Many of you are aware, that I have been restoring a 1961 MGA 1600 since September 1991.
This was a total restoration, right down to the frame, and last bolt. If it wasn't restorable, new old stock was found and replaced, but I tried as hard as possible, to keep the original parts.
I own a sand blaster, so evenings were taken up sandblasting every nut and bolt, and any metal part that would fit into my unit.
90% of the mechanical was done by myself, and with the help of a good friend Allistaire Pinos, whom I knew from my association with Austin Healeys, helped me in restoring the engine.
The welding and panel beating was done by myself, many, many hours were spent on trying to get the metal to the right shape.
Once I felt it was ready for final finishing, I put it into the hands of that miracle man and restorer, Richard Grenon, World renowned and a fantastic squash player, considering his age.
Richard complemented me on my welding, but gave me hell on my grinding. Something I did not know, was that when you grind a weld, you do not grind to the new metal on each side of it. By doing this you weaken the new metal. So some of the welding that I did had to be redone.
Richard did all the fit and finish. Over 400 hours by his man Jack was spent in sanding the car. On top of that I spent 200 hours of sanding on the parts that you did not see. Like under the fenders, under the bonnet and so on.
Then into the paint shop it went, and the results are outstanding. 6 coats of base coat, then sanded, then 6 coats of clear, then sanded, and buffed. A finish that you have to see to believe. Not a wave in the body. At this point we installed the body on the rolling chassis, and installed the fenders and grill.
In December 97 it was brought home and I did the wiring, interior and all the chrome fittings. Windshield, bumpers etc.
It was at this time that I had Bernard Bellavance come over to check my wiring. I had done one mistake. Left was right on my turn indicator, so I was a very happy man.
Then we checked everything on the engine, and Bernard insisted, that I use a product called NU-POWER. I told him that many mechanic advised me not to use these types of products when breaking in an engine.
All of you know Bernard, with his resounding voice. I did not want to wake up my wife Helen, so I obeyed and put the NU-POWER in with the 3 liters of oil. It sells for $20.00 at Canadian Tire or Wall Mart.
The engine ran beautifully, I was very pleased. Bernard mentioned that this product helps the engine as it makes it easier for the engine to run, as there is a coating now on all the parts, and the engine is more slippery, this is what I understood in simple lay mans language.
A week later, I got my 4 day transit pass, so that I could test the MGA, so Helen and I took off Friday night May 2, 1998 for Senneville.
Every 2 seconds, I would keep my eyes on the oil pressure and it was great. After 45 minutes of looking, I felt comfortable, and looked at it every 10 or 15 minutes.
A block away from home, I look at my oil pressure, and it was 0. To my horror, I stopped the engine, did not yet cry, but said to Helen, " there goes $3000.00." A neighbor and Helen and I pushed the car back to my garage. I sat there and did not know what to do. Also I forgot to mentioned the temperature was up to 275 degrees. I was sure the engine was seized.
I decided to jack up the engine, to see where the oil had leaked from. I had just checked the oil, and there was no more than 2 ounces.
Not realizing that under the car, it was all slippery with oil, I jacked up the car, and then the next horror happened, it slipped of the jack and my radiator landed on the jack. The rad had a new pyramid shape. Antifreeze everywhere. And pushed against the fan. Luckily the bonnet was open as the rad would of gone through that also.
I pulled out the rad, put oil back into the engine, and started it, and to my surprise, sounded as good as before. But also I saw where the oil was coming out of . The oil filter had totally loosened. So that situation was fixed and again started the engine, and to my pleasure , oil pressure was where it should be.
Monday I went to Joly Radiator on Jean Talon West, and they fixed it and put a new core all in 4 hours.
Monday night reinstalled the rad, and on Tuesday, took the car for a 100 mile drive. No problems.
Why was the engine saved, two reasons, first one, listening to Bernard Bellavance, and second NU-POWER.
So to those mechanic, that do not believe in these new products, I think it is time to change and go with what is out there. A new motor always has a chance of something happening.. How often I have heard members say what has happened to their cars. A loose oil pan, loose filter, loose engine side panel, a bearing leaking.
So the old way should move over to the new way. What these engines cost now to restore, we should take every precaution to protect them and our investment.
Thank you Bernard, thank your NU-POWER.

©VEA