Well, I couldn't stand the look of the unsightly rust on the bottom of the rear doglegs and I'm not ready, financially, for having the panels repaired or replaced and the car repainted, so I cleaned up the rust with a wire wheel on my drill and then treated it with Rustoleum rust reformer.
I then filled the rust holes with bondo (and some metal screen in the larger holes in the drivers side dogleg). After several coats of bondo and lots of sanding, I sprayed the repaired areas with high-fill primer, more sanding and then two coats of pageant blue, then a couple of coats of clear.
I then noticed that the passenger side front wing showed signs of possibly having some rust along the bottom also. I repeated the process used on the rear doglegs on that spot.
I was pleased with the result. I know it's only a temp fix, but at least it looks better and I might be able to make it another year without coughing up the cost of bodywork and a respray.

Today, 3/12/11, I picked up the 'B' after having an OD trans installed and also having the head retorqued and oil changed at 500 miles after the rebuild. Also had a few minor items done, relays for horns & radiator fans installed and a new radio antenna installed. The OD is delightful on the freeway and anytime you can cruise for awhile at 50 MPH or more. I don't have any plans for any more major work before the end of this year, when I can hopefully get the body rust and paint sorted out. I'm really looking forward to the driving season this year!

I got the 'B back on Wednesday, 2/9. I drove it home, gently. It runs much smoother, but can't really tell a lot of difference until it gets past the 500 mile mark and I can run it normally. The idle is rough, no miss, just kind of rough. The mechanic attributed that to a larger cam, but it doesn't feel like a cam "lope" to me. We'll see.

The mechanic was really impressed with the LED tail lights I installed while the engine was out. I gave him the Classic LED website so he could order some for his cars(2). I like them too. I'm all LED in all lights now with halogen headlights.

I have a small list of items that I can do between now and warmer weather (supposed to be in the 50's next week!!!):

- Replace both ignition and starter relays
- Tidy up loose ends in engine bay
- Check non-working license plate light
- Install 2 missing bolts in pedal box
- Install floating thread plates for folding top mounting bolts
- Install attention flasher
- Repaint panel in front of radiator

Here is the list of parts & labor cost for my engine overhaul:

ENGINE OVERHAUL Labor:$1,875.00
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297-321 HEAD GASKET SET 1.0 @ 57.95 =$ 57.95
297-521 LOWER GASKET SET 1.0 @ 59.95 =$ 59.95
328-160 MAIN GALLEY PLUG 4.0 @ 6.00 =$ 24.00
3155-4 OIL GALLEY PLUG 1.0 @ 2.00 =$ 2.00
328-190 PLUG 2.0 @ 3.95 =$ 7.90
328-200 TIMING CHAIN FEED 1.0 @ 1.95 =$ 1.95
460-155 OIL PRESS RELIEF VALVE 1.0 @ 4.75 =$ 4.75
329-210 OP SPRING 1.0 @ 1.25 =$ 1.25
460-540 CAMSHAFT GEAR 1.0 @ 20.95 =$ 20.95
460-420 CRANKSHAFT GEAR 1.0 @ 16.75 =$ 16.75
460-590 TIMING CHAIN 1.0 @ 9.95 =$ 9.95
460-560 TC TENSIONER 1.0 @ 9.75 =$ 9.75
330-415 PILOT BUSHING 1.0 @ 5.95 =$ 5.95
435-600 OIL PUMP 1.0 @ 59.95 =$ 59.95
460-638 TAPPET/RUSHROD SET 1.0 @ 94.95 =$ 94.95
420-441 PISTONS 1.0 @ 319.95 =$ 319.95
425-080 MAIN BEARINGS 1.0 @ 34.95 =$ 34.95
425-780 ROD BEARINGS 1.0 @ 52.95 =$ 52.95
425-600 THRUST WASHER SET 1.0 @ 21.95 =$ 21.95
425-000 CAM SHAFT BEARING 1.0 @ 18.95 =$ 18.95
NPOF CAM SHAFT 1.0 @ 140.00 =$ 140.00
376-180 OIL FLEX LINE 1.0 @ 16.95 =$ 16.95
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Job03s MACHINE SHOP Sublet:$400.00

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Job04 INSPECT CLUTCH Labor: $0.00
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Estimate Cost Summary
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Tax: $68.90
Estimate Total: $3,347.55
PLUS - Clutch, Pressure plate, throwout bearing, spigot bearing, fork bushings and flywheel re-facing - $240

Jan 2011 - Continuing with the work while the engine is out, I have done the following:

- Removed, stripped and painted the radiator overflow tank
- Stripped and painted the heater box (in-place)
- Removed, stripped and painted the pedal box.
- Stripped and painted the area around the pedal box.
- Replaced clutch master cylinder (new)
- Replaced brake booster (new)
- Replaced bushings on brake pedal shaft.
- Installed new fuse box with spade type fuses and relays for marker lights and ignition
- Installed new electronic flashers for turn signals and emer flasher
- Installed relays for the headlights (both hi & low beams)

Today is 1/31/2011 and I am having the 'B' picked up and delivered back to Strohms today. They called last week and said that the engine is about ready to go back in! Hopefully, it will be operational soon.

Dec 2010

While the 'B' motor is being overhauled, I had the rest of the car brought back to the house so I can clean/paint as much as possible in the engine bay.

I installed VB's mylar under-hood pad so I could do it without removing the hood again. I had already repainted the underside. I later added a 10" "MG" emblem on the padding.

I have also installed LED bulbs in tail lights, parking lights, side lights and license plate lights.

I installed new halogen headlights, headlight relays and a new fuse/relay box.

Hopefully, when it's running again, it will be much brighter!!