Here we go yet again...................

[Viv James TraX Interconnect (Pty.) Ltd]

Hey all you "holier than thou" guys...... As an honorary member of the originality police and the owner of 1 TC with a B/C box hanging in the roof all ready for the next custodian and a Nissan 1400 ldv box providing both safe and pleasurable driving and a second TC which bought without any steering - an obvious candidate for Japanese improvement which has been done, I need to be advised on the following: Why is a B/C box filled with home made springs, ball bearings, neoprene seals, non-standard castings, adjusting screws and heaven knows what other valiant attempts at improving a bad and dangerous design, aided by all sorts of kingpin ball bearing mods any more original than a neat, uncluttered box which fits non-destructively in the same spot, looks externally similar to the orininal and works like a dream? We use our cars in mountains, in traffic and in competitve events with our wives/partners on board. Despite what I said on this list some years ago. I feel more at ease with a drop arm that won't break, stub axles modified as per this list and tapered rear shafts from Roger Furneaux of this list at the rear and knowing that the car will go approximately where I point it when I point it. In my opinion my TC has lost none of its character and I can use it. I paid US$15 per steering. Having lengthened the column, the rest of the reversible installation was carried out one Saturday morning in a couple of hours. The chief instigator was our one and only Murray Arundel. PS. What will the holier than thous say if they look inside my RF95 regulator box and saw only a printed circuit board in there? PPS. What will they say when they discover a Furneaux 4.65 cwp with tapered roller races? PPPS. While we are about it maybe they won't notice the camshaft by Crane in Florida, the Moss USA rubber kit, the USA made wiring harness or Joe Curto's hand brake kit or the neatly sewn sidescrren covers? Originally yours Viv

[Badger]

Badger sez. I am no longer blessed(?) with ownership of a TC so I no longer feel qualified to comment on that but, my 1957 AC Ace-Bristol is still fitted with its original Bishop Cam steering box and I have to say, it handles superbly, steers with precision, and is a delight to drive. Dare I suggest that the problem lies not with the bishop cam box? There! Now that ought to twist some noses out of joint.

[Gene Gillam]

Geez, Viv, what took you so long to speak up? I sometimes feel like I'm the only one out here who's used the Datsun box. Are the rest of 'em that ashamed? Gene

[Mark McCombs]

As Richard Bach was picking up his "new" 1929 Biplane (around 30 years ago) and promptly tore a rare wheel off in front of the past owner (to which the past owner offered to take it back right there), Bach told him "Look, this is my plane now, and even if I get in home in 12 boxes, Im not giving it back". Its your car, Viv- Live it up. And if someone at a meet says "gee, why'd you do that?" You can just say "because its mine!" Regards from Ohio- Mark TC8126

----- Original Message ----- From: "Viv James TraX Interconnect (Pty.) Ltd" viv@trax.co.za> To: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Monday, February 25, 2002 6:07 AM Subject: [mg-tabc] Here we go yet again................... > Hey all you "holier than thou" guys...... > > As an honorary member of the originality police and the owner of 1 > TC with a B/C box hanging in the roof all ready for the next custodian > and a Nissan 1400 ldv box providing both safe and pleasurable > driving and a second TC which bought without any steering - an > obvious candidate for Japanese improvement which has been done, I > need to be advised on the following: > > Why is a B/C box filled with home made springs, ball bearings, > neoprene seals, non-standard castings, adjusting screws and heaven > knows what other valiant attempts at improving a bad and dangerous > design, aided by all sorts of kingpin ball bearing mods any more > original than a neat, uncluttered box which fits non-destructively in the > same spot, looks externally similar to the orininal and works like a > dream? > > We use our cars in mountains, in traffic and in competitve events with > our wives/partners on board. Despite what I said on this list some > years ago. I feel more at ease with a drop arm that won't break, stub > axles modified as per this list and tapered rear shafts from Roger > Furneaux of this list at the rear and knowing that the car will go > approximately where I point it when I point it. In my opinion my TC has > lost none of its character and I can use it. > > I paid US$15 per steering. Having lengthened the column, the rest of > the reversible installation was carried out one Saturday morning in a > couple of hours. The chief instigator was our one and only Murray > Arundel. > > PS. What will the holier than thous say if they look inside my RF95 > regulator box and saw only a printed circuit board in there? > > PPS. What will they say when they discover a Furneaux 4.65 cwp with > tapered roller races? > > PPPS. While we are about it maybe they won't notice the camshaft by > Crane in Florida, the Moss USA rubber kit, the USA made wiring > harness or Joe Curto's hand brake kit or the neatly sewn sidescrren > covers? > > Originally yours > > Viv > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > >

[Roger Furneaux]

I agree entirely with Badger (at least on this point!). Anybody requiring proof has only to get themselves to my Devon hideaway, and I will show you round a few of our winding lanes in the TC, which is totally original in the steering department, even if not in other areas. Most lanes here are bordered by "Devon hedges", which are high solid banks of earth and stone, and are often too narrow for passing, so plenty of reversing is also called for. Hazards which can be lurking around every blind bend include cows, sheep, horses, dogs, people, cars, lorries (trucks), tractors, deer and BADGERS (I kid you not!) Bishop cams are the norm in the UK, only a few cars have the Tomkins kit, and even fewer have Datsun boxes, but now one TA is sporting a VW Beetle box, courtesy of Dieter Wagner in Germany. This was also written up by Bill Bolendonk in the April 1999 edition of "The Sacred Octagon". ocTagonally TCRoger

> Badger sez. > I am no longer blessed(?) with ownership of a TC so I no longer feel > qualified to comment on that but, my 1957 AC Ace-Bristol is still fitted > with its original Bishop Cam steering box and I have to say, it handles > superbly, steers with precision, and is a delight to drive. Dare I

suggest

> that the problem lies not with the bishop cam box? > > There! Now that ought to twist some noses out of joint.

[John G. Bulcken IV]

Gee Viv did you get up on the wrong side of the bed today ? Why is originality now a crime ? The war starts again. I am with Rodger and Badger on this one. These cars are really like a glorified motor cycle any way...the danger is there. Bob also gave some good advice on firming up the TC suspension. IMHO the TB with BC box, trunnions, and Luvax dampers is a hell of a ride in jolly old New England. Go fourth and modify if you want, just leave us purists in peace. We are chauvinists and will not change. Cheers, Johnny

> TB#0398 > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Roger Furneaux" roger.46tc@virgin.net> > To: "BADGER" mrbadger@cox.net> > Cc: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com> > Sent: Monday, February 25, 2002 8:32 AM > Subject: Re: [mg-tabc] Here we go yet again................... > > > > I agree entirely with Badger (at least on this point!). Anybody

requiring

> > proof has only to get themselves to my Devon hideaway, and I will show

you

> > round a few of our winding lanes in the TC, which is totally original in > the > > steering department, even if not in other areas. Most lanes here are > > bordered by "Devon hedges", which are high solid banks of earth and

stone,

> > and are often too > > narrow for passing, so plenty of reversing is also called for. Hazards > which > > can be lurking around every blind bend include cows, sheep, horses,

dogs,

> > people, cars, lorries (trucks), tractors, deer and BADGERS (I kid you > not!) > > > > Bishop cams are the norm in the UK, only a few cars have the Tomkins

kit,

> > and even fewer have Datsun boxes, but now one TA is sporting a VW Beetle > > box, courtesy of Dieter Wagner in Germany. This was also written up by > Bill > > Bolendonk in the April 1999 edition of "The Sacred Octagon". > > > > ocTagonally > > > > TCRoger > > > > > Badger sez. > > > I am no longer blessed(?) with ownership of a TC so I no longer feel > > > qualified to comment on that but, my 1957 AC Ace-Bristol is still

fitted

> > > with its original Bishop Cam steering box and I have to say, it

handles

> > > superbly, steers with precision, and is a delight to drive. Dare I > > suggest > > > that the problem lies not with the bishop cam box? > > > > > > There! Now that ought to twist some noses out of joint. > > > > > > > > > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to

http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

> > > > >

[steve.fielder@talk21.com]

As a "newcomer" to TC`s can I throw my comments into the ring, my TC goes where I point it with no trace of oversteer, understeer other than holding a true line. On the straight it goes, well, straight with no inadvertant lane swopping!!! even if you release the steering wheel momentarily. Could it be that I have the sweetest steering TC on this planet!!! I think not? Or could it be that we are comparing a 50 year old design with more modern machinery?? From my relatively short experience of the TC it is no better or worse than other machinery I have driven with similier steering designs. At the present I have no plans to change the steering although I keep an open mind on the subject. Steve TC4219

> I agree entirely with Badger (at least on this point!). Anybody requiring >proof has only to get themselves to my Devon hideaway, and I will show you >round a few of our winding lanes in the TC, which is totally original in the >steering department, even if not in other areas. Most lanes here are >bordered by "Devon hedges", which are high solid banks of earth and stone, >and are often too >narrow for passing, so plenty of reversing is also called for. Hazards which >can be lurking around every blind bend include cows, sheep, horses, dogs, >people, cars, lorries (trucks), tractors, deer and BADGERS (I kid you not!) > >Bishop cams are the norm in the UK, only a few cars have the Tomkins kit, >and even fewer have Datsun boxes, but now one TA is sporting a VW Beetle >box, courtesy of Dieter Wagner in Germany. This was also written up by Bill >Bolendonk in the April 1999 edition of "The Sacred Octagon". > >ocTagonally > >TCRoger > > Badger sez. > I am no longer blessed(?) with ownership of a TC so I no longer feel > qualified to comment on that but, my 1957 AC Ace-Bristol is still fitted > with its original Bishop Cam steering box and I have to say, it handles > superbly, steers with precision, and is a delight to drive. Dare I >suggest > that the problem lies not with the bishop cam box? > > There! Now that ought to twist some noses out of joint. > > > > > >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://talk21.btopenworld.com/redirect.html?http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/'>[url=http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/>

-------------------- talk21 your FREE portable and private address on the net at http://www.talk21.com

[kwcp]

Gene: I am using the Datsun box for the past four years and am certainly not afraid to admit it. One thing that no one seem to comment on is the drop arm. The original is fairly fragile and prone to breakage. The Datsun one is of a modern design and alloy and is near bullet proof. That alone should be a good reason to use the Datsun box. TC4147 has a number of modern improvements to improve safety and reliability. None can be seen except the Datsun box and the extra wire from the distributor for the Pertronix electronic ignition. Gene Gillam wrote:

> Geez, Viv, what took you so long to speak up? I sometimes feel like I'm the only one out here who's used the Datsun box. Are the rest of 'em that ashamed? > > Gene > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[Joe Gates]

Moral high ground about Datsun vs Bishop Cam steering boxes reminds me of the twisted quote that goes something like - "My country right or wrong is not quite the same as my mother drunk or sober", so stick with whatever blows your hair back and enjoy....! PS - I, too, am grateful to Datsun for keeping me on the straight and narrow, and the originality police can have the BC box with TC 8675 - free, gratis and for nothing - should I ever sell it. PPS - Was the recent Nissan advert strapline on TV - "Life's a journey, enjoy the ride" - aimed specifically at TC owners? Regards Joe Gates

[murray arundell]

Yet again the Originality Police are on the beat! What Viv says is totally correct. Why is a Bishop Box suitably bushed, sprung and screwed more original than a Datsun box? The fact is is countries like Australia and South Africa where we do not enjoy billiard table smooth lanes ala England, Europe and the USA, (and before anyone says anything I have probably driven more miles in all those places that a lot of you guys). Our lack of good roads makes it a must for the steering and ALL other facets of the suspension to be in top order. My car unashamedly runs a Datsun Steering Box. Its entire running gear is in first rate order and let me tell you that anyone who prefers the original set up to a Datsun set up is probably better off buying a mid 70's Eldorado....... In any event guys, does it really matter what one does with their cars? As ' much as I could never understand why one would prefer the Bishop set-up it is still their right to do so. As such let them go their way and leave us to go ours. For the record, my car is also fitted with 16" wheels, radials, an MGA rear axle (suitably narrowed), a warm fast road engine and bucket seats (to accommodate my 6'4" frame. Is it still a TC? To the purist out there probably not. To me it is, and it retains the TC character. I have done many 1000s of km in it and will do many, many more. As someone else said, I paid for it, I'll bugger it up! Murray

----- Original Message ----- From: "Viv James TraX Interconnect (Pty.) Ltd" viv@trax.co.za> To: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Monday, February 25, 2002 9:07 PM Subject: [mg-tabc] Here we go yet again................... > Hey all you "holier than thou" guys...... > > As an honorary member of the originality police and the owner of 1 > TC with a B/C box hanging in the roof all ready for the next custodian > and a Nissan 1400 ldv box providing both safe and pleasurable > driving and a second TC which bought without any steering - an > obvious candidate for Japanese improvement which has been done, I > need to be advised on the following: > > Why is a B/C box filled with home made springs, ball bearings, > neoprene seals, non-standard castings, adjusting screws and heaven > knows what other valiant attempts at improving a bad and dangerous > design, aided by all sorts of kingpin ball bearing mods any more > original than a neat, uncluttered box which fits non-destructively in the > same spot, looks externally similar to the orininal and works like a > dream? > > We use our cars in mountains, in traffic and in competitve events with > our wives/partners on board. Despite what I said on this list some > years ago. I feel more at ease with a drop arm that won't break, stub > axles modified as per this list and tapered rear shafts from Roger > Furneaux of this list at the rear and knowing that the car will go > approximately where I point it when I point it. In my opinion my TC has > lost none of its character and I can use it. > > I paid US$15 per steering. Having lengthened the column, the rest of > the reversible installation was carried out one Saturday morning in a > couple of hours. The chief instigator was our one and only Murray > Arundel. > > PS. What will the holier than thous say if they look inside my RF95 > regulator box and saw only a printed circuit board in there? > > PPS. What will they say when they discover a Furneaux 4.65 cwp with > tapered roller races? > > PPPS. While we are about it maybe they won't notice the camshaft by > Crane in Florida, the Moss USA rubber kit, the USA made wiring > harness or Joe Curto's hand brake kit or the neatly sewn sidescrren > covers? > > Originally yours > > Viv > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > >