MGB GT Project - All the gear, no idea!

MGB GT Project - All the gear, no idea!

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Discussion

TheAdWrighty

Original Poster:

71 posts

114 months

Friday 18th March 2016
quotequote all
Morning PHers,

So in a strange turn of events in selling my motorbike, I inadvertently joined the Car Club through work and i'm now in the process of obtaining a 1980's MGB GT with only 17k original miles!

All the gear, no idea - The car club has everything I would ever need, 4 posters, 2 posters, tools, spray bays, shot blasters, welders etc. all free to use along with the standard membership (Private invite only unfortunately). Excellent, everything I need, apart from experience and knowledge, that didn't come with the membership; I have never restored a car, only basic mechanical work on cars and motorbikes.

The car is located in the car club and has been for the previous few years as an unloved project. It suits quite well as i've been looking at Spitfires, MGB's and Volvo P1800's for a while.

Good bits
-Super low mileage
-Extremely clean interior, you can really tell it's not done many miles
-Good history file
-Very clean engine bay
-Very clean boot
-Runner

Bad Bits
-Rust.
-- Arches joining to the sills
-- Top of wing below window (Maybe not rust but paint peeled off)
-- Sills ish, seem strong but small amount near arches again.
-- Bottom of doors (either reskin or patch)
-- Few 3mm bubbles on bonnet
-Oil leak from engine (looks like the side gasket)

I've been looking for a project and after snapping this up for a nice amount it seems the ideal motor to do the job.
I intend to keep posting on here to show how a novice restores a car (ensue criticism and hate!)

So, what are peoples thoughts on the vehicle, age, project as a whole and work to come?
Advice on sites, checklists, tools that'll be essential?

I'm not a fan of the rubber bumpers at all, would love these removed and replaced with nothing and a nice chrome grill/sebring kit (not chrome conversion).





HughG

3,538 posts

240 months

Friday 18th March 2016
quotequote all
Looks like a good base for the project. Good luck

Flying Phil

1,578 posts

144 months

Friday 18th March 2016
quotequote all
Looks very tidy - and after a good clean/polish will look even better. Careful inspection of the sill structure and wheel arches will show if there is major work to be done. The BGT will be an excellent introduction to car restoration/modification.
Well Done, looking forward to frequent updates.clap

awooga

358 posts

133 months

Saturday 19th March 2016
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Sadly if you've got rust at the wheelarches, especially the rear where they join the sills, it's usually a good predictor of rot in the sills. They seem to rust from the inside out. The sill replacement kits are good and relatively cheap, it's just a lot of time prepping for welding, rust proofing and then painting.

But definitely a good find with that mileage. Check the bushes on the suspension too - if you've got seals going in the engine, the bushes are probably a bit shot too. Dirt cheap for bits.

Have fun!


v8250

2,724 posts

210 months

Saturday 19th March 2016
quotequote all
OP, that's a splendid find. Not much to add as all the works can be readily completed in losing your classic car resto'cherry wink Mechanicals are a doddle. Carefully inspect sills and use an endoscope for thorough assessment, you may just find it's outer crustiness. Bilt Hamber have highly effectively metal treatment products, also the highly industrious Aqua Steel. Re' suspension bushes, it's worth changing every one, front and rear, together with all grease points re-greased and especially the kingpins. When the car's in the air take plenty of good under body shots too.

http://www.bilthamber.com/

http://aquasteel.co.uk/

Look forward to the progress pics...

TheAdWrighty

Original Poster:

71 posts

114 months

Saturday 19th March 2016
quotequote all
Thank you for all the support, it's looking like it could be an excellent project!

Going to start with getting it mechanically sound, through its MOT and then really start tackling the rust.

With the likes of aqua steel above, how does that work? Would you brush off the underbody rust first, then apply it, afterwards applying a sealer? If so what kind of sealer? Waxoyl? Or is that a treatment and finish in one?

One thing I've noticed already which is delightful is the plentiful spares for the mg at such a low price! Under £150 for around 15-20 items to get its freshly serviced and running.

It's got a seized handbrake at the moment, thoughts on fixes? Hit with a hammer? Drum off and recondition?