In the back of the Moss Motors facility in Goleta, California is a 3,000 sq.ft. research and development shop referred to by staffers as “the toy shop” and “the skunk works.” Only a handful of employees have keys to this secret domain, and access is restricted to the engineers, mechanics, and research staff who are…
By Chris Seely I’ve always had an eye for cool old things—mainly tools, toys, pocket knives, etc. This was fostered by my mother who took my sister and I to yard sales nearly every weekend. For several summers growing up, we would get into the back of her Subaru station wagon and navigate her to…
The Question Which oil should I use in my classic car? It’s incredibly important to ask this question. Why? The reduced level of zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (known as ZDDP, ZDP or ZnDTP) in modern motor oil has been linked to increasing numbers of tappet and camshaft failures in vintage engines. What Exactly Is the Problem? The…
One look at the British Motoring Calendar section says it all: there are more car shows in June, July, and August than the rest of the year combined. After a long Winter hibernation, even the most finely-detailed show cars can use a little elbow grease to whip them into shape. With an ever-increasing number of…
Hydraulic piping for British cars has undergone several design changes; with the result that replacement lines often have “flares” that do not look like the lines on the car. For example, if the flare on the old line looks like (1a), the new line (2a) will look incorrect. All of the lines Moss sells now…
Despite their swoopy sheet metal and well-earned racing pedigree, a lot of our British classics aren’t super-advanced when it comes to suspension. There’s precious little suspension adjustment available up front, while the live axle often used in the back is about as basic as they come. Add in a few decades of use and component…
Changing oil is probably our least favorite maintenance activity, but is the most important of all for ensuring long engine life. Engine oil serves two major functions: lubrication and cooling. Moving parts rely on a very thin film of oil to prevent frictional wear, and the circulating oil absorbs a good amount of heat from…
There are several reasons why you may want to replace the window-to-body seals on your MGB. They may have deteriorated over the years, or you may be painting your car and do not wish to have dull gray old seals ruining the new job, or maybe you’re just a glutton for punishment. Whatever the reason,…
The pair of original equipment horns on mt TR4 had never worked properly and despite adjustments of the tone screws, along with liberal doses of WD40, they refused to behave. The Haynes manual maintains that they are not user-serviceable and a quick inspection reveals that this woudl appear true; the halves that comprise the horn…
Q: What are the differences between rubber and polyurethane bushings? A: All original style rubber bushings allow movement by the rubber twisting in rotation. To ensure that this happens, the rubber must bond to either the suspension component, or be bonded to a steel sleeve which is mechanically attached to the component. There are two…
