No Electrical

So, I drove the MG to work the other day and it ran fine. When I got out in the evening and went to start it, nothing. No power, no lights. After a frantic few minutes I popped the battery cover and discovered corrosion on the terminals. After a few twists there were some sparks and I was able to bring her to life. Made it home, just need to properly clean up the terminals.

Finally

I replaced the slave cylinder, bled it in record time. Looks like with a new master and slave cylinder my clutch is good to go. I also managed to tighten the spark plugs so they're not leaking anymore. I think I just didn't torque them down all the way, out of paranoia that I would snap them, when I last changed them.

Hopefully the weather will let me to do a full tune up and I can get the poor girl running better. She's good now, but I know there's something missing.

Clutch Fixed

Yes, as the title suggests my clutch is finally fixed. I got my new slave cylinder in from Chris Roop and installed it just a short time ago.

If you have to replace yours, and not at home, make sure you have 3 wrenches. One for the bolts holding the slave to the transmission, one for the clutch hose, and one for the bleed valve. I brought one for the transmission bolts...made life fun.

Also, my friend discovered my spark plug channels are leaking air...and bits of fuel. I'm going to try and plug them with a little sealant tomorrow or something and see if that may fix my lean mixture problem. Hopefully it will, nothing else has seemed to touch it except the choke.

Stupid Clutch

Ok, update. Parts came in and went to replace the master cylinder, yeah...Nothing happened. We spent over an hour trying to bleed the system and got a couple ounces into it. Finally started checking the lines and everything. Nothing looked bad. I figured I'd pull the flexible hose and couldn't get it off so I decided to pull the slave to get to it.

It fell into 3 pieces. So, I get to order a new one, yay. Looks like a rock or something must have hit it, clipping the boot, allowing stuff in and causing it to fail. So, I have a nice shiny new master cylinder and I've got a slave on order through Roop's MG.

Clutch Master Cylinder

Yea...the clutch master cylinder. I'm running out of non-engine/tranny parts that I haven't replaced. Especially ones I haven't rebuilt.

I drove the MG to work earlier this week and when I went to leave...the clutch wouldn't disengage. Played with it, fiddled with it, and even pushed it backwards to check for leaks...yup, master clutch cylinder blew a seal. I did rebuild it almost 2 years ago so...it's old and since I put it together without instructions and guessing where parts went, I'm happy it lived this long.

On the plus side, I've been able to park next to myself every day this week. For some reason no one wants to park next to the classic. I got a new cylinder in and I plan on replacing it tomorrow. Hopefully it'll work and it's not the hose that's gone.

New Soft Top

So, got a new top finally. The old one was tearing at all the seams for the windows and was just getting ratty. Admittedly I got the “cheap” one through moss, mainly because I’m cheap and because I’m not going for show quality.

I also installed it myself, costing $35 in parts for tools I didn’t have. I think it turned out nice. I meant to take pictures along the way but basically got distracted.

While I had the old top off I removed the frame and cleaned up some of the old glue, painted the entire thing in engine enamel black and rearranged my seatbelts so they’d work a bit better. Below are some pics of the final product. I think there’s a bit of a wrinkle on the corners but I’m hoping it’ll settle a bit and and clear up. Either way, I love it and that’s what matters most.

I also got the parts in to replace my tie rods and the springs to my carburetors. I’m hoping that the springs will help my lean problem and the replacement tie rods will allow me to replace the steering rack boots without worrying about damaging the old boots.

Tires Tires Everywhere

So, I've finally decided to get new tires. I'm scheduled to get them replaced Saturday, just waiting for what's going to stop me now. I've decided to "upgrade" to 185/70/14 from the 175/70/14's I have now.

Also, it's getting nice out so I'm finally able to drive her with the top down. Normally a cause for celebration, I've discovered my top is BADLY in need of replacement so I get to add that to my list of parts to buy...soon.

Fuel Leak, Lighting Problem Solved

So, I've had a fuel leak forever. I've been trying alot of stuff to try and fix it but I think I finally got it. I bought some cork/metal gasket material from Autozone...didn't work, was too difficult to cut. Finally got some cloth gasket material and straight cork material from AdvanceAuto. I was easily able to cut it and turns out the cork was perfect for the job. Now of course I have a small leak at the banjo fitting...yay, but I did fix the main leak. Next chance I get I'll have to order new banjo gaskets.

I also replaced my headlights because after installing the relay kit my high beans on the passenger side stopped working. I figured the extra current popped it...wrong. Turns out after replacing the lights that one of the wires had popped out of the connector behind the horn. So, I have spare lights. At least I was able to get them for $10 apiece.

Rain's expected tomorrow but I took her out for a spin tonight when I moved my other car into the garage. Wow, it's nice. It's the first time I've really driven it with the new electronic ignition and I can tell it's helped. I still need to send my carbs to get them cleaned and fixed up because I'm pretty sure I'm screwing them up, but the car's really nice to drive. I also need to take it out for a ride on the highway (for the first time ever) and see if the speedo is working properly by comparing it to TomTom. Maybe then I'll get the new tires I've been promising it since the beginning of winter.

Relay Install

I was tempted to get one of Limey's Relay kits, but basically I decided I could make my own for less (silly me). I got all the materials I needed ($12 more than he asks) and went to town. I finally got it installed and WOW, the headlights are massively brighter. I wish I'd taken a picture before and after of just the lights.

I also took the time to fix a few more problems. I got the proper tubing to hold the vacuum line in, bypassed my heater core since mine leaks (yay), and I have cork to make a new gasket for the fuel pump when I get the time to get down there.

I do need to order some electrical connections for British cars so I'll be able to use the bullet connections everywhere. I had to splice in alot of stuff to get the relays to work. Everything's good though and it looks nice.

Sadly though, my fixing broke something and now it won't start. I think I got something in the distributor but I'll have to check that at a later date. One thing fixed two broke...

Productive Weekend

So, this weekend was pretty good. Here's everything I got done this weekend:

• Installed new Electronic Ignition kit
• Almost finished attaching exhaust to body (2 more bolts)
• Boot Seal
• Fuel Pump leak located (maybe fixed)
• Fuel Pump retaining gasket installed
• Rear brakes adjusted
• Rear drums painted

I got my new electronic ignition kit in the mail Thursday so I was able to install that. I did something wrong the first time and it was firing weird, but after playing with it it started working again and I have no idea what I did. End result though, car starts. I also noticed my exhaust wasn't completely bolted up so I fixed part of that and still need to find 2 more of the bolts to put on. I also finally got around to putting the new boot seal on, which meant I needed to remove the old one (that I didn't know existed). I never want to do that again, they knew how to put stuff on never to remove again. One of the more important things I did was try to locate and solve a fuel leak I've had for *cough*months*cough*. I finally figured out it was coming from the fuel pump and I even went so far as to figure out what part of the pump was leaking. I tightened it down and hopefully the fuel leak is gone, if not I have to make some gasket material and hope that does it. One of the big things I also did was remove my rear drums to adjust the brakes and while I had them off I painted them with some silver brake caliper paint. Personally I like how it contrasts with the wheels now. I also adjusted the rear brakes, I don't think that's been done for decades. Next time I have it out I'll have to check the parking brake and see if I have to adjust that.

Hopefully this week, maybe this weekend at the latest I'll be able to check the tweaks to the engine and see how it runs now. I can't wait to finally use the B as a daily driver. Probably in the next few weeks too I'll wire wheel the wheels and paint them, it'll really add to the visual appearance of the car all together.

New Oil Leak

So, over the past week or so I've noticed a small puddle of oil developing under the engine. After crawling all over and under it I discovered the flexible oil line to the oil pressure gauge is seeping oil. So...that's on order.

While I've got the B out of commision I decided to adjust the rear brakes since the handbrake doesn't do anything. Turns out the screws holding the drums on are somewhat stripped (more stuff on order). I took the drums off until I get new screws in and then I plan on re-adjusting the brakes.

I've also ordered an electronic distributor install kit to convert my current distributor over to electronic. I'm hoping this will help my idle problems and get my B back on the road.

Leaking.....something

So, I drove the MG to work Monday and when I came outside for something after I got home I noticed a trail of drips leading into the garage. I can't identify what it is but I'm suspecting coolant. I think my heater may be leaking and I just haven't had a change to check it. I'm REALLY hoping not because quite simply, heater coils are expensive.

Motor Mount

I was checking the carbs and decided I'd go ahead and change the motor mount. I will NEVER do this again without following the manuals instructions. It took me over an hour to get the new mount in because I didn't remove anything else.

I finally replaced it though and tweeked with the carbs a bit. I'm almost 100% sure that they're running lean. I've got them both maxed out and they're running, I just wish I could richen them up to where they should be.

Contaminated Oil

So I pulled the oil line going to the oil pressure gage. After turning the engine over for 10-15 seconds I finally got a VERY light oily substance to come out. Looks like water or gas but feels slick like oil. It also smells like gas. I’m thinking my oil got contaminated at some point during my repair/tweaks and I’m seeing the results now that it’s cold out. I drained the oil and I’m letting it sit open tonight.

Tomorrow I’m going to put some 20-W50 in and see what happens. Hopefully I’ll have good pressure and everything will be good to go. The oil pressure is all that’s keeping me off the road.

Oil Pressure

So, for the past week or so I’ve been plagued with LOW oil pressure. It’s reading pressure, but really pathetic pressure. It’s really only started since the weather got cold so I’m pretty sure it’s temperature related and I’m hoping it’s just some frozen water in the gage line or something. I’ve asked on MGExperience for help and they’ve suggested a few things. Today’s goals are to:

1. Warm up the garage to see if it helps
2. Pull the Oil Sender and see if oil squirts out of there
3. Change the oil/filter with 20-w50
4. Hit it
5. Fix/Replace/Hit Oil Pressure Relief Valve

Hopefully one of these will fix it and I’ll be able to take my baby out for some gas and then some driving. It’s been awhile since she’s really been out.

Weekend Update

So, I did alot over the weekend.

• I fix the brake light problem. Turns out I have no idea what it was. I rebuilt part of the fuse box and fiddled with the blinker and it started working again. Not sure exactly what did it though. Now my brake lights work, blinkers, hopefully horn (haven't tested), tach, fuel gauge, and temp gauge should all be good.
  
• I installed the new hose separator for the oil cooler
• Removed the door panels and cut out one of them
• Installed Radio and wiring, just waiting on doors and speakers now *YAY*
• Installed new shiny seatbelts, twice (turns out my first set was bad)
• New needles for carbs installed (just need to tune)
• Fuel sender gasket replaced, hopefully this stops the slow gas leak from hell

Busy Day

So, I installed a few things today and still have so much left to do. I put in the new fuel sender gasket and retaining ring, new needles to properly match my carbs, I started installing my new seatbelts and I attempted to fix my fuse box.

Turns out the seatbelts I bought are required to be installed vertically and in MG's that's impossible. I managed to break one of my sets before I figured out what was going on. Luckly I accidentally bought 2 sets so I was able to dismantle the second set and rig them so the orientation no longer matters. I had managed to install one of the belts and started installing the second before I learned of this so I need to remove them tomorrow and re-do alot of work. I also tried fixing my brake lights. Turns out that the wiring is perfect, I just have a bad fuse box. I tried removing it and cleaning it up but it's still non-functional. I'm hoping to fix this tomorrow by rebuilding the fuse box.

I also got all the supplies needed to re-panel the doors. Hopefully I can do that tomorrow and install my radio as well. Once I get the doors done with speakers, repair the fuse box, and tune the cars I'll be able to drive the B in the work. Once I have the radio all I'll need to do is replace the heater valve.

Update

Well, I've been using the B as a daily driver for a few weeks now. I just noticed that my brake lights aren't working so I parked it until I could solve that problem. I also ordered new seatbelts, radio, and proper needles. Hopefully I'll be able to get the carbs properly tuned instead of lean and I'll be able to make it a fun daily driver that I can listen to the radio with.

So, currently my brake lights don't work, no blinkers and no horn. I also have intermittent tachometer, temp and fuel gauges.

The brake lights have been a bitch to figure out. I've been going over the schematics and I have power to the fuses but I don't have any at the brake light switch. I'll play with it some more tomorrow when I get my radio in and hopefully figure something out, I'm suspecting I need to dismantle the fuse box and clean it up, solder some things, etc. I've also been trying to figure out the horn. It makes a weird crackling noise when I try to push it. I thought maybe it wasn't getting power but I tested out 12v at the switch so I know it's some sort of ground problem. I also pulled the horn wire going into the steering wheel and grounded it myself to test the theory and it sounds great. I believe the blinkers are related to the brake lights and tach so if I can figure that out I believe alot of my electrical problems will disappear. On the plus side, the heater fan works so I know I'll have power for the radio when that gets in.

I'm thinking of getting a relay kit to switch the lights and horn, hopefully that could clear up some problems I have. I also got a bunch of fuses and replaced all of them with 20a. Oh, the joys of a car left in the yard for several years.

Quietly Alive!

So, after putting everything back together I got her to run a few months ago. Turns out I didn't connect the exhaust properly so it's been louder than a chopper down the highway. I ordered new gaskets for the exhaust header/exhaust joint and after several months I finally installed them the other day. Wow, much quieter. It's awesome now, to the point where when I approach a stop sign I'm worried the car died because I can't hear it. I'm still having intermittent electrical problems so I can't always see that it's idling and that's the only real problem I'm having.

To Work!

I took the B to work today. It's amazing just how much more fun a car can be when it's not sputtering or failing. Now all I need to do is order new exhaust doughnuts and replace those and maybe I won't sound like a racing car.