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MG MGB Technical - What is the best restoration reference?

The mgb restoration Manual by by Lindsey Porter gets less than inspiring reviews by purchasers (not detailed enough???)at Amazon.com. Is there a better resource out there comparable to Clausinger for MGAs?
danny jacob

Clausager also did a B book, Original MGB, with MGC and MGB GT V8. It is great at detailing the differences between the years and models, but it certainly does not tell you how to restore a car. I think Porter's book is excellent. It would be nearly impossible to have a book with every detail involved in restoration, unless you were willing to cart it 'round in a wheelbarrow. Why not get them both? The cost of the books is a drop in the bucket compared to doing a full restoration. Right, Maury?





Paul K

Then there is the set of DVD's illustrating step by step restoration . . .



Dan Robinson

Dan, what DVDs are you referring to? Do you know a buying source? I ordered the Clausager book last nite when I finally figured out the correct spelling.
thanks
dj

danny jacob

I don't think there is one really good reference that shows you everything. I use a combination of the Hanyes manual, the Bentley Factory manual, and Autobooks manual, Porters Restoration book, Clausager and the "An MG is born" DVDs and photo set. Even then there are some bits that aren't really explained. IN that case I post here!
Simon Jansen

I agree, Porter's book is excellent for body and trim restoration, and particularly for the checklist you should use *before* buying your car! Perhaps less detailed for mechanical ane electrical but you have Haynes and the Leyland Workshop Manual/Bentley for diagnosis/repair of those. Restoration of an MGB *does* require some prior knowledge of working with bodywork, mechanicals and electricals, it isn't a beginner's (or even worse an idiot's) guide.
Paul Hunt 2

From experience - 1967 mgb roadster to Show Condition in 1985; 1955 MG TF1500 to Show Condition in 2001 and currently 1968 mgc roadster just to enjoy - Take as many photographs as possible at every stage of the strip down.

Store the photos on your computer - print out if necessary - you will refer to them constantly in the weeks/months/years down the road when the memory has faded.

Lindsay Porter's book will provide the basic reference for your restoration and, as Paul K said, Anders Ditlev Clausager's Original MGB book will fill in the fine detail. But there will be no finer reference to your restoration than the photos you took during the dismantling process.

Remember to buy a supply of re-sealable bags and put all the sundry items safely into the bags, remembering to name the bags to identify the parts later. If you can, refer to a Parts List and also tag the bags with the Part Number, it saves time when you want to replace it with a new part.

Obtain a Workshop Manual and Parts list for your particular model. MG Owners Club can supply both at a cost and they also offer a Parts List and Catalogue on CD at NO COST to MGOC Members. Moss Europe also produce a Parts Catalogue for the MGB and all the exploded views illustrated in the catalogues are a great source of reference when trying to remember where everything went!

Finally, find a friend that has a similar model to your own and buy him a Pint or three! Trust me, when you come to re-assemble your MG you will forever be ringing him and asking where this or that are situated on his car and the more you invest in him now, the less likely he is to be p****d off with you when you quiz him in the future!!!!!

And be prepared for the jockular remarks from your other non-MG owning friends during the restoration such as "We know what MGB stands for" pause for thought, "Might Get Built"!

Guffawes of laughter (I don't think). Just remember, you'll have the last laugh when your project is finished.

Best wishes for your restoration and don't forget to use the members of your local MGOC for their invaluable help. After all, many of us have had the experience of what you are about to undertake and we have already surpassed the sleepless nights!

Robert
R Lynex

And searches here and on other BBS sites is invaluable as well as just reading every post and printing out the ones in the area you are currently working on or may work on. I have 5 three-ring binders organized by the chapters in Haynes. When I get to that area I just pull out that section, skim through, organize them somewhat and read 'em. GREAT resource and more details than you get in most any resource.
J.T. Bamford

If you get a Bentley manual, you can enlarge the wiring diagrams and laminate (at Kinko's) or you can go to this site, http://www.advanceautowire.com/ , click on "stock schematics", and print these off and enlarge/laminate if you find them easier to read.

I too do the binder thing and add pockets after each chapter to collect the misc print offs of comments from the various BBS's and the misc info sheets etc that come with many items as install instructions and item info.

If you have a club in your area, you might also consider joining it. Most folks are happy to help and will enjoy the opportunity to share their collected and sometimes hard won experiences and info with you. For many, they are just passing on the gifts given them by others.
Bob Muenchausen

Be careful when referring to pictures of how the car was that you take. That is making the assumption that it was assembled correctly the last time someone worked on it! Mine was a ess. Hard copper line for the clutch hose soldered on, fuel lines not tied down, etc.

And also you can learn as you go restoring an MGB. I would have thought it is a perfect beginners car. I started knowing nothing about cars or engines or bodywork. I just picked things up as I went along. My first MG I didn't fully restore (but did replace floor pans, repair doors, etc. I learnt a lot on that car. My second one is a total rebuild. You just have to take your time, accept you will make the odd mistake and be prepared to take as much advice on here from the people who have done these things before as possible!

I think the MGB is a very forgiving car to restore since they aren't rare and the availability of parts is very good. It would be differnt if you were restoring a one off Bugatti or similar for example. Then you really should know what you're doing!
Simon Jansen

IMHO "Practical Classics Colour MGB GT Restoration"
ISBN 1873098 41 3 is well worth buying. There is an earlier version for roadsters , but I don't think it is as good as the GT version. Also it's reasonably priced. Barrie E
Barrie Egerton

This thread was discussed between 07/05/2006 and 10/05/2006

MG MGB Technical index

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