MGB & GT Forum
Something I thought would be easy wasn't.....again.
Posted by woggerone
woggerone
Todd A.
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Topic Creator (OP)
Dec 17, 2014 08:54 PM
Joined 9 years ago
109 Posts
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Hello Guys and Gals. I ordered a few things for my 1979 MGB a few days ago, and got the box today. It was like opening a Christmas present early. New lenses for the back, sunvisors since this car is missing them, except for the brackets, gaskets, various other small items. I was excited. I had just gotten off work. I took my presents to the garage and decided to replace those old Lucas backup light lenses with the brand new ones, including gaskets. Should be easy, right? Not with my car. I didn't know the old dried out lenses on the car were held in with self tapping sheetmetal screws that somebody put in. I had even ordered the correct screws. Of course the female threads in the housing were stripped now, so the correct new screws didn't work. I drove down to Lowe's (because I work there, and it just seemed the right thing to do) to get longer screws with the same type threads. I got back home, and my wife says "didn't you get the right stuff when you ordered it?". Well I did, but didn't realize this was turning into a drama. The longer screws actually worked and grabbed new threads and tightened the lenses up. I didn't want to buy a whole new housing. Jeez, I'm not doing a rotisserie restoration here. The taillight lenses have the same type sheet metal screws in them. However, I'm done for tonight. A simple 10 minute job that took 2 hours. Sorry for venting. It's just frustrating. I'm going to bed early tonight. And a picture for a few laughs.
jimmididrjim
Jim & Maureen Wilkas
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Dec 17, 2014 09:03 PM
Joined 12 years ago
19 Posts
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Dec 17, 2014 09:03 PM
Top Contributor
Joined 18 years ago
14,028 Posts
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woggerone
Todd A.
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Topic Creator (OP)
Dec 17, 2014 09:18 PM
Joined 9 years ago
109 Posts
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dipstick
Kenny Snyder (RIP)
La Center, WA, USA
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1941 Ford N-Series
1958 MG MGA 1500 Coupe "Rosie" 1970 MG MGB GT "Pat's GT" 1971 MG MGB "Gifted To Me" & more |
Dec 17, 2014 09:27 PM
Top Contributor
Joined 15 years ago
7,564 Posts
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"... and decided to replace those old Lucas backup light lenses with the brand new ones, including gaskets."
Don't over tighten. I got new lens & chrome covers installed and the next day all four lens had cracked around the screws.
Be safe out there.
Kenny
Don't over tighten. I got new lens & chrome covers installed and the next day all four lens had cracked around the screws.
Be safe out there.
Kenny
Dec 17, 2014 09:29 PM
Top Contributor
Joined 20 years ago
20,031 Posts
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woggerone
Todd A.
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Topic Creator (OP)
Dec 17, 2014 09:39 PM
Joined 9 years ago
109 Posts
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Thanks Kenny. Great advice. I went out and backed them out. They're attached but loose. I'll retighten when I'm in a better frame of mind. I don't want to break them. Sometimes it's better to walk away. The car will be there tomorrow and I'll tighten them carefully.
Dec 17, 2014 10:44 PM
Joined 11 years ago
504 Posts
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This is an MG -
You will often find yourself in the second day of a 15 minute project.
Member - NAMGBR, Emerald Necklace MG Register
Murphy's paradox:
Doing it the hard way is always easier.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014-12-17 10:45 PM by misterfox.
You will often find yourself in the second day of a 15 minute project.
Member - NAMGBR, Emerald Necklace MG Register
Murphy's paradox:
Doing it the hard way is always easier.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014-12-17 10:45 PM by misterfox.
Dec 17, 2014 11:03 PM
Top Contributor
Joined 12 years ago
3,305 Posts
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In reply to a post by misterfox
This is an MG -
You will often find yourself in the second day of a 15 minute project.
You will often find yourself in the second day of a 15 minute project.
X2
Working on the MG is a three step process. Two steps forward, and one step back. Numerous times, I've started doing one thing, and finding out to complete that one thing, I have to fix something else in order to get the first item done.
MG Cruiser
Keith Delta4
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Dec 17, 2014 11:07 PM
Joined 15 years ago
2,995 Posts
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Dec 17, 2014 11:13 PM
Top Contributor
Joined 14 years ago
19,076 Posts
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Have your wife do the next order... and everything will come up perfect and she'll say "I never have these types of issues" ... have her continue ordering... they will always come in correct for her.
Michael J. Caputo
'79, '77, '76, '74.5 (rubber dual SU), and '73 owner. Extensive experience in 12v Audio System design and installation. Vendor of Regalia and Promotional Products since 1993. Supplier of Accessories to MOSS. Forum Member since 2009; with a warped sense of humor since birth. Publisher of the annual MGB & GT Calendar, mailed worldwide.
Michael J. Caputo
'79, '77, '76, '74.5 (rubber dual SU), and '73 owner. Extensive experience in 12v Audio System design and installation. Vendor of Regalia and Promotional Products since 1993. Supplier of Accessories to MOSS. Forum Member since 2009; with a warped sense of humor since birth. Publisher of the annual MGB & GT Calendar, mailed worldwide.
Member Services:
Please send photos for next year's calendar to photos25@mgbcalendar.com. If you need help with your Weber downdraft carburetor, feel free to call me at 978-249-5760, USA, Central Time!
Dec 17, 2014 11:42 PM
Joined 9 years ago
434 Posts
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I walked away from a GT that my wife wanted to buy.
It was a "rotisserie restoration" that looked beautiful until I looked really close.
Beautiful "Sonic blue" paint. A redone interior.
A pop rivet in a corner piece trim of the windscreen. (WTF?)
Incorrect screws in a number of places.
Other minor things. But enough to make me fear how much damage I would have to undo.
Later I bought a 95% original GT.
But 95% original meant rubber mats and sill covering that were 90% gone.
None-working courtesy light.
Shot rear leaf springs.
...
But as I've redone things, I've had almost no damage done by POs to undo.
Even then, things take longer than one might expect.
Getting 45 year old screws, nuts and bolts to loosen can be frustrating.
The amount of crud I had to clean out under the three (THREE!) layers of rubber mats laid down on top of the remnants of the originals was amazing.
The PO garage kept the car, but could not pull the mats out and use a vacuum?
You gotta learn patience and enjoy the process.
And those rewards when you get something all cleaned up.
I re-upholstered the drivers seat.
My wife says it is beautiful.
My wife helped me re-carpeted from the fire-wall back to the rear seat.
When I did the drivers seat, I installed a bum warmer.
Wired it under the new carpet. Hooked it up and it worked first time.
She sat in the seat and was gleeful. "It's warm!"
She needed to run an errand, so I finished the rear seat and back deck.
But not all the fiddly bits.
She returned and looked. Pointing at the rear wheel arches, she said
"Well I can tell you haven't done those because they are no where near up to your standards."
She was right. I quit for the day on a high note.
Oh yeah.... She still wants a Sonic Blue car.
It was a "rotisserie restoration" that looked beautiful until I looked really close.
Beautiful "Sonic blue" paint. A redone interior.
A pop rivet in a corner piece trim of the windscreen. (WTF?)
Incorrect screws in a number of places.
Other minor things. But enough to make me fear how much damage I would have to undo.
Later I bought a 95% original GT.
But 95% original meant rubber mats and sill covering that were 90% gone.
None-working courtesy light.
Shot rear leaf springs.
...
But as I've redone things, I've had almost no damage done by POs to undo.
Even then, things take longer than one might expect.
Getting 45 year old screws, nuts and bolts to loosen can be frustrating.
The amount of crud I had to clean out under the three (THREE!) layers of rubber mats laid down on top of the remnants of the originals was amazing.
The PO garage kept the car, but could not pull the mats out and use a vacuum?
You gotta learn patience and enjoy the process.
And those rewards when you get something all cleaned up.
I re-upholstered the drivers seat.
My wife says it is beautiful.
My wife helped me re-carpeted from the fire-wall back to the rear seat.
When I did the drivers seat, I installed a bum warmer.
Wired it under the new carpet. Hooked it up and it worked first time.
She sat in the seat and was gleeful. "It's warm!"
She needed to run an errand, so I finished the rear seat and back deck.
But not all the fiddly bits.
She returned and looked. Pointing at the rear wheel arches, she said
"Well I can tell you haven't done those because they are no where near up to your standards."
She was right. I quit for the day on a high note.
Oh yeah.... She still wants a Sonic Blue car.
2150john
John L
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Dec 18, 2014 09:01 AM
Joined 12 years ago
465 Posts
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I'd say fairly common to find self tapping screws in the taillight and backup light lenses. I recall even doing that myself when I was in college on a bug eyed sprite I had bought for $200. I had money for gas back then but fixing anything meant looking through my dad's junk drawer for whatever screw or nut I could find. Wish I still had that Sprite. One of the most fun little cars I ever drove. I am sure whoever has it has cursed me as a DPO on many occasions. All I can say is I did the best I could and kept it on the road and out of the junk yard.
Dec 18, 2014 12:03 PM
Joined 13 years ago
8,388 Posts
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Surely with all the talent here, someone could write and perform a DPO song, (then UTube post), members throwing in a line or two.
Off the cuff, let me begin:
Saw this fine looking MGB, and wife liked it too.
Hey Big Daddy says she, now one for me and one for you.
Bought it, took it home and what did I find?.......
So much wrong stuff my face turned blue.
Chorus:
Oh the DPO, the DPO, some call him "dipstick" some call him "dumb"
How anyone can butcher such a beautiful car leaves me angrily numb.
Off the cuff, let me begin:
Saw this fine looking MGB, and wife liked it too.
Hey Big Daddy says she, now one for me and one for you.
Bought it, took it home and what did I find?.......
So much wrong stuff my face turned blue.
Chorus:
Oh the DPO, the DPO, some call him "dipstick" some call him "dumb"
How anyone can butcher such a beautiful car leaves me angrily numb.
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