Since I've owned my '76 B almost exactly as long, I thought I would add it
up and compare. I'm guessing that Bud has some accounting/finance background
(capitalized?)
My totals: 3/3/99-10/2/99
5957 miles (163,250) (plus 1 month w/o speedo/odometer)
Gas:284 gal. 20.94 mpg
Cost:$369 (0.062/mi)
Replaced alternator/air pump
Other minor:
Speedo cable, gas gauge sending unit, heater control cable, door seals &
various light bulbs
1 tow - Due to carb diaphragm
Due next:
Manual choke conversion, adjust valves, re-torque head, rebuild/adjust carb,
replace F/R shocks & bushings, take out dents and paint.
Thanks again to Gary & Ray for their assistance!
Space isn't remote at all. It's only an hour's drive away if your car could
go straight upwards.
-Sir Fred Hoyle, British Astronomer
Steve Conley
Marysville, WA USA
'76 MGB Roadster
GHN5UG393585G
mailto:swconley@foxinternet.net
MGB Online = http://web3.foxinternet.net/swconley
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-mgs@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-mgs@autox.team.net]On
Behalf Of Bud Krueger
Sent: Saturday, October 02, 1999 9:21 PM
To: MG List
Subject: 10,204 mile report
Hi folks,
On May 17 I gave a report on the first 3,765 commuting miles
using
the 77B. For those interested, the 10,000 mile plateau was crossed this
week so
here's the story:
Time period: 7 months (3/2/99 thru 9/30/99)
Miles covered: 10,204 (present mileage: 74,683)
Fuel used: 485.17 gallons (87 octane)=21.03 mpg
Fuel cost: $569.22 ($.0558/mile)
Oil used: 34 qts
Oil cost: $45.12
Oil filters: 4 = $24.00
# of catastophic failures, i.e., had to be towed home: 1 (front u-joint
broke);
(no time lost, replaced with part on hand from old TD driveshaft)
Discretionary down time: 1 week (to replace rings)
Items to erase DPO problems:
(Re-) installed correct master cylinder, brake lines and power brake servo.
Totla cost, including new master cylinders (clutch and brake), used servo
and
pedal box, new brake lines and used intake manifold (for brake vacuum):
$370.
Installed new rings. Discovered that all compression rings were broken and
rod
bearings were showing a bit of copper. Classic indications of detonation
from
running too advanced/too high compression/too low octane, take your pick.
Found
that the head had been shaved at least .060" and was warped by .009".
Elected
to buy a reconditioned head from Lawrie Alexander for $375. Cost for the
parts
to do the rings/bearings, etc.: $190. Project cost: $375 + 190= $565 which
should be capitalized over the next 50 to 60,000 miles.
Also, re-plumbed the heater lines to a way will allow me to have heat this
winter, cost about $25.
If I hadn't been so stupid a couple of weeks ago and allowed the u-joint to
fail, I'd be able to say that the car has been absolutely dependable and had
never let me down. It has never failed to start and it's been a lot of fun.
Next on the list: find someone to replace the windshield and associated
seals.
I'm tired of the 'wet-left-leg-when-it-rains' trick.
Keep on drivin'
Bud Krueger
52TD (sits in for the B once in a while)
77MGB (110 miles/day)
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