Before you sell you MGB for a more practical car read on...
This is how the article starts.
Area's for attention.
BODY
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If there are any new welds seal them with a rubberized sealing compound
(bath room sealant).
Rusty welds should be blasted primed and sealed.
Also use along the join between front wing and scuttle.
The underside was enamelled and box sections waxoyled.
Top up the waxoyl each year. Check for paint deteriation.
ELEC-TRICKS
-----------
Make a single 12 battary installation under the bonnet.
On the lefthand side of the bonnet behind the radiator. Fabricate a bracket and
fit
a Lucas GBY 605. This fits under the low bonnet line.
Rerun the wiring loom to the back of the car inside under the carpet. to the
rear lights.
Fit a hazard lamp system. Good for emergency stops and quick slow downs on the
motorway.
Retro fitting from late chrome bumper models is possible.
More info avail. on request.
Fit halogen lamps in place of sealed beam units.
Fit the later 4 fuse box or add a second 2 fuse box , as fitted to later cars.
BOXING CLEVER
--------------
The empty batt boxes were sheeted in painted and sealed to leave two protected
weather tight storage compartments.
The petrol pump was moved to the nearest box for a dry environment. Grommet the
leads.
The other box was used as a tool box.
Copper alloy petrol, clutch and brake lines were fitted to allow original
routing
without the usual corrosion probs.
WILLING SUSPENSION
-------------------
Upgrade to V8 wishbones at the front and Spax rear damper.
Change original 155/165 tyres for 175/70's.
Fit a 3/4" anti-roll bar.
BRAKES
-------
To prevent rear wheel lock (quite common with the lighter roadster in an
emergency)
upgrade the front brakes to V8 discs, calipers & pads.
Use aeroequip hoses to improve pedal feel. Note the date and milage of fitting
cos'
you can't see them perishing, so they should be replaced at manufacturer
recommended
intervals.
With better front brakes reduce the braking effort sent to the rear wheels by
fitting
an inline limiting valve. Easier than fitting smaller wheel cylinders!
ENGINE BAY
-----------
Keep as original as poss. Apart from battery a freeflow manifold helps
with smoother running and performance.
Add an expansion bottle for the coolant. Borrow later MGB fitting for earlier
cars.
ENGINE
-------
The B' series is a sound, boringly reliable, possibly bullet proof lump.
Enlarged throughout it life to 2.1 litres (now available from the club).
A mild tune is recommended.. Stage 1o r 2 leadfree head. Comp ration 8.75 to 1.
Lower compression reduces the problems created by the proximity of valves in 2
and
3 cylinders - pinking or pre-ignition, running on and cracked and leading valve
seats.
The lower compression also reduces the cylinder head temps and allows for
slightly more
ignition advance. and thus no noticible performance loss.
Camshaft choice is very important. Choose a mild road cam. Higher lift than
standard but
by no means wild.
The major internal moving parts should be lightned and balanced.- pistons,
conrods,
etc..
K&N air filters were fitted in the original air boxes to reduce the hiss. SU
1.5" retained
for fuel economy. These filters allow a richer needle to be used but the
greater efficiency
gives good fuel comsumption.
Rebuild the distributor or buy a new one. Use the correct bob weight and spring.
Fit a stainless steel exhaust.
All this is not for those preparing a conours car but it will maximise the
pleasure of using
and MGB all yeat round.
Hope this helps.
/Steve MGA (not quite all year round). Sweden
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