« previous next »
Pages: 1 ... 36 37 [38] 39 40 ... 46   Go Down

Author Topic: 1973 MG B  (Read 159243 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Chris_

  • Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46845
  • Reputation: +2028/-266
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #925 on: August 11, 2014, 04:57:25 PM »
The rubber-bumper (1974-1/2) model is usually considered "later", but some sources consider those the 1977-1980 models.

I thought the dipstick/fill hole was on the side of the transmission tunnel.  I'm not sure what's under those plugs, though.
Logged
If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.

Offline zeitgeist

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6194
  • Reputation: +390/-44
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #926 on: August 11, 2014, 05:44:02 PM »
Quote from: Chris_ on August 11, 2014, 04:57:25 PM
The rubber-bumper (1974-1/2) model is usually considered "later", but some sources consider those the 1977-1980 models.

I thought the dipstick/fill hole was on the side of the transmission tunnel.  I'm not sure what's under those plugs, though.

I will have to see if I can find pics of my '72.  Don't know if I ever posted them.  It was the old chrome bumper which I always thought looked great.  I doubt I have any with the hard top which was a real neat custom job that had a sun roof.
Logged
< watch this space for coming distractions >

Offline Chris_

  • Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46845
  • Reputation: +2028/-266
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #927 on: August 19, 2014, 08:33:53 PM »
What is it with loose wires?

I "fixed" the lights on the right rear quarter.  I grabbed a handful of wires and moved them around.

I should have remembered that from the last time it happened.  Maybe I should start leaving notes to myself on the spots that keep having the same problem.

Logged
If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.

Offline Chris_

  • Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46845
  • Reputation: +2028/-266
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #928 on: September 05, 2014, 12:22:30 AM »
Got the new rebound straps installed and the rear shocks topped off with oil.  Looking forward to a test-drive tomorrow morning.

I still think I need new shocks.  They're all pretty useless.
Logged
If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.

Offline zeitgeist

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6194
  • Reputation: +390/-44
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #929 on: September 07, 2014, 03:51:24 PM »
Man did I tear up my back pushing the 'cuda.   :thatsright:  Bad day at Black Rock as they say.  Oil leak, clogged fuel filter, missing like all get out.   :bawl:  I probably should think about a new gas tank.  (and straps and bolts, oh my!!)  She got me into the yard before she quit.  :bawl:
Logged
< watch this space for coming distractions >

Offline Chris_

  • Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46845
  • Reputation: +2028/-266
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #930 on: September 07, 2014, 04:02:10 PM »
Damn, that stinks.

I picked up a new tank for the Ford for $250.  The straps were another $75 but they looked like something you could make at home with a pair of pliers and some sheet metal from the hardware store.
Logged
If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.

Offline Chris_

  • Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46845
  • Reputation: +2028/-266
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #931 on: September 07, 2014, 06:37:38 PM »
Awesome.  The new rebound straps made a huge improvement.

I'm just going to have to live with the fact there's no retainer nut/washer on the end of the hanger stud.  I could weld one on there, but I'd just have to take it off to replace the straps again later.
Logged
If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.

Offline BattleHymn

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8750
  • Reputation: +974/-63
  • Not right, but not left, either.
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #932 on: September 17, 2014, 05:49:32 PM »
Quote from: Chris_ on August 19, 2014, 08:33:53 PM
What is it with loose wires?

I "fixed" the lights on the right rear quarter.  I grabbed a handful of wires and moved them around.


I thought you were talking about wire wheels for a second.  :tongue:
Logged

Offline Chris_

  • Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46845
  • Reputation: +2028/-266
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #933 on: September 18, 2014, 10:56:46 PM »
I finally found the fill-hole for the rear shocks.  They seem to be in fairly good condition.

My next purchase will probably be new seat covers and foam.  The current seats are so uncomfortable.
Logged
If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.

Offline BattleHymn

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8750
  • Reputation: +974/-63
  • Not right, but not left, either.
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #934 on: September 18, 2014, 11:08:19 PM »
Quote from: Chris_ on September 18, 2014, 10:56:46 PM
I finally found the fill-hole for the rear shocks.  They seem to be in fairly good condition.

My next purchase will probably be new seat covers and foam.  The current seats are so uncomfortable.

New foam does wonders for the seats.  They're relatively comfortable afterwards. 

Yeah, the rear fillers are inside the cabin, under the carpet, behind the seats.  They're not that bad to get to, once you know where to look.
Logged

Offline Chris_

  • Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46845
  • Reputation: +2028/-266
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #935 on: September 18, 2014, 11:10:03 PM »
I looked around for them in the trunk.  I never noticed they were behind the rear seats.

I really need to change the transmission oil.
Logged
If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.

Offline Chris_

  • Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46845
  • Reputation: +2028/-266
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #936 on: September 18, 2014, 11:11:32 PM »
I wish I had held on to that Nissan 5-speed I had.  It would be perfect for this car.

I can probably get another one.
Logged
If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.

Offline BattleHymn

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8750
  • Reputation: +974/-63
  • Not right, but not left, either.
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #937 on: September 25, 2014, 08:37:38 PM »
Quote from: Chris_ on September 18, 2014, 11:11:32 PM
I wish I had held on to that Nissan 5-speed I had.  It would be perfect for this car.

I can probably get another one.

I have an aluminum flywheel I'm not willing to part with, so I need to find an overdrive transmission that works for me. 

My brother in law has one in a rotting 60s model that I've been hinting to him to sell me. 



The last time  I changed my transmission fluid, I had the transmission out of the car.  I can't tell you how tight it is to do the job.

If memory serves me, there is a plug on the transmission tunnel under the carpet on the passenger side that you can access the fill plug from. 

Logged

Offline Chris_

  • Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46845
  • Reputation: +2028/-266
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #938 on: September 25, 2014, 08:44:15 PM »
Quote from: BattleHymn on September 25, 2014, 08:37:38 PM
If memory serves me, there is a plug on the transmission tunnel under the carpet on the passenger side that you can access the fill plug from.
On the pre-'68 models, there is.  I pulled both plugs from the side of the transmission tunnel and there's no dipstick under either of them. 
Logged
If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.

Offline BattleHymn

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8750
  • Reputation: +974/-63
  • Not right, but not left, either.
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #939 on: September 25, 2014, 08:50:38 PM »
You're right- no dipstick.  I'm pretty sure there is a threaded plug, though. 
Logged

Offline BattleHymn

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8750
  • Reputation: +974/-63
  • Not right, but not left, either.
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #940 on: September 25, 2014, 08:54:58 PM »
Skip to instruction #10:

http://www.mgexp.com/article/mgoc-basic-2.html



Now I'm doubting whether I filled it from inside the car, or underneath.  Either way, it's on the side of the transmission on your model and mine. 
Logged

Offline Chris_

  • Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46845
  • Reputation: +2028/-266
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #941 on: September 25, 2014, 08:57:12 PM »
I looked all over that damn transmission while I had it on jacks working on the clutch.  I think when they say "later", they're referring to the '77-'80 models.  That leaves a very vague area between '68-'76 that nobody seems sure of.

I need to pull the radio console anyway.  My head unit stopped working.
Logged
If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.

Offline Chris_

  • Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46845
  • Reputation: +2028/-266
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #942 on: September 25, 2014, 09:09:16 PM »
According to Moss, the '68-'80 dipstick is on the top of the transmission.

http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=29014
Logged
If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.

Offline BattleHymn

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8750
  • Reputation: +974/-63
  • Not right, but not left, either.
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #943 on: September 25, 2014, 10:37:26 PM »
I'm curious now, so I'll just head out to the garage and look right now.
Logged

Offline Chris_

  • Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46845
  • Reputation: +2028/-266
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #944 on: September 25, 2014, 10:42:16 PM »
Quote from: BattleHymn on September 25, 2014, 10:37:26 PM
I'm curious now, so I'll just head out to the garage and look right now.
My garage is crammed full of other crap.

When I hit the lottery, I'm moving into the garage and staying there. :mad:
Logged
If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.

Offline BattleHymn

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8750
  • Reputation: +974/-63
  • Not right, but not left, either.
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #945 on: September 25, 2014, 11:02:43 PM »
I really need to clean my garage out, too.  It's a little over 600sq ft with just the B and the 240Z in there as far as cars go, but I can barely move due to all the other junk that's taken over the place. 


If your B is like mine, it's got the dipstick thing that you get to from the access hole behind the radio.  I don't remember mine being stuck particularly bad, but remember I pulled the dipstick with the trans out of the car. 

As far as the plug memory, I guess I was thinking of the way I filled the transmission on the 240Z.  Or not.  Too many cars to remember anymore.  :shrug:
Logged

Offline Chris_

  • Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46845
  • Reputation: +2028/-266
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #946 on: September 25, 2014, 11:15:44 PM »
I think the 240/280 trans was a side-fill unit.  I didn't have mine long enough to find out.

I checked Craigslist for a 280ZX tran and found one for $50 with a burned-out fourth gear.  Dealing with the public is awesome. ::)
Logged
If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.

Offline BattleHymn

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8750
  • Reputation: +974/-63
  • Not right, but not left, either.
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #947 on: September 25, 2014, 11:32:11 PM »
Speaking of Datsuns...  only in Arkansas:

http://fayar.craigslist.org/cto/4603088447.html

Logged

Offline Chris_

  • Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46845
  • Reputation: +2028/-266
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #948 on: September 25, 2014, 11:55:03 PM »
Not for $3,500.  For that price, it should come with a manual.
Logged
If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.

Offline BattleHymn

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8750
  • Reputation: +974/-63
  • Not right, but not left, either.
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #949 on: September 26, 2014, 12:59:31 AM »
And proper tires. 

At this stage, I would take an auto.  Its not difficult to convert them to stick, and change oit the rear. Chances are good that the previous owners put less stress on the engine with the auto vs. a stick. 
Logged
Pages: 1 ... 36 37 [38] 39 40 ... 46   Go Up
« previous next »