Motor rebuild advice wanted

[Thomas Santee <sypr@domain.elided>]

Hi folks,

The person who will be rebuilding my '73 Stag motor has asked me to 
gather any bits of wisdom to assure the motor is the best it can be. This 
guy owns a British Car repair shop in Eugene, Oregon (for at least 20 
years) and prepares engines for historic races. He's very good.

I've enjoyed reading the stag digest mail for the few weeks that I've 
been on the list. I've saved several of your tips. If you'd like to add 
more advice (or send me something you already wrote to someone else), I'd 
welcome it.

My car is a Sapphire Blue '73 with four-speed & overdrive and air 
conditioning. (Any advice on whether I should keep the air conditioning?) 
My goal is to have the Stag restored in time for the Vancouver, British 
Columbia All-British Field Meet at Van Deusen Gardens next spring.

There's only one part that I know I need. The combination boot 
lid/tonneau hinges are both missing the steel bar that serves as the 
tensioner that keeps the boot lid up. Any suggestions? I probably could 
have someone make the pieces if I had some specifications to work from.

I'm also wondering if anyone has designed a clever system for removal and 
storage of the hardtop while in the garage. I believe some kind of block 
& tackle arrangement could lift and hold it while I drive the car out 
from under the top. Has anyone tried something like this?

Thomas Santee

Santee Young Public Relations - "Building Trust & Identity"
PO Box 12013, Eugene, OR 97440
Voice (541)345-2088 or (800)460-6452; Fax (541)345-2498