MGB GT Unfinished project. Worst case scenario?
Discussion
Just been chatting to a guy with a 1971 GT for sale, that's just had a load of welding done with new floors, new wings and new sills.
It's had a full respray, uprated suspension and reconditioned brakes. A newly refurbished interior and a brand new set of minilites on low profile tyres.
It looks like a great usable car but it needs a couple of things for the MOT. Pregnancy forces sale
Apparently the lights need wiring up. What's the worst case scenario on one of these? Surely they can't be that tricky to wire up?
raying:
Also, the overdrive isn't connected and as such remains untested. Now, clearly it would be lovely for that to work with no problems but I don't want to walk into a potential gearbox rebuild. It's the dash mounted type of overdrive.
Once I know what's what, I can head up and make him an offer. Thanks in advance
Here's the advert...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
dwB2k~$(KGrHgoOKicEjlLmYvG8BKEVrczm6w~~_12.JPG)
It's had a full respray, uprated suspension and reconditioned brakes. A newly refurbished interior and a brand new set of minilites on low profile tyres.
It looks like a great usable car but it needs a couple of things for the MOT. Pregnancy forces sale
Apparently the lights need wiring up. What's the worst case scenario on one of these? Surely they can't be that tricky to wire up?
raying:Also, the overdrive isn't connected and as such remains untested. Now, clearly it would be lovely for that to work with no problems but I don't want to walk into a potential gearbox rebuild. It's the dash mounted type of overdrive.
Once I know what's what, I can head up and make him an offer. Thanks in advance
Here's the advert...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
Just tried the link and it's listed as sold. Whether this one or any other, the key is to buy one that is honest - either completely unrestored (in which case budget for the worst case) or fully restored with the pictures to prove it (and pay the going rate). Anything in between really is a case of seeing how far someone has gone, the quality of the work done and then make an allowance for what has not been done.
In the case of the one you list, I'd be looking at how well the panels have been fitted (even gaps all round, whether full panels or repair sections have been used, and the condition of other important areas that haven't been done, such as the rear spring hangers, and what preparation was done to the shell before respraying. If there are no pictures of the work being done, then either walk away or take your chance.
Mechanically and electrically, the B is pretty straightforward and relatively cheap to rebuild. With a trusty manual (Haynes or a reprint of the factory version) wiring is relatively easy (power to switch to component to earth) and the gearboxes and overdrives are generally robust; working upwards in severity and expense, most often, a non-working overdrive just needs a gearbox oil change and the overdrive filter cleaning out, then after that it's a case of testing the electrical circuit of the switch, the vacuum/electrical relay, the gearbox switch or finally the solenoid. Easiest check first is to apply power directly to the solenoid wire from a battery - if it clicks like a good 'un everytime you apply power directly, then it'll be something in the rest of the circuit.
MG Mark
In the case of the one you list, I'd be looking at how well the panels have been fitted (even gaps all round, whether full panels or repair sections have been used, and the condition of other important areas that haven't been done, such as the rear spring hangers, and what preparation was done to the shell before respraying. If there are no pictures of the work being done, then either walk away or take your chance.
Mechanically and electrically, the B is pretty straightforward and relatively cheap to rebuild. With a trusty manual (Haynes or a reprint of the factory version) wiring is relatively easy (power to switch to component to earth) and the gearboxes and overdrives are generally robust; working upwards in severity and expense, most often, a non-working overdrive just needs a gearbox oil change and the overdrive filter cleaning out, then after that it's a case of testing the electrical circuit of the switch, the vacuum/electrical relay, the gearbox switch or finally the solenoid. Easiest check first is to apply power directly to the solenoid wire from a battery - if it clicks like a good 'un everytime you apply power directly, then it'll be something in the rest of the circuit.
MG Mark
It's not sold. It didn't make reserve mate
On the subject of bodywork, I'll obviously have a good poke around, but if it's as described I don't think I'll find anything. It sounds like it's had a fair amount of metal. If it does turn out to need some, then I do have a pet bodyshop that could help out.
Thanks for the info re: the overdrive. It looks as if gearboxes are cheap enough anyway should it need anything major
On the subject of bodywork, I'll obviously have a good poke around, but if it's as described I don't think I'll find anything. It sounds like it's had a fair amount of metal. If it does turn out to need some, then I do have a pet bodyshop that could help out.
Thanks for the info re: the overdrive. It looks as if gearboxes are cheap enough anyway should it need anything major
paoloh said:
Mine went in for its MOT today......................................
New inner and outer sills for the old girl amongst other things.
Then off for a respray. Should I stay with original white or change to something else?
Anyone know of a nice interior going cheap?
Paint it Pink New inner and outer sills for the old girl amongst other things.
Then off for a respray. Should I stay with original white or change to something else?
Anyone know of a nice interior going cheap?
You'd better get a V8 in there sharpish or I'm gonna have the sexiest one!
KingRichard said:
paoloh said:
I am actually trying to figure out how to get an E46 M3 engine in it.
Err, you cut loads of metal away, and then weld the bellhousing to the gearbox.Getting it to drive may be a different story though!
Where did you get an M3 engine from?
I am trying to convince my mechanic to butcher the two together. He is not keen
paoloh said:
KingRichard said:
paoloh said:
I am actually trying to figure out how to get an E46 M3 engine in it.
Err, you cut loads of metal away, and then weld the bellhousing to the gearbox.Getting it to drive may be a different story though!
Where did you get an M3 engine from?
I am trying to convince my mechanic to butcher the two together. He is not keen
KingRichard said:
paoloh said:
KingRichard said:
paoloh said:
I am actually trying to figure out how to get an E46 M3 engine in it.
Err, you cut loads of metal away, and then weld the bellhousing to the gearbox.Getting it to drive may be a different story though!
Where did you get an M3 engine from?
I am trying to convince my mechanic to butcher the two together. He is not keen
paoloh said:
KingRichard said:
paoloh said:
KingRichard said:
paoloh said:
I am actually trying to figure out how to get an E46 M3 engine in it.
Err, you cut loads of metal away, and then weld the bellhousing to the gearbox.Getting it to drive may be a different story though!
Where did you get an M3 engine from?
I am trying to convince my mechanic to butcher the two together. He is not keen
Surely (shirley?) you're not going to buy a car nearly 40 years old to thrash it?
I could get quite nostalgic about the two MGB GTs I owned in the 70s but the first thing I'd do with that one is fit the proper bumpers - metal with rubber overrider inserts. It just looks wrong with no bumper.
I could get quite nostalgic about the two MGB GTs I owned in the 70s but the first thing I'd do with that one is fit the proper bumpers - metal with rubber overrider inserts. It just looks wrong with no bumper.
driverrob said:
Surely (shirley?) you're not going to buy a car nearly 40 years old to thrash it?
I could get quite nostalgic about the two MGB GTs I owned in the 70s but the first thing I'd do with that one is fit the proper bumpers - metal with rubber overrider inserts. It just looks wrong with no bumper.
It'll be great fun... It's hardly rare, and it's not like it won't be looked after!I could get quite nostalgic about the two MGB GTs I owned in the 70s but the first thing I'd do with that one is fit the proper bumpers - metal with rubber overrider inserts. It just looks wrong with no bumper.
ETA: If I bought a 30's Austin Seven I'd take it racing!
Edited by KingRichard on Tuesday 26th May 22:43
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