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MG MGB Technical - Bringing a B back from the dead....

hey all , I picked up a roadster at the weekend that has stood for about 2-3 years , and now I need some advice.....

Is there anything special I should or should'nt do when trying to get it running. The engine turns manually , and it's not stuck in gear , so that is a little good news. There is no coolant , so i'll fill that , and there is some black-black oil in there. Apart from changing the fluids and charging the battery and going from there , is there anything I should'nt do ( i.e. I don't want to kill the engine ).

Of course there is the matter of having no keys , How How How does one get the ignition barrell off ( I suspect I will have to take it to a keymakers ).

Also , hmmmmm , no brake fluid , so I will have to sort that also.

Anyway , I am sure I will be posting here again!

D.
daryl

Change the oil and fill coolant. Drain the fuel tank and fill with good petrol to give it a fighting chance. Take the plugs out and disconnect the fuel pump. Spin the engine on the starter until the oil pressure comes up. Take the opportunity while doing this to check that you have a spark (touch plug to ground). Replace the plugs, reconnect the fuel pump, turn the ignition on, wait for the fuel pump to stop ticking (if it doesn't tick, hit it 'til it does), cross your fingers and turn the key to start. If you're lucky it'll fire(!) If you're feeling really generous here, warming the plugs on the stove before putting them back is a good wheeze. Once it's running, run for a couple of minutes watching oil pressure and temp like a hawk. Turn off and thoroughly inspect for leaks etc. (all that coolant went somewhere).
The ignition lock barrel is held on by two shear-head bolts (i.e. the bits what you can turn them with break off when they're tight). You can drill these out and replacements are available. Rather than attempting to get a key made for the existing barrel / lock assembly, I'd think about replacing it, it's one less thing to worry about in the electrical department that way. The ignition key is different from the door keys anyway so it's no great shakes swapping this one.
T J C Cuthill

daral is in london, probably some one just looking for advice on how to jack a mgb.
mr mr

mr mr --

That tickles my fancy -- posting on the board to find out how to hot wire an MGB to sneak off.

Nonetheless, tis a good sign that all fluids will be topped off before hand!

glg

Daryl, on the assumption that you have good taste in cars even if you are planning to half inch it :) then, check the oil filler cap for signs of mayonnaise as this could indicate a coolant leak into the oil, as TJ says, the coolant had to go somewhere. The thick gooey stuff is typical of an aged oil, so change it before starting, but once you get it home, plan for another change as a lot of crud and goo (full of acids) will still be residual when you do the first drain. After driving it for a few miles and the engine warms up, some of that will then dissolve into the fresh oil, and just 10% will knacker your new oil. Also plan to replace the brake system ultimately, and at least do a thorough flush for now with new fluid. Watch out for the battery, plan on a new battery, probably. And plan for new tyres as they will have lost their shape and the sidewalls will be weakened. Do a major re-grease on the chassis, too.
HTH
Martin

Gents, many thanks for your replies. Put the freshly charged battery in last night , and not being sure as to whether that was completly dead , I was plesantly surprised to hear the tick-tock of the clock. Not having keys yet I could not do much , just checked I had enough charge for ( nasty aftermarket ) stereo and hazards , which came on , so good news there.

Once I get the ignition barrell/keys sorted I will adhere to the above advice.

As for mr mr's comments , I have saved the car from the scrapper and V5 is applied for. So despite the fact that I am in London I am not nicking the thing. London is a shocker for that , being from Dublin I find the level of car ( and other ) crime very high. I once lost a Triumph Stag to the w*nkers.

As as aside , is Mr Mr in anyway related to that hugely talented group in the 80's of the same name ( you remember the song, 'so take these broken wings and let me fly away.....). If it is you , do you still have the mullet , and , hmmmmm, living in Bath eh? Very rock and roll!

D.
Daryl

Are the wings broken on your car? Are you giving them to mr mr? LOL
Martin

This thread was discussed between 30/06/2003 and 01/07/2003

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