[Mgs] First drive

[Max Heim]

Not unexpected. I bled the brakes without a helper, which IME doesn’t quite do the job. I will probably have to enlist the spouse.

Yes, these are newly upholstered seats. They are the later style (1972, I think) with headrests and adjustable rake. I had a shop do them with the leather-faced “vintage style” Moss covers and all new foam (the seats came with the carcass but they were in wretched shape, with mouse-tainted foam). I think I will remove the squab and cut it (or have it cut) at an angle, leaving the full depth in the front and removing at least 1-1/2 inches at the back. The ancient beat-down squab in my old car provided a much lower seating position, but also failed to provide any thigh support. Otherwise I might just try swapping it in. I suspect the later seat is broader and deeper, however, and it would leave the cover loose and wrinkled.

Had a few little issues to deal with afterward.  Apparently I had not fully tightened the fitting to the oil pressure gauge, so I had some mop-up to do behind the dash. Glad I went with rubber floor mats. It would have been vexing to have to replace the carpet after 0.2 miles.

I also tightened the brake MC junction as I felt a drip on my leg.

Then I went ahead and installed the headlight trim rings. I had left them off to adjust the headlamp aim, but I really can’t do that on my property — I don't have a level surface aiming at a blank wall. So that will have to wait until it is licensed.

The only remaining items are the little brightwork triangles at the corners of the rear bumper — I neglected to install them before the bumper, and it doesn’t look like I can access the screws without removing it. This bumper needs replacing, anyway — chrome is seriously spotted and it has a definite twist.

And the front valance, which the paint shop lost. I need to drive it there to have a new one fitted, then they will paint it and I will have to pick it up later.


--
Max Heim
'66 MGB

> On Aug 6, 2018, at 12:40 AM, PaulHunt73 <paulhunt73 at virginmedia.com> wrote:
> 
> Excellent!
> 
> Brakes pump up with a couple of quick pushes, but then go long again after a couple of seconds?  That's air.  On several MGBs I've found the front brakes always need a high-pressure bleed as well as a low-pressure fill/bleed after work.  Get someone to press down on the pedal hard while you rapidly open and close each caliper nipple in turn.  That has always blasted more air out and after that they have been fine.
> 
> New seat cushions?  Way too high and/or firm over here, which is why I've never replaced mine ... not that there has been anything wrong with them when I've recovered the seats.
> 
> PaulH.
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> Drove the project car around the block. As far as I dared with no plates or paper. Brakes a little soft. I may need to cut down the seat cushions, my eye level is at the top edge of the windshield header. Don’t see how I could possibly drive with the top on. Everything is working, which blows my mind.
> 

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