Author Topic: 1973 MG B  (Read 157755 times)

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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #200 on: August 05, 2012, 10:03:32 PM »
I never understood why roadsters were so popular in a country where it rained and snowed 200 days a year.

At least the defogger/heater work great in my car.

I have the answer.  I love this episode! :-)

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mm7JZgRHy8[/youtube]

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_325874&feature=iv&src_vid=1mm7JZgRHy8&v=Q-DAimDAOlg[/youtube]

Offline obumazombie

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Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #201 on: August 05, 2012, 10:52:26 PM »
With all this topless talk on here, I got excited and drove from NW Arkansas to Memphis today, topless.
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 BattleHymn

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Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #202 on: August 05, 2012, 10:54:52 PM »
With all this topless talk on here, I got excited and drove from NW Arkansas to Memphis today, topless.

You were pretty close to my neck of the woods.  Did you get rained on?

Offline obumazombie

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Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #203 on: August 05, 2012, 10:57:08 PM »
You were pretty close to my neck of the woods.  Did you get rained on?
Just missed it. I saw that it was a gullywasher. Gina is in the same neck of the woods. Wonder if she got soaked ?
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_

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Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #204 on: August 07, 2012, 06:40:09 PM »
I got a new set of tires today... Falken SNS-828.  I'll let you know how they work out.

My spare was an old bias ply.  I'm going to hang it in the garage as an antique.
« Last Edit: August 07, 2012, 06:44:17 PM by chris_ »
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #205 on: August 07, 2012, 06:41:35 PM »
My spare was an old bias ply.  I'm going to hang it in the garage as an antique.

That's the same thing I did with mine.  I think it's a Dunlop.  I'd have to look.

Offline Chris_

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Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #206 on: August 08, 2012, 08:10:20 AM »
This is an improvement.  Low-speed steering with the new tires has gotten a lot better... it takes less effort (almost none) to steer under 15 mph.

Still want a larger steering wheel.  I think I'm going to look for one today on eBay.
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_

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Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #207 on: August 08, 2012, 06:37:37 PM »
Went to Hobby Slobby and picked up enough vinyl to cover two dashboards.  Fifteen bucks and some change ($17.32 including the bag of Reisen candy).
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

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Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #208 on: August 08, 2012, 06:52:08 PM »
Went to Hobby Slobby and picked up enough vinyl to cover two dashboards.  Fifteen bucks and some change ($17.32 including the bag of Reisen candy).

Did you use the 40% off coupon?

Offline Chris_

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Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #209 on: August 08, 2012, 06:55:31 PM »
I forgot :thatsright:
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

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Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #210 on: August 08, 2012, 10:03:30 PM »

Offline Chris_

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Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #211 on: August 08, 2012, 10:04:11 PM »
It's cheaper than buying a new dashboard. :whistling:
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #212 on: August 08, 2012, 10:05:10 PM »
That's true.  You should take before and after shots. 

Offline Chris_

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Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #213 on: August 12, 2012, 04:11:46 PM »
 :rant: I already got a flat with one of my new tires.  I think there might be something wrong with that wheel because that's the same one that went flat before.

Checked both carbs with the Unisyn.  The front one was fine, the rear is running lean and the mixture screw is maxed out.  The rear carb is sucking more air than the front so I adjusted the idle and fuel mixtures until I got it closer to the front one, but it is still running lean.  I did not check the oil level in the air pistons.  They're both sitting a little high -- I'm guessing they're dry.  I will have to check them later.

I may have had the backing plates on my air filters upside down and was blocking the breather hole.  I think I got them installed correctly. 

Next week, drain and flush the cooling system.  Is the coolant supposed to look gray when the water pump is running?
« Last Edit: August 12, 2012, 04:19:40 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_

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Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #214 on: August 12, 2012, 04:13:45 PM »
That's true.  You should take before and after shots. 
Hmm.  I didn't realize the entire dashboard was a single piece.  I was only looking at the plastic cap.  This looks like slightly more work than I wanted.  I think I may just cover the plastic cap with vinyl and reattach it.
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

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Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #215 on: August 12, 2012, 05:39:14 PM »
:rant: I already got a flat with one of my new tires.  I think there might be something wrong with that wheel because that's the same one that went flat before.

Checked both carbs with the Unisyn.  The front one was fine, the rear is running lean and the mixture screw is maxed out.  The rear carb is sucking more air than the front so I adjusted the idle and fuel mixtures until I got it closer to the front one, but it is still running lean.  I did not check the oil level in the air pistons.  They're both sitting a little high -- I'm guessing they're dry.  I will have to check them later.

I may have had the backing plates on my air filters upside down and was blocking the breather hole.  I think I got them installed correctly. 

Next week, drain and flush the cooling system.  Is the coolant supposed to look gray when the water pump is running?

I would change your coolant.  It's cheap insurance.  I've used a variety of oils for the SU dampers.  Right now I'm using engine oil in mine.  Works great.

Offline Chris_

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Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #216 on: August 12, 2012, 08:58:26 PM »
Well, this stinks.  I went messing with the wiring under the dash to see if I could get my radio to start working and now the car won't start.  Again.  The starter motor turns over but the engine will not run.  I can bridge the 3rd and 4th fuses and start the car with the key and it will run as long as those two circuits are connected, but I don't want to do that long-term.

Also, that same left rear tail/marker light is out again.

This is getting annoying.
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

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Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #217 on: August 13, 2012, 12:14:18 AM »
When you bridge fuses #3 and #4, which side are you bridging?  Brown (#4) to White (#3), or Purple (#4) to Green (#3)? 

Your ignition circuit feeds off of the #3 fuse.  See if you have power to the white wire running to your coil in the 'ON' position, without bridging the fuses. 

Offline Chris_

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Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #218 on: August 13, 2012, 08:03:36 AM »
If I bridge the brown and white posts of the fuse box, everything (lights, gauges, fuel pump) work normally.

I replaced the starter relay but that was not the problem this time.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #219 on: August 13, 2012, 07:11:10 PM »
I think the problem is either the ignition relay or switch.  I switched the white/brown and brown wires on a new relay and the damn car started and ran without the key and without bridging the fuses (the ignition switch was reversed).  I am trying to determine the correct wiring because the wiring diagram I have does not show a 5-pole relay that the car came with.  There is a fifth yellow/red wire that I think may be connected to the seat belts and tail light.
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #220 on: August 13, 2012, 08:20:59 PM »
I would SO trade you problems right now, chris!

Offline Chris_

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Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #221 on: August 13, 2012, 08:22:52 PM »
How much damage (other than the fender)?

Oh, and the radio in my car works.  WTF.  I think I need a new ignition switch.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #222 on: August 13, 2012, 08:27:22 PM »
I'm still fixing the fender bender I had in my Camry.  Bent hinges, broken headlight mounts.  Lots of little stuff.
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #223 on: August 13, 2012, 08:29:51 PM »
He got the fender, corner lamp, and the headlight filler.  I saw him coming out of the corner of my eye.  He ran straight into the side of the car. 

What did you do to the Camry? 

Oh, and my brother had to buy a new ignition switch for his B, and I had to buy one for my first B.  They seem to be a weak point. 

Offline Chris_

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Re: 1973 MG B
« Reply #224 on: August 13, 2012, 08:33:33 PM »
I had a small fender bender before I bought new tires.  I slid into the back of another car because it was raining.  So far, I've replaced the hood, a headlight, one side marker light and the bracket that holds the headlight in place (about a hundred bucks in parts and way too many hours of work).  Once I got the new hood on, I found out both fenders and one fender liner were bent in the accident so they'll need to be replaced now.

It's a lot of little jobs that are a pain in the ass.  Next time, I'm just buying a parts car and leaving it in the driveway until I'm finished.
« Last Edit: August 13, 2012, 08:36:13 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.