on 12/19/04 8:40 AM, Oliver at sumton@sbcglobal.net wrote:
> hi, all.
>
> we just acquired a 1973 MGB in very good, mostly original condition, from
> the original owner here in Texas. i've got the original window sticker and
> a bunch of other documents like the metal warranty card, etc. according to
> the PO, and it shows, it was repainted at least once. the tires are about 7
> years old, and are badly cracked, and will be replaced. it has painted
> wires, showing as a dealer installed option. A/C was added in the first few
> months of the cars life. it also has a factory installed oil radiator. and
> yes, it runs well and drives great!
Sounds like a decent find. Congrats.
>
> i have 3 questions -
>
> 1. it obviously leaks badly into the trunk - that is the only area where
> there is rust, but it's not severe. It has a luggage rack, and I'm figuring
> on replacing the trunk gasket and caulking the rack mounts on the inside.
> that should cure it?
That would be a good start. It could also leak around the seal just because
the trunklid alignment is not very good. But try that first.
>
> 2. the po had replaced the speedo; he and his wife couldn't agree on the
> true mileage - it now reads 6700 +/-. This is either a really dumb
> question, or someone knows the answer - the clutch pedal is gone; the brake
> pedal shows a lot of wear. there is a lot of oil around the lower part of
> the engine. the interior is in really good shape except the seat foam is
> shot on the driver side, and the top of the passenger head rest has some
> broken out vinyl exposing the foam. i've looked through the receipts and
> there is nothing after about 8k miles. i know its got to have 50k+ miles,
> but other than that is there any way to get a good approximate guess of how
> many miles are really on it?
What do you mean the clutch pedal is gone? That it has no rubber on it? I
don't know that it ever did (on a 73). Someone probably does.
I would assume 50 to 100K miles in the absence of evidence, but there is no
way to really know at this point.
> 3. we found a very rusty pair of metal tubes in a bag on the bottom of the
> trunk. i now see they are some kind of supports for the tonneau (which was
> included, as was the cover for the top when it is down). does anyone
> actually use these? should i get a replacement set?
Yes, they are helpful in keeping the cover from sagging. Just wire brush
them and paint them gray -- they are heavy guage metal and can take a lot of
abuse.
>
> 4. the alternator light goes on and off intermittantly, seeming more on at
> low speeds and off once i get going. the tail lights don't work but the
> brake lights do. in fact, only the headlights, the brake lights, and one
> backup light work. i'm thinking clean all the grounds as first step?
Yes, plus the connectors at the fuse box, and all the connectors inside the
trunk.
> thanks so much for putting up with my lack of knowledge!
Good luck with your acquisition.
--
Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
If you're near Mountain View, CA,
it's the primer red one with chrome wires
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