I've recently purchased a 1974 MGB from the original owner. The car has been garage kept, no rust and only 19450 miles on it. (Even has the original tires) My problem: The car hadn't been started in over a year and has averaged only 700 miles a year over it's 29 year life. When I bought the car it was completely "dead." I've taken it to a trusted mechanic who my family has delt with for years and who has expressed experience with MG's.
I have asked my mechanic to do the following in bringing the "old girl" back to life. Drain the gas tank and blow out the fuel lines. Drain and replace oil, transmission and differential fluids. Replace oil, fuel and air filters. Clean transmission filter. Check/adjust/balance SU carbs. Inspect/replace belts and hoses as necessary. Drain and flush radiator. Inspect brakes and turn/replace components as necessary. Lubricate all fittings. Inspect/grease wire wheel bearings. Replace tires.
I read the article posted on this site about seal damage to MG's that have sat for very long and have told the mechanic to check carefully for any oil leaks.
Am I missing anything? Is there anything that I can expect that is best taken care of now?
Resurrecting a low mileage B
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Sounds like you covered the basics. I would imagine you will need to replace many of the gaskets and rubber.
you might want to check out this article on Tony's site <http://theautoist.com/awakening_a_sleeping_b.htm>
There is no tranny filter except a screen filter on O/D trannies. As for oil leaks you can expect to live with them. The tappet cover gaskets m, and valve cover gasket could need replacing. The best thing you can do, to avoid a lot of frustration down the road, hand your mechanic a blank check. You said you trust him, and there will be lots of things that need attention. If you were in my shop I would suggest all new hydrolics for starters. I also would take the filler neck off the fas tank and look inside. If I saw any evedence of rust you would get a new tank, and sending unit. The radiator would go to a radiator shop to be rodded out.
Take LOTS of photos. Low mileage cars are always interesting to originality devotees. Even if you don't care about originality per se, at least document what you find for others!
As for what to do to the car, I can't think of much to add that the others haven't mentioned. As tom said, at least flush the brake fluid and don't be surprised if the hydraulics are in bad shape. And as he mentioned, it might be worth it to replace all the hydraulics for peace of mind...
Cheers!
I give good odds that they are bad, or will go bad in short order. All original rubber, and has been setting. It's a given. Another thing would be the OEM A arm bushings. They are dry rotted. More times than not a low milage original car will take more to make it reliable and road worthy than one that has been driven and maintained properly.
Nearly everything has been covered. Tom mentioned the lower A-arm bushings and it would be a good idea to repace them with those for an MGB V-8. The originals weren't very good to begin with and they do flex a lot. The rear spring rubbers should be OK, but you may want to have him retorque the spring U-bolts.
A good guide might be the "Spring Checkup" guide posted at Flying Circus English Cars (my former employer). I had forgotten it 'til now.....
Note to self: Include the link!
http://www.flyingcircuscars.com/Free/checkup.htm
Clean all your ground wire connections at the connection to the body.
It will be a good time to swap over to a single group 26 12volt battery, seeing as you will be buying a new battery anyway
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