I believe that is probably a correct assumption. In addition to all the
other electrical faults I mentioned, the wipers and most all the gages have
been inoperative as well. I guess the little car felt sorry for me (or
perhaps a little worried) during these frustrating times of mine because as
I was driving to work this morning it of course starts raining. So here I
am trying to peer around the rain drops accumulating upon the wind screen
when I decide I had better pull over until the weather let up a bit. Low
and behold, everything started working again just like that, wipers, gages,
brake lights, the whole nine yards (with exception to the tach and reverse
lights which have never worked). I guess my little G doesn't hate me as
much as I thought it did!
As you mentioned, it's probably just a wire or two that is loose or
corroded, but that rats nest of a wiring harness I got so far has eluded me
and the dang wiring diagram in that Haynes manual I have gives me a headache
just looking at it. Does anyone know where I might score a wiring schematic
for a 78 MGB?
As far Texas is concerned, I'll be heading to Ft Hood (which is about an
hour drive from Austin) on or about the 20th of August. I'll be towing the
car behind a 98 Ford F150 4x4. I'm hoping to rent a flat bed trailer for
this mission, but after pricing around a trailer will cost me about twice as
much as a tow dolly would. Casual inquiries so far have qouted me $400 for
the trailer, $200 for the dolly. Would I be better off to eat the
additional cost getting all four wheels off the ground with a trailer or to
economize with the dolly?
-----Original Message-----
From: Harlan Jillson [mailto:hjillson@argohouston.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 03, 2000 8:48 AM
To: Ernest S.
Subject: Re: An Introduction
Ernest,
Not a problem. Sounds like you've got some corroded grounds to start
with. If your little beasty isn't overcome with the rust worm, then I'd say
go ahead a keep it and fix it up.
When are you coming to Texas, and which part are you headed for? There's
several people on the list from different parts of Texas, and I'm sure help
will be available. (Austin area, Dallas/Ft.Worth, Houston.. to name a few
places).
Harlan
Houston
---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: "Ernest S." <ernestern@home.com>
Reply-To: "Ernest S." <ernestern@home.com>
Date: Wed, 3 May 2000 08:10:49 -0700
>Greetings all,
>
>Being that I'm a newbie to the list, I'd figure I'd take a moment to
>introduce myself and my precious, little beast. I currently hail from the
>great northwest, Tacoma WA to be exact, but will be relocating to Texas
come
>the fall. I've owned a 1978 MGB for the last 14 years which has seen
>various states of repair (or lack thereof) during that time frame. The
most
>devastating period for the poor thing was when I was living in Germany. I
>had left the vehicle with my inlaws while I was out of the country who had
>left me the impression it was to be stored in a covered facility, on
blocks,
>etc. Needless to say, when I came back home, I was not too pleased to find
>it parked in the back yard where three years of baking Tennessee sun had
>ravaged a new paint job and anything made of plastic or rubber.
>
>Well, that was five years ago and the poor car hasn't been the same since.
>It has been a constant struggle keeping the thing on the road and it is
>becoming increasingly difficult justifying keeping it (at least in my
wife's
>opinion). It has always been my desire to see my son take his date to the
>Prom in it come the year 2008, but I fear that might not be enough time to
>get it ready.
>
>The car's current condition is fair at best. The body is in pretty good
>shape, the interior has been mostly refurbished, and it runs pretty well
>(although I think it could use a valve job), but the wiring is in a pitiful
>state. After having it hybernate all winter for wiring problems, I've
>finally gotten it on the road again, but wiring problems still abound. No
>horn, no signals, heater fan, brake lights, the battery will drain if it
>sits for more than three days, etc. Being that I'm neither a mechanically
>inclined man (although I can read a shop manual and have surprised myself
>with some of the repairs I've made) nor a rich man, the car's desire to sit
>broken seems to be prevailing. The wife has even made the offer to buy me
>another MG if I'd get rid it (I think she's a bit jealous because I've
owned
>that car longer than we have been married). I'm half-tempted to take her
up
>on that offer, but that car and I have been through alot together and I'd
>hate to see another MG go way of the junk heap.
>
>I'm on this list for words of encouragement and for advice on getting this
>car ready for my son's big night out which is just a mere eight years
>away.... Hopefully some of you all can help me out! :)
>
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