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MGB New 75 MGB Owner in Cinci, OH

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RichC

RichC

Senior Member
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I've just joined your forum and am looking forward to participating online. As the welcome message requested ... I'll introduce myself.

We (my 15-1/2 year old son and I) are new to MGs and British Cars. We have no idea what we are getting into, but are looking forward to the adventure. I was introduced to someone who has had his 75 MGB in the garage since 1992 and finally decided to part with it. I had my "guy" junk stored in my garage and so we traded mine for his to my son's delight. I'm sure there are a few of you remembering that age and imagining what high school cruising would be like in a 'top down' two seater. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Of course we are at a mystery where to begin and thought a Bentley manual and online Forum would be a great place to start. We're all ears.

RichC
 
Welcome to the Forum to you and your son...I hope he appreciates the opportunity to learn to wrench on a perfect example of a simple car to work on.

I am sure that someone with more computer savy than I will send a link to Tony Barnhill's site and reference the "How to Wake a Sleeping B" which is a very good guide to what you will need to do...read it an follow it for a great guide. Have fun and good luck!

Bruce /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
I am sure that someone with more computer savy than I will send a link to Tony Barnhill's site and reference the "How to Wake a Sleeping B"

[/ QUOTE ]

Good Idea, bruce... Here you go. How to wake a sleeping B
And I want to Echo the "Welcome to the Forum to you and your son..." sentiment.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
Mike
 
That's a great start ... now I've got some reading material. Last night we pulled out the battery already and I realized the existing box was not going to hold a battery for long. Project one was to remove that rust and build an insert battery box. It is dubious that 6061 aluminum was the best choice for a corrosive battery box, but it is what I had sitting around.(project 143 under the dust cover is my airplane project) I am reminding myself that this is not going to be a full restore, but a great car to teach a young man how to use his hands.

That reminds me ... there was a time when every 'guy' knew how to use the bare minimum of tools ... now you're lucky to find one that knows where the hood release is. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
Welcome to our little corner of the web! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
 
Thanks to all welcoming us. Don't be shy in offering advice as to what dictates logic in spending money on this project. I know I'm just getting pleasure out of my son's excitement and am glad to be a part of it. Be sure to mention those items of most deadly importance as I have been warned that things like brakes have been known to fail unless properly and regularly maintained? We have already realized that the 1975 MGB has a few 'knocks' but 'beggars can't be choosers.'

I thought I would attach a lousy photo to start our story. Yes that is my son Taylor. Thanks again for the warm welcome.
mgb_taylor041014.jpg
 
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks to all welcoming us. Don't be shy in offering advice as to what dictates logic in spending money on this project. I know I'm just getting pleasure out of my son's excitement and am glad to be a part of it. Be sure to mention those items of most deadly importance as I have been warned that things like brakes have been known to fail unless properly and regularly maintained? We have already realized that the 1975 MGB has a few 'knocks' but 'beggars can't be choosers.'

[/ QUOTE ]

Welcome to the forum. Lots of good people here and there’s nary a question that we can’t help with or at least point you in the right direction.

Anyway for now it appears that you are off to a great start.

<font color="red"> (Warning Bret is going to beat that dead horse again!) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif </font>

Checking out the electrical’s would be my first line of business too. When I first got my 78B hardly any of my electronics worked, so I spent two weekends going over her with some contact cleaner & a wire brush. If you have a good multi-meter & a manual it will make life a lot easer to diagnose those annoying little Lucas Gremlins. Be sure to check the condition of as many connections as you can and re-terminate if they show a high resistance.

As for the brakes – it would be prudent to check the condition of the front pads & rear shoes. I would completely purge the old brake fluid replace & flush it out with some new stuff. I would also check you parking brake and adjust accordingly.

BTW what exactly is “Project 143”? We have a lot of aviation types (like me) in the forum.

Good luck to you & your son. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
Bret
 
A hearty welcome to the monkey house.
The only tip I can give you right now, based on your photo, is that the wipers will work better if they touch the glass. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
B's are easy to work on, simply built and should provide great hands on experience.
Jeff
 
[ QUOTE ]
A hearty welcome to the monkey house.
The only tip I can give you right now, based on your photo, is that the wipers will work better if they touch the glass. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
B's are easy to work on, simply built and should provide great hands on experience.
Jeff

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, that's pretty typical of the advice you'll get here! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif

Welcome, anyway!

Mickey
 
This 'monkey house' looks like it might be an enjoyable place to 'pry' bits of MG knowledge out of cyberspace? It sure has started me off with a smile. As to answer ol' eagle eyes noticing the dislocated wiper arms ... my son felt that the first chore was to remove the 12 years of crude from the windscreen so he could get a feel for sitting behind the wheel. I considered setting up a shop fan to blow air over the hood but realized I better save that bit of inspiration for later! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

As for my unfinished project number "143" ... it sits on a honey-do list somewhere behind 142 unfinished projects. As I recall ... #142 is putting the frame on a mirror that belongs in the 'powder room' which is probably behind painting the trim IN the "powder room." As I recall, it has been on the list since 1996.

For those with the aviation interest, I'm 'suppose to be' building an all metal side by side sport plane know as a Sonex. Of course I foolishly bought the plan set shortly after the design became available and began prior to any kit parts. I have been s-l-o-w-l-y scratch building and have wings clecoed together on the bench. I think it is steadily becoming a retirement project even though thats about 20 years off!

Thanks again guys ... I'm looking forward to 'prying' a few nuggets of wisdom from each of you.
 
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