Picking up a MGB this afternoon!

[raceperformance]

Hello! I just wanted to say hello as I am picking up my mother in laws 1976 MGB this afternoon. This will be my first experience with these cars so I have quite a bit to learn. Here is what I know about the car, it’s pretty scary.

She is the original owner, and it has 18,000 original miles.

It has not been started moved or touched in 16 years, and

some sort of animal (I'm guessing mouse) has chewed through some of the electrical.

I’m taking on this project as a gift for my wife who has fond memories of riding in the car as a child.

I will add some pictures as soon as I dig in to see what I have to work with.

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Welcome to the Forum!

Member Tony Barnhill has a wonderful article on his website about waking a sleeping LBC (little British car). Check it out at www.theautoist.com.

Yours will no doubt require more attention, but it's a great start. Don't be bashful about posting; this is a great place to learn and share experiences.

Mickey

 

[raceperformance]

Thanks for the info. That checklist is exactly what I was looking for. I look forward to making updates as I progress.

 

[tomshobby]

Welcome to the forum, you could not be in a better place to learn about your car and get help. I have found the folks here to be the best.

 

[ecurie_ecosse]

They have even been known to answer questions before they are asked /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
Welcome aboard,look forward to hearing your progress.

Stuart. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

 

[raceperformance]

Here are some pictures:

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Let the games begin!

Congratulations!

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif Mickey

 

[tony barnhill]

Welcome - nice first car....before you go too far, if the top is in decent shape, grab the owner's manual & see how to fold the top to keep from damaging it! If you don't have a manual, let us know & somebody can fax you the instructions...how you have it folded right now will break the small corner windows!

 

[raceperformance]

Thanks Tony for the info. The top was ripped up pretty bad when I got it and the windows were already broken. I’ll get a new top eventually, but I have a long way to go before I’m at that point.

I have my first of many questions. The factory jack location is pretty rusty, where can I safely support the rear of the car?

 

[tony barnhill]

If the factory jack position is rusty, you probably have other rust issues...how are your sills & rockers?

Put a jack under the center of the rear end & jack her there.

 

[tony barnhill]

Probably time for Basil to move this thread over to the MG Forum!

 

[aeronca65t]

Welcome!
Congrats on your "new" MG.
Buy lots of penetrating oil (such as "PB Blaster") as you work on things....it may keep some of the nuts and bolts from stripping or breaking.
And go easy if you remove any nuts or bolts...."rock" the fastner back and forth (tighten then loosen just a little bit) before trying to unscrew.
G'luck.