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Battery Box[es]

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Erik_71B

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Hey everyone,
New poster and from what I have read in the last couple weeks this is the place to be.

I have a '71 MGB, bought it a few months ago and want to start a restoration on it soon.
First question, why 2 battery boxes? I am totally new to MG's and need to start from scratch.
Attached is a pic ( I hope!).
Thanks
ERIK
 

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Originally there were two 6 volt batteries connected in series, one in each box. Most people have converted to one 12volt battery - I believe the correct size is a type 26.

What books have you purchased? You'll want the Haynes and Bentley manuals, and you need to order the Moss and Victoria British catalogs if you haven't already done so.
 
Toss the Victoria catalog & the Haynes manual!
 
Something else to consider purchasing, and Moss and VB have them - the Heritage Original Technical Publications CD - it has the original owners manual for each year covered, and workshop manuals like the Bentley manual, but more specific to the year model of your car. You get a range of models on each CD. Here's the link to VB's offering:

https://www.victoriabritish.com/icatalog/mg/0011.html

I'd definitly get the Bentley Workshop Manual, whether you go for the CD or not:

https://www.victoriabritish.com/icatalog/mg/0012.html
 
And i vouch for the Heritage Original Technical Publications CD. They have done great things, you can copy a page or so and take it to the garage with you.
 
Tony ,
I agree the Haynes was not what I expected, I had them for other cars in the past but this one I was not impressed. Seemed very generic.

I also have a book from Autopress that I got on ebay, seemed pretty good, but haven't read too much yet.
I will definately check the Bently one.
Thanks for the responses.
The quest continues... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
John - I've got all those Bentley manuals - even have the original factory manuals for all my cars (TD & 1100 also!)!
 
Tony - I figured you had all the manuals - but, based on your earlier post, I figured I should do some marketing for you, so notice that the second post were Moss links...
 
Yep, noticed...hehehehe
 
Erik - Of the two big players, I would agree that Moss does beat VB hands down. That said, keep the VB catalog. When you're trying to sort something out, more info is better. You'll also find that Moss carries some things VB doesn't and vice versa.

For books, certainly the Bentley manual is the best. Lindsay Porter's Restoration Guide is good for another perspective. Clausager's "Original MGB" is a good reference in terms of history and originality.

Welcome to the MGB family!

Paul
 
Yep, this is the place to be.
I just bought a 74, and the books mentioned. These guys will not only share their hard earned info but look page numbers up for you.
Paul
 
As for the two battery boxes: I was given to understand it was to keep weight distribution even. Could be "urban legend" though, as there's a driver to consider and R/H, L/H drive versions... and more esoterically there's engine rotation/torque...

Judges?
 
Yes and no. There are two of them because the car required two batteries. And so long as two batteries were going in, it made sense to balance them left to right. They were put in the middle of the car for weight balance as well, although it would have been a tight fit putting them both in the engine bay anyway. Those 6V batteries were heavy!
 
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