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New Member, new owner

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shawzam

Freshman Member
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Hi all, just joined the forum today after finding it a few days ago. I'm also a brand new owner of a 1972 MGB GT. Best news is that it was free, just needed to get it off the guys property. Unfortunately it's been sitting, unstarted, untouched, for about 15 years. So, I'm here to gather any and all information on how I can work this guy into a running car instead of a lawn ornament. Body seems to be in pretty good shape, but I didn't poke everywhere. Have no clue about the engine, I know I'll have to drain everything and probably replace most/all of the rubber hoses and seals. Any help will be appreciated!

Thanks,
shawzam
 
Shawzam -

Welcome to the Forum.

All you need to know is in member Tony Barnhill's website, www.theautoist.com. Look for the article, "Awakening a Sleeping MG" in his tips section.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Mickey
 
Welcome to the best BBS in the world!

First off - congrats on finding a free GT. Envy envy. A good place to start if you need a step-by-step treatment is this excellent resource:

https://theautoist.com/awakening_a_sleeping_b.htm

Tony is one of those rare guys who knows anything and everything about these wonderful, and perhaps a tad cantankerous, critters. I believe one of the first things to remember is: don't even try to start the engine, or even turn it over, until you've checked his list over carefully!

How about sharing a few details about yourself, and maybe a pic or two of the B?

Tom
A fellow nutmegger.

-- > Mickey - looks like you hit the Enter key a split second before me!
 
Great find! Congrats from even another nutmegger (just found out about the nutmeg!)
 
Welcome to the forum and congratulations on the find. There is plenty of help here and the autoist is a good place to start.
Bob
 
Sorry for the short post and the lack of detail. The flatbed pulled into my driveway while I was typing, so I had to run.

First off, thanks for the warm welcome and the link. I visited the autoist site last night, but apparently not well enough. I totally missed that link. I know I'll be spending plenty of time there, here, and with my nose buried in manuals.

A little about myself: 27 year old Mechanical Engineer. I've had a growing interest in finding a project car, but didn't know which kind. I've always like the MGs, but had less than no money to buy one. So when one of my coworker mentioned he was giving his away I jumped on it. He made it sound better than it turned out, but I'm always up to a challenge. I'm sure this is going to be a long slow process, and I'm eternally thankful to my wife for letting me get the car. I think my promises of weekend drives help convince her. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The car: As said above, it's a 1972 MGB GT that has been sitting for about the last 15 years. Thankfully the body is in pretty good shape. I've found a few small rust spots here and there, but overall it looks ok. I haven't crawled underneath though. I hope it matches the rest. Thankfully, the floorpan looks great from inside. The engine looks like a mass of rusty metal and therefore I wouldn't dream of trying to start it before I check everything out, try to turn the motor by hand, get a new battery, etc. etc. etc. I'm hoping I don't have to do a full engine tear down, but if I do it'll be a great learning experience.
It is white with a black on the bottom edge and a black double racing stripe front to back on the passenger side. Should look pretty good once I wash all the dirt, grime, algae, mold, etc. off of it. I'll try to post pics as soon as I get some. Got delivered in the dark and I won't see it again til tonight. Maybe tomorrow morning....

And that's it for now. Thanks again for the links and welcome. I'll try to participate as much as I can, but I think I'll be listening more than talking for quite a while.

Thanks!
shawzam
 
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