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HoooRayyy! I got my B today!

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MattP

MattP

Jedi Knight
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Just got home with my white 77 MGB and I am still dancing!

It has a new top and interior,(My wife bought it for me from an upholsterer, amazing job.) new steering rack and pinion, new brakes from the MC to the wheels, and runs good, if a bit rich. The paint and body make it about 15 footer, but I still love it.

So now the questions begin:

1. What's the best workshop manual for it?

2. It has a new steering rack, could it be too stiff or am I just a power steer wimp?

3. Who is the best source for parts? Particularly tail light lenses, and air filters? (Missing rear filter, the front is one of those foam dome jobbies. It's ok, but I want those Chrome MG pancake ones.)

4. It pops a bit if I try to take it off the choke too soon, is that normal?


Undoubtedly more to come.

Hooray again!
 
Congratulations! The car sound really nice to start off with...White is one of my favorite colors for the B Best source I usually use is Moss Motors they've been around a real long time(started in 1948....i think?) and I've found them to provide pretty good service....There are many competitors around but alot of them seam to get their supply from Moss anyway so your better to go right to the source..Victoria British is another big one also worth a try.
Have Fun!!

Zack
 
Congtrats /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

1. I like my Bently manual the best

2. You might be spoiled, but check the oil level in the steering rack gaitors...just loosen one end and make sure there is oil in them.

3. I like Moss or some of the outfitters the deal with Moss parts. MHO

4. yes...sounds normal to me /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Bruce /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Congrats on the B
The steering on LBC's isn't called "ArmStrong" steering for nothing.
The popping sounds ok unless it keeps happening when it's warmed up.
 
Congrats on you new B! Sounds like most of your questions were answered. Hey, always check your local autoparts store, never hurts, you might be suprised what they can get. That is after you get the blank stare from the 18 year old behind he counter wondering what an MG is! lol!
 
Great to get the car at this time of year and the wife buying it is a major plus, hope you get to drive it. All of the above advice is good on parts but there are also a few others for high proformance stuff, check out some of the threads. Wayne
 
Thanks everyone. Sorry so long getting back, I have spent the afternoon and the night giving rides, long looks and answering questions from neighbors and coworkers.

My favorite was the co-worker that asked why I was riding with the top down in 29 degree weather. The answer: I am 33 and have wanted one of these since I was 15, the top is down, buck up.

There was even the guy that rolled his window down and offered to buy at a stoplight.

All in all, a wonderful first day. Now if I can wipe the smile off my windblown face, I might try to get some sleep. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
... in 29 degree weather ... Now if I can wipe the smile off my windblown face ...

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't you mean THAW the smile off your wind blown face? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif
 
Matt:

That is great news....I know you've been looking for a while (sounds like you've been looking for 18 years!).
Don't forget to fold that top carefully in the cold weather, lest you crack the plastic window (I always fold my window around a large bath towel).
Best of luck!
 
Congratulations Matt!!!

My wife has been bugging me to take her to Altus for sometime in the TR4. Perhaps we could meet up there some weekend with our wives and LBCs and have lunch/dinner.
 
Matt,
Congrats on your B! I too am 33 with my first B.. is this the start of the phase in life of our 2nd childhood? Could this possibly be the place where we cross over from "normal" cagers to the "creepy old guy in the convertible" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif ? Just kidding.. but is it?

anyway I hope you get the answers you need to spend more time driving, and less time tinkering with your B.

I'm using an assortment of literature from clymers, to haynes shop books, to the Moss catalog for better part pictures, and when all else fails- the message board /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/computer.gif
 
Congratulations Matt:

It is always a milestone when one gets to go back to youthfull feelings, and thats what the B's do for me. I have had my "B" for eighteen years, this being the car that me and my bride dated in. Nothing like the top down and the wind in my ears. Here is one advantage that we have over the motorcycle laws, they have to wear helmets here in Ca. BUT WE do not have to wear helmets in a top down MGB!!! May you always drive it in good health, and keep the wind at your back, enjoy! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
 
Congrats - sounds like a beauty. Welcome to MGB-dom. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/england.gif

As for the popping when you release the choke, does your car have the twin SU carb setup? If so, the throttle shaft bushings may be worn which causes air leaks around the shafts, which causes a lean condition and makes the car unhappy without keeping the choke on. My 74 B likes some choke even when fully warm or it chuffs and pops; the cure is new bushings for the throttle shafts, not a real major project for an experienced SU shop. To check, spray some carb cleaner around the throttle shafts where they enter the carb body. If your RPMs rise, that confirms it.
 
Congrats Matt. Enjoy. Regards John /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Congratulations Matt!!!

My wife has been bugging me to take her to Altus for sometime in the TR4. Perhaps we could meet up there some weekend with our wives and LBCs and have lunch/dinner.

[/ QUOTE ]

That sounds really cool. The Altus wine festival is in September. But we could of course go anytime after I get my clutch, and a couple of other little bugs in order.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Congrats - sounds like a beauty. Welcome to MGB-dom. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/england.gif

As for the popping when you release the choke, does your car have the twin SU carb setup? If so, the throttle shaft bushings may be worn which causes air leaks around the shafts, which causes a lean condition and makes the car unhappy without keeping the choke on. My 74 B likes some choke even when fully warm or it chuffs and pops; the cure is new bushings for the throttle shafts, not a real major project for an experienced SU shop. To check, spray some carb cleaner around the throttle shafts where they enter the carb body. If your RPMs rise, that confirms it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks, I'll give that a try.
 
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