MGB & GT Forum

Just a little rambling from a 79 year old guy who has had his 68 MGB since it was bought new in August 1968. Over those 56 years, I’ve learned a few things both easily and the hard way. Maybe this info might help others.

For the first year or so of having the MGB, it seemed to use close to a half to a full quart of oil every 300 – 400 miles. I was then on Air Force active duty, living in San Antonio, TX and since the Base Exchange sold Texaco oil, I used it for my oil changes.

At the time, Quaker State and a couple other companies that used Pennsylvania crude oil offered an engine warranty program, so I switched to QuakeR State oil and a can of STP at each oil change. Whether it was the Quaker State oil or STP, I don’t know, but my oil consumption went to almost nothing!

After awhile, I switched (again) to Castrol, using 20W50 in the warmer months and 10W30 in the colder months.

In addition, over the years, I was able to get tubes of Castrol (green) multi-purpose lube; Castrol wheel bearing grease; the OLD red Castrol brake fluid; Castrol 80/90 Hypoid Gear Oil; Castrol Upper Cylinder Lubricant; plus Castrol Brake (blue tube) and Red Rubber grease. I became obsessed with using only Castrol products!

Back in the 60s and 70s, sometimes even Duckham's products were available, but mainly through British car dealers or mail order.

Now, it's pretty much Valvoline 10W30 racing oil or Brad Penn 10W30 oil, which is made in Bradford, PA and much like the old green Kendall oils.

But I still have a supply of Castrol Wheel Bearing grease, Green Multi-purpose grease, Red Rubber and Blue-tubed greases but now using Castrol LMA brake fluid instead of the old red brake fluid.

I didn’t have the MGB for a year, when clutch problems started. I bought Lockheed clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder repair kits and a couple cans of Castrol brake fluid and thus, began my MGB repairs experiences.

Luckily, I had an Uncle on Air Force active duty in San Antonio plus a neighbor who had two Alfas, so I had a couple guys for assistance should I have any problems.

In 1971, shortly before I left for Vietnam, I installed a small, plastic Volkswagen in-line gas filter between the fuel line near the firewall and the rear SU carb. Have had one of these filters in the MGB ever since.

I won’t go into all the details, but I religiously kept the recommended maintenance schedules regarding fluid changes, tune ups, etc and watched for brake wear, oil consumption, etc.

In the “old days” we used to take out and clean the Champion N9Y iron cored spark plugs plus file and reset the ignition points every few thousand miles, even less if your car used oil and fouled the plugs.

Back then there was a camaraderie between British sports car owners and we ALwAYS carried spare parts and tools in “the boot!”

Additionally, British car drivers would always wave to fellow Brit car owners and, should there be breakdown on the side of the road, we’d stop to render assistance (and parts), if needed.

Over the years, I've had OEM exhausts, an Abarth that rusted out in less than a couple years, and one, maybe two, Supersprint exhausts, one still being in the MGB. I have a complete Ansa system from the header to twin tail pipes in my garage waiting for a friend to install the Ansa, hopefully, in the next few months

Previously, I replaced the brake / clutch, oil cooler, heater / coolant hoses, etc. with stainless braided hoses.

But, in the past few years, i've back dated some of the hoses to plain, black rubber, except for brake / clutch hoses and the oil cooler hoses. I’ve had trouble with the length of aftermarket braided fuel hoses for the SU carbs, so I switched to plain black, ethanol resistant rubber hoses from the local NAPA dealer.

As some MGE guys know, over the years, I purchased quite a large supply of replacement pasts (probably more than I need) and have searched out NOS Smith, Lucas, GUD / TJ parts. If possible, shying away from newer brands of replacement parts except old Purolator paper oil filters, Quinton Hazel and Intermotor, to name a few.

I’ve rebuilt the rear brake cylinders, front calipers, brake master cylinder and the clutch master and slave cylinders quite a few times with no problems using genuine Lockheed rubber kits.

I’ve also learned that many of the original metal parts such as emergency brake levers, engine brackets, etc. are often better than the new parts being sold. Cleaning, wire brushing, painting and greasing the old metal parts take time but I believe it’s worth the extra time.

Parts over the years have come from Moss Motors, Moss-Europe and a couple other UK Suppliers. There used to be a UK company called MG (or M&G) International that supplied me MANY MANY parts. I believe that Moss Europe may have purchased them.

In the 1970s , I contacted quite a few of the MGB suppliers including Lucas, Lockheed, Girling, SU, A&E, etc, including Castrol, who sent me quite a lot of their technical information. Much of that info, I’ve posted here on the MGE over the years. Hopefully, that info might still be available for others’ reference.

As a caution to others, I’ve ordered some “used” parts from sellers here on the MGE but, usually have been disappointed, as the true condition of the parts wasn’t disclosed, I realize that I’m picky about the quality of replacement parts I put on my MGB> But, if I sell a part on the MGE or elsewhere, I won’t sell a part that I wouldn’t use on my own MGB!

Why, you ask, would I sell a used part? Usually, because I found a NOS OEM part and wouldn’t need the used part. (How many emergency brake adjusters can a guy use in a lifetime?)

Guess that's enough “rambling” for now. Send me PM if there’s any questions.

Cheers

Bob

Ps – if you really want to go all out, buy a waxed cotton Barbour waistcoat and flat cap! You might as well look the part, eh?

Thank you for the post.

A lot of my knowledge was been gained by simply "shutting up and listening to the rambling".

Alleigh

Bob, sounds very familiar. I've only had my '67 B since '72. I'm the second owner and have most of the original paperwork and the Protect O Plate that the car came with new. I drove the car to college in Corpus Christi, Texas and it too has seen quite a few exhaust systems including an Abarth twin pipe. It never really gets old if you love the marque and flash your headlights at oncoming Bs. RAY

Great post Bob! Couldn't find any photos of your car. I'd enjoy seeing as many photos as you can find from over the years as well as current photos showing how you've maintained it. One owner cars have special soul.

Silas

Silas

Will do a couple posts showing our MGB in it's original white color and then red both with wire and aluminum wheels plus with a rag top and hard top.

Bob

Silas

A couple more.

Bob