Hi Don,
Time to work on the transmission! Don't wait until it is
nice outside, that's the time to drive! I'm putting my transmission back in
today (for the second time this month!). Seems that the pilot bearing had
destroyed itself which I didn't catch the first time I removed the transmission
to see why it was acting weird. On the Volvo engine the pilot bearing is
actually a roller bearing and not a bushing that is common on American engines.
As to Svelte's question... If you want a really nice
original Marcos (or any other car for that matter) buy the best example you can
find or afford. Restoration is a very expensive proposition even if you have all
the resources to to the work yourself. The Marcos is easy to work on but it is
still loaded with potential "money traps". Windshields and rear screens will set
you back a bundle but are at least available. Body work can be done at home but
it is very time consuming even if you have the proper tools.There are a couple
of Marcos owners on the list that seem to know what they are doing that have
been working on their car bodies for a couple of years and still aren't
finished. Trim items can be very difficult if not impossible to find. And we
haven't even talked about the mechanical systems yet. Almost without exception,
I can find a better car for less money than you (or I ) can restore a lesser
example to the same standard.Ebay is full of restored cars that are selling
for HALF of what the owners have documented spending on restoring the car.
It is very difficult if not impossible to get the money you spend restoring a
car back when you sell it. The only way people like Hayes can survive is they
are very smart about what they pay for a car and then they have the benefit of
having parts left over from other projects that they can use and they can buy
parts wholesale.But even Hayes would tell you that he would always buy the best
example he could find.
Mike Denman
Chassis # 4079
---- Original Message -----
From: Don LattimerSent: Sunday, December 29, 2002 8:38 PMSubject: [MarcosManiacs] Restoration or a driver?Svelte,
Depends on your resources. I'm personally not at the restoration
stage of life. Although I love working on cars I would rather do all
the little detail stuff and maintenance rather than working on a
restoration for an extended length of time.
I've gotta drive! Thankfully it's raining/snowing here in northern
CA or I'd really be upset with the Marcos sitting in the garage
without 4th gear! Soon...........
Don Lattimer
#3m5759
--- In MarcosManiacs@yahoogroups.com, sveltebat@a... wrote:
> Dear Don and Hal,
>
> I've been trying, on several occasions, to figure out a way to buy
these
> Marcos GT's from Canada and England (such as the one on eBay right
now that
> has an engine in one location and the body/chassis at another
location) and
> have been advised that the cost of restructuring/completing such a
car will
> be far more than purchasing one already assembled.
>
> The advice that I am getting, so far, is "beware" of purchasing a
Marcos GT
> unless it is assembled, completed and ready to drive. I'm told that
it will
> cost far more than purchasing one ready to drive. These sources are
coming
> from those that assemble the cars themselves such as Len up in
Canada, Hayes
> down in Florida and elsewhere.
>
> Perhaps, just perhaps, these guys might be a bit biased but from
what I am
> gathering, thus far, is that unless you know a lot abut mechanics
you are
> well advised to purchase an already completed Marcos GT.
>
> What do you guys think about this advise given to me thus far?
>
> With Best Regards,
>
> Svelte Bat
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