[owner-mgs@Autox.Team.Net: BOUNCE mgs@Autox.Team.Net: Non-member submission
from [Steve Dillen <SDILLEN@ismbc.com>]]
Date: 9 Apr 1997 15:47:16 PDT
From: Steve Dillen <SDILLEN@ismbc.com>
Subject: '74 MGB
Well, I'm hooked again. . .Just bought a '74 B (November '73) that is now my
newest project.
Previously, I'd owned a '68 Spitfire that I basically purchased in a box about
8 years ago, and a Midget that I started off as borrowing from a friend of
mine -- and found out the hard way that he'd never changed the oil as I spun
a rod bearing while going down the freeway. . .
So about 6 weeks ago, I put an ad in the paper, listing "Wanted -- Running or
not. . .", and after looking at a number of real basket cases, bought one
that actually started and ran (sort of), but had no real rust problems and a
fairly good interior for $800. Had it towed home and started tearing into it.
First -- compression test: 125 in cyl 3 and 4 (well, that's kind of marginal),
and 75 in 1 and 2. Hmm. . .engine out of the car and torn down. Turns out
the largest piece of ring I pulled out of the block was about 1/4" long.
Here's where I am now. . .
The crankshaft could be polished and has been left STD. Cylinders are being
bored to .030", and new pistons are on the way. I need new lifters as the
old ones are extremely pitted (not exactly sure why. . .). Also need to
replace 1 valve (seems to be bent), and am looking at changing the oil pump
since there's scoring in it where it apparently picked up ring pieces.
Now -- a few questions
1. What advice can anyone give about having the head work done, especially
related to the valve seats? Do I need to replace the valve seats for any
reason other than pitting/wear?
2. I've read a number of comments about head gaskets -- leaking between cyl
2 and 3? Advice or comments?
3. At this point I'm leaning on building the engine as stock. Of course
I keep hearing these voices that say 'since the engine's torn down anyway. . .'
What are reasonable things to do to the engine from a performance/reliability/
durability standpoint -- the car will be driven daily. . .
4. Anything else that will save excess headache. . .
Overall, I'm expecting to spend somewhere around $1000 - $1200 on the engine,
and will then do the regular continuous British Car maintenance/improvement
that I've sort of missed. . .
Body wise, the chrome is in good shape, the paint in fair, the top about a
year old. New exhaust system (January '96), new brakes (June '96). I'm
not sure about the condition of the suspension yet -- I do know that I have
to replace the U-bolts on the rear axle as they're stripped.
Steve Dillen (sdillen@ismbc.com)
ISM(BC) Mobility Business Centre
200 - 4260 Still Creek Drive
Burnaby, BC V5C 6C6 (604) 451-2184
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