My MGB Experience

Job done with the fitted angle block as its crowning glory.  To avoid doing this job at all, an alternative would be to buy an MGA, no window glass and its accompanying seals to deal with, otherwise, read on.   See related post==> MGB GT Teal Blue Refurbish Project Car Pt 1  Door and window rubber on the GT were in a sorry state, hard and brittle. Time to be replaced, and If that rubber is shot, then so too will the channel rubber that the door glass slides up and down in. Order it at the same time, or if you don't for whatever reason, (I thought mine were ok till I got a closer look), I got them from a local supplier, it is a very common type and is called "Bailey Channel", there are 4 sizes, the MGB is the second smallest. It's available in Australia from good old Clark Rubber, who stock over 100 different car rubbers and seals, otherwise another rubber and seal supplier, or wait another week for an order to arrive from the UK. And do order t...

Related Post ==> Other Repairs The factory drum brakes on 1500 model cars are a little on the agricultural side. The stopping power of modern cars in traffic and freeway conditions made me quite nervous and got my heart racing. Visions of the precious MGA rear ending a Hyundai or whatever is not a good scenario.  The options, upgrade to the disc brake system of the later 1600 model, and/or to install a brake booster system. With some research and a chat to the MG repairer, t he conclusion was that what many drivers are concerned about is often the "feel" of the brakes compared to a modern car.  The MGA peddles being so close together for me makes the whole action of operating the peddles slow and awkward which makes getting used to the "feel" that little bit harder. It was  decided to start with installing the after market brake booster with the option to go with discs later if needed.  As it turned out, the booster works fantastically. The brake pe...

Original Inertia Spool Related posts ==> Other Repairs My MGB GT LE is a 1980 model and 40 years old. Recently the plastic cover over the original drivers side seat belt latch broke, resulting in the release button falling out and the seat belt latch no longer able to clip together with the buckle. Looking online in Australia, there was no inertia seat belt parts available from the regular MG parts suppliers. I also checked the local auto parts stores and no luck. I then found a local seat belt supplier company who were able to supply a suitable inertia type replacement seat belt unit. The new unit was supplied with the seat belt unit, mounting plate, a sleeve washer, all bolts and spring washers. Following is a summary of buying and installing tips: Original Seat Belt unit with broken  plastic casing on the latch        1. The online search offered two types of seat belts - a simple lap strap and latch unit or a lap/sash inertia unit. Given the year of pro...

Coming home on Tilt Tray Related posts ==> Other Repairs After picking up my new MGB GT LE it was revealed there were some electrical issues, resulting in the car coming home unceremoniously on the back of a tilt tray truck. I first checked the alternator and voltage regulator but that was ok.  I then took the car to a local auto electrician. The problem was eventually tracked down to a faulty and burnt out ignition relay . In my MGB GT that relay also controls the blinkers and some dash gauges, hence the other odd electrical symptoms were also resolved. This was an interesting learning curve as this little $5 part caused a lot of grief and some unexpected $5 part that cause a lot of grief costs (new battery, tow truck and auto electrician). Knowing now what the problem was I checked the symptoms of a faulty ignition relay which described almost exactly what the car was doing. Symptoms of a faulty ignition relay include: Car suddenly stalls while operating - yes Car not star...