MGB & GT Forum

Welcome! Sign In Register

Please Sign In or Register to Search

New Member from Oklahoma with 78 MGB.

Posted by AdvantageR1

MG, Triumph, Austin-Healey, Jaguar, Classic British Car Restoration Parts & Accessories

Want to advertise your business in this space? Click here for more information!

Topic List Forum List Newer Older Start New Topic

New Member from Oklahoma with 78 MGB. #1
AdvantageR1 Bobby B Moore, OK, USA	Posted: June 16, 2012 08:13PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 3

I am a new member from Oklahoma. My father traded for a 78 MGB that he wanted to fix up before he passed away. That unfortunately did not happen and I am wanting to fix it up and get it running for my mother.

The car has been setting for at least 5 years. So far I have checked and made sure that the block is not seized (the crank turns freely). I have replaced the spark plugs and the battery (i now know that all of the lights work as well as the horn). It looks like it is pretty much stock and possibly has some of the smog stuff disconnected.

Can you guys give me any recommendations for what I need to do to get it running. What vacuum lines do I need to make sure are connected to the carb and motor? What should I do to the carb? Should I just spray some ether in the carb and try and turn it over and keep my fingers crossed? I forgot to mention that I will change the oil and oil filter before trying to start it.

Thanks for all the help,
Bobby

Sponsored Links. You can hide this ad & support this site by upgrading to a Gold Membership ~ click here for more info.

Reply Quote

Re: New Member from Oklahoma with 78 MGB. #2
lewisrn Bob Lewis Danville, IN, USA 1980 MG MGB "The "B""	Posted: June 16, 2012 09:35PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 3,729

Welcome - Here's a pretty comprehensive checklist for bringing a 'B' back to life:

http://tidentenn.com/pdf/AWAKENING%20A%20SLEEPING%20MGB%20CHECKLIST.pdf

“Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what the hell happened”

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/16/2012 09:38PM by lewisrn.

Reply Quote

Re: New Member from Oklahoma with 78 MGB. #3
biglawndog Scott Thomas Coconut Creek, Fl, USA 1979 MG MGB	Posted: June 16, 2012 09:47PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 143

I'm in process of doing the same thing as you. I found the gas tank needed replacing, it was crudded up real bad, so I changed out the fuel lines also (aluminum). I took the carb off and took it apart and cleaned it thoroughly, it had a tar like substance in the bowl. Check engine mounts, change out all fluids, squirt some oil down into the cylinders, check fuel pump, change out plus, wires, dist. cap, rotor, go over the electrical system, Make sure the brake system is in proper working order, I'm replacing both calipers and cylinders and turning rotors and drums. Check the 3 rubber brake hoses and the clutch slave cylinder hose and so on and so on the list goes on. Do everything possible to make the car safe to drive.

Sponsored Links. You can hide this ad & support this site by upgrading to a Gold Membership ~ click here for more info.

Reply Quote

Re: New Member from Oklahoma with 78 MGB. #4
AdvantageR1 Bobby B Moore, OK, USA	Posted: June 17, 2012 12:03AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 3

Thanks for the information guys!!! I guess I have a lot more work ahead of me than I planned. Oh well, it should be fun. Does anyone know where I can find a manual for my mom's car?

Thanks

Reply Quote

Re: New Member from Oklahoma with 78 MGB. #5
curtis7420 Curtis Wright Univerisity City, MO, USA 1975 MG MGB "The "B"" 2000 Chrysler Town & Country 2003 Toyota Highlander 4WD	Posted: June 17, 2012 12:50AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 1,965

if it's been sitting for "years" then i would check on the fuel that's in there...

as far as a manual, there are several to choose from. supposedly the most comprehensive is the Bentley, which can be viewed here:

http://www.bmcno.org/manuals/MGB%20Workshop%20Manual.pdf

this is for early chrome bumper cars, but will certainly be of some help to you. personally, i use one by Clymers that i like very much. but, check amazon.com and you will find a wide assortment. you can also check out victoriabritish.com and moss.com for catalogs/manuals and parts, as well as MANY others sites - many members here will be of GREAT help, as vendors and knowledge.

basically, you'll find everything you need to know on this site!

be sure to include as much info as you can when asking questions. for instance, you asked about the carb but didn't state which one(s) you have - SU's, ZS, Weber, etc. if it's stock then it's ZS (zeneth stromberg).

the checklist is a good place to start. but, also take a look at the "library" section on the left of the screen.

good luck

Sponsored Links. You can hide this ad & support this site by upgrading to a Gold Membership ~ click here for more info.

Reply Quote

Re: New Member from Oklahoma with 78 MGB. #6
Jim K James A. Krasnansky Liberty, KY, USA 1970 MG MGB GT "Chloe" 1971 MG MGB GT "Roscoe" 1972 MG MGB "Camilla"	Posted: June 17, 2012 06:21AM Registered: 9 years ago Posts: 8,012

Welcome!

Here. You'll need one of these.

http://www.advanceautowire.com/mgb.pdf

Jim K is a grease-stained wretch

Reply Quote

Re: New Member from Oklahoma with 78 MGB. #7
pcadogan pat c ok, USA 1973 MG MGB "Eliza Jane"	Posted: June 17, 2012 09:35AM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 2,264

Bobby....the local MG guru is Mike Glass up in Classen....store his number under your pillow....and join the MG club too (I'm over in El Reno if you need a shop)

Reply Quote

Re: New Member from Oklahoma with 78 MGB. #8
Mgnostic Matt Kirk Vernon, North Texas, USA 1959 Austin-Healey Sprite Bugeye 1976 MG MGB 1979 MG MGB "Killer Bee"	Posted: June 17, 2012 10:48AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 77

Welcome to MG ownership. I found my first little British care in OKC back in the 80's

Reply Quote

Re: New Member from Oklahoma with 78 MGB. #9
bobbygee bobby galvez Round Rock, Texas, USA 1952 MG TD ""Duckie Tee"" 1979 MG MGB "Duckie Too"	Posted: June 17, 2012 12:37PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 1,745

Welcome to MGE! Here's hoping that you enjoy all of your experiences getting your dad's B up and running.

BobbyG

Reply Quote

Re: New Member from Oklahoma with 78 MGB. #10
kelleyh51 Hiram Kelley Oklahoma, USA 1953 MG TD 1957 MG Magnette ZB 1958 MG MGA "The Kansas Banker" 1973 MG MGB 1980 MG MGB Limited Edition (LE)	Posted: June 17, 2012 01:08PM Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 70

Hello Bobby and welcome
You've come to the right place.
x2 on Mike Glass over on Classen Blvd in Oklahoma City. If you like I can put you on our email/mailing list for the club newsletter. Plenty of club members who can help.
Regards
Hiram
MG Car club of Oklahoma
NAMGB affiliate
serving the Oklahoma City, OK. area

Reply Quote

Re: New Member from Oklahoma with 78 MGB. #11
AdvantageR1 Bobby B Moore, OK, USA	Posted: June 20, 2012 05:27PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 3

WOW!!!! Thanks for the huge response everyone. I really appreciate all of the help.

Reply Quote

Topic List Forum List Newer Older Start New Topic

RSS

Add your reply here, or post your own questions!

Members Sign In if you've already registered, or
Register a New Account
Registration is free and takes less than a minute

MGB & GT · MG Midget · Buy, Sell & Trade · Vendor & Group Buy · MG Engine Swaps · Original MG · MGA · MGC · MG Magnette · 1100 & 1300 · T-Series & Prewar · Modern MGs · MG Motorsports · MG-2013 Event · Member Meetup · Other Vehicles · Off Topic · Clubs

Having trouble posting or changing forum settings?
Check the Forum Help File (FAQ) or contact the webmaster.
View the archived version of this thread.
Built using Phorum Open Source Software

The MG Experience

www.mgexp.com

MGB & GT Forum

New Member from Oklahoma with 78 MGB.

Add your reply here, or post your own questions!Members Sign In if you've already registered, orRegister a New AccountRegistration is free and takes less than a minute

Join Our Club

MGExp Menu

—

Adjust Text Size

More to Explore

Add your reply here, or post your own questions!

Members Sign In if you've already registered, or
Register a New Account
Registration is free and takes less than a minute