Removed the front fenders and got a suprize on the bad weld job of the PO, did some wire tracking its a cluster from the PO. lots of cuts and splices

I started taking all the bright work off, I want to have my GT reprinted, are there folks out there who have left the chrome off of the sides? I am thinking it will look cleaner with the chrome off.

In many ways, I'm only just getting started on my 1979 $900 red MGB find last year. And yes this is my first post here. Maybe I'll have her at least back to working with replace clutch and brakes and fix lighting to enjoy her at least this summer. Whenever that plans on happening here in Seattle. Even my homeland back in England has had better weather weather than here!!!

Anyway, only half the guages work. The important ones thankfully. Did have my local shop port the heads to flow better at the exhaust. Have fresh pistons swapped out for upgraded compression but reading that this might make it too high given the 79 cyl head might have too low a cc and cause detonation. maybe the thicker gasket will help offset that?

so also while the motor is opened up, with fresh crank bearings on 80K miles ( previous ones showing the copper a little), my attention turns to whether to swap out and get the camshaft reground to an earlier engine profile for better power. so much info out there on the websites that it's sometimes overwhelming. goal is a well running car with better power than stock 79 by adding in goodies from earlier motors (pistons, fresh bearings, double springs, double roller chain etc.). But not really up for major super balancing work. Just a restored engine.

So not much actual work on the car, but absorbing all the discussion on this fabulous website and getting enough planning in to get her back on the road.

Question - I'm not used to the MGB transmission - when I drove it after buying, the clutch was almost toast. gear shifting was possible but slightly challenging particularly 1st...does this mean the synchro's for 1st/2nd need replacing or is this likely merely a side effect of a clutch on the way out? Just want to avoid a rebuild if I can on the transmission, but then again, the motor IS out of the car and getting the transmission wont take much more effort. I guess this infers another question - anyone replaced their synchro's themselves? I have rebuilt auto transmissions before so it's all lego(s) to me. Just asking in case it's possible without specialized tools and the home tinkerer can do it themselves.

Thanks folks. I'll post more pictures and info as I continue my journey into MGB ownership and visit with the Prince of darkess. I have met him before with my early 90's RRover projects so I am not afraid

Welcome, Keith and thanks for the post.

If you already have the engine out, you might actually consider the balancing route. I had mine done, cost about $200 to have all the rotating components balanced, first statically, then dynamically. I can't believe how much smoother it runs. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

The hard shifting into first gear could indeed be a byproduct of a bad clutch, especially if the car has been sitting for a time. My throw out bearing disintegrated shortly after I acquired the car. The clutch was pretty much new when I took it apart, but it had been sitting for couple of years which I believe contributed to the deterioration of the throw out bearing.

I see you are running headers rather than stock exhaust. If you want to improve their performance and cooling, you might consider having them ceramic coated. I did that to my stock manifold (which I read a few places was better than headers) and it made a considerable difference to under hood temperatures. Not only that, you can get it in a couple of finishes including 'new cast iron' and a cool, shiny, blingy silver.

I regard my car much the same as you seem to yours, as a fun, well-running toy, with a few modern or performance upgrades. Like electronic ignition, an excellent investment! I also dealt the Prince something of a death blow simply by upgrading my alternator. I went the 95 amp Saturn route, but you can get a 95 amp Lucas if you really want to. Compared to the stock 45 amp unit, the upgrade is awesome. Bright headlights, everything electrical works, well, and turning everything on causes no discernible drop in their performance.

Happy motoring....

G

Hello, in reading your comments "G" ,I see where you changed to a 95amp SATURN alt. Was that certain model number and was it fairly straight away to accomplesh? thx for your time,dennis



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/12/2012 05:42PM by dennis1978redo.

Didn't do anything to the MGB but did something for it.

Called my insurance agent and got the 94 Mazda MX3 removed and put the MGB on in its place. Cost me $15 more every 6 months due to non abs brakes and being a convertible.

I'm hoping the weather will do as its told tomorrow and I can drive it to work for the first time. (Not as many folks work Friday so I can park closer to the front door and keep an eye on her)

Should be fun :-D

Now if I get pulled over let's hope I get a nice cop that doesn't mind looking up the car with my policy #

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1975 MGB
Weber Down draft
Electric ignition
4 speed non O.D.
Soft Suspension
Tight Steering somehow
New Brake lines
New Clutch Master/Slave
SEAFOAM!!!

Finally got the drivers side seat in ! Feels like a milestone. (maybe a one seater!)

Went for a test drive after changing the idle jet on the weber and saw the temp guage
start to hit the "H" Shut her down and found my heater valve was leaking.
I was only a 10 min walk from home so was able to bring the other car, water & fix it.

I'm drilling that baby out tomorrow and putting a valve in.

Promised a co-worker before I retired, that when I got my B, I would take her for a spin. Drove back into town today, had morning tea with my friend and kept my promise!

Andy

Dropped off the spare radiator I got when I bought my car to get pressure tested. The leak in the original radiator is getting worse. Time to fix it before the temps soar.

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Endeavor to Persevere

Polished,waxed and cleaned everything I could reach. To night is the first car cruise night at Jimmbo's in Reading, Pa. I would like to see more MGs there this year. They have two every month all summer.

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"Behind every silver lining there is a dark cloud"
"Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once"
“The difference between genius and stupidly is that genius has its limits” Albert Einstein
You don’t get smarter as you get older. There is just less stupid stuff left that you haven’t already done.

Pulled master cylinder and found the source of my brake issues!

After pumping up the tyre to a respectable 26/28 the steering is much easier and the some rattles reappeared. Noticed the drivers door rattled but it turned out to just the latch plate on the body tightened. Problem solved.

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Regards

John Kinnane

'Molly' '79 Tourer

I'M IN PORT ORCHARD AND THE WEATHER IS GREAT !GOT MY CAR OUT AND ON THE ROAD FINALLY AFTER CHANGING INTERIOR FROM BROWM TO BLK. GOTTA PUT THE SEAT BELTS BACK TOMORROW.

Hopefully sorted out the wheel rub on my right rear tire. Now I'll have to take it for a spirited drive to confirm. Work, work, work....

And, hurrah, no wheel rub on the test drive!

Now, it's time for a celebratory Old Speckled Hen.

Installed my freshly tested and painted spare radiator and discovered that all 4 of my tires were inflated to between 45-50 lbs (!) courtesy of the PO, but abetted by me since I apparently hadn't checked the inflation since I got it in December.

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Endeavor to Persevere

Betcha the steering was light!

Andy

Corroseal on the brake drums (outside, of course), and plastic polish for the front amber running/turn signal lenses. Then I hope to insulate that brake line that drops down right next to the exhaust manifold and pipes. Yikes! That thing is like 2" away from the absolute hottest metal on the whole car! (manifold is ceramic coated)

David

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David J. Kinsey
Virginia Beach
Tidewater MG Classics
1980 MGB "Runaway"

I bought my first one ;-)