I would add one book to Mikes's list. I own Porters book, and reccommend
it, but I feel that Jim Tyler's "MGB: Restoration, Preparation,
Maintenance" to be a superior overview of the MGB. It includes a terrific
section on evaluation, and selection of an MGB, and I reccommend it highly
as a must read.
Regards,
Chris Delling
At 08:46 PM 1/18/98 EST, michael j robson wrote:
>
>On Sun, 18 Jan 98 15:49:09 EST Sean Bartnik <sbart7kb@www.mwc.edu>
>writes:
>>Hello all & Greetings:
>>
>>I'm new to the list. At this point I'm a wanna-MG, and I'm thinking
>>MGB
>>specifically. Before I get one though, I have a lot to learn, and
>>that's why I've subscribed to this list.
>
>You are in the right place though some would contend that you will learn
>more about Frank Zappa, Dr Who and the differences between esoteric
>British beers - this however is part of the learning experience!
>
>>Basically I'm here to learn about the MGB in particular and other MGs
>>inthe course of that. If anyone could help me out with MG basics (such
>>asmodel year changes, engines, etc) or point me toward a web site or
>>bookwith this information, I'd appreciate it.
>>
>
>Three that you will need as biblical reading
>1)"MGB Guide to purchase and restoration" by Lindsay Porter
>2)"Original MGB " by Anders Ditlev Clausager
>3)Haynes manual for the MGB
>
>Portes book is a wealth of information on what to look for when looking
>at prospective cars, it also gives an historical timeline of changes over
>the years, Clausagers book gives a lot more on the specifications of the
>cars and has some beautiful pictures of cars for you to asppire to.The
>haynes manual has all the tech stuff youre likely to need.
>
>Kai Radicke of this list has a web page with all sorts of useful info,
>named addresses FAQs , websites (there are hundreds!)and the like but i
>dont remember the URL - im sure he will send it to you
>
>
>>Also, any comments on reliability (you knew that was coming, sorry)
>>and ease-of-repairs (keep in mind my air-cooled VW leanings -- i.e. how
>>does it compare? etc) would be greatly appreciated.
>
>They are as reliable as you make them! - many folk still use them as
>daily drivers without any undue calamities though it must be said, they
>aint new and they aint state of the art!!!! - for example, i have three
>so im fairly well assured that one of them will be drivable at any given
>time (except when it snows....) get the picture??
>
>
>>Of course, the MG being water-cooled, you add many more components
>>such
>>as radiator, water pump, hoses, and God forbid, coolant. :-) I
>>imagine
>>they are relatively easy to work on and keep up. If I had an MG, how
>>often would I need to be "keeping up?" Do you find them to be
>>reliable?
>>I imagine they are high-maintenance, many of them being quite old by
>>now, but that's fine as I'm used to high-maintenance and I enjoy doing
>>automotive mechanical work.
>>
>The do need regular maintenance and certainly 30 year old cmponents are
>going to fail from time to time but they are not complex beasts and you
>obviously have a background in tinkering so i cant think of any special
>caveat you should beware of
>(except RUST RUST and RUST)
>
>>And of course, the question you knew was coming -- are Lucas
>>electricals really THAT bad??? :-) If so, why?
>>I'm sure you've all heard the jokes many times, so I won't repeat them
>>here :-) .
>
>This is a minefield, there are those who find Lucas .....adequate
>You willl have to buy a car and find out for yourself!!
>
>Welcome to the threshold of an MG career! - you will certainly learn a
>great deal from the members of this list and if you take the plunge im
>sure you will enjoy the cameraderie of MG owners both here and at shows
>and the like -
>You'll also lose all the skin on all your knuckes and find new ways to
>use expletives youd forgotten you knew!
>
>mike robson
>69 roadster
>70 BGT
>72 roadster
>
>
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