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MG MGB Technical - New list member

Hello,

I am new to the B list, having aquired a 1964 B in May. Before that I owned a 1954 MG TF 1500 which I sold this spring, wanting an MG with a bit more creature comfort. My B has been through a very comprehensive restoration to high standards, but there are of course some issues, that I willl address in another posting. My B has a later 5 main engine and a 4 sync box. Weber DGV carb. I live in Norway, and have owned various old motorcycles and cars for almost 50 years. I enclose a photo of my new toy, shot in the Norwegian mountains this July.

regards,

Jan


Jan Emil Kristoffersen

Too bad that the previous owner switched out the original SU HS4 carburetors. The Weber is a good carburetor, but the original setup delivers a bit more power. The switch to a four synchro transmission was a good thing though. I did this to my '67 B some thirty years ago and the difference was unbelievable. Five years later, I switched out that transmission for a four synchro overdrive transmission that was freshly rebuilt in England. A pity that every B didn't come standard with overdrive. It's a lot of fun to use in climbing twisty mountain roads. I hope you get as much enjoyment out of your early B as I've gotten from mine for the past forty three years. RAY
rjm RAY

Thank you Ray, I agree about the carbs, I am used to the SU carbs from before. The car has an extractor manifold and PECO sports exhaust and seems to me to be fairly quick, but I do not know any details about the internals. The previous owner bought this car in the US in 2009, and restored it, finishing the job in 2014, just weeks before he suddenly died, so I bought it from his widow. I have now done 3000 kilometers in it, and love the way the car behaves, its torque and the comfortable later reclining seats. Compared to my old TF this is less of a hard core sports car, and more of a grand tourer, which suits my age - and knees. The 4 sync box is lovely, but I have a rebuilt OD 4 sync waiting to be installed..

regards

Jan

PIC: from the resto process


Jan Emil Kristoffersen

Jan, the OD box will transform your driving experience. It certainly did mine. I bypassed the factory lockout switch that only allows use of the OD in third and fourth gear. I use it all of the time in second and occasionally even in first. A little common sense prevents any damage being done. To protect the OD's one way clutch, I installed a power cutout relay in my reverse light circuit. Once the shift lever is moved into the reverse gate, the power going to the OD is automatically disconnected, just in case I forget to turn the OD switch. A wrote an article on it back in '93 which was published in the NAMGBA magazine. It still pops on the net from time to time causing a bit of controversy over the dangers to the OD assembly. After over twenty five years my OD still performs like new. RAY
rjm RAY

Jan,

Welcome to the BBS, and thanks for sharing images of your new (new to you) car. Very good looking MGB by the way. While I agree with Ray about adding overdrive (we have this on our B/GT) would add to your driving pleasure, a factory hardtop (fixed roof) in Norway may extend your driving season ;-)

Ray,

Would it be possible for you to re-post your article on the OD switch for those of us who haven't seen it?

Regards,

Larry C.
Larry C '74 B/GT

"I bypassed the factory lockout switch that only allows use of the OD in third and fourth gear. I use it all of the time in second and occasionally even in first."

Bear in mind that the torque reversals in lower gears can damage the OD. Factory V8s retrospectively had OD removed from 3rd following problems. Triumphs did have OD 2nd but they had a stronger unit.

North American cars did have OD restricted to 4th only in later versions, but that was for other reasons, not too much power!
Paul Hunt

Jan

Like you I am new to the BBS and recently bought an MGB though in my case it is a GT. I had Triumph spitfires and an MG midget when considerably younger and while I have wanted a classic for years I always persuaded myself out of it. This year I thought you only live once so get one and enjoy, so I did. Because I didn't fancy crawling about under the car at my age (don't ask}I bought one in good condition. It is a 1975 rubber bumper car and was restored in 1991 and has only done some 8000 miles since. It drives realy well and I agree the OD is great but because it has sat in a garage for a long time I have had a few issues. First the alternator packed up then the HS4 carbs overflowed. I wondered if the amount of ethanol in fuel now was the cause because the needle vales and floats looked ok. Anyway I put in ethanol resistant floats and valves and have had futher trouble. I also had a problem with the front brakes sticking on and discovered the pistons were corroded. The MG owners club sell new calipers with stainless steel pistons so I have ordered those. I will add a picture when I can find one.


Rod
R E Merrall

Paul, I'm well aware of the possible damage that can be done to an OD in first and second gears. I repeatedly point this out in the article that I posted back in '93. However, common sense use of OD, in the lower gears, hasn't done any damage to my Black Label OD in over twenty five years of continuous use. All things in moderation. RAY
rjm RAY

Hello everyone, and thank you for the info on the OD. I am really looking forward to slide in my OD box, but I think I will stick to the original setup with OD on 3. and 4. gear only.

Currently I have been working on the crankcase ventilation. Engine is rebuilt, but I do not know if there are any deviations from standards internally, as high c.r. or hotter cam etc.

regards

Jan
Jan Emil Kristoffersen

Jan.. Hotter cam shafts help. Mine is a Crane 270 which has the power curve between 2500 - 4000 range. Good for going through the gears in daily traffic. The exhaust sounds better also

Cheers

Gary

79 MGB
gary hansen

Jan, we miss you and your valuable comments over on the TD-TF forum but I'm glad to know you're still around. That's a beautiful MGB. Like you, I recently acquired a '72 MBG when it's owner, a good friend and active British Car Club member, passed away suddenly and before his time. We miss Jack but I'm proud to be the custodian of his MGB.

Like the others have said, it will take you maybe 30 - 45 seconds to just fall in love with that OD and 4-speed synchromesh. I still have my TD and love to drive it but going from the TD to the MGB is like transitioning from a Curtis Jenny to an F-15.

Anyway, welcome to the forum and Safety Fast.

Jud


J K Chapin

Thank you for your comments. Interesting to learn about the "global" OD setup , although it would seem to put a lof of additional stress on the OD unit. But then, handling it with intelligent care.....

Jud; Nice to see that you have also aquired a B, although through sad circumstances.

I just came home tonight from a 400 miles weekend trip with my wife. I will perform a post mortem exam on the car tomorrow, to assess whether I have solved mye crankcase vent issues etc. The B is such a nice long distance companion, and will be even better with the OD.
I must admit that I miss the extremely active and kind crowd of T-series enthusiasts on the TD-TF part of this website. I will try to publish a post there with som comparative reflections of Ts and Bs - when the driving season is coming to an end;

regards,

Jan
Jan Emil Kristoffersen

Larry, it took a while, but I finally found the article. RAY


rjm RAY

Ray,

Thanks for that.

Regards,

Larry C.
Larry C '74 B/GT

You're welcome, Larry. RAY
rjm RAY

The problem with using a reverse gear relay to operate and cut off OD is if that circuit fails in any way you risk ruining your OD. Having said that OD second would be very useful, it's a bit of a stretch from 2 to 3 when pulling away up steepish hills. I've never had a problem going from OD 3rd to 4th though in my 73 though, can flip off OD with a fingertip whilst still holding the wheel and changing gear. They did have a different switch with a longer cranked lever than originally.
Paul Hunt

This thread was discussed between 02/08/2015 and 11/08/2015

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