirit of Aussie culture has been seriously eroded by the latte sipping, smashed avocado, toast eating PC bigade these days. Call me Vince, Stan.

[stan]

Jul 2, 2018 22:47:19 GMT enigmas said:

Hey Stan, I'm of the generation (baby boomers) that had their Primary education embedded in British history (classroom world maps with large portions coloured pink...you may know the comment "the sun never sets on the Empire". Australia was still considered part of the remnants in tbe 50s - 60s even though that period was truly over. Sadly, the larrikin element, disdain for pomposity and spirit of Aussie culture has been seriously eroded by the latte sipping, smashed avocado, toast eating PC bigade these days. Call me Vince, Stan.

Thanks for sharing Vince, all I can say its a small world these days, especially in my job (I work in IT) I deal with all countries and worked with many Aussie consultants they were always very helpful and fun, must be a country trait! 😀

We also have latte sipping avocado eating ( with no sugar or fat and only organic plastic) eejiots this side of the pond too! But it takes all sorts... the sad thing is the number of people today who have no idea about anything mechanical at all, because they dont have to? They just pay someone a lot of money to replace the black box in the engine for silly money and thats that! Remember when you used to clean spark plugs rather than just buy new ones every 12 months.Just saying...

Anyway posted up some pics of Ralph for you.

roverp5.proboards.com/thread/10797/fresh-pics-ralph-rover-enigmas

[enigmas]

Hey Stan...I still clean Spark plugs! I've got a small sand blasting cabinet. I clean, file and regap the electrodes. A spark likes a sharp edges...most people who self service their cars don't realize this and throw a very usable set of plugs away every 12 months. I often get 3 years out of spark plugs in regular use...no misfiring either. There's a culture of throwing things away today without knowing why...simply because 'someone' (car dealer/salesman) told them that's what you must do!

Unfortunately too many current mechanics only know how to replace components not actually repair/restore/assess components properly...it's too time consuming...easier to simply replace with a new part.

I find it odd Stan that you're a tech guy that steers away from electronics. I thought it would be a doddle for you!

Very pristine P5 sedan Stan. Lovely car...I can see that you lavish a lot of TLC on it.

[johnwp5bcoupe]

You forgot to take your Christmas decorations down Stan Lovely pics!

[stan]

Jul 4, 2018 2:12:51 GMT enigmas said:

Hey Stan...I still clean Spark plugs! I've got a small sand blasting cabinet. I clean, file and regap the electrodes. A spark likes a sharp edges...most people who self service their cars don't realize this and throw a very usable set of plugs away every 12 months. I often get 3 years out of spark plugs in regular use...no misfiring either. There's a culture of throwing things away today without knowing why...simply because 'someone' (car dealer/salesman) told them that's what you must do!

Unfortunately too many current mechanics only know how to replace components not actually repair/restore/assess components properly...it's too time consuming...easier to simply replace with a new part.

I find it odd Stan that you're a tech guy that steers away from electronics. I thought it would be a doddle for you!

Very pristine P5 sedan Stan. Lovely car...I can see that you lavish a lot of TLC on it.

Haha thanks Vince, the car was fully restored by previous owners, but I just polished it up, fixed the stuff that needed fixing , made it run and stop properly to keep it reliable and yes I am a bit anal when it comes to making things look new again (well almost - you need some patina) although who decided to drill holes in the door trim and put screws through it on the passenger side !!! Grrr I just dont look at it.

You are correct electronics/electrics (other than woodwork) was my first love. Probably from age 7, I used to take stuff to bits because I wanted to know how it worked? Record players, valve radios (a particular favourite), drills, mostly it went back without a lot of left over spare parts like washers and nuts etc... i did get electric shocks sometimes, teaches you respect for mains electricity!

The trouble with the IT industry, its virtual satisfaction when you get the thing working? If I fix a problem for a printer in the other side of the world, I will never see that printer , its not like fixing the handbrake on a P5, you can see the result, so a lot of IT people tend to be into DIY (me) , like to mess with old cars (me) , do a lot of outside building/garden/ shed work (me) probably as its tangible but mostly it allows me to switch off the brain for a bit, relax and do something satisfactory.

I tend to put electric toys in my cars but the Classic ones I like to keep as they came out of the factory. I like the simplicity. I will do a negative earth switch on Ralph (when I get 5 mins spare).

Ralph might get electronic points however, its purring perfectly now, other than a slightly blowing exhaust held together with Quicksteel and soot, (new exhaust in garage waiting to be fitted).

You are correct , today its about replacing parts because its quicker and keeps sales up. They don't want you to actually buy a new car anymore just lease , throw away and get a new one! I remember a few years ago a shop wouldn't sell me a starter solenoid for the Beetle, 'they are a single unit Sir' rubbish!! Anyway I got one £12 and replaced on my old starter - worked perfectly and 15 years later still does. That was £12 against £85 for a new starter (made in China).

Enough ramblings, looking forward to hearing about the next addition to the MG.

[richardlamsdale]

"a lot of IT people tend to be into DIY" - I'm in that group as well (software), although I think its not unique to IT. Many jobs now are so remote from any visible 'end-product' that building or fixing things as a hobby satisfies some basic human need.

[stan]

Jul 4, 2018 8:42:29 GMT richardlamsdale said:

"a lot of IT people tend to be into DIY" - I'm in that group as well (software), although I think its not unique to IT. Many jobs now are so remote from any visible 'end-product' that building or fixing things as a hobby satisfies some basic human need.

I agree, but I have always been hands on, I like to get stuck into stuff, cant just veg in front of the telly.

Some people have allotments or hobbies as you say, its probably a balance we must need to offset one against the other who knows? Or I did something bad in a previous life and I am paying for it in this one? 😁😁

[barryr]

Totally agree. I've been working in software / support for 30 years and the p5b has been therapy for 25 years plus for me!

[stan]

Jul 4, 2018 22:50:03 GMT barryr said:

Totally agree. I've been working in software / support for 30 years and the p5b has been therapy for 25 years plus for me!

We need something dont we!

For about 4.5 years I would be doing 650 miles to work per week in my camper (life long aircooled owner) bobbing along at 65mph inside lane watching everyone trying to out run and kill each other, whilst I was relaxed and enjoying the slower lane.
Being orange its bright, cheery and every day is summer.
After a bad day at work it was my way to wind down and relax on the way home, you just dont get that in a modern car its too isolated from the world, quiet,all mod cons no need to grip the steering wheel to ensure you dont end up in a ditch!😀😀



Btw recognise the whitewalls? 😉 My first set.