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Lots to do, 74 B , need help [advice]

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Tom_Odom

Jedi Hopeful
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I'm starting to redo the 74 1/2 MGB that I purchased last month. Have remove seats, carpet, and panels so far. Have started removing the dash, it needs replacing. One question is: What type of set screws are used on the heater control knobs? Are they slotted, allen, or something else. Can not see well enough into hole to determine what type set screw.

Next to be done will be removing the windsrceen to prepare for getting ready for painting.
Thanks,
Tom
 
Push type in the edge of the knobs...you'll need a thin nail to reach them.
 
It is a small split pin. You need just to push them out.
 
When you push them, they move just enough to allow you to pull the knob off, then they spring back into place...to install the knob, you have to push them in again...lots of time they're stuck & you have to spray PB Blaster on them.
 
OK, So I'll give it a try when I get home this afternoon.

Anyone got any idea as to what size pry bar I will need getting the dash off? Really some of these fastners are real hard to get to, some are hidden pretty well.
Well I guess if any of this was easy then the previous owner would have finished the car years ago.
Thanks
Tom
 
[ QUOTE ]
Wait till you try to put it back on /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

That is what I am afraid of. I told the wife that taking out the dash is turning out to be a real pain in the rear but it will probably seem like a piece of cake compared to putting it back in.
Tom
 
Tom - when you do reinstall it, you don't necessarily have to put nuts on a couple of the upper studs - I believe they're the ones near the middle of the dash - the ones that are hardest to get to. If you'll put some snug fitting grommets, it'll hold OK. I did that with mine with no problems so far.

Mickey
 
Thanks Mickey,
I have not removed those few in the middle yet. Think I've got most of the others though.
Well, I've got to order one seat webbing and windshield seal kit today.
Tom
 
[ QUOTE ]
... and windshield seal kit today.
Tom

[/ QUOTE ]

Quite the masochist, huh?

The bottom seal or the whole enchilada around the frame?
Not that it really matters, they're both lotsafun /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/angel.gif
 
Somehow I've managed to do TWO of 'em (ALL new rubber) in the last few months. That's more than a lifetime's worth IMO! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
... and windshield seal kit today.
Tom

[/ QUOTE ]

Quite the masochist, huh?

The bottom seal or the whole enchilada around the frame?
Not that it really matters, they're both lotsafun /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/angel.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Come on you Guys! You're starting to scare me now. Isn't there anything that is going to be easy.
Looking at doing the frame to body seal, side post seal, and top frame seal. I'll be removing the windshield for painting, so thought this would be the thing to do and looks to me like these need replacing. Maybe what I am looking at is not what I am describing. The Rubber looking seal between the body and the bottom of the windshield frame. It's all cracked and ugly.
Thanks,
Tom
 
[ QUOTE ]
Come on you Guys! You're starting to scare me now. Isn't there anything that is going to be easy.
Looking at doing the frame to body seal, side post seal, and top frame seal. I'll be removing the windshield for painting, so thought this would be the thing to do and looks to me like these need replacing. Maybe what I am looking at is not what I am describing. The Rubber looking seal between the body and the bottom of the windshield frame. It's all cracked and ugly.
Thanks,
Tom

[/ QUOTE ]

You know what they say: "If it were easy..."

Definitely a two- (or three-) person job when it's time to reinstall the windshield on to the body. Think leverage when you try to line up the holes for the w/s posts.

It's do-able, but you'll probably exercise your vocabulary a bit!

Mickey
 
Yup. That's th' puppy. A good supply of popsicle sticks is in order. That's the tool for getting the new seal in place on the frame. 3/8 drive 9/16" swivel socket for getting the frame bolts out/in helps too. A second set of hands is really a good idea if this is your first go at this too.
 
Maybe I'll just sand around the windshield seal and then paint it when I paint the car. No not really.
Well how much trouble am I going to have installing the weatherstrip that attaches to the door top rail, I'll be recovering the door top rails and thought I would replace thew weather strips. I hope to run into something easy some where.
Thanks
Tom
 
The outer one rivets on - If you take off the interior door panel, and remove the horsehair block under the window, you can roll it down far enough to just get the rivet gun in there. The interior felt piece just stapels onto the wooden top rail.
 
You're tackling the hardest jobs on an MG: removing the dash & reworking the windshield.

A hitn: remove the seats so you can lay down on your back to reach the fasteners up under the dash.
 
or you could try it with the seats in, if your a contortionist and lack limits in joint travel.... something not recommended for the average joe... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
As someone once said "I'd rather change two engines and trannies than do one windshield"! I agree, But, I've found that if you cut out two pieces of 6 mill plastic sheets, These help protect the paint, enough to go across and under the windshield rubber and place them one on top of the other. Place a piece of very soft cord, such as soft nylon under the new seal,then get a couple of extra guys,push the windshield in place, pulling the cord out from under the rubber, [this pulls the new rubber forward], being carefull not to release the pressure or twist the frame or you might crack the glass and TRY to get the first bolt in. I use a small drift pin in each side and then progress to larger pins untill I can get a bolt to start. Once that's established, ( Good Luck ), slide out the plastic sheets. Now wasn't that easy ????? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif Hmmmmmm PJ
 
[ QUOTE ]
You're tackling the hardest jobs on an MG: removing the dash & reworking the windshield.

A hitn: remove the seats so you can lay down on your back to reach the fasteners up under the dash.

[/ QUOTE ]

Tony, The seats, carpet, panels, and most everything else are out of the car now. Got the dash and the windshield out yesterday afternoon. Trying to get to the point where I can wire brush and sand blast floor pan. It is in pretty good shape, only one small spot at rear of drivers seat that has had a small amount of repair done with fiber glass. The repair seems to have been done well and will not have to be redone.
I guess the next thing to be removed will be the vent windows and window channels.
Will be recovering seats, replaceing carpet, panels, and dash after primeing and painting interior body panels and floor pan.
One other question I have: There is a covering of some type on the body shell between the front of the dash and the rear side or the windshield, just looking you would think it is part of the dash but it does not come off with the dash. I have not been able to find it in parts catalog. Would probably help if I knew what it is called.
OK, I think that should be enough questions for the moment.
Thanks,
Tom
 
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