Electrical problem / Fuel octane

[Bob_Bobrowski]

Hello all, My wife and I recently (last Saturday) took possesion of a '74 MGB. I'm a recent retiree and it's my "next" project. Overall, it's in fairly good shape with some minor rust. The previous owner had the car for ten years and I swear he knew nothing about it.
My biggest concern right now is the fuse block. At one time there was no turn signals, tach, gas guage, brake lights, heater fan. While driving around the neighborhood, they all would go on and off. I determined it was the fuse block and the "green" connections. While pulling off the leads, one broke off. I want to buy a new one, but can these be moved around for the time being?
My other question is concerning fuel. The previous owner said his mechanic told him it was ok to use unleaded. I don't mind adding the lead, but is there a certain octane I should be using?
Thanks for any and all your help in making our driving experience agood one.

thanks,
Bob

 

[DrEntropy]

Welcome, Bob!

Use the highest octane you can get. Besides giving the beast a chance at performing well it seems to take premium gas longer to deteriorate to dinosaur pee than the lower grades.

Glad you found your way to the best resource onna 'net for these cars, too!

 

[tony barnhill]

'74 should be good to go with unleaded...I only use 93-octane in my MG's

Most of the problems with our wiring is in the connectors & grounds...take the fuse block off the car & clean all the connectors & the bolt that goes through the fender.

 

[DrEntropy]

Ain't no "ground" on that fuse block, Sir. Just the power contacts wot go thru th' fuses.
Red "ScotchBrite" is ideal for the task of cleaning the contacts and fuses.

 

[tony barnhill]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Ain't no "ground" on that fuse block, Sir. Just the power contacts wot go thru th' fuses.[/QUOTE]

I know, Doc...but I always take 'em completely off the car & clean everything to include the bolt through the fender...just how I do it.

 

[PAUL161]

Tony and Doc are right Bob. I think the biggest problem with an electrical issue on these little cars is poor contact in the bayonet fittings. Make a day of it and clean everyone you can. You'll be glad you did.

 

[Bob_Bobrowski]

Thanks for the tip. But I still have the broken lead. Can that wire be moved to another post??? Standing over the block, it's the brown wire on the right side of the block, bottom fuse, upper terminal.(if that's clear as mud??)

 

[DrEntropy]

gah. That's the main power feed. You can replace the end with a Radio Shack equivalent. Just be sure your soldering skill-set is "good to go."

 

[Bob_Bobrowski]

There are two power leads on the same side of the fuse?? Or are they leads for the entire block? Thanks

 

[DrEntropy]

Any brown wire on an LBC is power. If you've a brown wire with a bad connector it'll need to ba addressed. It's a bit dark here. A '74 has a diff'rent fuse block than mine, but IIRC it will have a voltage supply thru those brown wires. If one is FUBAR it needs to be fixed.

There are jumper white wires on th opposite side of the fuse block which supply "other" things thru the connection.

 

[tony barnhill]

Yep, & black is ground.

 

[Bob_Bobrowski]

Thanks, you guys have been a great help. Tomorrow's another day. Good night!

 

[DrEntropy]

Keep safe!


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