Just retired, now what?

[zephyr]

I retired a couple of months ago, didn't see the need to go to a much enjoyed job, money wise. So, I spend my time with four grandchildren, all under eight to three years and smart enough to keep me on my toes. I also have three ShihTzu's which are constant companions, and are affectionately know as the "Rabid Tzu's  Posse" in the neighborhood. They bark at anything, but great security for a lock and load event. Enjoy working on the on going 1969 MGBGT, although finished, I seek improvements and will maybe pull that 4 cyl. out for a small block V8. Good winter time project for me and the car. I too enjoy fishing, mostly off of Galveston, Texas or Monterey Calif. but locally stay away from lakes and stream fishing because of the farm chemical run off. I have been to North Georgia, did some stream trout fishing. it was plentiful.  Friends tell me that the lake country in around Missouri and Arkansas is great. Golf, I'm not good at golf, the courses were a great place to party back in the sixties and early seventies, stayed out of the eye of the local authorities.  Gave up windumb about a year ago, first #! and then found VSIDO recently, spend a lot of time at my computer as well. Trying to learn Linux beyond the normal user portion, plenty of info to read and ebooks are plentiful.  That is it, for being retired. I'm also into a longtime passion for photography, the digital world has made it incredible. Here are a few of my car, maybe not everyone knows what a MGBGT is. zephyr

[VastOne]

Very nice backstory zephyr, thank you for that. There's nothing better than enjoying time with grandchildren, it is also an everyday thing for me to do.

I'm always curious as to what compels people to migrate to Linux, and then the learning curve once there. I worked in technology for 25 years so for me it was easy to migrate, it was just a different set of tools to get used to. I would be very curious to hear what it is you're doing and more what it is you're looking for to help you gain knowledge.

I have a daughter who is good enough to be a professional photographer but unfortunately because of the same advances in the digital world they are almost a dime a dozen now. It is sad to see so much talent that must go to work at a boring nine to five job every day instead of chasing the passion that she loves so much.

I can verify the lakes in Missouri and Arkansas as being fantastic places for fishing, crappie and small mouth, big mouth and even walleye it can't be beaten in some places and if you get a chance to go there make it a bucket list item.

I have a friend who is also big into MG's like what you have and would be very interesting to see how the v8 project goes.

Finally, I am glad you chose VSIDO we are awfully glad to have you

[ozitraveller]

Hi zephyr

I'm interested to see how your v8 project goes! Small aluminium v8 and jag diff?

VSIDO community grows! 

Ozi

[zbreaker]

Ahhh..to be retired...coming soon hopefully

[jeffreyC]

Maybe a Ford 302 Windsor aka 5.0?
Smallest and lightest of the common V8s.
Common = retired budget friendly.
They have some very good 5 speeds for them too.

(Gearhead for decades, long before I went to computers)

[VastOne]

^ That or the Chrysler 318... one of the tightest ever as well...

[ozitraveller]

Or even Buick 215 V8.

[zephyr]

All of you are right on, actually the Buick 215, but that was bought by British Leyland in the 1960's, so the Rover 3000 engine is a beefed up aluminum clone. It is the frontend weight, that is the concern. Ford 302, yea another possibility. Have to see how things go this winter.  That MGBGT, was take down to the last nut and screw, down to bare metal, everything has been reworked, machined, painted, and it took five years. No rust, no filler. Stayed original wherever I could. Thanks for the interest. zephyr 

[zephyr]

To VastOne question about what compels  a person to migrate toward Linux. For me was being fed up with Window's, and although I bought and paid for it, each time I did a bad download and attempted to reinstall the OS because it crashed, I had to have permission. I started dabbling in Linux back in 2006, then 2010, and then at Christmas 2012. I found Crunchbang, got my coffee now sitting on the Window's XP coaster.  Linux was over my head, and knowledge base in the beginning. I have spent most of my life in aviation, mechanic, and crew chief of cargo aircraft for the military, with some commercial airline background. I have spent the last ten years in logistics, as a glorified parts and trend analysis monitor for Boeing aircraft. Been around technology, ever changing however. Linux became an obsession, passion once I realized that the distro or OS was intriguing and not Window's.  Linux can be more than a distro to access the Internet, the distro itself can be customized, tweaked, control over appearance, or how it functions in relationship to your needs. So I do spend more time with my distro than on the Internet. Crunchbang is still on my computer, it is Sidded, and VSIDO has the first place on my box, 2TB drive to grow. I trust VSIDO with everything, not worried it might fail. I like Linux, I am a fluxbox, and openbox junkie.  I also run xfce, lxde, and play around with DWMX, although my three Tzu's are threatened. VastOne, people are just fed up with Windows, but scared of Linux,  if they only knew what they could be enjoying, and I try to turn others on by handing out free DVD's. Linux either interest you or it's doesn't, I suppose. Thank you.-zephyr

[ozitraveller]

All of you are right on, actually the Buick 215, but that was bought by British Leyland in the 1960's, so the Rover 3000 engine is a beefed up aluminum clone. It is the frontend weight, that is the concern. Ford 302, yea another possibility. Have to see how things go this winter.  That MGBGT, was take down to the last nut and screw, down to bare metal, everything has been reworked, machined, painted, and it took five years. No rust, no filler. Stayed original wherever I could. Thanks for the interest. zephyr

Exactly and I quite like the 3.5-litre Rover V8 as well.

[jeffreyC]

The Buick 215 was not a high production engine and has been out of production for over 50 years, not a good thing for a budget friendly build.

If weight is that much of a concern would a V6 possibly be a better choice?
Also smaller to fit the engine bay easier.

[zephyr]

Actually the Rover 3000 (Buick 215) is still with us.  But, yes a V6 is an option, and the Gm 3.4L & 3.6L with a T5 tranny is a highly considered option. It would require a conversion kit, a weld and bolt on item which is readily sold via several web sites. The car has wire wheel splined axel hubs, but using minotaur mini-lights, the differential can stay, very robust rear end. In U.K. before the 240 & 260 Z cars by Datsun pushed the MGB out of the market and bumper height laws, they were sticking the Rover engine in the cars, few exported to U.S. & Canada. This car came out also in 1967, 68 and 1969 with a large straight 6, it was the MGC & MGCgt. Was not well accepted and now a very highly sought after car. I run 15" wheels, instead of 14".  The MGC had 15" wheels and critics claimed that the turning radius diminished, I see and feel little difference with 15" wheels. Just a little background on the MGB & MGC. I am looking to upgrade, keeping the expense down, re-instrumenting will be a task as well.  The all-aluminum 3000 is lighter than the cast-iron 4 banger I am using. Although I refitted it with a 7 port aluminum head, and two barrel syncd-carb, mild race cam, I still want to smooth and give it some horses. It will be a task, will have to be in the mood for it, that is for sure. Thanks for your interest and do appreciate the input. . zephyr