Jonathan Cox

Now well over 30 machines booked in and still time if you want to take part. Spoke to a guy tonight who has not shown his MG2 for 30 years and wants to take part fantastic ! Free entry passes for two for two days, inside and heated so don’t let the weather put you off.

Latest update I have on entries is that there will be at least 27 machines on display at Malvern. There is still time to enter if you feel inspired it would be great if we could manage 30 !! entries officially close on Monday 1st February. If you do want to bring a machine please e mail either myself or mark Woodward at Tractor World. Looking…[Read more]

Look forward to meeting you Graeme very pleased you are bringing a machine. Give me a call if you need any help.

That looks a good project, I keep looking at similar machines and then think that I will be shot if I take on more projects.

I am extremely pleased and relieved to report that 137 has now had a maiden voyage up the drive, along the road and round the garden. Changing the mag to a later impulse Wico transformed it, started and ran second pull. Not without a glitch though reversed out of the garage 10 yards and it stopped , I thought here we go again, took the plug out…[Read more]

Nice new air filter arrived today courtesy of a chap called Chris Pamplin an expert on Vokes filters, he had two made for me. I have fitted one but not run engine yet, yesterday the mixture was good at speed but rich on tickover so may risk fitting a smaller slow running jet especially as the filter will richen things up slightly. Finally fitted…[Read more]

Thanks to a lot of support I have finally tracked down the fault with 137, I removed the magneto and bench tested it with a drill and rubber hose drive, poor spark. Removed the points assembly from the Lucas mag. which is a total rotating assembly within a static cam ring. The points were clean and good but then I noticed that where the main point…[Read more]

Today I am going to give it a try with a dynostart unit and a vee belt. If that does not work then I shall reduce the points gap to 14 thou and then try retarding the ignition to see what that does. next plan is to borrow the magneto from 225 but that is a total unknown as I have never run that engine. I will bench test both magnetos before I fit.

Another frustrating day, fitted the bumper which I am pleased with, discovered that the decompressor mechanism was effectively preventing the engine drawing fuel when the exhaust valve is forcibly held open by the decompressor all the suck and blow takes place within the exhaust. I adjusted the mechanism and tried to just use it to get rotation…[Read more]

Floorboards, U bolts and front bumper ( force drying over the Aga )

At least today was productive, managed to bend up a new bumper out of steel strip fortunately I was able to take a template off 225. So started the day as a blacksmith and then spend many hours trying to figure out how the floorboards were meant to be. I thought I had gained some time by buying some part built sets from Neil only to realise that…[Read more]

Thought it was too good to be true 137 would not start this morning, found a major air leak on the engine side of the carb through the slot which clamps the carb to the manifold, sealed that up ,still would not start, I have never had any dealings before with a Lucas magneto but looking at it I thought the cam ring in the clamp did not look right…[Read more]

37 is alive and well!!!! After three solid days of trying everything I could think of to get it running I was at the point of despair and so knackered from cranking that I thought it safer for me not to try again whist my wife was out in case I had a stroke or something daft. Whilst she was out walking the dog I put the decals on and just sat and…[Read more]

I think that may be the problem I have sat and turned the engine over with plug out and oil down the barrel to try and loosen it off and bed things in managed to get 5 bangs so some progress. Cant swap carb as manifold is different it is screwed into the barrel and then carb fits with clamp.If I could tow start it I am sure it would go.

Starting the engine is proving to be a real challenge not to mention hard work, you have to crank it over on decompression to charge up the magneto< I have a tell tale on the plug that shows I have a good spark, engine fires once and then will not run on, It may be that is is all tight from the rebuild and I am not getting up enough inertia,…[Read more]

Today was track fitting and lubricating hubs,final drives and track rollers. The arduous task of tensioning both tracks was also finalised 29 track pads per side, two bolts per track , 116 bolts to tighten to achieve a spacing between track plate faces of 21/16″. Boring and laborious but has to be done, planet rock on the radio a glove on the…[Read more]

Made a bit more progress over the last two days, cowling fitted, decompressor lever set up, exhaust fitted, main wheels and load rollers fitted. Next job will be to fit the tracks and then fill up all the oils.

The underside is not so pretty I have had to plaster it with resin to give the whole structure some rigidity. Just hope it does not melt!

Being a gentleman I would say that both will be very welcome.