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I hate when this happens...

brett

Member
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How did this start?

236571670-L.jpg



I put a new gas tank into my MGB...

While it was on the lift being finished, one of the technicians that works for me decided to swap the trans "It'll only take an hour" for the overdrive trans I have.

Well as we all know the engine needed to come out, so here it is:

236571491-L.jpg


So pretty, but why does it have 110-100-70-120 compression and look this good? Rattle can rebuild from the previous owner, who didn't disclose how bad the engine was when I bought it. Shame on me.



Now I'm just going to do an engine rebuild. Not too happy about it but the time is right I suppose.

Anyone want to buy a sweet looking MGB GT?

Brett
 

tony barnhill

Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
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You'll probably get away with rings & bearings - relatively inexpensive
 

Bugeye58

Yoda
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Brett, am I correct in assuming that you've done further dianostic testing, rather than basing your decision on the results of one compression test?
Jeff
 

DrEntropy

Great Pumpkin
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Oh RATS! From your first blush description, Brett, it sounds as if the head has a problem. Mebbe a leak down test with the beastly thing on the floor before a complete tear-down?

...what am I SAYIN'!! It's OUT! Go thru it and have no questions from now on. You're correct. The time is right.

"Shore wuz a pretty lookin' en-gine!" Ouch!

Well; "In fer a penny...." an' all that. Since the I.D. plate is missin' I suspect the block has seen a "boiling" in it's past. Keep us up on what you find. And welcome to the best LBC "support group" on the Web, friend. Make it GO as well as it looks. When they're right, they're an absolute joy.
 

vping

Yoda
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Nice clean engine bay if that helps /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
 
OP
B

brett

Member
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We will know for sure tomorrow. I am going to pull the head.

I did pull the pan to inspect the cylinder hone condition and it was glossy like glass.

Also did a leakdown test and compression tests...not to mention the engine burns a quart in 30 miles or less on the highway...valve stem seals are intact...

I will verify all this tomorrow and find out what needs to be done, but I will get it done properly - the GT will be much more enjoyable after the rebuild and overdrive.

There are two guys I may use for an engine rebuild. Engine Supply in Santa Ana or Valley Machine in Fountain Valley. Got some quotes for the machining and I may do the flowspeed head still depending on how long the turn around time is.

Tony if all it needs is rings and bearings that would be good, and it might be possible...hopefully the machine shop will be honest when that time comes...
 

19_again

Jedi Warrior
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Brett, welcome aboard. I'd hold off on getting the work done until you hear from Steve and Stewart, and I think Scott also lives out your way. they know who is the best/worst. "Course there's at least one of them who'll tell you to do it yourself, but tey do know the lie of the land in So.Cal.
Mike
 

Steve_S

Yoda
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<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]How did this start?[/QUOTE]
The same way they all start. With a comment like "Hey, how did that get loose?" /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

I checked my oil one day, and now a year and a half later I'm still taking parts off the car.
 

jlaird

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Boy does the underside of that look good.
 

tony barnhill

Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
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I'm still betting just an engine refresh - rings, bearings - the minimal stuff....that car's too clean & things look too new to be anything else....plus, you said the cylinders were like glass
 
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brett

Member
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Tony this car came from you. I think...it is car # 285286!

You've seen her in all her glory before Tom Warren bought it right?
 

davester

Jedi Trainee
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Well, since you have the engine and tranny out, I think the "time is right" to unbolt the front suspension subframe and do a complete suspension rebuild, and while you're at it perhaps the rear axle could come out to make sure everything is OK. Are your springs sagging?...
 

tony barnhill

Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
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AH!! Yep, I bought that car from David Maples in Augusta, GA...had it here trying to decide what to do with it when Tom dropped by one day....Off & on, as I visited him, I watched Tom redo it in his basement....I'm really gonna bet refresh only on that engine now!
 

Bugeye58

Yoda
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Well, I moved back here in '85 or so, so we did overlap a bit.
I wish I was still in California. My baby brother has lived in NorCal for nearly 30 years. I think he graduated MHS in '75.
Jeff
 
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