the huntrods zone - personal
MGB Work, Summer 2013

This is a journal of the mgb work done in the summer of 2013.

The reason for this year's work is simple: I want to license the MGB in B.C. and cannot do that without an inspection. The inspection process is quite rigorous for 'foreign' (i.e. not from B.C.) cars, and things like my cracked windshield will definitely result in a failed inspection. So, time to address the issues...

 
Windscreen Replacement (July 2013)

I've discussed the windscreen replacement in previous MGB posts (i.e. 2009's interior restoration). The problem is rather simple: either replace the glass or replace the whole windscreen. Glass-only replacment seems to be fraught with much peril of broken windscreens and great effort inserting glass into new seals, so I elected to replace the entire windscreen assembly instead.

Some years ago I purchased a complete uncracked windscreen in it's frame from usedmgbparts.com south of Duncan. This has been sitting in my shed under a moving blanket for some time.

To begin, I loosened the dashboard holding bolts a bit, then was able to fit a wrench into the space where the windscreen bolts are located. After much toil, often laying upside down under the dash, I was able to remove all four bolts holding the windscreen in place. After removing the center bolt, it was easy to lift out.

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Windscreen Replacement (July 2013)

Before the new windscreen can go into place, it needs a new seal between the bottom of the windscreen and the surface of the MGB. The internet 'instructions' were really dumb - pulling it into a securing channel with ropes and lots of soap. After trying that for about a minute, I came up with the idea of using a small screwdriver to gently insert the seal into the slot. It worked like a dream and was incredibly easy to do.

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Windscreen Replacement (July 2013)

Now comes the hard part: installing the windscreen. The difficulty is the lower seal. It's curled and so must be persuaded to lie flat while the windscreen is pushed down in place and held while the bolts are fastened. I've seen car videos where 3-4 people are used in this process. I had one person - me. There were also many suggestions as to how to uncurl the lower seal but in the end fingers worked best. By working slowly and from one side then the other, I was able to secure the windscreen in place.

It was still a very challenging and tiring process. I'm glad it's done.

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Battery Kill Switch (June 2013)

I've always had problems with the MG draining batteries over the winter. If the battery freezes, you have to replace it. I figured a true 'kill' switch that disconnected the battery from the MG would help prevent this discharge.

I found the perfect battery switch on Amazon.ca. It's from Hella and is branded 'Nascar' but it was the dimensions I wanted.

I decided to mount the switch under the rear deck near the battery with just the key portion sticking up. After marking the mounting position I drilled the hole and mounted the switch. Once connections were made to the battery ground, which required an additional ground strap, I tested it. It works perfectly.

Bonus - the switch key is removable so can act as an anti-theft device.

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MGB Work (July 2013)

Just a few photos of my inspection of the underside.

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MGB Fan (Sept. 2013)

I inspected the fan and it is fine.

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MGB Engine Bay (July 2013)

The engine bay was painted in 2009, but I did a bit of touch-up work.

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MGB (Aug 2013)

Here's the finished car, after passing it's inspection.

Of course there were a few issues at the initial inspection, done by Frank Laird motors in Ladysmith. They put the car on a hoist. This was done properly as they know older British sports cars. On the hoist they found one rear brake slave cylinder was weeping and asked me to replace it. After the road test, they indicated some lights were not working and required them to be fixed. The first inspection was a fail but I was allowed to fix the issues and return for a re-do without charge.

The lights turned out to be simple blown fuses and one mis-placed brake wire. The slave cylinder had to be ordered from Vancouver but arrived in a day and was installed, after which I bled the brakes.

I took the MG back for it's re-do and it passed with flying colors. I then went to LCU Insurance in Ladysmith to get my new B.C. plates. The car is now a registered B.C. auto.

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MGB Info (July 2013)

During registration, LCU found a problem. The VIN was considered 'not legal' for the 1968 MGB. We did a full inspection of the VIN plate and discovered a simple error had been made back in 1983 when I bought the car. The previous owner thought a 'slash' looked like a 'one' and recorded it thus. This made the VIN one number too long for the make and year. The mistake had been continued until I came in to register the car in B.C.

Fortunately we were able to take photos of the correct VIN and submit them to ICBC for a correction. It's the far-right photo. With dirt on the body, the number becomes very hard to read.

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