Talk Morgan Forums Community Welcome Forum Hello from a river

MM,

First scuba dive at Devils Bridge Kirby Lunsdale? Surely not, every time I've been there (usually a pit stop and cuppa break on a ride /drive out) although very inviting at the height of summer, the river was usually so low you might have been able too easily wade across with just your trouser legs rolled up. to around your knees. Must have been much higher back then or in flood? Sounds like fond memories.

John, the Blackpool sub aqua club dived there in the 60s regularly along with most of the Lakes. You don’t forget your first dive even if it was 12 foot but I would have thought 15 plus back then. And salmon !! They were swimming so close to you.. I do have photos of going in but no underwater shots. I have an Elvis quiff in one shot. We even had to make our own wet suits back then !


I guess this is global warming, river management. Last time I visited, probably 5 years ago , I think it said, do not jump from the bridge or go in the water………it did look alarmingly low then.
Thankfully not lost my marbles yet but sad to hear it is so low a river at this beautiful spot.

John I cannot remember what I did two weeks ago but for the first time in several decades your response has rekindled 2 names at the Blackpool BSAC - Harry Hands & Peter Carter. 2 top guys, Dive Instructors and a good influence on my early life. I guess both probably dead . Do you know an easy way to check local records ?? I would have thought both would have been given some Council or County award for their work and civic efforts.

One further question if I may, does the Tower Circus still fill up with water - I hope you believe me that it did ! Unsure when you arrived in the area but you will no doubt have missed world class clowns Charlie Cairoli and Paul . Sorry to many but mention of my home town or area, sparked today by RibbleAdventures post, brings back memories , especially the Morgan driving along the prom(enade) ……& occasionally my mother at the wheel ..
MM

I remember from my childhood the ring filling with water and there used to be a sea lion performance in the ring. And still fills with water .

''What to see at the Blackpool Tower Circus
Visitors to the Blackpool Tower Circus can expect a dynamic show that appeals to all ages. The circus offers a mix of traditional and modern performances, blending high-energy acrobatics, comedy and illusion. The show is hosted by the famous clowns, Mooky and Mr Boo, who bring a mix of humour and slapstick to the performance, ensuring that there’s something to entertain the whole family.

One of the unique features of the Blackpool Tower Circus is its water finale. At the end of each performance, the arena floor is lowered and filled with water, transforming the ring into a large pool. This sets the stage for a spectacular water-based performance, featuring synchronised swimming, diving and other aquatic acts that add a dramatic conclusion to the show.

The circus also includes a variety of acts from around the world, including aerialists, jugglers and tightrope walkers, all of whom showcase their skills in an environment that combines the intimacy of a traditional circus with the grandeur of a historic venue.''

I would try the local dive communities such as https://www.blackpoolareadivingcentre.co.uk/ see if they can help.

I always remember the Lions roaring dawn chorus and the elephants in line trunk to tail going into the sea for their daily exercise and bath.

Welcome Leon.
That's the best TM introduction I've ever read....!!!😁
Consider 'better' tyres rather than wider.

I remember seeing the tower ballroom fill up with water when I was a kid.....and Charlie Caroli....!!!.....and who was the bloke with the budgies....???😆
All the big names used to 'do' Blackpool back in the day, the piers, tower ballroom or winter gardens always had the best 'turns' on....!!!

🇬🇧🇬🇧

Hi Leon,Briefly:




Yes better tyres and keep the rims! The car is so light a good quality branded tyre should suffice. There's not the chassis clearance and to start messing here opens a bag of frogs on a 4/4. Why would you want cross ply tyres, fit radial's!

Fit brake reaction bars.... no question. On a narrow body you may get some interference with tyre rubbing on the BRB's. Connect the top end up first and when positioned check on full lock. I found the wide bodied cars are fine but have modified the BRB's for a narrow body car. I put a bend in the bar which flexes it towards the chassis and this increases steering lock greatly. Important you sort this before drilling the chassis as it will change the rear mount position and you don't want to weaken the chassis rail with a series of holes.

Brake hoses... talk to BHM or Cain at wolf performance. Brand escapes me but they are stainless braid covered.

Rattling/ steering vibration.... check the front suspension out, play in pillar bushes and all the normal checks after that. Consider upgrading? TOE is an essential check too. Wire wheel balancing... most are done incorrectly these days!

Rear springs...... clean and lubricate and consider fitting Rog's suspension assisters to stop bottoming out! Rog posts on this site. Just to add, best mod I ever did!

Seating position... you might have spacers under your front seat mounts, you might not. My 2010 car had nothing and I found the seat position to be hideous. when using the clutch or brake to some extent I was fighting the front of the seat squab with my thigh so I fitted tapered spacers raising the rear of the seat by about 5/8" over the front edge and its now valhalla!

Exhaust.... fit the Librands sports exhaust, manifold/cat and all behind, You'll like the sound and its a lot cheaper than a Morgan original!

Shocks.... won't bore you too much here but adjustable shocks on the front are IMHO are a waste of money, you can't damp the undampable! but if yours are original fit a good pair of premium shocks. On the rear end adjustable shocks do help fine tune the back end. You will still only need a very low setting but it helps stop the springs rubber banding and slows the speed of compression to a more comfortable rate, I set mine so that the whitness mark to the top of the spring from Rog's assisters is about the size of a 1P coin.

If you search my posts I have covered fitting BRB's in some depth as has Davew. Do look if you haven't had any experience with the front suspension as It will save you days of messing around and keep you safe!

Finally you will probably get loads of opinions in what you should do and how, I can only give you mine which I have learnt through my own experiences and to some extent it will depend on what you want from the car, Some want total originality others mod it to the extreme, I want a well behaved Morgan that is fun to drive and as Morgan meant it to be but, I'm not scared of adding that which will improve it within its design envelope. My car drives as well as I think I can make it drive, you can't remove all its foibles! I think the best statement given to me in my early days of ownership was that as a smooth road drive its unsurpassable but if the going gets a bit rough its a handful! last piece of advice is don't do every thing at once, do each upgrade one at a time and that way you will be able to evaluate what you are doing and adjust as necessary! Now it's your turn to to decide!

DAmn! forgot to say, yes to a panhard rod, wouldn't bother with anti tramp bars on your car as there's not enough torque.

Thank you Julian.
Re. tires (my excuse might get old soon)... one advantage of having a brain bonk and loosing memory is, I can always pull it out as an excuse - one disadvantage is, forgetting everything - one nice thing is, remembering stuff. I have remembered quite a bit since writing my first post, e.g.: I WAS concerned about tires melting under 'race track' driving conditions ( and I know Turnip is not a race car and he is not to be built as one ). I had forgotten how shocked my father was with the cost of the Cinturto CA67s and I had forgotten that the tires were used as 'control tires' (and why).... I am proud of myself for knowing all of this before 'my bonking' and my father trusting me enough to buy the tires (he will have hated that payment).
I have reminded myself and I should be concerned about the Pirellis 'NoT holding up' to my 'its not a race car that i am driving on track' style of piloting.

Re. Blackpool and its attractions... I could be wrong but I think 'newbrighton tower' was constructed (along with its peer) to rival Blackpool. If anyone knows NewBrighton now... they will likley agree that it wasn't a successful campaign (hehehe).

To keep the thread from getting too far 'off topic', can anyone think of another rival what was unsuccessful???

Thank you all

Thank you... Just a big and sincere Thank You. I will re-read and process and ponder your points and opinions over the coming days.

I would also like to pre-empt and apologise for my, likley piecewise, questions or / and response. please be reassured that they are never intended to 'bate' and argument.

I will start with my opinion on one of the final marks (in your message before): A number of years back, I first experienced, buying a car and having extensive work done before driving it. It was a brand I knew and the modifications and setup complimented and relied on eachother... It was amazing! I was lucky (possibly) and I 'fettled' the setup over time; but, it worked very well and was / is a nice thing. This car isnt the same, as I have driven it plenty.


This far, i have got... pads and braded lines for the breaks; a Lidbrands manifold and will likley get my 'exhaust man' to build me a de-cat-able exhaust; an organ pealed for the throttle (I have always preferred floor mounted accelerator peddles and have seldom 'felt nice' with the roller ball one - its lovley in socks though :-)). I still dont know about air intake and will think more about dampers; then... hehehe :-)