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MGB After a busy winter/spring/summer, success!

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drooartz

drooartz

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It's been a very busy winter, spring, and summer working on the MGB. Been through quite a bit of the car, fixing a few niggling issues here and there, and going deeper in some places (see new radiator) than I had expected. All in all, though, I've been very happy as I've dug into the car. She's a very solid old girl, no nasty surprises yet. As I get through all the systems I'm developing that X-ray vision that long-time car owners get -- I've been into just about all the systems now so I know what's there.

Here's my list of work:

  • New door and interior panels, rear cockpit surround
  • Ron Davis aluminum radiator, hoses, thermostat and housing (write-up to follow)
  • Plastic fan, shroud, new fan belt
  • Distributor rebuilt (Advanced Distributor), back to points, new coil and plug wires
  • Carbs rebuilt (ACME Speed Shop)
  • Floors painted (POR15 and white Rustoleum)
  • Rebuilt door innards, new RH vent window frame, all new rubber seals both doors
  • Tuneup: valves set, timing, plug gaps, carb setup
Longest single entry in my car's little history book.
work2013.jpg


Last night I finally got to go out for just a simple drive, not a tuning run or anything. Still fiddling a bit with altitude adjustments, but overall she's running really well.
mgb_evening.jpg
 
Looks great, Drew! Congrats on all you've done and learned!
 
Thanks, Doc. It really has been quite the learning curve for me -- I deal mostly in bits and bytes (or chords and lyrics) these days, so doing something purely mechanical is a real pleasant change. Good to keep my brain going as well. Besides, it's getting harder and harder to find anyone local and reliable who can do work on these old cars, so I'm working under the basic assumption now that if I want to keep the old girl on the road I'm going to have to do it myself as much as possible.

Boy, I look back on how far I've come over the last few years... quite a change in what I can do. Thanks, in large part, to folks here and their willingness to help out and answer questions. Couldn't have made it without y'all that's for sure.
 
drooartz said:
Thanks, Doc. It really has been quite the learning curve for me -- I deal mostly in bits and bytes (or chords and lyrics) these days, so doing something purely mechanical is a real pleasant change.
Click to expand...

Know what you mean, Drew. Restoring and playing with Little British Cars is my therapy. (Lord knows I need it!)
 
I'm steadily learning, too. Just finished rebuilding both front and rear suspensions, adjusting valves, new points and plugs, timed her for the first time and made some carb adjustments. She seems to be running great !! I couldn't have done it without this forum. THANKS EVERYONE :smile:
 
Drove the B to work the last two days, makes for a nice big smile. :G
 
Drew,

Now you can come out to California & replace the head gasket
on the GT.I won't even charge you to do it!

- Doug
 
AngliaGT said:
Now you can come out to California & replace the head gasket on the GT.I won't even charge you to do it!
Click to expand...

Were I closer, I'd be happy to help. I like digging into these cars.
 
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