Short update

January has passed and I did not even spend 10 hours on my projects. Work keeps me busy and looking at my calendar this is going to stay this way for the next couple of months. The weekends are also full of tasks, duties, and appointments. Work-Life balance clearly shifted a bit over the last year, but I am sure as soon as the days get longer this spring, things will improve.

The MGB engine test stand/engine roller/workshop trolley I started to build is already collecting surface rust. The only thing I got done last weekend is to weld the bracket for the front B-Series engine mounts. As I don’t own a welding machine and do this at the body shop, I left the bracket on the right side oversized. After the trial fit, I trimmed it to the right size with the grinder. When measuring I did not think about the rubber mounts settling. So, I need to shim the bracket a bit by welding a piece onto it later this week.

While not complete I am quite happy with the result already. Once done, I can store the fully assembled engine under the workbench and move it easily when required. An entire new set of tasks is to add all the parts to make it a real test stand – but dry fitting the exhaust this week already showed that this should work out as well. I can flip the old desk frame, place the engine on top of the frame and have a comfortable working height. Yesterday evening (after moving one daughter back home and help my older daughter to move out) – I at least managed to craft a table-top-tray in my basement. Once the engine is back in one of the cars – the frame will act as workshop trolley.

Today I was able to pick up the Saab after work. All rust spots have been sorted out – including a few on the rear I did not even notice before. I ordered need rubber seals for the Aero Part trim and need to get some brackets for the bumper powder coated before I can put back everything together. I moved the car to another garage and might leave it like this for a few weeks.

The next woodworking job is already waiting – I did some tests for on the Morgan to replace the rear seats with a “trunk” that can be swapped in and out easily. This is important for our summer vacation – more on this to follow.