Subject: Re: [Mgs] '65B Restoration Status, How to Proceed

From: dave n via Mgs <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2015 10:04:44 -0600

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do not take it to a shop that has not worked on old british cars.  they =
don=E2=80=99t have a clue and won=E2=80=99t do it right.  your car will =
be bondo=E2=80=99d and a mess.  it is well worth taking to someone who =
has experience. =20

From: Dan DiBiase via Mgs=20
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2015 8:52 AM
To: MG List ; MGB Group=20
Subject: [Mgs] '65B Restoration Status, How to Proceed

I apologize for the length of this note.....

My '65 B has been stuck in limbo for a few years now, as circumstances =
have made it difficult for me to free up any time to work on this =
project. But I expect to have some
time this coming year to re-start.... Here is the background -

I purchased this car in 1999 with the intention of restoring it to =
(mostly) stock condition, not to be a concours car but an enjoyable =
driver. 'Mostly stock' meant, in my mind,=20

that it wouldn't necessarily be as it came from the factory - I want to =
put an O/D in it as well as upgraded tires, etc. The condition of the =
car was pretty darn good for a $600,
non-running example. There is one rust hole in the passenger's side =
rocker, so I assume that there is additional inside and on the other, =
although frankly they are in better
shape than the ones on my '76 B! Also some rust in the rear fender. But =
overall, the body is in good shape. Mechanically, the parts are all =
there but the engine accessories

were all removed when I bought the car and the engine itself is seized. =
It is probably the incorrect engine for the car, being a G-series 3 main =
bearing car - it should be a GB
5 main bearing engine based on the build date. I have a couple of GB =
blocks that are rebuildable. I may also just take the '75B engine out of =
my '76B and use that, as I expect
the '76B - being pretty rusty - to only have a few years of life left in =
the body....

Current status is 'mostly' stripped. Wiring loom, engine/trans, steering =
column all remain in the car. Everything else has been removed and =
stored away.

I'm at the point where I need to make a decision about proceeding. I am =
assuming that my next step would be to remove the engine/trans and =
wiring, and I can proceed to have
the body looked at...? I don't really have the skills/tools to do the =
welding work necessary to replace the rockers, nor am I really that =
interested in learning... ;-) The nearest MG=20

'specialists' are over an hour away but there are several reputable body =
shops in my area (at which I have had work done on my 'regular' cars). =
I'm wondering about thoughts on=20

using a regular shop. And also what sort of things I can do in terms of =
prep to reduce the cost of this work.=20

Other comments appreciated.

Oh, and lots of pictures are here =3D> =
http://s24.photobucket.com/user/ddibiase/library/1965%20MGB?sort=3D3&page=
=3D1

Thx,

Dan D
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<BODY dir=3Dltr>
<DIV dir=3Dltr>
<DIV style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">
<DIV>do not take it to a shop that has not worked on old british =
cars.&nbsp;=20
they don=E2=80=99t have a clue and won=E2=80=99t do it right.&nbsp; your =
car will be bondo=E2=80=99d and=20
a mess.&nbsp; it is well worth taking to someone who has =
experience.&nbsp;=20
</DIV>
<DIV=20
style=3D'FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: =
"Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; =
DISPLAY: inline'>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt tahoma">
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style=3D"BACKGROUND: #f5f5f5">
<DIV style=3D"font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A =
title=[email-masked]=20
href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]">Dan DiBiase via Mgs</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, February 19, 2015 8:52 AM</DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=[email-masked] =
href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]">MG=20
List</A> ; <A title=[email-masked]=20
href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]">MGB Group</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> [Mgs] '65B Restoration Status, How to=20
Proceed</DIV></DIV></DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
<DIV=20
style=3D'FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: =
"Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; =
DISPLAY: inline'>
<DIV=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12px; FONT-FAMILY: helveticaneue, helvetica neue, =
helvetica, arial, lucida grande, sans-serif; COLOR: #000; =
BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fff">
<DIV id=3Dyiv9191085328>
<DIV id=3Dyui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_21187=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12px; FONT-FAMILY: helveticaneue, helvetica neue, =
helvetica, arial, lucida grande, sans-serif; COLOR: #000; =
BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fff">
<DIV id=3Dyiv9191085328yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_17213 dir=3Dltr>I =
apologize for=20
the length of this note.....<BR></DIV>
<DIV id=3Dyiv9191085328yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_17259 =
dir=3Dltr>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV id=3Dyiv9191085328yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_17260 dir=3Dltr>
<DIV id=3Dyui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_22104>My '65 B has been stuck in =
limbo for a=20
few years now, as circumstances have made it difficult for me to free up =
any=20
time to work on this project. But I expect to have some</DIV>
<DIV id=3Dyui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_22134 dir=3Dltr>time this coming =
year to=20
re-start.... Here is the background -</DIV></DIV>
<DIV id=3Dyiv9191085328yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_17261 =
dir=3Dltr>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV id=3Dyiv9191085328yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_17262 dir=3Dltr>I =
purchased this=20
car in 1999 with the intention of restoring it to (mostly) stock =
condition, not=20
to be a concours car but an enjoyable driver. 'Mostly stock' meant, in =
my mind,=20
<BR></DIV>
<DIV id=3Dyiv9191085328yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_17528 dir=3Dltr>that =
it wouldn't=20
necessarily be as it came from the factory - I want to put an O/D in it =
as well=20
as upgraded tires, etc. The condition of the car was pretty darn good =
for a=20
$600,</DIV>
<DIV id=3Dyiv9191085328yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_17527 =
dir=3Dltr>non-running=20
example. There is one rust hole in the passenger's side rocker, so I =
assume that=20
there is additional inside and on the other, although frankly they are =
in=20
better</DIV>
<DIV id=3Dyiv9191085328yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_17438 dir=3Dltr>shape =
than the=20
ones on my '76 B! Also some rust in the rear fender. But overall, the =
body is in=20
good shape. Mechanically, the parts are all there but the engine=20
accessories<BR></DIV>
<DIV id=3Dyiv9191085328yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_17432 dir=3Dltr>were =
all removed=20
when I bought the car and the engine itself is seized. It is probably =
the=20
incorrect engine for the car, being a G-series 3 main bearing car - it =
should be=20
a GB</DIV>
<DIV id=3Dyiv9191085328yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_17470 dir=3Dltr>
<DIV id=3Dyui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_21811 dir=3Dltr>5 main bearing =
engine based on=20
the build date. I have a couple of GB blocks that are rebuildable. I may =
also=20
just take the '75B engine out of my '76B and use that, as I expect</DIV>
<DIV id=3Dyui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_21919 dir=3Dltr>the '76B - being =
pretty rusty -=20
to only have a few years of life left in the body....<BR></DIV></DIV>
<DIV id=3Dyiv9191085328yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_17515 =
dir=3Dltr>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV id=3Dyiv9191085328yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_17516 dir=3Dltr>
<DIV id=3Dyui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_21198>Current status is 'mostly' =
stripped.=20
Wiring loom, engine/trans, steering column all remain in the car. =
Everything=20
else has been removed and stored away.</DIV>
<DIV id=3Dyui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_21319>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV id=3Dyui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_21645 dir=3Dltr>I'm at the point =
where I need=20
to make a decision about proceeding. I am assuming that my next step =
would be to=20
remove the engine/trans and wiring, and I can proceed to have</DIV>
<DIV id=3Dyui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_21359 dir=3Dltr>the body looked =
at...? I don't=20
really have the skills/tools to do the welding work necessary to replace =
the=20
rockers, nor am I really that interested in learning... ;-) The nearest =
MG=20
<BR></DIV>
<DIV id=3Dyui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_21646 dir=3Dltr>'specialists' are =
over an hour=20
away but there are several reputable body shops in my area (at which I =
have had=20
work done on my 'regular' cars). I'm wondering about thoughts on =
<BR></DIV>
<DIV id=3Dyui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_21647 dir=3Dltr>using a regular =
shop. And also=20
what sort of things I can do in terms of prep to reduce the cost of this =
work.=20
<BR></DIV>
<DIV id=3Dyui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_21949 dir=3Dltr>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV id=3Dyui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_21950 dir=3Dltr>Other comments=20
appreciated.</DIV>
<DIV id=3Dyui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_22063 dir=3Dltr>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV id=3Dyui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_22017 dir=3Dltr>Oh, and lots of =
pictures are=20
here =3D&gt; <A id=3Dyui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_22016=20
href=3D"http://s24.photobucket.com/user/ddibiase/library/1965%20MGB?sort=3D=
3&amp;page=3D1">http://s24.photobucket.com/user/ddibiase/library/1965%20M=
GB?sort=3D3&amp;page=3D1</A><BR></DIV>
<DIV id=3Dyui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_21738 dir=3Dltr>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV id=3Dyui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_21739 dir=3Dltr>Thx,</DIV>
<DIV id=3Dyui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_21740 dir=3Dltr>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV id=3Dyui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_21741 dir=3Dltr>Dan=20
D</DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>

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From: David Ambrose via Mgs <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2015 10:12:58 -0800

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On 2/19/2015 8:04 AM, dave n via Mgs wrote:
> do not take it to a shop that has not worked on old british cars.  
> they don’t have a clue and won’t do it right.  your car will be 
> bondo’d and a mess.  it is well worth taking to someone who has 
> experience.
>
I think it really depends on the mindset of the shop doing the work. 
Can't hurt to talk to them.

MGB sills are a multilayer structure. Defects in the inner structure 
require removing everything on top. I suggest the best approach is to 
plan on replacing the whole structure, and stop when you run out of 
problems. The shop has to be willing and able to restore the body shell 
alignment prior to commencing its work. If it can't, the rest of the 
work will be for naught.

There will be lots of sandblasting and structural work. Not all shops 
are willing to undertake that.

Cheers,
Dave Ambrose

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    <div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 2/19/2015 8:04 AM, dave n via Mgs
      wrote:<br>
    </div>
    <blockquote
      cite="mid:[email-masked]"
      type="cite">
      <div dir="ltr">
        <div style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR:
          #000000">
          <div>do not take it to a shop that has not worked on old
            british cars.  they don’t have a clue and won’t do it
            right.  your car will be bondo’d and a mess.  it is well
            worth taking to someone who has experience.  </div>
          <div style="FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none;
            FONT-FAMILY: &quot;Calibri&quot;; FONT-WEIGHT: normal;
            COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline">
            <div style="FONT: 10pt tahoma">
              <div> </div>
              <br>
            </div>
          </div>
        </div>
      </div>
    </blockquote>
    I think it really depends on the mindset of the shop doing the work.
    Can't hurt to talk to them. <br>
    <br>
    MGB sills are a multilayer structure. Defects in the inner structure
    require removing everything on top. I suggest the best approach is
    to plan on replacing the whole structure, and stop when you run out
    of problems. The shop has to be willing and able to restore the body
    shell alignment prior to commencing its work. If it can't, the rest
    of the work will be for naught. <br>
    <br>
    There will be lots of sandblasting and structural work. Not all
    shops are willing to undertake that. <br>
    <br>
    Cheers,<br>
    Dave Ambrose<br>
    <br>
    <br>
    <br>
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[email-masked]

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From: Pete Ryner via Mgs <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2015 17:57:31 -0500

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I wouldn=E2=80=99t be concerned with a bondo job from a reputable shop, =
but if you need rockers and other major parts replaced, not just =
repaired I=E2=80=99d only take it to an experienced MG shop.  You have a =
great looking survivor that is worthy of a good restoration.  Wish mine =
was that clean. =20

Of course it isn=E2=80=99t my money and a good shop will cost thousands, =
typically more than what a completed MG is worth.  You didn=E2=80=99t =
mention where you live.  Is there a club in the area that may be able to =
help? =20

Good luck with the project
Pete

From: dave n via Mgs=20
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2015 11:04 AM
To: MG List ; MGB Group=20
Subject: Re: [Mgs] '65B Restoration Status, How to Proceed

Thx,

Dan D

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<BODY dir=3Dltr>
<DIV dir=3Dltr>
<DIV>I wouldn=E2=80=99t be concerned with a bondo job from a reputable =
shop, but if you=20
need rockers and other major parts replaced, not just repaired =
I=E2=80=99d only take it=20
to an experienced MG shop.&nbsp; You have a great looking survivor that =
is=20
worthy of a good restoration.&nbsp; Wish mine was that clean.&nbsp; =
<DIV>Of course it isn=E2=80=99t my money and a good shop will cost =
thousands, typically=20
more than what a completed MG is worth.&nbsp; You didn=E2=80=99t mention =
where you=20
live.&nbsp; Is there a club in the area that may be able to help?&nbsp; =
<DIV>Good luck with the project</DIV>
<DIV>Pete</DIV>
href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]">dave n via Mgs</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, February 19, 2015 11:04 AM</DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> Re: [Mgs] '65B Restoration Status, How to=20
D</DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV>
<P>
<HR>
_______________________________________________<BR><BR>[email-masked]=
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From: Barrie Robinson via Mgs <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2015 10:37:24 -0500

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Hello Peter,

I may be being too chatty but I have done a few=20
cars the latest being a 1957 Aston Martin.  The=20
one before was a build of an MGB GT V8 which=20
started as a "driver" but ended up as concours  -=20
but still driven all over the place except in=20
salt strewn winter. If you are going to do the=20
car up as a fun driver then I have the following suggestions

1) Take hundreds of photos (thank heavens for=20
digital cameras). File in separate=20
directories/folders such as Engine, Brakes, Front=20
Suspension, Dash, etc etc.  Photograph routes of=20
wiring, brake and fuel lines as well as=20
connections to things such as heater hoses, brake=20
cylinders and electrical blocks.

2) Never throw anything away. Keep a special box for all the bits

3) Replace the wiring with a "point to point"=20
wiring system.  They are many suppliers of such=20
systems.  I used one from Dan Masters for the MGB=20
and I am delighted.   Such a system makes trouble=20
shooting a breeze - and provides high=20
reliability. Unless you want to go 100% concours=20
then chuck the original wiring system (but keep in "old parts" box

4) Do not have your chassis chemically cleaned=20
unless you are satisfied that the company really=20
really undertakes a proper rinsing.   Sand blasting is a safer bet.

5) Before you put anything on the cleaned chassis=20
squirt stuff inside. The best is Dinitrol which=20
is not available in NA as it is too expensive -=20
it lasts 10 times longer than other stuff but NA=20
customers go for cheap not for good.  I bought a=20
case from an aircraft supplies company (it is used in the aircraft=
 industry!).

6)  Buy a rotary tumbler.  I had a few and Harbor=20
Freight had the best.  Buy sharp sand from a=20
building supplies place and  ground walnut shells=20
from a pet store - it is sold as kitty litter!

7) Collect all you nuts, bolts and funny little=20
metal bits - Run them in the tumbler for a couple=20
of days (longer the better) using the sharp=20
sand.   Run any electrical parts and other such=20
delicate parts such as fuse holders using the=20
kitty litter.  Block any holes to stop ingress of cleaning media.

8) Take all nuts and bolts and small metal parts=20
to a cadmium plater.......if you can find one=20
!!  If you so desire cadmium will polish up with=20
a brief touch of the electric grinder wire brush-=20
Wear a mask  as cadmium is regarded as toxic.

9) When you have dismantled all the suspension=20
etc take them to be powder coated.   This is not=20
inexpensive but if you are going to use the car=20
it will pay off.   ALL my parts on the MGB and=20
Aston were done - even brackets, brake fluid=20
container, master cylinder, rear axle, front=20
suspension etc, and all inside stuff..

10) Buy a whole pile of those plastic containers=20
with dividers, label and put parts in according=20
to their use.  Nuts and bolts are easily=20
sorted.  I found that the best were the least=20
high,1-2" ,  were the most useful. I also got=20
single higher ones for the fuel sender and=20
reserve petrol off-take thing but that may be an=20
overkill (but it has proved useful!!)

11)  Check out what suppliers are out there - I=20
have found sources that will willingly sell=20
direct to enthusiasts and one can get 50%=20
discounts sometimes - Mind you having a club name=20
helps - got a 50% discount on rubber parts buying=20
as the AMF Club.   I found a good place for BSF=20
nuts and bolts, engine mountings and there are good Lucas bits suppliers.

12) Last and not least - ask around as there are=20
far more erudite blokes on the list that know far more than I do !!!

I had a chuckle at the comments about bondo -=20
Both my "classic" Maseratis had bondo=20
!  Apparently the factory was not too shy in=20
using it !!   Also never understand the view=20
taken on costs of restoring.   My next door=20
neighbour looked at my MGB GT V8 and was aghast=20
when I told him the resto cost - He said I would=20
never get my costs back.   I pointed to his now 2=20
year old superb European car and asked how much=20
he would get for his car.  So his could=20
depreciate like mad but mine was all wrong=20
because it also lost "depreciation". Huh?

Oh!  One more thing !!  Manuals are sometimes=20
wrong - rarely admittedly, but it does happen.

At 05:57 PM 2/19/2015 -0500, Pete Ryner via Mgs wrote:
>I wouldn=E2=80=99t be concerned with a bondo job from=20
>a reputable shop, but if you need rockers and=20
>other major parts replaced, not just repaired=20
>I=E2=80=99d only take it to an experienced MG=20
>shop.  You have a great looking survivor that is=20
>worthy of a good restoration.  Wish mine was that clean.
>
>Of course it isn=E2=80=99t my money and a good shop=20
>will cost thousands, typically more than what a=20
>completed MG is worth.  You didn=E2=80=99t mention=20
>where you live.  Is there a club in the area that may be able to help?
>
>do not take it to a shop that has not worked on=20
>old british cars.  they don=E2=80=99t have a clue and=20
>won=E2=80=99t do it right.  your car will be bondo=E2=80=99d=20
>and a mess.  it is well worth taking to someone who has experience.
>
>My '65 B has been stuck in limbo for a few years=20
>now, as circumstances have made it difficult for=20
>me to free up any time to work on this project. But I expect to have some
>I purchased this car in 1999 with the intention=20
>of restoring it to (mostly) stock condition, not=20
>to be a concours car but an enjoyable driver.=20
>'Mostly stock' meant, in my mind,
>that it wouldn't necessarily be as it came from=20
>the factory - I want to put an O/D in it as well=20
>as upgraded tires, etc. The condition of the car=20
>was pretty darn good for a $600,
>non-running example. There is one rust hole in=20
>the passenger's side rocker, so I assume that=20
>there is additional inside and on the other,=20
>shape than the ones on my '76 B! Also some rust=20
>in the rear fender. But overall, the body is in=20
>good shape. Mechanically, the parts are all there but the engine=
 accessories
>were all removed when I bought the car and the=20
>engine itself is seized. It is probably the=20
>incorrect engine for the car, being a G-series 3=20
>main bearing car - it should be a GB
>5 main bearing engine based on the build date. I=20
>have a couple of GB blocks that are rebuildable.=20
>I may also just take the '75B engine out of my '76B and use that, as I=
 expect
>the '76B - being pretty rusty - to only have a=20
>few years of life left in the body....
>
>Current status is 'mostly' stripped. Wiring=20
>loom, engine/trans, steering column all remain=20
>in the car. Everything else has been removed and stored away.
>
>I'm at the point where I need to make a decision=20
>about proceeding. I am assuming that my next=20
>step would be to remove the engine/trans and wiring, and I can proceed to=
 have
>the body looked at...? I don't really have the=20
>skills/tools to do the welding work necessary to=20
>replace the rockers, nor am I really that=20
>interested in learning... ;-) The nearest MG
>'specialists' are over an hour away but there=20
>are several reputable body shops in my area (at=20
>which I have had work done on my 'regular'=20
>cars). I'm wondering about thoughts on
>using a regular shop. And also what sort of=20
>things I can do in terms of prep to reduce the cost of this work.
>
>Oh, and lots of pictures are here =3D>=20
><http://s24.photobucket.com/user/ddibiase/library/1965%20MGB?sort=3D3&page=
=3D1>http://s24.photobucket.com/user/ddibiase/library/1965%20MGB?sort=3D3&pa=
ge=3D1
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Regards,
Barrie

Barrie Robinson                         Go with the flow - but paddle hard
MGB GT V8 in concours condition
Aston Martin DB 2/4 MkII under restoration
www.AMFClub.com
www.britcot.com
www.vectisgroup.ca
[email-masked]
Barrie, Ontario
705-721-9060=20
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Hello Peter,<br><br>
I may be being too chatty but I have done a few cars the latest being a
1957 Aston Martin.&nbsp; The one before was a build of an MGB GT V8 which
started as a &quot;driver&quot; but ended up as concours&nbsp; - but
still driven all over the place except in salt strewn winter. If you are
going to do the car up as a fun driver then I have the following
suggestions<br><br>
1) Take hundreds of photos (thank heavens for digital cameras). File in
separate directories/folders such as Engine, Brakes, Front Suspension,
Dash, etc etc.&nbsp; Photograph routes of wiring, brake and fuel lines as
well as connections to things such as heater hoses, brake cylinders and
electrical blocks.<br><br>
2) Never throw <i>anything</i> away. Keep a special box for all the
bits<br><br>
3) Replace the wiring with a &quot;point to point&quot; wiring
system.&nbsp; They are many suppliers of such systems.&nbsp; I used one
from Dan Masters for the MGB and I am delighted.&nbsp;&nbsp; Such a
system makes trouble shooting a breeze - and provides high reliability.
Unless you want to go 100% concours then chuck the original wiring system
(but keep in &quot;old parts&quot; box<br><br>
4) Do not have your chassis chemically cleaned <b>unless</b> you are
satisfied that the company <b>really really </b>undertakes a proper
rinsing.&nbsp;&nbsp; Sand blasting is a safer bet.<br><br>
5) Before you put anything on the cleaned chassis squirt stuff inside.
The best is Dinitrol which is not available in NA as it is too expensive
- it lasts 10 times longer than other stuff but NA customers go for cheap
not for good.&nbsp; I bought a case from an aircraft supplies company (it
is used in the aircraft industry!).<br><br>
6)&nbsp; Buy a rotary tumbler.&nbsp; I had a few and Harbor Freight had
the best.&nbsp; Buy sharp sand from a building supplies place and&nbsp;
ground walnut shells from a pet store - it is sold as kitty
litter!<br><br>
7) Collect all you nuts, bolts and funny little metal bits - Run them in
the tumbler for a couple of days (longer the better) using the sharp
sand.&nbsp;&nbsp; Run any electrical parts and other such delicate parts
such as fuse holders using the kitty litter.&nbsp; Block any holes to
stop ingress of cleaning media.<br><br>
8) Take all nuts and bolts and small metal parts to a cadmium
plater.......if you can find one !!&nbsp; If you so desire cadmium will
polish up with a brief touch of the electric grinder wire brush- Wear a
mask&nbsp; as cadmium is regarded as toxic.<br><br>
9) When you have dismantled all the suspension etc take them to be powder
coated.&nbsp;&nbsp; This is not inexpensive but if you are going to use
the car it will pay off.&nbsp;&nbsp; ALL my parts on the MGB and Aston
were done - even brackets, brake fluid container, master cylinder, rear
axle, front suspension etc, and all inside stuff..<br><br>
10) Buy a whole pile of those plastic containers with dividers, label and
put parts in according to their use.&nbsp; Nuts and bolts are easily
sorted.&nbsp; I found that the best were the least high,1-2&quot; ,&nbsp;
were the most useful. I also got single higher ones for the fuel sender
and reserve petrol off-take thing but that may be an overkill (but it has
proved useful!!)<br><br>
11)&nbsp; Check out what suppliers are out there - I have found sources
that will willingly sell direct to enthusiasts and one can get 50%
discounts sometimes - Mind you having a club name helps - got a 50%
discount on rubber parts buying as the AMF Club.&nbsp;&nbsp; I found a
good place for BSF nuts and bolts, engine mountings and there are good
Lucas bits suppliers.<br><br>
12) Last and not least - ask around as there are far more erudite blokes
on the list that know far more than I do !!!<br><br>
I had a chuckle at the comments about bondo - Both my &quot;classic&quot;
Maseratis had bondo !&nbsp; Apparently the factory was not too shy in
using it !!&nbsp;&nbsp; Also never understand the view taken on costs of
restoring.&nbsp;&nbsp; My next door neighbour looked at my MGB GT V8 and
was aghast when I told him the resto cost - He said I would never get my
costs back.&nbsp;&nbsp; I pointed to his now 2 year old superb European
car and asked how much he would get for his car.&nbsp; So his could
depreciate like mad but mine was all wrong because it also lost
&quot;depreciation&quot;. Huh?<br><br>
Oh!&nbsp; One more thing !!&nbsp; Manuals are sometimes wrong - rarely
admittedly, but it does happen.<br><br>
<br><br>
At 05:57 PM 2/19/2015 -0500, Pete Ryner via Mgs wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=3Dcite class=3Dcite cite=3D"">I wouldn=E2=80=99t be=
 concerned with a
bondo job from a reputable shop, but if you need rockers and other major
parts replaced, not just repaired I=E2=80=99d only take it to an experienced=
 MG
shop.&nbsp; You have a great looking survivor that is worthy of a good
restoration.&nbsp; Wish mine was that clean.&nbsp; <br>
&nbsp;<br>
Of course it isn=E2=80=99t my money and a good shop will cost thousands,
typically more than what a completed MG is worth.&nbsp; You didn=E2=80=99t
mention where you live.&nbsp; Is there a club in the area that may be
able to help?&nbsp; <br>
&nbsp;<br>
Good luck with the project<br>
Pete<br>
&nbsp;<br>
<b>From:</b> <a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]">dave n via Mgs</a> <br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, February 19, 2015 11:04 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]">MG List</a> ;
<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]">MGB Group</a> <br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Mgs] '65B Restoration Status, How to Proceed<br>
&nbsp;<br>
do not take it to a shop that has not worked on old british cars.&nbsp;
they don=E2=80=99t have a clue and won=E2=80=99t do it right.&nbsp; your car=
 will be
bondo=E2=80=99d and a mess.&nbsp; it is well worth taking to someone who has
experience.&nbsp; <br>
&nbsp;<br>
<b>From:</b> <a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]">Dan DiBiase via Mgs</a>
<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, February 19, 2015 8:52 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]">MG List</a> ;
<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]">MGB Group</a> <br>
<b>Subject:</b> [Mgs] '65B Restoration Status, How to Proceed<br>
&nbsp;<br>
I apologize for the length of this note.....<br>
&nbsp;<br>
My '65 B has been stuck in limbo for a few years now, as circumstances
have made it difficult for me to free up any time to work on this
project. But I expect to have some<br>
time this coming year to re-start.... Here is the background -<br>
&nbsp;<br>
I purchased this car in 1999 with the intention of restoring it to
(mostly) stock condition, not to be a concours car but an enjoyable
driver. 'Mostly stock' meant, in my mind, <br>
that it wouldn't necessarily be as it came from the factory - I want to
put an O/D in it as well as upgraded tires, etc. The condition of the car
was pretty darn good for a $600,<br>
non-running example. There is one rust hole in the passenger's side
rocker, so I assume that there is additional inside and on the other,
although frankly they are in better<br>
shape than the ones on my '76 B! Also some rust in the rear fender. But
overall, the body is in good shape. Mechanically, the parts are all there
but the engine accessories<br>
were all removed when I bought the car and the engine itself is seized.
It is probably the incorrect engine for the car, being a G-series 3 main
bearing car - it should be a GB<br>
5 main bearing engine based on the build date. I have a couple of GB
blocks that are rebuildable. I may also just take the '75B engine out of
my '76B and use that, as I expect<br>
the '76B - being pretty rusty - to only have a few years of life left in
the body....<br>
&nbsp;<br>
Current status is 'mostly' stripped. Wiring loom, engine/trans, steering
column all remain in the car. Everything else has been removed and stored
away.<br>
&nbsp;<br>
I'm at the point where I need to make a decision about proceeding. I am
assuming that my next step would be to remove the engine/trans and
wiring, and I can proceed to have<br>
the body looked at...? I don't really have the skills/tools to do the
welding work necessary to replace the rockers, nor am I really that
interested in learning... ;-) The nearest MG <br>
'specialists' are over an hour away but there are several reputable body
shops in my area (at which I have had work done on my 'regular' cars).
I'm wondering about thoughts on <br>
using a regular shop. And also what sort of things I can do in terms of
prep to reduce the cost of this work. <br>
&nbsp;<br>
Other comments appreciated.<br>
&nbsp;<br>
Oh, and lots of pictures are here =3D&gt;
<a href=3D"http://s24.photobucket.com/user/ddibiase/library/1965%20MGB?sort=
=3D3&amp;page=3D1">
http://s24.photobucket.com/user/ddibiase/library/1965%20MGB?sort=3D3&amp;pag=
e=3D1</a>
<br>
&nbsp;<br>
Thx,<br>
&nbsp;<br>
Dan D<br><br>
<hr>
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<x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>
Regards,&nbsp;&nbsp; <br>
Barrie<br><br>
Barrie
Robinson<x-tab>&nbsp;</x-tab><x-tab>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</x-tab><x-tab>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</x-tab><x-tab>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</x-tab>Go with the flow
- but paddle hard<br>
MGB GT V8 in concours condition<br>
Aston Martin DB 2/4 MkII under restoration<br>
<a href=3D"http://www.amfclub.com/" eudora=3D"autourl">www.AMFClub.com<br>
</a><a href=3D"http://www.britcot.com/" eudora=3D"autourl">www.britcot.com<b=
r>
</a><a href=3D"http://www.vectisgroup.ca/" eudora=3D"autourl">
www.vectisgroup.ca<br>
</a>[email-masked]<br>
Barrie, Ontario<br>
705-721-9060</body>
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