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EMGEBE

EMGEBE

Jedi Hopeful
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Sorry guys for the bitch, but i find this quite funny...

Within the last year, my car has had an absolute FORTUNE been spent on it.

New Fuel pump
Butterflys rebuilt
New head
Distributor rebuilt/rebushed
2 new coils
new 12v battery
new spark leads ( been glued onto distributor as they continuously jump off :p)
needles/seats in SU's
so many other BS little bits n pieces i simply cbf'd listing

NE ways...


Over this weekend i spent $1300 getting it re-wired and the wiper motor rebuilt.
So im thinking my car is going...
"OK, JARROD HAS SPENT AT LEAST 5K ON ME NOW, LETS SEE HOW MUCH MORE I CAN SUCK OUT OF HIM... HES SPENT $1300 THIS WEEKEND, HOW ABOUT WE STING HIM, NOT MONTH LATER, NOT EVEN A WEEK LATER, BUT APPROXIMATELY 5 HRS LATER... chugchugchug at the lights....

long story short.

now my car needs a new alternator
and looks like my starter is on its way out... :p


Is it me, or does every other MGB out there not simply have things die all at once, but in sequence and continuously until the entire car is like brand new!?!?!?! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

hehe.. sorry guys

ne one else have these lousy problems?
 
No, Jarrod, it must be just you /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif

Nothing ever wears out on my 30 year old British car /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/angel.gif

I just keep working on it for something to do is my spare time...this winter it is new springs and shocks for the rear, plus whatever else I find worn out back there /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

but never, EVER ask "what next?" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nonono.gif

Bruce /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
You are just from the later generations that replace an item rather than try to fix it first. It is a lot cheaper if you are able to fix things rather than replace them. I have the original alternator on mine. It has had a couple of regulators replaced and one set of brushes in 23 years since I have owned it but it is original. The fuel pump is original. I just put in the 3rd or 4th set of points in 23 years. The diaphram has been replaced once. I just did the diode modification on it to make the points last longer.
The distributor was replaced by the original owner in '75 but is still there today. The bearings got a little loose but taking the points and condencer out and putting an infra red ignition in got it running great again. That was maybe 10 years ago. I did replace the starter but that was after the parts were so worn that new brushes wouldn't fix it any more.
I guess I am just from the older generation that remembers things used to be made to be fixed. I know there will be a lot of disagreement here but that's just the way I feel. I can remember when things were made to last. Now they sell throw away stuff and charge a cheap price. That's well and good for some things.
Bob
 
I'd have to agree with that philosphy. A saying I haven't heard in many years is "fix it up, wear it out, make it do".

The cars were built by guys using ordinary tools, no computer chips or exotic equipment. If I can't fix something I at least get the satisfaction of taking it apart and seeing what failed.

Brushes, bearings and other easily replaced parts have often led to the discard of otherwise good components.
 
I am like MRBASSMAN and the JEdi Warrior in that I fix the stuff my self. It is my hobby and enjoy doing the repairs. These cars are so easy to work on that even I can do stuff. Also even doing the work yourself the money doesn't stop but at least it's less than having someone do the work. or as my kids say Dad is CHEAP!!

Tom
 
Notice that all your problems (save one) have been electrical. This is very common in most older unrestored cars Rewiring the car is the best thing you could have done and will solve many of your troubles. Replacing a burnt-out electrical part will get the car running, but there's usually an underlying proble that caused it to fail to begin with such as bad grounds. You've replaced most of the electrical system and since the wiring is now all good you should have far less trouble. Just remember to not only replace the main wiring harness, but also check battery cables, ground strap and all the odd bits of wire around the edges. Good luck!
 
I know how you feel. When my MG was my daily driver it seemed like if you didn't wash it at least once a week it would break in protest.

Now that I've brought it back into service after 7 years of inactivity its fix one thing drive for a bit then have something else pop up. Top on the list for next weekend is to figure out why the brakes went soft. I was hoping for a good drive next Sunday after being stuck in the cold of the Dakotas since Thanksgiving
 
Ive been working on these LBCs myself for quite some time. One thing I have noticed many times over the years, but is rarely mentioned among polite society is that you generaly get what you pay for. These cars are not the trouble people like to say they are, they are only as good as the last person who worked on them.
 
Box O Rocks, You hit it right on the head. My business is restoring and servicing British cars with the demonized Lucas electical systems. Most repairs that I encounter in all marques are usually derived from poor or even ignorant maintenance practices. If you bring an MGB, Triumph or Jaguar back to reasonably serviceable conditdion, they will have acceptable service intervals in spite of Lucas that makes warm beer refrigerators. A pair of SUs or a Zenith carburetor if properly reconditioned and balanced will remain many months in tune. Current upgrades to solid state ignition systems, alternators, etc., help the frequency of repair very signifantly. An automobile does not have an analytic, decision-making process. It is an inert object that responds to the human hands laid upon it.
 
With aircraft, the various parts are inspected at regular intervals for possible problems & repaired or replaced, usually before they fail. There is no such thing as a flying airplane in poor condition just because it is old. The rules force the owner to keep it in semi - new condition at all times. The same with industrial maintenance except the government agencies do not watch most things as closely as they do aircraft. None the less, industrial breakdowns can be dangerous & costly. Serious race cars are in the same category.

I realize that aircraft have much more need to prevent failures than LBC's do, but the same ideas apply. It is called "preventive maintenance". Regular checks & repairs or replacement of the various parts before they fail will usually prevent inconvenient breakdowns of LBC's or should I say "Old British Cars". Not so many OBC's are "completely" restored to new condition, but when they are, they are usually quite reliable.

I think that many folks take the approach of just driving the car, old or newer, until it fails & then just replacing the failed part. The result is a continuing process of breakdowns & repairs. The choice is up to the individual.
D
 
As a long time aircraft wrench, I carry over many of the same maintenance practices to my vehicles. I generally enjoy trouble free motoring with everything I own. Sure, there is an occasional glitch, but never anything major or catastrophic.
Regular scheduled inspection and maintenance will go a long way in insuring an enjoyable LBC experience.
Jeff
 
"An automobile does not have an analytic, decision-making process. It is an inert object that responds to the human hands laid upon it."

I am going to quote that time and time again. Well said! Although I must mention that my B is alive. It told me so.
 
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