Ed, It’s Julie.  You posted some great shots and your blog is a fun read. 

So glad you made it, Allen. Sorry I didn’t get to give you a turn behind Bridget’s wheel. I thought we’d talked about that.Also glad Linda made it. Will get Karen to return next year, and hope Lois (Dale’s wife) and Roy’s wife (dang! Roy, what’s your wife’s name again?) can make it. Wives are necessary so that i don’t get too self-conscious on the…[Read more]

Good on ya, Montie!

Well that was easy.  Took about 15 minutes of actual wrenching.   Hardest part was finding a replacement.   In case anyone has to change theirs, ’71 thu 77 take 1 # and ’78 on takes a different one.   According to Autozone, Advance Parts, O’rileys and the rest, the one for the early years  (mine) is no longer available.  The only differen…[Read more]

No current will flow if the ground connection is not attached. You can check all the pos connections and fuses on this car that you want and no current will flow to any of them if there is no ground back to the battery. Check each component you want to test with a jumper cable on the neg side back to the neg battery post. And check it again with a…[Read more]

All the same, I’d look at the wire (or wires) that connect the two bits of the steering shaft over the rag joint. You’re right–it should not matter, because everything is grounded elsewhere. But it might matter.

edsnova2012-05-22 10:01:01

Excellent pictures.

Had a great time at Carlisle and am already looking forward to attending next year. AND parking my TD next to Paul’s. (Yes Rich. Paul really does have a TD) Great meeting all of the TD folks. Let’s hope well have at least 12 there next year.

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Shorting the pos battery terminal to the steering post would not energize the horn or send any current through it, that comes from a positive wire through the horn button. The steering post is a ground.Like I said above and Al Greig said, a direct short from the pos battery post to ground doesn’t involve any wiring or any fuses, other than the…[Read more]

steering shaft=horn. There will be a fuse or relay that popped.

Thx Paul —

I would not expect grounding out the positive terminal of the battery at the battery would blow any fuses.  At that point, fuses are no longer in the circuit.  What I would look for is a connection in the negative circuit has opened up.  

Checked fuses by removing and replacing.  Will need to buy the garage light.  At least another start.   Tks

I did not replace the shocks that came with the car when I purchased it.  Why do you feel the shocks are two short?With shocks removed, car sitting normal, the length between tops and  bottom shock mount is 11″ left side and 10.5″ right. The original shocks, Monroe 32118, are 11″ at full extension allowing for no upward movement or bounce and are…[Read more]

I may have missed it somewhere in the thread but when you say you checked the fuses did you check them with an OHM meter for continuity or just visual?  If visual, don’t trust your eyes, the break can be deep in the metal socket.  

No problems changing mine out.  You might need a u joint on your ratchet extension but I didn’t, just a couple of extensions to make one long one.   

my first 3 cars were British 59 Metropolitan 56 Hillman minx California convertible ,and a Triumph Herold convertible ,and a few MGs over the years, even a fake British maker as MG in China will bring a smile  to many I have always thought mazda / ford should have bought the MG name and put it on the Mx5 Dan Dan R2012-05-22 08:08:26

Thanks All

I do not know about Fords but if is anything like chevette  easy but a pain in the neck at least the solinoid is on the fire wall on a ford ?? that is a place to look ,is the solinoin good ???jump it Dan

If there no fusible links in the wire , if you hot wire the starter will she turn over ? if it will turn over than i would look at the solenoid wire back to the fuse box and ignition switch . check the ground at the frame , make sure all are tight . I know it will be something simple Dan

The speedster guys were Tom and Myself. Changed bearings and fixed brakes. All inside of 2 hours. Now on to you, there is a secondary fuse or relay on all original VW. Should be on yours as well its either located near fuse box or in engine compartment to the right. They used to be located behind or under rear seat. Now if you have a ford or…[Read more]