An Obama Economy

Butch checks the wiring diagram

Butch checks the wiring diagram

The Electorate has spoken, or possibly more precisely the Electoral College has spoken.  Politics being the endless source of entertainment it is, you can interpret the results any way you want to.  I will simply say that the Obama Economy has been very good to us.

Butch has been busy the latter part of this week turning this two seater Austin Healey BN7 into a runner before it goes off again for paint.  We have been admiring it from afar, about ten feet away for at least the last six weeks, unable to get to it because of a force field caused by attractive nuisances like the Westlands Aristocrat.. or Lobster to use its period nickname.

John sets up the Mark IX rear axle

John sets up the Mark IX rear axle

Regular readers of this column are probably aware that we have converted the Jaguar Mark IX sedan seen here to a 3.54 rear axle ratio with a Dana 44 limited slip (“In order to be able to make a graceful exit from a wet show field” according to owner Bob Mitchell).  The differential side end thrust of the axle half shafts is controlled by a couple of top-hat shaped spacers in the diff cage, but we didn’t have them, finally tracking them down in England.

The end float is then controlled with shims underneath the seal carrier on the outside flange of the axle housing.  The axle didn’t need ’em in its original iteration, but the spacers were a little long so shimming was in order, and John found a set in an XK 140 axle which has been separated from its XK 140 for the last 40 years or so.

Steve strips an E-type IRS

Steve strips an E-type IRS

Vermont missed the misery wrought by Hurricane Sandy, however we’ve been innundated lately with Jaguar E-types.  In this picture Steve can be seen tearing down an Independent Rear Suspension unit for the primary purpose of overhauling the brake calipers and discs, but also for the secondary purpose of repairing some dumb tow-guy damage to the IRS cage where it has been torn by a “J”-hook used to tie the car down on a wrecker.

David pulls down a Shorrock supercharger

David pulls down a C75B Shorrock supercharger

Meanwhile, I’ve managed a momentary escape from the shackles which have bound me increasingly to my desk this year.  I will tell you that a truly zen-like sense of peace and contentment washes over me anytime I manage to get a set of wrenches in my hands for more than 40 minutes.  It’s what makes this such a wonderful way to earn a living.  Like the Motorhead slogan used to go:  “World Peace thru British Cars”.  Amen to that Brother.

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