Picked up Mindy the MGB GT on Monday and this isn' as expect
Discussion
Hello people,
After reading and reading, and reading a bit more and speaking to people I have taken the plunge into my first daily-drive-classic! Thank you for your help so far..I now wonder if you might be able to help me further? Now I have cruised the forums to see if you lovely individuals had aided other people in the same distress, apologies if i have already missed good advice and am re posting without reason.
So after picking my my 78 B GT this weekend, regardless of its dated interior and unmolested-ness; I was a happy. Until I noticed things not as I expected them to be....
Now this is my first classic, after 3 years of driving and spending these devoted to my ZR its a very stark comparison.
I drove the car on a small test, some things had been noticed during this time (doors really don't look shut! and reverse was a bugger to find) but these other mysteries have popped up on a significantly longer run than 2 miles - Portsmouth to Oxford, 2 hours!
So there are niggles, the speedo arm wobbles and the dash lights don't all work; still undecided on how best to use the Overdrive; where the rushing air noise is mostly appearing from and where the heck do I get new wiper blades. The biggie I am asking for help with here is why does 'She' vibrate so much in traffic? Its not so much a vibrate, more a ship hit by wave type roll! 'She' will vibrate 3 maybe 4 times then a bigger wave will take over the car. This is in static traffic. The fan also seems to come into action too.
Also, when taking my foot from the accelerator (40mph+) it sounds like I have a harrier jump jet landing in my boot, it seems to be exhaust side. The faster I go, the louder the noise gets when I slip my foot from the Go pedal.
She isn't converted to unleaded, so I popped £20 of fuel in with some additive and is still a choke starter (not sure if you need to know this...)
Now I am not a mechanic so I do need to ask for simple explanations if you can help, just whilst I get to grips with my own maintenance. If you might kindly humor a newbie, I would be most appreciative.
Many thanks in advance for your time
After reading and reading, and reading a bit more and speaking to people I have taken the plunge into my first daily-drive-classic! Thank you for your help so far..I now wonder if you might be able to help me further? Now I have cruised the forums to see if you lovely individuals had aided other people in the same distress, apologies if i have already missed good advice and am re posting without reason.
So after picking my my 78 B GT this weekend, regardless of its dated interior and unmolested-ness; I was a happy. Until I noticed things not as I expected them to be....
Now this is my first classic, after 3 years of driving and spending these devoted to my ZR its a very stark comparison.
I drove the car on a small test, some things had been noticed during this time (doors really don't look shut! and reverse was a bugger to find) but these other mysteries have popped up on a significantly longer run than 2 miles - Portsmouth to Oxford, 2 hours!
So there are niggles, the speedo arm wobbles and the dash lights don't all work; still undecided on how best to use the Overdrive; where the rushing air noise is mostly appearing from and where the heck do I get new wiper blades. The biggie I am asking for help with here is why does 'She' vibrate so much in traffic? Its not so much a vibrate, more a ship hit by wave type roll! 'She' will vibrate 3 maybe 4 times then a bigger wave will take over the car. This is in static traffic. The fan also seems to come into action too.
Also, when taking my foot from the accelerator (40mph+) it sounds like I have a harrier jump jet landing in my boot, it seems to be exhaust side. The faster I go, the louder the noise gets when I slip my foot from the Go pedal.
She isn't converted to unleaded, so I popped £20 of fuel in with some additive and is still a choke starter (not sure if you need to know this...)
Now I am not a mechanic so I do need to ask for simple explanations if you can help, just whilst I get to grips with my own maintenance. If you might kindly humor a newbie, I would be most appreciative.
Many thanks in advance for your time
I'd start buy giving the car a full service (even if the P.O. say's he's done it not many people do a though job). A bit more too it than the "oil change and inspection" on most moderns. Order the parts, follow the schedule, take you're time and don't miss any steps. I often do a service over a period of time. i.e. engine on one day. Brakes and underbody on another day. As long as it all gets done that's all that matters.
This'll probably sort a lot of it, then a list of niggles to work through.
Any motor factors ought to be able to supply wiper blades, or try MGOC.
I wouldn't bother with C.L. or any upgrades at this stage. Get the car right 1st, see what you can live with/get used to and what you can't. I usually fit interia reel seatbelts though. Keeps Mrs PR happy.
This'll probably sort a lot of it, then a list of niggles to work through.
Any motor factors ought to be able to supply wiper blades, or try MGOC.
I wouldn't bother with C.L. or any upgrades at this stage. Get the car right 1st, see what you can live with/get used to and what you can't. I usually fit interia reel seatbelts though. Keeps Mrs PR happy.
Edited by PositronicRay on Tuesday 15th September 15:17
Thank you PR, much obliged.
The car was purchased from a classic car restoration garage, who assured they had serviced everything other than the air filter as this didn't look like it need it. I will work my way through the service myself, i guess its covered in the Drivers Handbook or Haynes manual (or YouTube!) thank you for the pointer.
The car was purchased from a classic car restoration garage, who assured they had serviced everything other than the air filter as this didn't look like it need it. I will work my way through the service myself, i guess its covered in the Drivers Handbook or Haynes manual (or YouTube!) thank you for the pointer.
Congrats on your new MG! Nice to see a fellow young person getting involved in classics! 
Regarding your niggles:
- If the doors don't quite look shut, even if they are, you can adjust this by adjusting the door striker plate attached to the car body.
- I wouldn't worry about the speedo arm wobbling as most do that!!
- The dash lights are utterly rubbish unless you fit LED bulbs, so they might actually be working after all
- Overdrive - to engage, some say put your foot down hard to smooth the change out, others say ease off a bit, both will give a smoother change, although none will be up to modern standards! To disengage, i find putting your foot down a bit and flicking it out smooths things out nicely
, alternatively you can dip the clutch and treat it as a normal gear change.
- wiper blades - can be bought online from www.mgocspares.co.uk - it's worth joining the MGOC as the parts and technical back up is very good.
- the vibration - i'd say this is an engine or gearbox mount, a relatively straightforward DIY fix or a simple job for a garage, (parts are cheap)
- This harrier noise you speak off? Sounds like a worn rear differential or gearbox. might be worth changing the oil or at least check the level on both, as this often gets overlooked. Diffs and gearboxes are strong, so it will probably last a good while yet, but just give a greater symphony of noise
- There is a great debate on whether you need a fuel additive or not, but for the minimal price it can't hurt in my eyes!
It's worth getting the Haynes manual and the drivers handbook, as many jobs can be completed yourself with basic tools, they're not complicated cars!
One more thing i would recommend is rustproof the hell out of it underneath! You can buy spray on waxes such as Bilt Hamber Dynax, which will help protect it if it is a daily driver, as they do like to rust!
I see you bought it from a classic car garage, they should be able to help or advise you on your queries. I doubt they would do all of the work as it is an old car, and these niggles are to be expected, but it's certainly worth speaking to them.
Once you've ironed out a few niggles and teething problems, they can be pretty reliable and great fun
Sorry for the essay! But hope it helps!
Regarding your niggles:
- If the doors don't quite look shut, even if they are, you can adjust this by adjusting the door striker plate attached to the car body.
- I wouldn't worry about the speedo arm wobbling as most do that!!
- The dash lights are utterly rubbish unless you fit LED bulbs, so they might actually be working after all
- Overdrive - to engage, some say put your foot down hard to smooth the change out, others say ease off a bit, both will give a smoother change, although none will be up to modern standards! To disengage, i find putting your foot down a bit and flicking it out smooths things out nicely
, alternatively you can dip the clutch and treat it as a normal gear change.- wiper blades - can be bought online from www.mgocspares.co.uk - it's worth joining the MGOC as the parts and technical back up is very good.
- the vibration - i'd say this is an engine or gearbox mount, a relatively straightforward DIY fix or a simple job for a garage, (parts are cheap)
- This harrier noise you speak off? Sounds like a worn rear differential or gearbox. might be worth changing the oil or at least check the level on both, as this often gets overlooked. Diffs and gearboxes are strong, so it will probably last a good while yet, but just give a greater symphony of noise
- There is a great debate on whether you need a fuel additive or not, but for the minimal price it can't hurt in my eyes!
It's worth getting the Haynes manual and the drivers handbook, as many jobs can be completed yourself with basic tools, they're not complicated cars!
One more thing i would recommend is rustproof the hell out of it underneath! You can buy spray on waxes such as Bilt Hamber Dynax, which will help protect it if it is a daily driver, as they do like to rust!
I see you bought it from a classic car garage, they should be able to help or advise you on your queries. I doubt they would do all of the work as it is an old car, and these niggles are to be expected, but it's certainly worth speaking to them.
Once you've ironed out a few niggles and teething problems, they can be pretty reliable and great fun
Sorry for the essay! But hope it helps!
Edited by Db1904 on Tuesday 15th September 22:19
Thank you for the responses, I have joined the MGOC (Abingdon branch if any of you are local, please say hi at the next Natter).
After a clean and tidy up at the weekend I think the dash lights are a wiring issue but as I drive in the day its not a biggie at the moment. I have booked her in for an all over check as after the clean I notice the boots leaking and the doors are a little too.
The shudder has stopped its more a gentle rock, I expect it was me causing the issues and I have yet to hear the Harrier again, but this will all be looked at during the health check.
I will pop some photos on as soon as I can, I was worried I would hate it but I drive with a smile.
After a clean and tidy up at the weekend I think the dash lights are a wiring issue but as I drive in the day its not a biggie at the moment. I have booked her in for an all over check as after the clean I notice the boots leaking and the doors are a little too.
The shudder has stopped its more a gentle rock, I expect it was me causing the issues and I have yet to hear the Harrier again, but this will all be looked at during the health check.
I will pop some photos on as soon as I can, I was worried I would hate it but I drive with a smile.
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