MG MGB and MGB GT Tech Talk
I often see reference to the book by Lindsay Porter. It appears there are several from which to choose and I wondered if anyone knows the title of the quintesential choice and where one can buy it.
Thanks,
Brad Shultz
MnMgBoy
Lindsay Porter was one of a bunch of English writers who cranked out stuff in the late 80s and early 90s to take advantage of the soaring interest in restoring MGBs. Most of this stuff is old hat. He did do one book that I think is OK because of the historical data in it (plus chapter after chapter of dirty hands). That book:
BMC and Leyland B-series Engine Data, Osprey 1985, ISBN 0-85045-597-9
Good Luck....Amazon, Ebay, etc.
Many of the pics in his book are from Practical Classics. Some of his info (how to install a BGT windshield) isn't the best.
I've got a couple of his books. Not particularly well written or informative, poor photo reproduction and not much help to me. I wouldn't bother buying any of them if I were you.
The MGB Restoration Manual has a few handy tips if you use it in conjunction with the Bentley and/or Haynes, (I recall some decent hints when I was rebuilding the seats) but like Thomas says, probably some of the worst quality illustrations out there.
I have the restoration manual, the newer one. As said, some tips are good, others not so much. Although it is profusely illustrated - multiple small pictures for everything done on restoring an MGB - they are indeed of bad quality - all B&W and kind of murky, but if you have a strong light you can see them. I think the best part is the step by step instructions on removing the anti-smog stuff. Interestingly, that section was written by John Twist.
Drive on ~
Same here on the book.I have used it as reference alot. But its def not the end all be all. B&W pictures and very little detail on how to accomplish some of the task. I mean I paid $20 bucks for this book on e-bay about 10 years ago. It has been worth it though. As mentioned it has some history about the car written in it. It can give you some tips here and there that are helpful. If there was a newer one out I would buy it. Maybe if I ever do a ground up restore (nut and bolt) I will take about a million pictures and log everything. Then I can publish my first book, haha. Mikek
