Tech Session

Rob’s Blog: Learn to Choose your Battles

Gail and Rob Caveney at the British Car Club Hawaii 2018 Holiday Luncheon.

If ever there was a time when the garage based “man cave” was allowed to be expanded into the living quarters, now would be that time. It may be a stretch to do a complete engine rebuild on the living room floor, but surely a carb teardown on the kitchen table is within the current rules defining what is acceptable, and what’s not. I often have greater success initiating such questionable projects under the equally questionable philosophy, better to ask for forgiveness than ask for permission. At least with this approach, the parts will already be covering the table and the only reasonable thing to do is re-assembly, which is what you were going to do anyway.

Gail and I have reached a workable agreement surrounding these situations. I don’t make any attempt at interior decorating, and she’s agreed not to remodel the garage. I know why I need so many different screw drivers, but it’s difficult to understand how the same argument applies to tongs and basters. Evidently it does, and I’ve learned to accept that. In spite of this agreement, one of my long term goals is to have a fully functional Jaguar engine as a glass covered coffee table in the family room. Imagine those beautifully polished cam covers framed between a set of triple HD8 SU’s on one side, and two, gleaming porcelain exhaust manifolds on the other. “What a great conversation piece,” I insist. Her disapproving look speaks louder than any verbal reply, and we defer to the kitchen/garage agreement. It’s important to pick your battles.

If you haven’t already guessed, there will be no Tech Session this month, and the club meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 7th is also canceled. During these unusual times of isolation and social distancing, maybe we could share some personal stories of our automotive past. For example, what was the fastest you have ever gone in a car and the circumstances surrounding the experience? Or, what was the scariest thing that ever happened to you in a car. Don’t be limited by the facts. At our age (at least most of us) fading memories can only enhance reality. For me, it was 110 mph and I was in the back seat of a Porsche 911. The scenery was going by so fast I had to peek over the driver’s shoulder. The needle was pegged and I knew it was a benchmark moment. That was back in 1968 and it still stands.

I hope all of you are coping well and are observing the new normal when it comes to hand washing and cleanliness. There seems to be no end to the cautions necessary to stay virus free. I still don’t know if it’s safe to share the tube of toothpaste. Maybe it’s best to fail on the side of caution.

Stay safe friends. We will be back together soon with some stories to tell.

Aloha,
Rob

Rob’s Blog: Does it Always Have to be British?

Two months in a row without a tech session. That must be some kind of record. But not to worry my wannabe mechanics. Hang on to your spanners, charge up the fire extinguisher, and get ready to dive into another project.

For next month, plan on meeting at Victor Geminani’s garage in Lanikai to get his Jaguar E-Type on the road. A variety of jobs await the collective wisdom of the club including brakes, installing a new gas tank, and predictably, an ignition issue that will surely come up as soon as the key is turned.

We begin around 10:00 a.m. and break for lunch around noon. Depending on the progress, or lack of it, we either gloat in our success, or return to the garage and keep fiddling until we tire of defeat and go home, leaving poor Victor to grovel on his own.

He has promised to fire up the grill but it’s always suggested you bring a beverage of your own. Victor lives at 1237 Aalapapa Drive Kailua (Lanikai). His house is almost at the end of the loop so if you head that way, you will go past his garage on the right.

A word of caution on weekend parking. It is extremely limited, if not impossible, and the parking police are not there to help. There is some room in the yard, but heed the signs if you don’t find a spot on his property.

Holiday Party

The Christmas Brunch will be held again at Josh’s house on Sunday, December 15th. His family home on the North Shore is the perfect beachfront venue for this event and gets us out of the city for a real road trip sort of drive.

The cost per person will be in the $15 to $20 range, but if you have been to one of these wing dings, you already know the raffle gifts can easily equal the price of admission. Mark your calendars and make sure your old car can make it that far.

As in previous years, we will plan on meeting at the Temple Valley Shopping Center and caravanning up the coast together. In keeping with the phrase “safety in numbers,” we might as travel surrounded by helpful friends and tow ropes. More details when the date gets closer.

Ford vs Ferrari

Remember the club’s last movie night? I don’t either. I’d say we are over due for another one. This time we are going to take it up a notch and plan a real outing to see the new movie, “Ford vs Ferrari”, which is to be released November 15th. It is being offered in super sized IMAX format or regular screen. Either way, even though the link to British cars is sketchy, at best, it will still be a fun movie for a bunch of car guys to experience together. Time and date to follow on this as well.

It’s a Wheel Deal

Here is another good deal for someone out there. Member Terry Tusher has an offer worth looking at.

Contact him directly if you are interested: 808-225-2805

I have a deal for you if you own a TR2-4A, MGA, MGB, MGC, Morgan 4/+4, or Austin Healy BN1 – BJ8!
The car they were purchased for, unfortunately, is none of the above and the wheel offset is wrong.
For Sale: 5 new MWS silver painted, 72-spoke, Heavy Duty, 5×15, wire wheels (Moss Motors #454-665).
My error is your good luck!
My cost: $300/each + shipping. Make me an offer I can’t refuse.

The next club meeting will be Tuesday, November 12th at 6:00 p.m. at Gordon Biersch, Aloha Tower Market Place.

That’s all I have for now. Be sure to give Terry a call about his rims, mark your calendars for the Saturday, November 9th Tech Session, the Christmas Brunch on December 15th, and the next membership meeting on the 12th.

Aloha,
Rob

Rob’s Blog: When Just a Pinch Will Do

Ace mechanic Patrick Casey worked his usual magic and got Gary Bean’s little Morris purring like a kitten.

The work involved a little more than tightening a loose pinch bolt, but the collective talent, and resourcefulness, of the members in attendance at the last BCCH tech session overcame all the issues to get it running.

We all enjoyed the success with a delicious pizza for lunch. Nice work guys.

Tech Session

The next Tech Session will be held at Brett’s home in Kaaawa on Saturday, Feb. 27th at 10:00 a.m.

The usual deal applies where you’re encouraged to bring a beverage of your choice, while Brett and Stacy will serve everyone lunch. If he fires up the Bar-B-Q again, you won’t want to miss this one.

The number of possible tasks to accomplish is too numerous to mention. Let it suffice to say, there is no shortage to keep us busy. If the body guy gets the body work finished, we might be assembling a whole car.

His house is easy to find…drive to the Kaaawa fire station (just past the 7-11 store); turn left; then turn left again almost right away when you see a huge bolder on the left, at the entrance to his property. Follow the driveway. Just trust me when I say it IS at the end of the driveway.