By Kathleen M. Mangan

It’s amazing how much ingenuity is generated in the process of working on cars. It’s one reason why so many people enjoy the classic car hobby— the challenge of devising novel or better solutions to problems. The result might be a perfect tool for a job, a smaller or more convenient product than previously available, or a whole new concept that seems so obvious in retrospect…the ones that make you think, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Here we’d like to share some of the products we’ve come across that we particularly like because they save time and aggravation, last longer, work better, make our cars happier, and generally enhance the experience of British car ownership.

Mini Jumper Cable Set

These jumper cables conduct the same power as the big, heavy cables with the same high-filament strand count in the wiring. BUT, they’re small enough to zip into a pouch and tuck into the glove compartment, the door pocket, or under the seat. British cars don’t typically have much trunk/storage space, so these stowable cables offer big benefit.

The smaller clamps actually provide a better electrical contact with a firmer grip. The high-tech cable insulation is crack resistant to 40 degrees below zero. Built to UL standards for heat resistance.

Part #900-060; $19.99

Auxiliary Lamp Clamp for Badge Bars

This clamp goes onto any 3/4-inch-diameter badge bar, enabling easy mounting of Lucas-type driving or fog lights. These lights have a vertical post that inserts into a 5/8- inch hole in the mount. The clamps allow you to position your driving lights where you want them on the bar, spaced between your badges. This custom approach far surpasses conventional badge bars with fixed mounting plates. Plus, on so many British classics it’s hard to find a way to mount driving or fog lights.

The clamps are chromed and polished to match the badge bar. You could use one to mount an antenna as well.

Part #408-579; $19.99 A MOSS EXCLUSIVE PRODUCT!

Ampco Top Cylinder Lubricator

This product provides a traditional approach to engine lubrication that increases the amount of oil in the cylinders, maximizes compression, enhances performance, protects against cylinder wear, and extends engine life.

When gas is introduced to the combustion chamber, it washes off the oil film on the cylinder walls. This can accelerate wear in the upper range of the cylinder where the piston is moving. To counter the effects of the gas, the Ampco lubricator sprays a fine mist of oil into the combustion chamber with each intake stroke. It lubricates the engine’s valves, valve guides, seats, rings, and cylinder bores in the upper section of the cylinder that sees most of the heat, friction, and wear.

Popular in the 1950s and ’60s, and now back in vogue due to the new gas formulations, it offers benefits for vintage engines, especially if you already notice some cylinder wear. The product hasn’t changed, in fact, these are the original kits with glass container and brass tube, so it’s period correct. The manufacturer says it works best with Marvel Mystery Oil, another blast from the past that’s readily available.

The Ampco lubricator has universal appeal to owners of pre-1975 cars. It can’t be used on cars with catalytic converters or those that have to go through smog checks. It features an adjustable oil flow control valve so you can regulate oil and performance. Moss is one of a few companies carrying it.

Part #220-175; $62.95

Switch Bezel Remover Tool Set

The bezels around the Lucas switches for the ignition, dash, and heater controls on many British cars require a very specific tool to remove them, but this tool was only available to dealerships back in the day. People resorted to using a screwdriver or needle nose pliers, which often ruined the bezel and scratched the dash.

So Moss copied the design of the correct tool and recently launched the new product. Since the bezel ring has two slots, the tool is a tube with matching pegs that sockets right into the bezel, made of hard steel so the teeth will last. There’s a T-handle that goes through the top for loosening. The set includes tools for 3/4- and 1-inch-diameter bezels. Note: This tool will not remove the scalloped bezels on TR4-6.

Part #384-960; $32.99 A MOSS EXCLUSIVE PRODUCT!

FlatStoppers

This is a great product for preventing your tires from developing flat spots when storing your car or not driving it frequently. Tire flat spots result in less smooth driving and shorter tire life, so this storage solution protects your tire investment.

FlatStoppers are made of coated high-density polystyrene and won’t slide on the garage floor when you drive onto them. Once the tires are set in the FlatStoppers, they settle into the pad’s concave depression. More of the bottom portion of the tire is fully supported, which disperses the weight of the car more evenly on the tire and helps prevent flattening.

The lightweight-yet-tough FlatStoppers will not conduct heat or cold to your tires despite changing floor temperatures, and won’t damage your garage floor. They hold 25 to 30-inch diameter tires, and measure 22.3 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 3.5 inches high. Made by Race Ramps.

Part #225-625; $239.95 for the set of 4

Stainless Steel Exhaust Band Clamps

It’s hard to find some of the smaller sizes of band clamps that are needed for many British cars at your auto parts shop. Moss offers a range of super heavy exhaust clamps to fit your needs. They’re made of stainless steel so they’re strong and won’t rust. If you have a stainless steel exhaust, you’ll want these clamps to ensure the integrity of your system. Moss offers five sizes from 1 1/2 inches to 2 inches, adjustable with a screw fastener.

Part #412-025; $3.99 to $5.99, depending on size

Mity Mite On-Board Battery Charger

This helpful charger automatically maintains the battery on a car that isn’t driven all the time. No more trying to remember when you charged the battery last. Mount this small unit in your engine compartment, and all you need to do to keep your 12-volt battery topped up is to plug in an extension cord. When you want to take the car out for a drive, just unplug the cord and go. There’s no need to take the battery out of the car to charge it, and it’s always ready for a drive when you are.

In addition to the convenience factor, this unit is just healthier for your battery and will ensure a longer battery life. A lead acid battery needs to be fully charged every 30 days, but if you wait too long, lead sulfate crystals build up on the interior lead plates and will eventually kill the battery. This unit keeps the battery in perfect condition and it costs pennies per month to do it.

The Mity Mite is totally automatic—the charger switches on when the battery drops one volt and switches off when it’s fully charged. The unit features solid state electronics, and is sealed in a molded plastic case that’s resistant to water, gasoline, oil, solvents, and acids. It comes with mounting hardware for permanently attaching it to the battery tray or fender well. Size: 5 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 1 1/2 inches.

Part #386-245; $66.99

License Plate Mount Badge Holder

Badges enable you to show your allegiance to a group or enhance your car’s identity. But for some models, badge bars for the front of the grille aren’t available, or they’re hard to put on, or they don’t look period-correct, for example, with black bumpers.

To resolve this problem, Moss designed an alternative to the classic chrome badge bar. This badge holder is essentially a license plate frame with a mount on each side for a badge. It works for both standard back-mount and magnetic badges. And you can put it on either the front or rear of your car to personalize it.

Part #244-105; $28.99 A MOSS EXCLUSIVE PRODUCT!

Exhaust Heat Shield, MGB 1962-‘75

This is a cool product, literally. The floor of the earlier MGBs can get pretty hot since the exhaust pipes come down the firewall and go under your feet. So Moss designed a solution to keep your feet cooler. In fact, this heat shield lowers the temperature of your floorboards by about 30 degrees. If you have air conditioning installed in the car, it won’t have to work as hard to cool down the cockpit with the heat shield.

The shield slides between your floorboards and the exhaust system on the underside of your car. It’s made of steel with an advanced heatreflecting coating made of woven silica with a highly reflective aluminized surface that can withstand temperatures over 2000 degrees.

You can install the shield in an afternoon with basic hand tools, although you may have to drop the transmission a little to slide it into place. It’s designed for a stock vehicle with a stock gearbox—you’ll need to modify it if you’ve got a fivespeed conversion kit, and it may not work at all with some types of headers.

Part #409-120; $126.99 A MOSS EXCLUSIVE PRODUCT!

Hylomar Gasket Sealants

Hylomar is a unique non-hardening sealant that prevents leaks. It was originally developed by Rolls-Royce to be resistant to vibration and thermal expansion in jet engines. All the major auto manufacturers use this sealant and the old British workshop manuals specify it.

The basic formula (called Universal Blue) morphed over time to meet different requirements and applications, so there are many product variants now. Moss researched and tested options for use on British sports cars, and found two must-have formulas, which they started carrying in November.

Hylomar AF (Advanced Formulation) contains no solvents. It has the consistency of honey and stays gooey. It enhances the sealing capabilities of all types of gaskets, assists with gasket alignment during assembly, and enables using gaskets over and over again. It works particularly well as a dressing for pan gaskets since they are removed regularly for service.

Hylomar M (known as the racing formula) contains an acetone-based solvent and is tackier than Hylomar AF. The M formula stiffens up as the acetone evaporates and becomes a sticky, waxy material. It works at temperatures from 250 degrees to 50 below zero. It can be used to seal joint surfaces and threaded parts. M formula works particularly well to join/seal two machined metal surfaces without the use of a gasket since it forms a thin film, whereas the runnier AF can totally squeeze out from between the machined surfaces.

Neither formula will set or harden. Both can be resealed, and are resistant to a range of lubricants and automotive fluids. Every shop should have a tube of each.

Part #232-215; Hylomar AF Solvent Free, 3 oz. tube; $23.99
Part #232-220; Hylomar M Acetone Solvent, 2.7 oz. tube; $18.99