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MGB New to me MGB

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Riggsp

Riggsp

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New member fro Charlotte, NC here...I just acquired a '78 MGB that is a literal barn find...as I'm evaluating things, I'm seeing that it is an old somewhat restoration...The body is in exceptional rust free condition with a very good interior and top.
The clutch is stuck to the flywheel from sitting so long, so I'm anticipating taking out the engine to replace it...also the windshield, 1/4 window and passenger door are not adjusted correctly.
My question is...how difficult is it to adjust them (windshield, door, 1/4 window)...I have no issues having to pull the engine to replace the clutch if that's necessary as I have the equipment and tools to do it.
Many thanks for any suggestions the help me get my mind right on this project...I'm looking forward to getting this little car going...I'm posting a pic for anyone interested in seeing my find.
 

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Welcome!

Before you pull the engine, If you haven't already you might try breaking it free - have a look here: > Freeing a stuck clutch in an MG <

The 1/4 window has some wiggle room accessible by pulling the door card. Windshield also can be tweaked, but a bit more fiddly. And the door hinges have some adjustment available as well - sort of floating capture nuts in the A-pillar. Recommend you grab a shop manual - either the Haynes or the Bentley. Both are invaluable.

Mickey
 
Thanks Mickey...I was able to unstick the clutch today before I read the article you sent (thanks for that, by the way)...by standing on the brake and clutch, putting the trans in 4th gear, and cranking the starter broke it loose on the second try.
 
Good deal!
 
I put plates and insurance on the car so I could drive it for more evaluation...found a significant oil leak at the timing cover seal...took it apart today to replace the seal, flush the radiator, replace some hoses, and clean up around the engine bay...awaiting parts so I can put it back together...making progress.
 
As you dig into it further, you'll no doubt run across some electrical items to address - whether it's an issue you run across, correcting some wiring done by a previous owner, or adding an accessory. Here's a link to a complete PDF of all the MGB wiring diagrams; scroll down to find yours by year.

www.advanceautowire.com/mgb.pdf

Mickey
 
Mickey...Thank you for that. I have an old foreign car wiring diagram book from Mitchell Manuals, but the quality is not as good as this one.
 
Yes indeed! Those files are indispensable. Much easier to read, and the colors help as well. Lots of folks take a copy to Kinkos/Office Depot/etc. and enlarge and laminate it.

Dan Masters, the founder of Advance, lives nearby and is a good friend - helped me out with several issues in the past.

:cheers:
Mickey
 
Got the parts I ordered from Moss (timing cover seal and gasket)...I put everything back together along with adjusting the valves, replacing the radiator hoses, heater hoses, fuel lines and vacuum hoses...no oil leaks, not overheating and oil pressure is good, so I must have done something right...I adjusted the valves according to the specs I had (.013 for intake and exhaust), but they are a little noisy...any suggestions as to a different spec...If not, I'll leave it like it is as the engine sounds good except for that and is pretty peppy...thanks for any replies
 
Did you set valve lash with engine at normal operating temp? I've set intakes a bit tighter, 0.011" but exhausts no less that 0.012".
Checking rocker shaft and rocker arm bushings may be revealing, too.

Just thoughts "out loud."
 
As to your 1/4 wind wings I replaced the rubber on mine it took 3 hours for the first one. ounce you take the door panel off there is quite a bit of adjustment. ( NOTE ) the tension spring and stem that holds wing out while driving takes a bit as that how the wing comes out to replace rubber seal. It looks like you are on it. Mine was a 1967 MG B
IMG_20190506_134441[19187].jpg
 
Have you looked at suppliers out of Oregon No sales tax. And look into North American MGB Register www.NAMGBR.org
NORTHWEST INPORT PARTS and British Parts Northwest Good people and quick service .

Madflyer
 
Thanks for all the replies...Dr. Entropy, I adjusted the valves to .013 with a cold engine...the rockers and shaft are smooth and tight.

Madflyer, I haven't tried adjusting the 1/4 window or windshield as yet... I did adjust the door hinge inward some, but the 1/4 window isn't seating properly to the windshield rubber seal...it's being held outwards by the seal, and the lower corner of the windshield frame is too far back to allow the window frame to come into alignment...best I can tell, if the windshield can be moved forward about 1/4" on the passenger side, the 1/4 window will fall into place when the door is closed.

Madflyer, Thanks for the part supplier info.

Madflyer, Very nice looking "B"
 
I took some physical (tape measure) measurements today...best I can figure is the windshield is 3/8" more rearward on the passenger side than the driver's side. Also took other measurements to make sure the door openings and such were the same, but it still falls down to the windshield position. Can someone let me know if it's even possible to move it that far. If I can move it enough, that will allow the door to close properly and the 1/4 window to seat as it should. I've checked manuals (Haynes and Mitchell), but there is no mention of any position spec.
Thanks in advance for suggestions.
 
There are two bolts on each side to hold the windshield to the body. Only thing I can think of to get a 3/8" position shift would be if the bottom bolt on the passenger side was not in place. And the wing window in the door does have some "wiggle room" as far as angle adjustment, but not much fore/aft.
 
Would be interesting to know if the car had been in a shunt at some point. Or if the windshield had been removed/replaced or a new bottom seal installed. As Doc says, there is some adjustment available, but in your case, you'll most likely have to remove everything to accomplish what you're dealing with.
 
Thanks guys...I'm pretty sure at this point the passenger window and wing window are as far back as they will go as the back edge of the window is almost at the end of the opening. I do know the car has been painted and the rubber around the windshield looks to be in really good condition (no cracks and is flexible), so there is a high probability the windshield has been off. I just have to make a try at moving it to see what happens.
 
I would caution you to loosen all four bolts and the plate at the center of the windshield before attempting any adjustment, so you don't torque the assembly and crack the glass... as I've said many times: I would rather do three clutch replacements than one windshield R&R on an MGB.
 
That was my plan...Thanks, I sure don't want a broken windshield glass.
 
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