Author Topic: 1973 MG B  (Read 157748 times)

0 Members and 4 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline Chris_

  • Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46845
  • Reputation: +2028/-266
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #800 on: March 30, 2014, 07:12:13 PM »
Think I found it.  It's just one bolt on each side and two in the front.  I'm not sure why I'm having so much trouble with this, but it is dark and hard to see.
« Last Edit: March 30, 2014, 09:01:07 PM by Chris_ »
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 #801 on: April 05, 2014, 08:08:44 PM »
No wonder the cylinder cover was so difficult to remove.  It looks like bolts were replaced by screws (maybe they're all screws) and was so encrusted with dirt to be invisible.  I got three of them off... the fourth one is stripped.  I picked up a couple of different sized Grabits from Lowes.  Got the new battery installed and the car fired right up.  The belts will need to be replaced.  Hopefully I can get the rebound straps installed tomorrow as well and get the clutch bled.

Today was Mule Day in Columbia, Tennessee.  They should rename it to "Assholes on Motorcycles".

« Last Edit: April 05, 2014, 08:15:07 PM by Chris_ »
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 #802 on: April 05, 2014, 08:33:54 PM »
The rebound straps are so simple that after you get them installed, you'll say to yourself "That's it?"

Offline Chris_

  • Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46845
  • Reputation: +2028/-266
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #803 on: April 05, 2014, 08:34:17 PM »
I've been delaying it out of fear of breaking something.
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 #804 on: April 05, 2014, 08:36:48 PM »
I would be really surprised if you messed up something installing the straps.  They really are that easy.   

Offline Chris_

  • Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46845
  • Reputation: +2028/-266
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #805 on: April 05, 2014, 08:38:25 PM »
I'm surprised how easy this car comes apart.  I have yet to break anything.
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 #806 on: April 05, 2014, 08:45:18 PM »
I don't believe I have ever broken even a single bolt on mine yet- knock on wood.  Most of the fittings are fine pitch thread, which may have something to do with it.

Offline Chris_

  • Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46845
  • Reputation: +2028/-266
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #807 on: April 05, 2014, 08:50:33 PM »
I'm going to have to find a way to fix the exhaust hanger.  The pipe is all cockeyed and will probably make a bunch of noise.  Probably have to weld on a new plate.
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 #808 on: April 05, 2014, 08:55:01 PM »
Which hanger?  I would look on mine, but I try not to crawl under my car for anything unless I absolutely have to.  The lowering springs made it almost unbearable.  

Offline Chris_

  • Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46845
  • Reputation: +2028/-266
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #809 on: April 05, 2014, 08:55:38 PM »
The one on the rear.  I managed to wrench off one of the captive nuts the hanger attaches to.
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 #810 on: April 05, 2014, 09:16:05 PM »
Once I get this thing sorted out and back into town, it's going straight to JD's for rust repair and off to the paint shop.
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 #811 on: April 05, 2014, 09:20:44 PM »
Once I get this thing sorted out and back into town, it's going straight to JD's for rust repair and off to the paint shop.

I figure mine has about ten or fifteen more wax jobs (two or three a year) before I finally bite the bullet and get it repainted.  I have a strange attachment to the original paint, for some reason.   

Are you sticking with the same color? 

Offline Chris_

  • Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46845
  • Reputation: +2028/-266
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #812 on: April 05, 2014, 09:23:03 PM »
Yes.  I like it.

I'm just wondering if I want to get it patched up or a total respray.  There are a couple of worn/scratched areas, some small chips, and a spot of missing clearcoat on the hood.
« Last Edit: April 05, 2014, 09:29:23 PM by Chris_ »
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 #813 on: April 05, 2014, 09:59:19 PM »
Yes.  I like it.

I'm just wondering if I want to get it patched up or a total respray.  There are a couple of worn/scratched areas, some small chips, and a spot of missing clearcoat on the hood.

I would take it to the shop, and have them give you an honest appraisal. 

Without looking at it, I would suggest a total respray, since the clear is lifting in an area. 

Offline Chris_

  • Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46845
  • Reputation: +2028/-266
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #814 on: April 05, 2014, 10:00:44 PM »
I would take it to the shop, and have them give you an honest appraisal. 

Without looking at it, I would suggest a total respray, since the clear is lifting in an area. 
It's a side job from a friend that knows a guy.  Retail is $3-5k for a complete respray.
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 #815 on: April 06, 2014, 05:03:52 PM »
Negligible progress.  I ended up drilling out that last screw and got the cover off. 

No luck getting the fitting off the master cylinder or the bolts off the rebound strap mounts.  Got some basic maintenance done (oil and filter change). 
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 #816 on: April 06, 2014, 05:12:07 PM »
It's a side job from a friend that knows a guy.  Retail is $3-5k for a complete respray.

Take it to a few places, and ask them what they'd do.  I've painted a few cars, and I'm only an amateur, but I'm really leery to spray over and try to blend clearcoat that has started to flake off anywhere else on the car.

Offline Chris_

  • Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46845
  • Reputation: +2028/-266
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #817 on: April 06, 2014, 05:18:15 PM »
Other than the patch of peeling clearcoat on the hood, it looks a lot like the MGB Wheeler Dealers did.  Stone chips, scratches around the hood hooks, and the rust patch around the crack on the door.
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 #818 on: April 06, 2014, 05:21:55 PM »
Is your crack still growing? 

Offline Chris_

  • Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46845
  • Reputation: +2028/-266
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #819 on: April 06, 2014, 05:55:58 PM »
Not that I'm aware of.  I don't use the mirror or window as a pull handle.
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 obumazombie

  • Siege engine to lib fortresses
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 21814
  • Reputation: +1659/-578
  • Last of the great minorities
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #820 on: April 06, 2014, 05:58:06 PM »
Not that I'm aware of.  I don't use the mirror or window as a pull handle.
Don't let anyone else get close, those will be the first thing someone else will grab.
There were only two options for gender. At last count there are at least 12, according to libs. By that standard, I'm a male lesbian.

Offline Chris_

  • Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46845
  • Reputation: +2028/-266
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #821 on: April 06, 2014, 06:07:30 PM »
I really don't like messing with hydraulic fittings.  I may not have to... that bolt on the rear comes off.



This looks nice.  I wonder if it improves anything or just looks pretty.



http://pcbunn.cacr.caltech.edu/jjb/MGBGT/
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 #822 on: April 06, 2014, 06:16:42 PM »
This looks nice.  I wonder if it improves anything or just looks pretty.

The stock air cans are pretty efficient, and have a built in velocity stack, if I remember correctly. 

If you have good stock cans, just get free flowing air filters, and call it good.

Or you can stick a supercharger under the hood and REALLY pull that air through the filter.  :-)

Offline Chris_

  • Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46845
  • Reputation: +2028/-266
Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #823 on: April 06, 2014, 06:24:35 PM »
They're in good condition.  There's almost no rust on this car. 

Paint is another story, though.
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 #824 on: April 06, 2014, 06:27:25 PM »
They're in good condition.  There's almost no rust on this car. 

Paint is another story, though.

I think the air cans may be one of the last things to rust on these cars.  They usually enjoy a coat of oil all their life, based on their location on the car. 

The bigger danger to them is someone replacing them with another air filter, and then selling off the car without them.