My father in law replaced a front shock on the drivers side for me over the Easter break while my wife and I travelled to Europe (Paris the Riviera and Rome) with a group of students.

Did the insurance renewal online recently.

June was a horrible month for driving with only a couple of decent runs around town.

July

A couple of short runs at the beginning of the month with Bonnie. Hopefully a few more after we get back to town from our trip to Rocky Harbour.

July 3, 2010

I can't believe how long it been since I last posted a journal entry. This one is a result of recent maintenance. A couple years back I did a rebuild of my clutch master cylinder. Last year it began to leak on my shoes again. After a quick drive a couple weeks back I came home parked it in the garage removed the CMC and ordered a new one from Octagon ($149 + tax & Shipping). Part arrived yesterday and I set forth to getting my car on the road ASAP (It was a sunny day!!) This is a tight fit and it took me a while to figure out how to get things put back together. I realized that by removed the knock out in the firewall it allowed me to access the bolt in the back of the cylinder. Finally got things in place and tightened up. Bled the line (I think) with a good stream pouring through. Took the car for a run (YEAH) only to realize both my brake lights and signal lights no longer worked. Posted to the forum for some advice on the matter. Good to be back.

Journal Index

August 18, 2008

A couple of days back (Thursday August 14, 2008) my wife and I went for a drive. We were just turning up toward her cousin's house when the car started to stall. I coasted her back the hill and into a driveway. I happened to have a spare distributor cap so I changed it and tried it again. No go. It was at this point I realized the fuel pump was not making any noise. Needless to say the MG needed a ride home (provided by FITZPATRICK'S)

Saturday (August 16, 2008) I thought I'd check out the possibility of finding a fuel pump locally at Canadian Tire. Low an behold that had one but not at the location I was at.

I picked up the fuel pump and though it was much larger than the original I brought it home. I attempted to install it but being Sunday could not get some necessary gas hose to complete the job.

Today I acquired the necessary materials and finished installing the pump. My first couple of attempts did not seem too productive. I could hear the pump working but it would not start.

My Dad came down for supper and I tried again. The battery was getting low but the car made a few attempts at starting. It was at this point I remembered the changing of the distributor. Many of the wire appeared to have pushed back into their casings not making contact with the connection inside the distributor cap.
Pulled them out to make sure there was good contact but still wouldn't start.

Consulted my shop manual to check the firing order and sure enough had # 1 and # 2 wrong.

Note to self: ALWAYS check manual FIRST.

P.S. Thank Dad for pointing me in the right direction.

Took the kids for a drive and seems to be working fine except I appeared to have no ignition after the first run with my daughter. I don;t know if the battery needs a good charging or if the new pump needs to be on for a period of time before turning over.

I think the former.

July 2, 2008

A couple of runs today with the top down. Kept to the CBS/Paradise area. Took the girls for a run. Fueled up again ($20)

July 1, 2008

Canada Day. Took the kids for a drive (top up due to intermittent rain). Visited a couple of MGB owners: Dave Hill 1963 MGB (previously owned by Vickie Mercer) and a 1974 1/2 MGB owned by Gerry ??? Met Terry Peach in his Boxster. Drove the route from Sunday with the kids on board.

June 29, 2008

First real run today. Sports Car Tours took a tour through the scenic route of Flatrock and area. I noticed a distinct odor of gas coming form the car and the hanger bracket on the exhaust is detached. I reattached it when I arrived home.

June 27, 2008

Insurance on the car and finally the first drive of the season. Only went to the gas station and a short drive around town with my daughter in tow. Car was low on fuel, I drained the battery trying to start the car. Added some fuel from a can, boosted the battery and got her running fine. $20 in gas today

June 26, 2008

Appraisal arrived today. I was pleasantly surprised to see the car valued at +$20,000. Interesting to compare that to the original purchase price in 1974. I sent the appraisal off to the insurance company via overnight courier hoping to get her insured by tomorrow and hopefully on the road the weekend. Have to wait and see if that happens.

June 18, 2008

Car transferred into my name and registered until July 2009. If only I could get my appraisal so I can take her on the road again.

June 6, 2008

A little late in the season to be starting my journal but here it is. I had the car appraised today in order to have it insured by Silver Wheels. The appraiser, Wayne Chaffey, dropped in at supper time and did a vvery thorough inspection of the car. I should get the appraisal in the mail in a couple of weeks (hopefully sooner). I scanned in a lot of receipts to send to him as well. This is something I had been planning to do for a while so I was glad to have the excuse.

Journal Index

September 4, 2007

After yesterdays drive I decided to deal with the shifter rattle. Posted to the forum and got several responses that pointed me in the right direction. I ordered several items from Octagon. Spring washers for the bolts, plunger and spring for the shifter ball. I also decided to pick up a shift knob and lock nut with the order. The shift knob is not period for my car but for earlier models (round plastic type).

The ever changing subject!!!



September 3, 2007

Drive to Ed's and Janice's house, visited Dorcas and Valerie. My daughter and I saw a 1980 MGB LE going west near the Sobey's light in Long Pond.

September 2, 2007

Drive to St. John's w. B.

September 1, 2007

Holy crap where did the summer go! Tonight I replaced the gear oil in the rear end of the B. It was a lot easier than the gearbox. Took about 1 L of fluid to fill it.

Note: Car was not starting well for a couple of days. Wasn't sure why until tonight. The wires which were running into the windshield washer pump were left hanging by me and one was sitting on top of the coil. Moved it out of the way and the car appears to start normally again.

Coil! Pointing up or down??



August 30, 2007

Did a couple of long overdue tasks today. Reinstall the sun visors, installed a couple of snap clips on the rear panels (used for the tonneau cover), removed the windshield washer pump which no longer appears to be functioning at all, fixed the lighter (found a free purple wire hiding beneath the transmission tunnel carpet.

Best of all I finally removed the gear box dip stick (with some support from the forum) and drained off the fluid from the gearbox. I still have to add a pint or two of 20W50 but the job is almost done.

Next up change the fluid on the rear end and grease everything.

Can't get the d$%# gearbox dipstick removed!! Help!!!


August 29, 2007

Took the top off so I could drive with my wife and son today. I don't think i'll make a habit of this given no rear seat or belt.

August 28, 2007

Books arrived from Amazon today.

August 27, 2007

Took Nathan and Nadia for a drive tonight. Joined by Chris Farrell his wife and son in their MGB.

August 25, 2007

Arrived home from camping today. the reverse light arrived from octagon and I installed it. My wife and I went for a drive this evening and clutch fluid dropped to the point I could not engage the clutch. This happened in the past and i had to replace the seals in the master cylinder. Not sure why the fluid dropped so much. Have to check it out tomorrow.

August 13, 2007

Ordered reverse lens and fan belt from Octagon Motor Group today.

August 8, 2007
Finally have reverse lights working on the car. Ran and connected the appropriate wires to the switch. Had to replace one of the bulbs.($2) Need to fix fan belt squeak. Boot latch bolts need to be tightened.

August 6, 2007
B and I went for a drive downtown tonight. Tested the heat with the top up when I gave the sitter a run home. Lots of heat but only appears to be coming out of the defrost areas near windscreen.

August 5, 2007
Newfoundland British meet Nova Scotia British.

August 3, 2007
Time for a good cleaning (interior/exterior). Felt heat coming from the MGB for the first time. Not a lot mind you but heat none the less.

August 2, 2007
Still investigating blowing fuses (wipers, heater, etc)
Adjusted pass door. No longer knocks while driving over bumps!!

http://www.mgexperience.net/phorum/read.php?1,606255

http://www.mgexperience.net/phorum/read.php?1,605748

Update: Think I found the fuse problem. I had a green/white wire attached to a cigarette lighter unit. I removed it and installed a new fuse and the wipers worked. Yahooo!

July 31, 2007
Oil change 28450 miles.

July 30, 2007
28450 miles. Registered the B again today for another year.


July 29, 2007
Went for a drive to Bauline East today thinking the Batans group had already arrived. Turns out it's next week they come to the province. Beautiful day for the drive though it was very hot.

July 1, 2007 (CANADA DAY)
Took my son for a short run to Topsail Beach and McD's for a cone.

June 30, 2007
Beautiful day for a run. Waxed the car and took her for a couple of runs with each of my kids. Saw a white RB MGB at Topsail Beach.

June 8-9, 2007

My wife and I have managed to get a couple of nice runs on these days. We saw an MGB for sale on Old Broad Cove Road, which I later found out belongs to Lewis Stoyles. While in Mt. Pearl we saw a nice AC Cobra sitting on the parking lot of Canadian Tire. I dropped by the Durnford's (dropped off a DVD) with my daughter in tow and in talking found out Mr. Durnford had an MGB in the past. I mentioned the one I saw for sale. I will post a pic of the car below.

June 3, 2007

Went with the video camera in tow to catch the Sports Car Tours run as they drove through Buckingham Drive. Decided to chase after them for a few extra scenes as they made their way from Manuels to Kelligrews. I turned around at Tim Hortons but would have liked to continue to Bay Roberts where they were headed for the Bay Wheels car show.

June 1, 2007

Took the car to work today. Not an ideal day but no kids at school and the weather has been so poor that I jumped at the chance. A colleague Shakira loves the car.

May 19, 2007

Victoria Day weekend. Saturday. Beautiful hot sunny spring day. A great day to go for a ride in the B. My son and I hit the road for a run around the community. Top down! Awesome. Car rolled over the 28000 mile mark.
$30 gas to start the year.

Apr. 27, 2007

Had the car out of the garage for a little idle (avoids fuming up the garage). Car started fine but the fuel gauge is reading real low. Hope there is enough fuel left to make it to the gas station.

Jan 21, 2007

Made a couple of posts to Forum today.

MG Model Guide MG Enthusiast Website

TV/Movie Trailer Featuring MGB

2006 Journal

Journal Index

Oct. 30, 2006
Possibly the last run of the year today. The car has 27987 miles on the odometer.

Oct. 8, 2006
Placed a battery cut-off switch on the car today (negative terminal). Blown fuses and arcing wires have made me nervous about leaving the battery terminals connected during storage. I need to replace the wiring harness or at least those wires causing trouble.

Oct 6, 2006
A short hop to the candy store (actually the supermarket)today. The exhaust was rattley again. When I got home I had to tighten up the hanger bracket again.

Sept. 24, 2006
A great Sports Car Tours run today. Started cool with the top up and ended with a nice top down leg to Clovelly and return home drive through Portugal Cove. Stopped at Bye the Beach restaurant which is quite scenic and the food was pretty good.

Sept. 23, 2006
Couple of quick runs today. Car is still shorting fuses for the wipers.

Sept. 20, 2006
Ignition arrived from Octagon (2 days cross country). I installed it in the car. Only one wire to worry about (brown) which had to be joined outside the connector. Still not sure what's up with the fuses???????????

Sept. 18, 2006
Ordered ignition from Octagon Motor Group ($225.93 inc. shipping and tax) These guys are GOOD to deal with!!!!

Sept 15, 2006
Drove to town to do a few errands today. Beautiful day for a drive.

Sept. 14, 2006
Bonnie and I went for a run in nice weather for Sept.

August 18, 2006

Saw a Red MGA in St. John's this morning.

Parts arrived from Moss today (3 days earlier than anticipated). However, I did have to pay a brokerage fee of $42 on top of the parts cost. Not sure door locks, ww jet and a coin dish are worth $100. Installed the door locks today (had to literally beat out the old cylinders)

August 17, 2006
Adjusted the idle to 750 RPM. Might have to go up a little as the car shakes while idling now. 1500 RPM was too high.

Drove to St. John's last night to pick up my parents at the airport (in their car) and hit a steel block on the highway blowing out and destroying two tires and wheels. Close call.


August 14, 2006
Drove Nadia to the gym today.

August 13, 2006
Noisy exhaust diagnosed and fixed. Hanger bracket was loose and hitting the bottom of the car.

August 11, 2006
Tried to switch chrome surrounds on the grilles today. unfortunately, the 62 style grill does not have the proper holes for the 74 plastic honeycombs. I also noticed that the early surround is much heavier than the later one.

Need to check out the exhaust rattle. Might be in the baffles of the muffler itself.

August 8, 2006
MGB's "new" grille suffered a dent today at the hands of a shopping cart. Noticed a noise from the exhaust today. Have to get a closer look tomorrow.

August 7, 2006
Tom O'L passed away today.

August 5, 2006
I replaced the grille today with the original including the new plinth and badge. The chrome surround could use a little work but I think I will stick with it rather than the early style grille. Also, I ran the hose to the fuel line off the vaporiser to the carbon canister.

August 4, 2006
Went for a run today and dropped by to see C. Farrell's MGB. She is Vermillon link even though the online picture looks Bracken. This means their is still an unknown owner of a Bracken RB car out there somewhere in Newfoundland. His car is not yet running and he was doing some electrical work today. Pretty clean car with lots of potential. I hope he gets it on the road soon.

August 3, 2006
Registered the car again today. Been a while since I took a drive. Out of town for a spell.

July 20, 2006
Parts arrive from Moss today. Should have purchased the whole grille and not just the plinth. Oh well!!!!!

July 18, 2006
Tubing for carbon cannister-carbs bought today at Princess Auto. Reasonable fit. Will install other section cannister-vapor tomorrow. Also will try to get the bolts in the gearbox tomorrow. Shot some video today a la footage in MG is Born. When I get a chance I will try to edit it with audio from show if possible.

July 17, 2006
Drive around CBS today.

July 15, 2006
Home today from Rocky Harbour. The set screw arrived in the mail from Obsolete so I placed the door mirror on the car.

July 8, 2006
Greased the front end, drive shaft and brake cable today. A grease nipple in the kingpin (lower) came off in my hand as I was attempting to grease it. Bonnie and I went for a run to town. It was a beautiful evening for a run. Also sprayed the bolts/nuts for rebound straps again.

July 6, 2006
Applied a couple of doses of Rust Check to rebound strap bolts with little effect. I will continue to do so for a couple of days. Tightened up bolts on drive shaft which were loose. Have to grease ALL nipples tomorrow. Tried again to remove dipstick from gearbox (won't budge) and install bolts on transmission (no go).

Ordered my first parts from Moss Motors today at 11:25 P.M. online. Curious as to how the shipment goes compared to Vic Brit. I ordered a rear view mirror head ($36.95) as mine is bleeding though and a housing and badge ($28.95) for my 74 grille. I am having second thoughts about not ordering the whole grille assembly ($123.95) as my original is not in the best of shape. No shipping cost was determined at the time of ordering and I am curious given the cost from Vic Brit which was high given ground shipping (2 weeks delivery)

July 5, 2006
Coolant flush this morning, new thermostat and gasket. Car continues to creep up to H on the temp gauge. Still a concern. Mirror arrived less a set screw. Rebound straps as well. Dad found a tub of parts which included the hood stops I purchased from Vic. Brit. I knew I had them but could not find them. Sprayed the bolts for the rebound straps with Rust Check to loosen things up. I will do the same in the morning and throughout tomorrow and try the nuts again tomorrow.

July 4, 2006
Bonnie and I went for a run down Thorburn Road/Middle Cove. Picked up hose antifreeze and rad flush at NAPA.

July 1, 2006
Canada Day fireworks in St. John's as viewed through my B with Nathan along for the ride was spectacular. the drive home was a little less so. Due to extremely slow moving traffic the car started to run quite hot. As soon as we hit the highway at speed the engine cooled as air flow improved. I post a query on the forum to get a response but it is probably normal under the conditions.

OT: Did an oil change in the Blazer today (Needed it!!!!!!!!!!!!)

June 28, 2006
Took Nadia for a short run today.

June 27, 2006
Ordered rebound straps and door mirror from Obsolete. Bonnie and I went for a nice run downtown and then through Potugal Cove.


June 19, 2006

Took the B to work today. Gave Scott a ride home and yet again I caught a wiff of fuel. Checkeed when I got home and it does not appear to be coming from the carb?????????????????????????????????????

June 18, 2006

Finally discovered the source of the gas leak. Again a seal in the bottom of the carb is the culprit. I never even suspected this as a possible cause because both were replaced last year. I suspect the O-ring seals I purchased from Obsolete are defective (flattened design) and the one supplied to me my Mr. Anderson (rounded O-rings) are the way to go. Unfortunately, I only had an extra as supplied by Obsolete so if I start smelling gas again I'll be checking this area first.

Took the kids for a drive each on Father's day and went for a ride on my new bicycle with my son in tow. Ahhh open air travel ... got to love it.

June 17, 2006

Possible cause for gas leak? Metal tube running BELOW the carbs should run ABOVE the carbs.

Bonnie and I took a little run downtown today. Beautiful weather for a drive.

June 16, 2006
Drove the car to work this afternoon. I also finally fixed an annoying problem with the passenger side door window. It would never go down all the way (due to a bolt that is longer than it should be) and it always rattled due to it popping out of the rear channel (due to the lower bracket being placed improperly). I discover this problem when comparing the distance beteewn the door and the bracket on both sides of the car. One side (driver) was a full inch further ahead than the other side (passenger). Can't wait to go for a drive to see if the rattle is gone.

Next up find that gas leak!!!!!!!!!!!!

June 13, 2006
Picked up Nadia at school and went for a little drive. The gas fume issue is getting worse. I posted online to get a couple of suggestions.
Gas Fumes

June 11, 2006
$15 Gas (have to determine the leak location). Drove into St. John's today. On the way home saw a RB Bracken MGB which I never saw before. The trunk area reaks. I do have a gas can with fule in there but I think there is more to it than that.

June 10, 2006
Finally placed the labels on the air cleaner covers today.

June 9, 2006
Went for a little drive this evening. Picked up my son at his pre-teen dance. MGB now has a little more space in the garage wiht the trailer removed. I have been noticing a small oil leak on the garage floor since the oil change. I think it is simply from the oil that spilled out of the old filter as the dipstick shows no sign of oil loss.

June 8, 2006
First A&W Classic car drive tonight. My buddy Kevin went along for the ride. Lotus Super 7 was there when we arrived. Mostly american cars on site. A cool restored Army jeep (inc. helmet, ax and shovel) was thew most interesting vehicle tonight.

June 3, 2006
Installed the glass lens (tach) and the sunvisor. Took Nadia to a birthday party up the shore.

June 2, 2006
Vic. Brit. parts finally arrived today. I installed a couple of items including the gas tank sending unit. Nice to see the gas gauge registering again. I also put the hood spacers on the front wings. tomorrows job is to replace the broken tach lens. Worried about the transmission mount bolts. The holes do not line up for me to put the bolts in place.

May 31, 2006
Drove the B to Nathan's tutoring today. Top up because it was quite cool despite the beautiful sunshine.

May 28, 2006
Sports Car Tours Run todays (Route)
It was cool day but I got to drive with the new top up (and rear window out)

May 27, 2006
Chris and his Dad came by today to install the wiring in the garage,


May 26, 2006
Steve H. came by today (thanks so much) and installed the new top with me as assistant. Everthing looked fine and we had the roof clamped in place before he left. I installed a new header seal after supper and tried to close the top again. She just wouldn't clamp down. The seal appears to be making the top a little to tight. I might try the old seal tomorrow (flatened out compared to the ne.

May 25, 2006
Steve Hicks dropped by this evening to have a look at the top. He is going to help me tomorrow to complete the install.


May 24, 2006
Top arrived today from Octagon Motor Group. Looks good. Just have to get someone to install it properly.

May 23, 2006
Still no parts today. I don't even think the parts have left Vic Brit yet. Short drive to the grocery store/McDonalds.

May 21, 2006

Gearbox Mounting Bolts MISSING!!!!
Soft Top Header Seal

May 20, 2006
Oil change today (26777 miles). Last one done August 7, 2004 according to my journal. Given the color of the oil she needed it.

May 19, 2006
Victoria British called to confirm shipping costs ($55 USD) OUCH!!!!!!!! But I need the parts. UPS 2 day delivery though. We'll see????????????

Re: Victoria British (RANT)

May 16, 2006
Ordered some extra parts from Victoria British today since the fuel sending unit is no longer back ordered. Parts include:

Vic Brit Order

May 15, 2006
Bonnie and I went for a drive downtown today and bumped into Terry MB SLK230 who then led me on a drive through Middle Cove, Outer Cove and back home via Portugal Cove. A nice drive I must say!

May 13, 2006

Re: OT - Prom Pictures - EVERYBODY PLAY!!

Re: Picture Request

Re: Prestige tops

May 12, 2006
Ordered a new soft top from Octagon (B.C., Canada) $321.25.

May 9, 2006

Parts arrived from Obsolete. Placed header rail seal on the top the next day.

May 3, 2006

Group 26 12 V Battery ???????!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Fixing a gas tank sender float with gas in it - ideas?

May 2, 2006

Ordered some parts from Vic. Brit. (gas tank sender, tach glass, seal kit). Sending unit on back order (2 weeks)


May 1, 2006

A couple of short hops today in the B. Took off the hard top and reinstalled the old soft top. Ordered some parts from Obsolete (dist. cap, lower pivot, header rail seal sending unit and seal kit)

Got an email back from Octagon ($351 tax/shipping included)

Apr. 29, 2006

Took my daughter for run in the car today. Gave the exterior a decent cleaning as well. Fixed the passenger side door handle (interior). I picked up the soft top from Dad's.

Re: Best Place to Buy Soft Top (in Canada)


Apr. 25, 2006

On the road again. Finally after a long winter I got the car out for a run today. $10 Gas (26650 m). Went up to Dad's to check the sending unit in the gas tank. Gauge will rise but only after bypassong the unit. I also tightened the exhaust/mainfold bolts. There was a lot of noise at the end of last year and it appears to be a result of the nuts backing off. Runs much quieter now.

Apr. 19, 2006

While on a family cruise in the Caribbean our ship made port in the British Isle of Grand Cayman. While there I was attempting to find the DMV to purcahse a license plate. I asked a gentleman for directions and at first he just stared at me. I asked him wht was wrong and he said he was looking at my hat (Moss MGB Baseball cap). He said his wife owned a 69 and that the B was few and far between on the island. He pointed me in the right direction where I received my Cayman Islands 111 277 license plate to add to my collection.

Jan 14, 2006

Started the car today. Hard not to when the temperature hits 18 degrees in Newfoundland in January.

Jan 1, 2006

Just wanted to get some practice writing the New Year's date. I'll be 40 this year and my MGB turns 33.

The following text is as it appeared in the August 1994 Edition of Road & Track magazine pp. 110-116

I am posting this article as a fellow MGB Experience follower is now the current owner of the MGB in the article

The following link explains how John Casparro found the lineage of HIS MGB: B-ING There

B-ING THERE
Restored at last, the MGB gets its shakedown trip on the last road to Atlanta

BY PETER EGAN
Photos by author and Chris Beebe

I will first ask Mr. Egan's permission to post this article in the manner in which the following article has been posted A Nice Morning Drive