MGB GT for everyday use?

[zbc]

Arcnewal said:

Providing it's looked after properly, what are the main pitfalls with using an MGB everyday?

Are you actually me? I was just about to ask this question. After many years abroad and having seen the complexity of importing my car I was thinking of going down the same route. Keep the advice coming, following with interest.

[nta16]

there are quite a few threads on PH on running a BGT as a daily, reading all of the threads on them will help, obviously there'll be a lot of advice repeated but still read the whole of the posts and threads

[Paul S4]

Berw said:

I am thinking of using my Elan as a daily when I finish it, I used one in the 70's for work every day. The big issue I had in the 70's with cars was they need a good battery to start, being Welsh this was never aproblem just use to bump start down the hill, but If I used an older car today I would invest in a jumper pack.

I had a 1970 Elan S4DHC that I ran regularly , and when my main car was out of action I used the Elan to commute ( in winter...!)

You will be aware that the standard battery is a) tiny and b) in the furthest possible place away from the starter motor!
I modified mine by relocating a much larger battery into the small space above the diff. It was secured firmly on a plinth etc, and had a few advantages; much more power so spins the starter motor faster, and puts more weight over the rear wheels. Also frees up the 'battery compartment' to store a toolbox !
Also installed a secret battery cut off switch for electrical safety and security.
Also fitted some very good fog lamps behind the grill for 'driving lights', and they also are a back up to use if ( or when !) the vacuum system for the headlights fails...( any leak in the system will affect the headlights)

Apologies to OP for a Lotus diversion !

[Paul S4]

PS I also ran a 1973 MGBGT every day as my only car in the 80's in Newcastle. Main 'issue' was the very heavy steering which made street parking quite an art !
I seem to recall that I fitted a full stainless steel exhaust which had a narrow centre box to increase ground clearance, and as has been said, I upgraded the lights to halogens.

[Shezbo]

balls-out said:

I find this list somewhat perplexing - maybe nice to have, but to make the car more reliable? Very few of these items are the cause of breakdowns. A good nick engine shouldn't over heat in standard form nor require uprated batteries or alternators. They just need the items to be in proper condition.
bulbs and unleaded? Again not really about reliability.
Electronic ignition is a good idea, but it mainly to compensate for wear and tear in old items and to require less maintenance.

Edited by balls-out on Thursday 16th October 17:13

Hi - they are not just "nice to have items"? They are items that have been proven to be better than the original products and fitments and are therefore make for a more reliable old car.

Electric fan - for example - if you have come off a motorway and then got stuck on a slip road for even 3 minutes - an old iron block engine can easily over heat - the electric fan will remove that worry.

This is what the original thread is all about making an old car fit for modern day driving?

[chevy-stu]

My friend runs her 68' MGB as her daily and only transport...
She's had the odd issue and been stranded a handful of times, but she wouldn't change it for anything else... !

[LouD86]

After rebuilding his 73 MGB, (Owned in the family since new) my uncle has used his for his 12k per annum commute for 4 years now, and not a single fault. He maintains it as you should a car, and it hasn't stepped out of line.

I think his comment of wet roads are fun, shows he doesn't drive it gently

[rowey200]

My old dad has run his MGB GT V8 daily from the day he bought it in 1979 - can't imagine him ever getting rid of it

It's standard apart from an electronic ignition and a pair of electric cooling fans. He's had a flick switch put under the dash so he can bring the fans in nice and early if sitting in traffic

[MC Bodge]

When my father in law got his GT, the steering was very heavy and the brakes were rubbish.

The brakes have been improved, but the pedal travel is still a bit long for my liking.

New kingpins and lower arms helped the steering a lot. I now find the steering quite good, with good feedback.

The fuel pump once developed an intermittent fault, which caused the engine to conk out on me. Giving it a few minutes rest appeared to resurrect it. A quality replacement pump rectified it.

I would definitely upgrade the headlights with crystal reflectors, Ring Ultima bulbs and heavier cables, relayed from the battery -as I've done on my similarly-lamped Triumph Street Triple.

New, beefier horns too.

....and Uniroyal Rainexperts.

Edited by MC Bodge on Thursday 23 October 00:49

[Vocal Minority]

My GT Experience.

Plus points:

- practical enough for only me
- Lots of fun, always felt great
- mechanically unimpeachable (if looked after), it didn't let me down once - I sold it on to my dad who has restored it (see negatives!)- and after 6 years the engine has not turned over. Still runs like a top. Not needed a thing doing to it.

Negatives:

- It was designed before traffic jams were invented, so it will over heat a bit in very heavy stuff without a modern fan.
- Rust. They rust. Pick very, very carefully. Rust worm got mine, and the old man decided he fancied salvaging it. Its great now. But it really wasn't at first!

[rowey200]

MC Bodge said:

The fuel pump once developed an intermittent fault, which caused the engine to conk out on me. Giving it a few minutes rest appeared to resurrect it. A quality replacement pump rectified it.

Edited by MC Bodge on Thursday 23 October 00:49

Ah yes, my dads uprated the fuel pump as well. I seem to remember as a kid him having to occasionally tap the pump with a hammer to get the car to fire up Needless to say he no longer has to do this!

[nta16]

Vocal Minority said:

It was designed before traffic jams were invented, so it will over heat a bit in very heavy stuff without a modern fan.

no it will not

provided the cooling/heating system has been thoroughly cleaned and flushed including engine block and the the components are working as they should with regularly changed anti-freeze/coolant

and the rest of the car is serviced, maintained, repaired and set up correctly

fitting an electric fan (and removing engine driven fan) is a good idea but not to cover a poor performing cooling/heating system

same as banging the fuel pump with a hammer, if this is required then the pump needs servicing, repairing or replacing

as I keep putting, one of the main problems with a classic or any car is the previous and present owners

[Hooli]

nta16 said:

Vocal Minority said:

It was designed before traffic jams were invented, so it will over heat a bit in very heavy stuff without a modern fan.

no it will not

provided the cooling/heating system has been thoroughly cleaned and flushed including engine block and the the components are working as they should with regularly changed anti-freeze/coolant

and the rest of the car is serviced, maintained, repaired and set up correctly

fitting an electric fan (and removing engine driven fan) is a good idea but not to cover a poor performing cooling/heating system

same as banging the fuel pump with a hammer, if this is required then the pump needs servicing, repairing or replacing

as I keep putting, one of the main problems with a classic or any car is the previous and present owners

+1

My 1500 Midget never overheated even in stationary traffic & damn hot (for English) weather.

One thing people often forget on classics is to change the rad cap if it's old, they loose their ability to maintain pressure in the system & that lowers the boiling point of the coolant.