1974 MGB GT V8 - the homework continues...

I can only say, "What a lovely pair." Or should that be two pairs?

Thank you!

Glad everyone had a good time.

Shame, if it was Peso, I'd have raided My Little Bottle Opener's money box.

Actually, I wouldn't. It makes Fort Knox look like Lego.

Just love the Series 5 shape, having had the rear fins trimmed.

It was good to see you (both) at the NEC and great to see the BGT in the flesh! Looking forward to following the next stage.

Remember these?

Well it seems they are haunting me...



Madam got bought a pair for Christmas (and no not by me!)

In other news - Happy New Year all

It's your car you wanted to do it.

Right finally got round to updating this thread given much of the effort has been on the Celica of late for various reasons.

So those of you who have seen the aforementioned Celica thread will know that I've been allowed some 'homework' while this lockdown business goes on - that was somewhat predictable! I'm not alone however as SWMBO has also set up shop with various A35 parts


Anyway, in addition to some of the Celica parts I'm going to dig out the loft for cleaning/repair, I've snuck away a few MG parts that I want to get my head around and see what I'm missing. First of those was the new front cover


It's slightly different from the usual SD1 or P6 covers with a distributor drive oil pump, instead this one has a crank driven pump which in theory gives increased oil pressure and flow. Guess we'll find out in time, but as with all these things, changing one thing leads to another...

So tenuously linked is what goes in it, yup the previously mentioned old distributor, well a small part that I needed from it (Have you any idea how expensive those small gear drives are?!), rather predictably it's getting replaced


While doing everything else, it made sense to upgrade the ignition set up, so after conversations with various folk, the 123 was the recommended route for the set up I'm going to have. I then had two options, USB or Bluetooth, while very tempted by the latter I wasn't wholly convinced by the merits of a bluetooth version so have stuck with the tried and tested USB variant. Too many software glitches and horror stories for my liking, though I can imagine in time it will get better and probably become the norm.

Also on the homework list is the steering rack and rear brakes, both fairly simple rebuilds from memory, I'd also like to get the rear axle at some stage so I can test build the suspension before cleaning, painting and reassembling everything, alas I ran out of room in the car so that might be a mission for another day while I'm out delivering supplies to the outlaws.

Lastly for now, some more goodies have arrived from those rather good folk in Abingdon - I know you lot love a good game of what's in the box


Just hope they are well packed as at some stage someone has decided to test that theory using their size 9's

Oooh, ooh, ooh I know! It's expensive, that's what it is

For those not in the know Frontline is usually pronounced "HOW MUCH?!"

While avoiding opening boxes under the watchful eye of her ladyship (not easy given the current situation!), it was time to get on with a few other minor 'lockdown' jobs.

Due to the lack of a workshop here, the utility has been turned into the 'war room' for wayward MG and Austin parts 


the eagle eyed amongst you will have spotted one of the first and (I hope!) more simple jobs - the steering rack. It doesn't have much play and so just needs a light overhaul and a bit of a refresh looks wise


Thanks to adam73bgt 's superb efforts in his thread I already know the steps to follow

Also on the tinker with list for the evenings are a few more engine-related parts, mainly to make sure I have everything I need. Inlet manifold got a couple of new additions, worth test fitting as the bolts that came with the thermostat housing were too long and needed shortening


still need a few more minor bits yet... that'll please SWMBO when the postman arrives 

While on duty delivering supplies to the in-laws I snuck in to the workshop for a few hours mental respite... the celica progress during that time is on that thread , but there were a couple of jobs related to the GT that I wanted to get done to allow for some more 'home work'

First thing was to make a couple of minor modifications to the rear axle for the suspension upgrades and ahead of giving it a new lick of paint. The two bits to go were the brackets for the axle straps and a couple of minor tabs



Soon sliced and diced




Before the last job, well for the MG bits at least, of a good going over with the wire wheel.


Will get that treated and painted this week hopefully