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Hi Dan, Wasn't it Secy Cheney who talked about Known Unknowns, Unknown =
Unknowns, and those sorts of puzzlements? All are likely to be found in =
this project, one that can be a fine experience if time is not a factor.=
Since the engine is seized, might as well get it out of the car now. T=
he carcass will be lighter and easier to move around. Engine project is =
different from the body anyway, and quicker to do also. Removing the s=
teering wheel, column and shaft improves accessibility to everything, an=
d you can steer the engine-free car easily. I would suggest that you =
go with a new wiring harness. A couple of years ago I thought the harne=
ss in my TD was good, and it was good in all the visible places. When I =
removed to install a new one, I found faults all over the harness. That =
sure spooked me, and if I do anything of significance to my '72 GT, I wi=
ll install a new harness at that time. As others have said, the body =
structure is concealed inside the rocker. While it would be ideal to fin=
d someone experienced with the MGB, a good shop that knows unit bodies a=
nd plans to weld reinforcement braces across the door openings to stiffe=
n the structure before removing rockers should be able to do the job. On=
e of us in the CT Club has just done this, and the car is just back from=
the paint shop looking very good. I believe the LH overdrive is the on=
e fitted to five-main engines. It'a bolt-on, and would be easiest way to=
enjoy OD. If correct, a five-main engine would be the one to use. Keep=
us apprised of your progress.Bob =
---------- Original Message ----------
From: Dan DiBiase via Mgs <mgs@autox.team.net>
To: MG List <mgs@autox.team.net>, MGB Group <mg-mgb@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [Mgs] '65B Restoration Status, How to Proceed
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2015 14:52:21 +0000 (UTC)
I apologize for the length of this note..... My '65 B has been stuck in =
limbo for a few years now, as circumstances have made it difficult for m=
e to free up any time to work on this project. But I expect to have some=
time this coming year to re-start.... Here is the background - I purchas=
ed this car in 1999 with the intention of restoring it to (mostly) stock=
condition, not to be a concours car but an enjoyable driver. 'Mostly st=
ock' meant, in my mind, that it wouldn't necessarily be as it came from =
the factory - I want to put an O/D in it as well as upgraded tires, etc.=
The condition of the car was pretty darn good for a $600,non-running ex=
ample. There is one rust hole in the passenger's side rocker, so I assum=
e that there is additional inside and on the other, although frankly the=
y are in bettershape than the ones on my '76 B! Also some rust in the re=
ar fender. But overall, the body is in good shape. Mechanically, the par=
ts are all there but the engine accessorieswere all removed when I bough=
t the car and the engine itself is seized. It is probably the incorrect =
engine for the car, being a G-series 3 main bearing car - it should be a=
GB5 main bearing engine based on the build date. I have a couple of GB =
blocks that are rebuildable. I may also just take the '75B engine out of=
my '76B and use that, as I expectthe '76B - being pretty rusty - to onl=
y have a few years of life left in the body.... Current status is 'mostl=
y' stripped. Wiring loom, engine/trans, steering column all remain in th=
e car. Everything else has been removed and stored away. I'm at the poin=
t where I need to make a decision about proceeding. I am assuming that m=
y next step would be to remove the engine/trans and wiring, and I can pr=
oceed to havethe body looked at...? I don't really have the skills/tools=
to do the welding work necessary to replace the rockers, nor am I reall=
y that interested in learning... ;-) The nearest MG 'specialists' are ov=
er an hour away but there are several reputable body shops in my area (a=
t which I have had work done on my 'regular' cars). I'm wondering about =
thoughts on using a regular shop. And also what sort of things I can do =
in terms of prep to reduce the cost of this work. Other comments apprec=
iated. Oh, and lots of pictures are here =3D> http://s24.photobucket.com=
/user/ddibiase/library/1965%20MGB?sort=3D3&page=3D1 Thx, Dan D'76B, '65B=
Central NJ USA
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<html><div>Hi Dan,</div><div> Wasn't it Secy Cheney who talked abo=
ut Known Unknowns, Unknown Unknowns, and those sorts of puzzlements? All=
are likely to be found in this project, one that can be a fine experien=
ce if time is not a factor.</div><div> Since the engine is seized,=
might as well get it out of the car now. The carcass will be lighter an=
d easier to move around. Engine project is different from the body anywa=
y, and quicker to do also.</div><div> Removing the steering =
wheel, column and shaft improves accessibility to everything, and you ca=
n steer the engine-free car easily. </div><div> I would=
suggest that you go with a new wiring harness. A couple of years =
ago I thought the harness in my TD was good, and it was good in all the =
visible places. When I removed to install a new one, I found faults all =
over the harness. That sure spooked me, and if I do anything of signific=
ance to my '72 GT, I will install a new harness at that time. </div=
><div> As others have said, the body structure is concealed =
inside the rocker. While it would be ideal to find someone experienced w=
ith the MGB, a good shop that knows unit bodies and plans to weld reinfo=
rcement braces across the door openings to stiffen the structure before =
removing rockers should be able to do the job. One of us in the CT Club =
has just done this, and the car is just back from the paint shop looking=
very good.</div><div> I believe the LH overdrive is the one fitte=
d to five-main engines. It'a bolt-on, and would be easiest way to enjoy =
OD. If correct, a five-main engine would be the one to use.</div><div>&n=
bsp; Keep us apprised of your progress.</div><div>Bob</div><div> <b=
r><br>---------- Original Message ----------<br>From: Dan DiBiase via Mg=
s <mgs@autox.team.net><br>To: MG List <mgs@autox.team.net>, =
MGB Group <mg-mgb@yahoogroups.com><br>Subject: [Mgs] '65B Restorat=
ion Status, How to Proceed<br>Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2015 14:52:21 +0000 (UTC=
)<br><br></p><div style=3D"color: #000; background-color: #fff; font-fam=
ily: HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, san=
s-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div id=3D"yiv9191085328"><div id=3D"yui_3_16=
_0_1_1424346596016_21187" style=3D"color: #000; background-color: #fff; =
font-family: HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Gra=
nde, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div id=3D"yiv9191085328yui_3_16_0_1_=
1424346596016_17213" dir=3D"ltr">I apologize for the length of this note=
.....</div><div id=3D"yiv9191085328yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_17259" dir=
=3D"ltr"> </div><div id=3D"yiv9191085328yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_=
17260" dir=3D"ltr"><div id=3D"yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_22104">My '65 B=
has been stuck in limbo for a few years now, as circumstances have made=
it difficult for me to free up any time to work on this project. But I =
expect to have some</div><div id=3D"yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_22134" di=
r=3D"ltr">time this coming year to re-start.... Here is the background -=
</div></div><div id=3D"yiv9191085328yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_17261" di=
r=3D"ltr"> </div><div id=3D"yiv9191085328yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016=
_17262" dir=3D"ltr">I purchased this car in 1999 with the intention of r=
estoring it to (mostly) stock condition, not to be a concours car but an=
enjoyable driver. 'Mostly stock' meant, in my mind, </div><div id=3D"yi=
v9191085328yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_17528" dir=3D"ltr">that it wouldn'=
t necessarily be as it came from the factory - I want to put an O/D in i=
t as well as upgraded tires, etc. The condition of the car was pretty da=
rn good for a $600,</div><div id=3D"yiv9191085328yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596=
016_17527" dir=3D"ltr">non-running example. There is one rust hole in th=
e passenger's side rocker, so I assume that there is additional inside a=
nd on the other, although frankly they are in better</div><div id=3D"yiv=
9191085328yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_17438" dir=3D"ltr">shape than the o=
nes on my '76 B! Also some rust in the rear fender. But overall, the bod=
y is in good shape. Mechanically, the parts are all there but the engine=
accessories</div><div id=3D"yiv9191085328yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_174=
32" dir=3D"ltr">were all removed when I bought the car and the engine it=
self is seized. It is probably the incorrect engine for the car, being a=
G-series 3 main bearing car - it should be a GB</div><div id=3D"yiv9191=
085328yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_17470" dir=3D"ltr"><div id=3D"yui_3_16_=
0_1_1424346596016_21811" dir=3D"ltr">5 main bearing engine based on the =
build date. I have a couple of GB blocks that are rebuildable. I may als=
o just take the '75B engine out of my '76B and use that, as I expect</di=
v><div id=3D"yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_21919" dir=3D"ltr">the '76B - be=
ing pretty rusty - to only have a few years of life left in the body....=
</div></div><div id=3D"yiv9191085328yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_17515" di=
r=3D"ltr"> </div><div id=3D"yiv9191085328yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016=
_17516" dir=3D"ltr"><div id=3D"yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_21198">Current=
status is 'mostly' stripped. Wiring loom, engine/trans, steering column=
all remain in the car. Everything else has been removed and stored away=
.</div><div id=3D"yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_21319"> </div><div id=3D=
"yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_21645" dir=3D"ltr">I'm at the point where I =
need to make a decision about proceeding. I am assuming that my next ste=
p would be to remove the engine/trans and wiring, and I can proceed to h=
ave</div><div id=3D"yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_21359" dir=3D"ltr">the bo=
dy looked at...? I don't really have the skills/tools to do the welding =
work necessary to replace the rockers, nor am I really that interested i=
n learning... ;-) The nearest MG </div><div id=3D"yui_3_16_0_1_142434659=
6016_21646" dir=3D"ltr">'specialists' are over an hour away but there ar=
e several reputable body shops in my area (at which I have had work done=
on my 'regular' cars). I'm wondering about thoughts on </div><div id=3D=
"yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_21647" dir=3D"ltr">using a regular shop. And=
also what sort of things I can do in terms of prep to reduce the cost o=
f this work. </div><div id=3D"yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_21949" dir=3D"l=
tr"> </div><div id=3D"yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_21950" dir=3D"ltr"=
>Other comments appreciated.</div><div id=3D"yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_=
22063" dir=3D"ltr"> </div><div id=3D"yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_220=
17" dir=3D"ltr">Oh, and lots of pictures are here =3D> <a id=3D"yui_3=
_16_0_1_1424346596016_22016" href=3D"http://s24.photobucket.com/user/ddi=
biase/library/1965%20MGB?sort=3D3&page=3D1">http://s24.photobucket.c=
om/user/ddibiase/library/1965%20MGB?sort=3D3&page=3D1</a></div><div =
id=3D"yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_21738" dir=3D"ltr"> </div><div id=3D=
"yui_3_16_0_1_1424346596016_21739" dir=3D"ltr">Thx,</div><div id=3D"yui_=
3_16_0_1_1424346596016_21740" dir=3D"ltr"> </div><div id=3D"yui_3_1=
6_0_1_1424346596016_21741" dir=3D"ltr">Dan D</div><div id=3D"yui_3_16_0_=
1_1424346596016_21742" dir=3D"ltr">'76B, '65B</div><div id=3D"yui_3_16_0=
_1_1424346596016_21743" dir=3D"ltr">Central NJ USA</div></div></div></di=
v></div></html>
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