Steering Column

Due to vertical play in the steering column I removed the upper bushing and found that the installed roller bearing to be worn.

Everything was a mess.

Original parts are not available so I sourced a new bearing and fit it to the original bushing.

The replacement bearing fits perfectly, held in place by the column snap ring, no more play in the shaft.

Valves and Quarter Lights

The final step of the tune up complete, valve lash checked, none were out of adjustment. Once I get the brakes working I will be able to complete the test drive and drive-train check.

In the mean time, while I am waiting for the brake parts to arrive there are plenty of other time intensive tasks to work on, such as fixing the broken studs on the wing or quarter light windows. One of four studs survived and only one of two pivot pins, however, the corrosion is so bad that everything needs to be replaced.

Driver side quarter light studs replaced.

And the passenger side as well.

Now for replacing the old quarterlight pivot bolts.

The bolts are on back order, so I made new ones. 1/4 in bolt, map gas and a hammer; the end is reshaped to fit in the window frame, then the brass bushing is turned down to fit in in the stationary frame.

Test fit looks good.

New flange end.

Final fit with window in frame, brass bushing separating window from frame and a new spring to give the window tension so it doesn't flop in the breeze when opened. Just have to get the new seals installed and it will be done.

Crack of doom x 2

The so called "crack of doom" under the passenger side quarter light.

All welded up with 2x3 inch patch with zinc primer applied.

And finally all sanded down below the level of adjacent paint surface and ready for primer, filler and paint.

Here is the driver side welded up.

And smoothed down.

Getting Caught Up

Since having the MG delivered I have been evaluating the car to determine what needs to be addressed in the restoration. I should also note, as of right now I don't intend to make this a show car, my goal today is to make it a nice driver. That means every part of the car will be mechanical refurbished but I am not planning on repainting it. So here are some of the things I have found so far that I need to work on.

The engine bay needs general cleaning.

The electrical system requires some refreshing.

The Brake system needs a complete overhaul.

Front brakes need calipers rebuilt. Once the brakes are back in working order I will conduct a test drive to better asses any other drive-ability issues before progressing further.

The Begining

This is the 1974 MGB that I bought sight unseen from Bringatrailer.com. It is my intention to restore the car and sell it. This blog is my way of documenting the restoration so that others can see the process and so that my friends and family will know that I have not gone missing, but that I am simply in the garage. I will try to keep this up to date so that it is a real time reference of my progress.