MGB 1980 MGB rebuild project....A little more help nee

[Hoosier]

OK, I'm getting close to having the refurbishment of my 1980 MGB just about completed (yeh, I know, famous last words....), and would appreciate some advice or help on two issues.



First, the car drives and feels amazingly solid when running on a fairly smooth road, but when it hits bumps, particularly during a turn, I encounter some serious vibrations or shimmying in the front end. Any idea where to start looking in order to diagnose this issue?



Second, even though I've installed a new exhaust system, I still notice a lot of exhaust smell in the cock pit of the car. Any idea what might be causing this, or how to correct it?



Again, any help will really be appreciated.



MJH

 

[bob67bgt]

Besides the normal loose parts or worn out bits the only odd thing I found on MGBs is some shocks feel good but are not. The only way to tell is to remove the top bolt where the king pin attaches. Then try to move the shock arm up and down. There should be ZERO play between up and down. You may have a shock that has a bit of play and appears to work ok when bouncing on the fender but not on small road imperfections. As far as exhaust smell be sure the exhaust tip extends just past the bumper and that your trunk seal is really sealing. I wedge myself into the trunk and have my wife close the lid. If you see light then you have a leak. I always take in a flashlight and 7/16 wrench in case the lid gets stuck shut. These old MGs have a exhaust smell sometimes even if the exhaust is fine. Old cars do not burn as clean as the newer stuff and maybe that's all you are smelling. Good luck with the problem solving part of the job! Bob

 

[MoHealey]

I once had a bad steering rack that would only give me that kind of feedback over "washboards" or corners. Checked all the stuff Bob references above, and finally found the issue when I pulled off the gaiters. Was not obvious when prodding around under the front end...which is probably why I only got the shakes under certain conditions.
Bill

 

[billspit]

Some of the aftermarket exhaust systems have a slotted pipe that slides over the adjacent pipe and is then tightened with a clamp. The slot causes it to not seal completely and you can have an exhaust gas. The Falcon exhaust on my Spitfire, while a high quality stainless sytem, leaks a bit. I have used exhaust jointing compund to try and seal it with mediocre results. It may also help to turn the tailpipe tip down (like later Alfas used to do). Not very sexy, but effective.

I have nothig to offer for the clunking.

 

[billspit]

Some of the aftermarket exhaust systems have a slotted pipe that slides over the adjacent pipe and is then tightened with a clamp. The slot causes it to not seal completely and you can have an exhaust gas. The Falcon exhaust on my Spitfire, while a high quality stainless sytem, leaks a bit. I have used exhaust jointing compund to try and seal it with mediocre results. It may also help to turn the tailpipe tip down (like later Alfas used to do). Not very sexy, but effective.

I have nothing to offer for the clunking.