MGB: cooling system

i just bought a water pump, water pump pulley, and a belt. I was wondering if anyone has some pics of when they did or are still working on the cooling system. I would like some pics so i can get a clue about the cooling system

This is all i could find...

ok. did you have to take the radiator out?

I believe if you are replacing only the water pump, you have to remove the radiator due to clearance problems when removing. If you unbolt the water pump housing, everything will slide out without fooling with the radiator. Install water pump on housing with new gasket, get new gasket for pump housing and slide it all back in. I just did this job on my '75.

ok thank you. i will post pictures when i start working on it

Pulling the radiator is easy if you want to do it--pull the hoses, a couple of bolts and that's it.

When I got my Midget I was told to yank the radiator every spring, turn it upside-down, stick a garden hose in it and blast some water thru it. Simple and efficient--works for me.

after you pull out the radiator, do you have to take the fan off?

If you havent done so already, I would advise getting yourself a Hayne's manual with ilustrations and step-by-step instructions for many many procedures.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-MG-MIDGET-AUSTIN-A-H-SPRITE-1958-80-HAYNES-MANUAL_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4cebba9537QQitemZ330372388151QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

X2 on the manual. Ian--I dont know about your car but my 78 has a fan clutch--and if yours does as well it will be have to be "pulled" and it is recommended you replace the tolerance ring, and then....you might want to just spend the $25 or so and get the manual. Mine sits right under my tv remote and I look at it all the time.

The reason I pulled my water pump is because the fan clutch was bad and to replace it would cost $189.95 from VB. And then you would probably have to take it to an auto machine shop to have the old one removed ( I assume! ) and the new on pressed on. I replaced mine with a 1275 water pump and fan blade. Water pump purchased through Advance Auto Parts and the fan from the usual Brit car parts places. I forget the price of the pump and fan + gaskets but it was a heck of a lot cheaper than the fan clutch. I do not believe that a new 1500 water pump comes with a new fan clutch. The fan bolts to the fan clutch, the fan clutch is pressed on to the water pump shaft. You cannot remove the water pump and fan unless you remove the radiator. You cannot remove the fan from the unit, again because the radiator is in the way...there just ain't no clearance to remove the bolts! The impeller of the water pump is in the way of pulling it with the radiator still on. I just did not want to fool with taking out the radiator although as said above, it is no big deal. Four bolts holding on the water pump housing and it slid right off with nothing in the way.

Man that fan clutch has got expensive. I replaced mine years ago and thought is was pricey then. I ran a electric fan only in front for years until could afford it. I just removed the clutch and fan altogether. Electric fan still in front and hooked up. Not need but it is still there. Maurice

cool. i thank you for the advice. i also have bought the manual.


i have one more question. my MG say "special" on both sides of the car. does that mean anything in particular? all i know ( i think) is that it is a USA edition

Well, this got me to wondering... what exactly does the fan clutch do? Make the fan speed independent of engine speed? And why?

My head hurts...

My understanding is the fan clutch allows the fan to disengage at higher speeds when the fan's cooling is not necessary.

what happens if you don't replace the fan clutch?

I'm sure others will chime in, but I thinkit will just put more load on your engine at higher speeds. Your fan will always be on.

ok

Today i worked on the radiator. heres the link if you want to see the video


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nH-PFyu3_80

Mine also is a "Special". Way I understand it was a 75 year deal. You get the decal and a 1925 1975 octagon on passenger side. There is a recess in the dash for it. But I have seen some without the decal and no recess. Also guy in town has a MGB and it had the decal. It had alread been repainted so unknow about the decal.

I've been trying to find someone with a special. thanks for answering my question

Not a special! 50 year anniversary issue...50 years of MG's. '75 B's had the same dash plaque. A Midget special was produced in 1976. It had a T shaped decal on the side, from front to rear that said "Special". The anniversary Midget also had gold colored MG badges on the front bumper and on the trunk lid. A gold background on the MG emblem on the steering wheel. Maurice, if indeed your car is a '76, you might check the build date. I am the original owner of my '75 Midget, the last MG in town before the new cars came in for '76. I asked the dealer what happened to any of the cars left over that did not sell (if they had any). He said they were retitled for the current year and sold. Do not know if that is true or not...but the Anniversary Edition of the Midget and MGB was a 1975 year only deal and not all '75 cars were fitted with the plaque and gold emblems!

It is a 75 but titled as 76 so that is how I got it listed. Build date is 10 of 75, Hope that answers you question Maurice

ok thanks.

Today I got the radiator out and some other parts. heres a pic..