Workin' on the MG

[Skandocious]

Been puttin' a bunch of money into the MG lately trying to get it ready for SMOG so I can drive it again (it's been neglected for several months because we don't drive it in the winter). The overdrive was leaking like a sieve (and blowing onto the hot muffler ) because of a bad gasket so I ordered a new one and installed that last weekend. Still have some problems with the overdrive working only sporadically (it's electronic... I think there's an electrical issue). So after fixing the leak I took it out for a drive and had no brakes

One of the front brake lines popped like a balloon and was leaking real bad, and the passenger side looked like it was about to go. Back to Moss Motors website (for ordering crazy expensive British car parts) and got some steel braided brake lines and poly bushings for the front suspension. Got the brake lines in this weekend and the brakes are working better than I've ever seen them work since we've had the car.

Poly bushings will get installed in probably 2 weeks.


But the REAL reason I made this thread... Was because I was under the hood (just watching the engine run... there's nothing else to do to it since it runs like a friggin top after my dad rebuilt it several years back) and realized what kind of FANS it runs from the factory.... YOU GUESSED IT!!! DUAL ELECTRIC FANS!!!! Man... MG must be off their rocker to use such archaic technology And let me remind you that this car was manufactured in 77

 

[john112deere]

Dammit...I would LOVE to have an MG to play with.

Not entirely sure I'd go so far as to say that "because MG did something, it's a good idea" though...especially where the reliability of electrical components comes into question...

 

[Skandocious]

Brad and I were on the phone the other day, laughing about the restoration my dad did to the car. Don't get me wrong, he dumped buckets of money into the car and VERY meticulously restored every aspect of the engine, engine compartment, exterior, and interior of the car; it it looks FANTASTIC. He was very meticulous like me in that way-- he spared no expense with all the professional powdercoating and chroming that he had done. But he must have forgotten 1 thing... The undercarriage The bottom of the car looks like a damned bomb went off Everything leaks and there's wires hanging down several inches from the bottom of the frame, everything rubber is either 99% disintegrated or just completely missing, nothing looks like it has been replaced since the car was manufactured

So the car is mine now and now I guess it's MY turn to dump money into it. I'll be really relieve to get those bushings in.

 

[Skandocious]

Not entirely sure I'd go so far as to say that "because MG did something, it's a good idea" though...especially where the reliability of electrical components comes into question...

Nah I was just tryin to stir the pot with the whole e-fan debate. Just pointing out YET another car that uses electric fans and doesn't have any cooling problems. And these fans don't even have a shroud! They just float in front of the radiator (pusher fans) and that seems to push plenty of air through the radiator.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Come on Pic's.

 

[Skandocious]

These are the only pics I've got

 

[Ridgerunner]

Scare your dad. Rewire the car and drop a 302 in place of the little tractor engine.

 

[countryboytn]

Back to Moss Motors website (for ordering crazy expensive British car parts)

Not trying to dispute what you did... but looks like it would have been simpler (and probably cheaper) to go to a local parts store and pick up some brake lines...


GREAT looking car though!

 

[O'Rattlecan]

so... uh...

I don't really know what that is.

What is an MG?

Ryan

 

[Ridgerunner]

so... uh...

I don't really know what that is.

What is an MG?

Ryan

A Midget getabout.

 

[tomtoc]

Come on Pic's.

i read the first post and thought wow, a post from skan with no pics....especially one about the MG. i thought something might be wrong.

then i scrolled down and my hopes and dreams came true

 

[Skandocious]

Scare your dad. Rewire the car and drop a 302 in place of the little tractor engine.

This model was actually available with a 3.5L V8. I'd love to drive one, I bet they rip.

Not trying to dispute what you did... but looks like it would have been simpler (and probably cheaper) to go to a local parts store and pick up some brake lines... !

Keep in mind these were HOSES not brake lines. And I already thought of that. Got on a big MG forum and asked the guys there if there were any hoses for American cars that would fit the MGB-- the consensus was that there were not.

so... uh...

I don't really know what that is.

What is an MG?

Ryan

It's a British car company that used to also be manufactured in the US. I believe they're still in the auto industry but they don't manufacture cars here. Here's a 2009 model overseas:

Wiki Page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MG_Cars

i read the first post and thought wow, a post from skan with no pics....especially one about the MG. i thought something might be wrong.

then i scrolled down and my hopes and dreams came true

I know right? I made the post and instinctively went to my photobucket before realizing that I didn't take any pics while the car was up on the rack So all you get are the poser shots

 

[countryboytn]

Keep in mind these were HOSES not brake lines. And I already thought of that.

Oh, I figured there was just a few standard sizes that worked on all vehicles, I know when we went in to get them for my truck, they jut handed us some back across the counter.

 

[rambler]

I would love to own one.. I've got a 88 VW Cabrolet, I need to get back on the road,, been sitting in my barn for too long...

have you ever tried these guys for parts? they are owned by LMC Truck, I get parts from LMC for my truck, and they also supply parts for MGs,, based in the Kansas City area,, good bunch of guys...

victoriabritish.com

 

[Skandocious]

I would love to own one.. I've got a 88 VW Cabrolet, I need to get back on the road,, been sitting in my barn for too long...

have you ever tried these guys for parts? they are owned by LMC Truck, I get parts from LMC for my truck, and they also supply parts for MGs,, based in the Kansas City area,, good bunch of guys...

victoriabritish.com

Hey that's pretty neat! I didn't know that site existed-- I use Moss Motors for all my MG parts, same as my dad used to use:

http://www.mossmotors.com/

I don't love LMC's products but if there's something that they've got the Moss doesn't then that's the way it goes. I think I'll order their catalog.

 

[Fellro]

There are several thousand variations on brake hoses. They have different ends different mounts, and who knows what different aspects. Heck, can't even get them to be the same for more than a few years on most models... I'm not sure a hydraulic shop could fabricate something or not... it is possible.

Victoria can be pricey, but they tend to have some of the harder to find regular need parts. I knew about them from when I had a GT-6 Triumph.

 

[Raptor22]

Hey that's pretty neat! I didn't know that site existed-- I use Moss Motors for all my MG parts, same as my dad used to use:

http://www.mossmotors.com/

I don't love LMC's products but if there's something that they've got the Moss doesn't then that's the way it goes. I think I'll order their catalog.

I like Victoria British, my dad bought alot of Z parts thru them back when they had Datsun catalogs. That moss motors site is pretty cool.

 

[O'Rattlecan]

That's a neat car to play with, Chris.

Ryan

 

[Skandocious]

That's a neat car to play with, Chris.

Ryan

Tell me about it. I love workin on it. Gotta wonder if my dad torqued the same bolt that I'm untorquing, or if he installed the part that I'm fixing, etc. A lot of good memories of my dad in that car, going to car shows, etc.

 

[surewhynot]

You know Chris, you could carry that in the back of your truck for a spare.


We need some pics of you and Trista sporting it around. Looks great man.