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MG MGA - Seeking Recommendation - Quality Workshop Manual


Can anyone recommend a good manual? I really need MGA Repair for Dummies but I doubt it exist. My problem with manuals in the past (for my Miata) is they are written assuming you have a certain level of knowledge which I dont seem to have. For example, dont just tell me to remove the "whatchamacallit" but tell me where the hell it is and show me what it looks like. A really good manual will mention that when I try to remove the "whatchamacallit" I might also want to remove the "thingamabob" at the same time which will make the job easier and will likely need to be replaced anyway.

I have always owned modern sports cars but have looked at many MGA's. I know you shouldnt judge a book by its cover but they look very simple to work on (other than maybe the carbs).
JSB Jeff Bennett

Jeff,

Barney's website is absolutely as good as it gets! mgaguru.com

If you still need a paper reference, Haynes manuals are not bad and have plenty of photos.

The official workshop manual is comprehensive but is written very much in period and does assume knowledge.

Malcolm Green's MGA Restoration Guide is also pretty good, but not so much technical data.

In my experience knowledge comes with practice, so get stuck in. You are right the MGA is very easy to work on and once you have set up the cars by following the step by step instructions, you will find that they are surprisingly simple too.

The very best help of all is right here on this BBS!
Neil McGurk

Jeff. Neil's view of the situation is perfectly correct. I have found exactly the same thing--with minor variations.

I like the factory workshop manual better than the Haynes myself. Others feel that the Haynes manual is better because it is written for the hobbyist rather than the trained mechanic (as the factory manual is oriented to). But, these are very minor points of disagreement.

Overall, you are better having the factory workshop manual, the Haynes manual, the "Auto-Book" manual (if you can find one--I thought they were excellent thirty years ago but have not found them recently), any books on MGA restoration that you can find (used book shops often do not place a high value on old MG books, leading to some excellent deals), magazine articles, etc. Barney's site is the best MGA specific website around, but not the only website of use. Bob Muenchausen's website "Muenchausen's Garage" and Paul Hunt's "The Pages of Bee and Vee" have some excellent information on them. My website, www.custompistols.com/ has some information on how to perform various common test procedures which might help you. All of us answer questions, both through the websites and this BBS.

Some old books that are very good for beginners are "Care and Repair of Your Sports Car" by Ocee Ritch, "The Sports Car engine" by Colin Campbell, and "How to Repair Your Foreign Car" by Dick O'Kane are all excellent books which will help you to understand what needs to be done, how it is to be done, and when to stop and ask questions.

None of us started out factory trained mechanics. Most of us have learned how to keep our cars running well, safely, and how to enjoy the challenges of driving and old British Sports Car. You can learn this, too, if you wish to.

Les
Les Bengtson

If you invest in both a factory manual and a Haynes manual they, along with Barney's site and this forum, will give you all the information that you need. You should also pick up a parts book (Try Scarborough Faire) or failing that illustrated catalogs from the big suppliers although the cats won't give you the manufacturer's part numbers.


Cheers,
Rich
Rich McKIe

Get every book you can find. In the long run, there will be some overlap but every book adds just a little bit more to your knowledge. Aslo, join a local MGA club and go to a NAMGAR or local british car meet. There is nothing like looking, pointing and having a real dialog about a car to encourage you along the way. And don't forget some DIY books on bodywork and painting.

And yes, once you get to know it, the car is simple, even the SU carbs.

Chuck
C Schaefer

This is a useful site too, and don't forget that there's quite a bit of overlap between 'A info and 'B (and even some midget)info, too.

http://www.chicagolandmgclub.com/techtips/

And if a picture's worth a 1000 words, then maybe a video's worth 1000 pictures!

http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=Universitymotorsltd&p=r

Derek Nicholson

I've found the 'A-Antics Tech Tips' book from the Michigan Rowdies chapter of NAMGAR to be very useful. It had just been updated when I bought my MGA in 1995. I don't see any mention of it in the current MGA! so I'm guessing it's not currently in print. NAMGAR does offer a compilation of Mike Ash's columns from MGA! that I don't have, but I would guess it would be quite useful from the high caliber of the column itself.
Kim Tonry

Hands down, Barney's site is the best if you're working on the car with internet access. Between pictures and text, he is methodical in taking you through just about everything that you might tackle with your MGA.
As for a paper manual to take on the road, I can recommend the reprint of Mike Ash's many columns from MGA! I've also heard good things about the A Antics book.

- Ken
Ken Doris

Jeff, if you have the time, attend one of John Twists University Motors Seminars. Held in Grand Rapids MI, the MG Technical Seminar is an excellent introduction to MG ownership/maintenance. Its an intense 3 days, but you learn a lot. The next seminar is Feb. 8-10 2008. See www.universitymotorsltd.com Good Luck with your car!

G Goeppner

I bought the "MG Essential Book" by Robson and have really found it to be a really great sorce for information on my MGA. I use it a lot. Tom
Tom Peotter

I have to add my very big vote of gratitude to Barney -MGAguru.com- and an even bigger recommendation. When I first purchased my '57 she was wonderful, until day 5. Then she wouldn't start no matter what I tried. Barney sent me a 3 page email and it went something like this..."When you have no spark at all from any spark plug wire terminal, go back closer to the coil to bypass the distributor cap and rotor. Take the high tension wire running from coil to distributor cap, disconnect it from the cap, hold it near a bolt on the engine block, and crank the engine (with ignition switch on) to see if you have spark from the coil. If you get spark from the coil, but it's not getting to the spark plugs, then you have a problem with the distributor cap or rotor, possibly a cracked rotor"...And it goes on and on. He basically gave me an alogrithm for a car not starting. Explains why you're doing what he's instructing, VERY clearly instructs and then has a "if this works fine, if not and XXX happens then got to step 2" and again he explains why he's suggesting this step, what to do, what to expect and again if the expected outcome doesn't happen then try step 3 and so on. And it is all written so very clear and concise. Absolutely fantastic man to give so much of his time to anyone that loves these machines. And at the end of every email he sends he always adds if you get through all this and you still have your original problem, gimme another holler. How is that for fantastic?

I have a binder that has the wonderful directions for identifying Diana's problems and how to fix them. I'm also getting quite the education on MG engines and the internal workings of a 4 cylinder engine.

So have I said I would recommend Barney Gaylord for MG advice?
Jacqueline Peabody

This thread was discussed between 10/11/2007 and 17/11/2007

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