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About Jo Jesty
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
Most detailed about Austin Healeys but also MGs (A,B,C), old Minis, old Volvos: they share SU carbs, Lucas (Prince of Darkness!) ignition, Girling brakes & shocks. Some things shared with TRs too, but I don't know so much about them. Can advise the semi-neophyte on the basics of keeping things running, especially tuning ignition and carbs; but no rebuilding engines or transmissions; no frame or bodywork. General date range: late 50s to 70s (not so good about cars with emission controls, electronics). No valuation experience at all.

Experience
Middling: I am not an auto mechanic. (Should we stop right here?) Grew up In England and a workshop. I have had a 3-carb 60/61 Healey for ca. 8 years, largely looked after myself. New fuel system and carbs, resuscitated ignition, brakes (discs and drum). Great driver's car. Major jobs done by others: king pins, front frame cancer excision; caliper rebuild; etc. Organizations.: Austin Healey Sports & Touring Car Club (PA) Publications: > 70, irrelevant Education/Credentials: PhD, irrelevant Awards and Honors: irrelevant Languages: Je peux essayer francais...


Education/Credentials
Re. cars, none--see experience.

   

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Questions Answered By Expert  Jo Jesty 
In Category  Vintage Cars

SubjectDate Asked

MGB ignition11/11/2009
  Q: When turn signal, horn stalk or wiper stalk is activated the tach drops to zero, fuel pump stops ...
  A: Goodness, it seems that 90% of my questions these days are about MGB electrics! As usual, the ...
1980 MGB Limited Edition10/7/2009
  Q: I'm having a really hard time finding a copy of the door keys! Would you happen to have a set? I ...
  A: I can only quarter answer this (I really shouldn't risk my knowledge rating this way!) In more ...
mgb 19799/30/2009
  Q: what is the recomended tyre pressures for mgb roadster 1979.It dont say in manual.g1qji
  A: Assuming 165x14 tires (modern close equivalent is 185/70HR14), the book says 21 psi front and 24 psi ...
71 mgb gt lights9/20/2009
  Q: There was a question on 7/2 that you answered. My problem relates to it. I turned on my lights and ...
  A: That questioner went through a lot of connections and ground checking, and cured it. And I had an ...
71 mgb9/18/2009
  Q: i have a71 mgb and it is not getting spark to the points and plugs'i check the coil and it started ...
  A: You may have a double answer, and I had to rewrite it! If the coil is OK, check: 1) 12V at the ...
Door latch9/13/2009
  Q: I am a new owner of a 73MGB. My 12 year old son and I are learning as we go. The passenger door ...
  A: Apologies if you got a part-answer before (browser problem)... Tricky without a picture. AllExperts ...
1971 MGB Electrical problem8/29/2009
  Q: I just purchased a 1971 MBG in excellent condition. When I push the light switch to the first ...
  A: Congratulations on going through all the possibles and fixing it! For that car, and especially that ...
installing a new stereo in my 78mgb8/22/2009
  Q: I am putting a new stereo in my mg and I need to know what wire in the dash next to the radio is ...
  A: I probably should have answered this "don't know"...specific wiring in a late B is beyond my ...
Selling My MGB7/13/2009
  Q: Recently I took my 1974 MGB convertible to the shop. Now I have learned that the carburetors are bad ...
  A: If you want to keep it, I would cancel the insurance, hold on to it, and wait until you have a few ...
MGB restoration7/9/2009
  Q: Hey Jo, I am looking at a 1979 MGB (the VIN is GHN5UL490975 G, not sure what the last G is for...) ...
  A: Apologies for the delay: didn't see the email, and my daughter just got married! This is a bit weak ...
1971 MGB Electrical problem7/2/2009
  Q: I just purchased a 1971 MBG in excellent condition. When I push the light switch to the first ...
  A: Goodness, what a combination of symptoms! First off, also try Moss Motors forum or other MG forums. ...
'77 mgb electrical problem6/25/2009
  Q: Everyone tells me these cars were known for their electrical idiosyncrasies--but can't seem to find ...
  A: Ah! I don't know why damp ignition would produce your symptoms (why it's OK in the Start position ...
'77 mgb electrical problem6/23/2009
  Q: Everyone tells me these cars were known for their electrical idiosyncrasies--but can't seem to find ...
  A: As I think you suspect already, it's most likely the switch going bad and losing contact with the ...
mgb5/26/2009
  Q: what does MGB stand for? also how can I tell if my car is original
  A: MG is from Morris Garages, which started in Oxford in the mid-1920s. The MG T series ran from the ...
Makes, Models, and Years5/14/2009
  Q: Is there any good list of makes and models and years of all or most of cars on the internet you can ...
  A: That's far too broad. For older cars, you can find a lot of stuff in Hemmings (hemmings.com). JJ PS ...
1978 MGB electrical problem4/8/2009
  Q: My left brake light does not work. When I turn my lights on, only one filament seems to be working. ...
  A: Same comment: connections. If you have a test light or voltmeter check whether the plate holder ...
1978 MGB electrical problem4/8/2009
  Q: My left brake light does not work. When I turn my lights on, only one filament seems to be working. ...
  A: Connections, connections, connections. Suspect: 1) In-line connections like spade or bullet. It's ...
MGTC voltage regulator3/31/2009
  Q: I would like to put a solid state voltage regulator in place of the mechanical one (RF95/2). Are ...
  A: I can only half-answer this. I'm not familiar with the solid-state replacements and can't find any ...
MGB Ignition3/6/2009
  Q: Jo, After I switch off the igniton, the motor "runs-on" jerkily with "pinking". I have tried ...
  A: I'm afraid I've never used them. There's certainly no harm in trying one or two, and at fairly high ...
MGB Ignition2/28/2009
  Q: Jo, After I switch off the igniton, the motor "runs-on" jerkily with "pinking". I have tried ...
  A: Sorry, I was away a few days. I'm afraid you likely need a head-cleaning job, but try a few other ...
Austin healy sprint2/21/2009
  Q: Can not find vin on a car I had given to me only number I can find is on driver side frame rail in ...
  A: It's a Healey Sprite, but they come in two types, frogeye and spridget (the later mashup of AH ...
carburetors2/8/2009
  Q: I have a 1967 Austin 3000 Mk lll. I have not started in a year, When I did try it almost started ...
  A: You almost certainly have a stuck float needle in the lid of the carb. The little pipe is the ...
MGB1/25/2009
  Q: My sister has a 1980 MGB black limited edition with a trunk rack and front spoiler and would like to ...
  A: I'm afraid that's a hard one: I don't track prices, and that car is not special. So, personally, I ...
Positive Gounding - Austin Healey10/24/2008
  Q: I am a long time owner (40 years) of a 1960 Austin Healey 3000. I have had extensive experience ...
  A: Congratulations on keeping it running this long. Same car as mine (except for my non-original Mk II ...
MGB fuel pump10/13/2008
  Q: I have a 79 MGB, 100K miles. After driving at 55mph for 15 minutes, the car dies, but pumping the ...
  A: Late B's are not my expertise (all the late emissions stuff), but I'll try... Could be the pump, ...
MGTD turn indicators9/7/2008
  Q: The turn indicators on front and back work when the turn indicator switch is operated, but the ...
  A: The TD is really outside my ken, and faulty British electrics can drive you nuts, but I think the ...
1973 MG8/30/2008
  Q: Parked the MG and she was running great. I have had medical problems that kept me from driving her ...
  A: I would guess that either (1) you've had a leak in the clutch hydraulics and you're out of fluid, or ...
oil cooler austin healey8/12/2008
  Q: thinking about oil cooler formy BJ8. is this wise?
  A: If you drive fair distances, especially in hot weather, I would put one in, yes. If mostly short ...
mini8/9/2008
  Q: could u tell me was there ever a mini with the engine in the rear.
  A: No, never. Issigonis designed the transverse front-engined layout, with transmission in one piece ...
Volvo 122S6/21/2008
  Q: I have a 67 Volvo 122S wagon that has suddenly developed this nasty clunking and accompanying noisy ...
  A: Sorry: didn't get the original experts email... If the onset is sudden, I rather doubt it is the ...
Positive Ground3/17/2008
  Q: What is the easiest way to determine whether my newly acquired Triumph TR3 is set up for positive or ...
  A: It's likely still positive. (1) The ignition switch wire should go the negative terminal on the ...
mg fuel pump failure1/26/2008
  Q: 74 mg midget rubber diaphram in the pump got eaten by the fuel I guess-- Walbro remarked thus:"The ...
  A: The increasing oxygenators in fuels are certainly hard on diaphragms in pumps, carbs etc, and in ...
65 Volvo 1800S1/23/2008
  Q: The front float chamber has a ventilation hole under the intake gas line with a metal cover. The ...
  A: That is my most interesting question since I volunteered for this stuff; and I thought I knew these ...
MGB cold weather adjustments12/13/2007
  Q: My 74 MGB is running very roughly since cold weather set in here in Belgium.Idles rough right from ...
  A: I'm afraid that's not much information, but let's try, based on the sudden change in behavior. 1) I ...
Engine Over Running11/20/2007
  Q: I have a leyland princess car (o series engine).sometimes, when i turn off the car the engine ...
  A: You don't give a date, which is important. There are 1950s Princesses (Austin limousines), and 1980s ...
triumph spit10/30/2007
  Q: im stumped on this one. Triumph Spitfire 1976, recently acquired. it ran rough, replaced needle and ...
  A: Again, not a particular expert on the car, but I can probably point you the right way... 1) ...
MGTD Ignition key10/13/2007
  Q: I lost my key. Any suggestions on getting a replacement made? Thanks Mike
  A: Not definite; sorry... I think it's highly unlikely you will find 1) a good enough locksmith and 2) ...
ignition coil8/21/2007
  Q: i have a positive ground car should the wire from the start switch be hooked to the neg or pos ...
  A: Sorry about the delay: I was away. On positive grounds (lots of 1950s-60s English cars) the negative ...
MG Midget Battery Connection8/18/2007
  Q: I have a 67 midget without a battery. Can you tell me which way the battery should be installed. I ...
  A: I don't know that Midget personally; but be careful. It's very likely a positive ground car. You ...

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