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MGB Made it 2200miles and 22 quarts of oil later!

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Boggsy64

Boggsy64

Jedi Hopeful
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All, I had asked about advice for driving 1977 MGB across country. Here is the update. My daughter and I made it 2200miles during the week of the 4th of July. Started out from Tucson Arizona in record setting heat. I had spent three days getting bits here and there working and the trip was magnificent and HOT! The car ran like a champ even though sucking down oil like it was going out of style! Now that I am back I get to repair all the stuff I found along the way. The left front shock is shot, the drive train makes horrendous noise (mostly at 60mph) I think this may be harmonics from broken shock and others. I will pull the rear end and replace the washers under the bevel gears, replace the brakes, the rebound straps (bolt broken off one side), Pull the engine and rebuild, as well as the front suspension, brakes, and check out the transmission. Found a lot of great videos from Youtube (mostly from universitymotorsltd) that show how to do most anything. I will attach a few pictures one from Carlsbad Caverns and one of the Tarantula we caught on the road in nowhere Texas! By the way did have to replace the tires in New Mexico. My dad told me the tires were new and they looked it. After I found a near blow out on the sidewall, I found the original purchase documents for the tires... they were new in 2000!!! Great trip .. definite bucket list item .. Well Carlsbad to big a pic to load
 

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Great to see you made it! Be sure to stop by Jimmies restaurant on Hwy 51 in Mint Hill the first Tues of the month for a Metrolina MG car club meeting. 7PM Bob
 
Basil said:
Did you go on I-40 through Albuquerque?
Click to expand...

Went the scenic route 10 to El Paso, Then 180-62 across Texas to Carlsbad NM, then 180-62 to Hwy 20 near Sweetwater TX, then 20 to Dallas, and then 30 to hwy 40 at Little Rock. Lots of open desert!
 
Nice to hear you made the trip with no major problems. It will be a lasting memorable event to be sure for you and your daughter. I would say the oil consumption was a bit over the top, but I'm sure you will have that situation well in hand before the next trip. You can have your shocks rebuilt by World Wide Auto Parts in Madison Wisconsin. https://www.nosimport.com/ . I've had two sets done by Peter and they came back better than new. Fast turn around and very reasonable compared to new ones. He will also send you a set and when you install them, you can send him your old ones for a core refund. Happy motoring!:driving: PJ
 
Did a close second to that in 1980 Seattle to SD in about the same year "B"
We bought our oil by the gallon jug.
Can't remember how much we used.
Only problem we ever had was to pull over on the Grapevine and let it cool down for a bit.
Great trip.
I am envious of you
 
Good news, better story! Congrats!

...and the U-joints in the driveshaft can cause some crazy vibes...
 
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