Mrs Sparts MG diary.

[spartacus]

@reb Maybe you can answer my question re pronunciation of Cupar, Mrs Spart reckons it's 'cooper', but she's not a local!

[Christine]

What about Trottiscliffe  in Kent  ?  

 

Try Trozley !! 

[reb]

It is indeed pronounced Cooper, I can't possibly imagine any other way of pronouncing it!

[richardmorris]

38 minutes ago, reb said:

It is indeed pronounced Cooper, I can't possibly imagine any other way of pronouncing it!

KooPar?

[spartacus]

@richardmorris, that was my thought, I have it a try with a crap Scottish accent and couldn't convince myself!

[CreepingJesus]

5 hours ago, richardmorris said:

KooPar?

Only if you're a 'leading light' in the am dram.

Good story this, I've enjoyed reading it.

[seacow]

I saw you on the M90 headed north yesterday as we were coming back from Loch Ness - is that a Devon camper - there was one for sale up here recently and I thought that was it didn’t realise it was you!

I could have made you an insulting offer for the Sunny and you could have dropped it off !

[spartacus]

Yeah! That was us, it is a Devon, not the one for sale up there though. I'd have probably accepted an insulating offer on the Sunny.

What were you driving, anything noticeable?

[seacow]

5 minutes ago, spartacus said:

Yeah! That was us, it is a Devon, not the one for sale up there though. I'd have probably accepted an insulating offer on the Sunny.

What were you driving, anything noticeable?

Nah a modern XC90 with a caravan and bikes on the roof - hardly unusual on that road yesterday!!

 

I was semi tempted with the Devon it was strong money but very clean - looks like a great layout inside

[spartacus]

If it was there same layout as mine it'll have had a dining area/double bed at the back and two singles at the front. Then a w/c shower in the centre o/s with the kitchen opposite. We always leave the rear bed made up and eat at the front. My climbing mates sometimes sneer a little at the bathroom because of the space it takes up, but they're happy enough to use it when necessary!

It wasn't cheap but then there aren't many of that size that can sleep four and have a bathroom, both of which I really wanted. In an ideal world I'd convert a van myself but I just haven't got the time.

[seacow]

That sounds like the same layout - agree I would favour the bathroom and found it a good layout which was the interest.  Wouldn’t want to replace the caravan but fancy a day van and something to go places you cant get the van - just a short term itch to scratch!  In my youth if you told me I would tow a caravan and have bikes on the roof I would have laughed in your face!

[spartacus]

We got home and gave ita quick slosh off, before and after pics, with bonus of Mrs Spart.

[djim]

On 8/2/2020 at 1:33 PM, spartacus said:

A couple of spots from our journey, the Escort was in Tesco filling station in Cupar, it made me think of Hendry.:-/

Nice Mexican Beetle, I've not seen one in cream before, doesn't look too pineappled up. 

[SiC]

Nice! I love the Webasto and the one regret that mine doesn't have one. 

What's the plan? Going to bring it back to its original colour?

[spartacus]

@SiC apologies for the belated reply.

No, it'll be staying this colour. It needs to be reliable* and roadworthy. Mrs Spart doesn't particularly like the fact it's changed colour but realises the expense and work involved in changing it back. 

She wants to be able to jump in it and drive off on one of her jaunts without worrying about it breaking down continuously. I realise this is a tall order!

I'll obviously have to do all the usual recommissioning stuff, with the addition of electronic ignition, some kind of front towing eye, (because we're realistic), and any other additions/modifications we feel are necessary.

[SiC]

Hagerty insurance included RAC breakdown cover! Mine has towing eyes under the area of each bumper overrider. 

Reliability is down to how well the previous owners kept on maintenance and how long it's been left sitting. I reckon MGBs get a bad reputation for reliability because they're classic cars often bought by people who like the car not bothered about the mechanicals. So drive them without looking after them until they start being unreliable. Then flog on, next person has problems soon after and calls it unreliable. So flogs it on. Next person does the same, etc...

[spartacus]

Aye, it's definitely going to need a few miles shakedown but that's not a problem, we're lucky enough to have a broad spread of relatively quiet roads around us.

I thought I'd give it a go and see if it would start... I put a brand new battery on, sloshed a couple of gallons of fresh fuel into the empty tank and gave it a good cranking. It didn't start but the oil pressure gauge went up to about 60psi which was good to see and the fuel pump ticked until the fuel system pressurised. I'll take a look at the ignition system and come back to that another day.

The owner did say that the water pump gasket was leaking, he was nearly right! It was the pump, although it had to come off anyway. I'll order a new one from Moss, along with points, rotor and condenser. 

While I'm at it I'll paint any parts that I have to take off that are looking scabby, so far that's the fan and the radiator support panel.

I polished the grill, it came out ok.

End of play today. Easy to work on so far, all the bolts came undone!

[Mrs Spart]

If anyone can help out... I'd love to get my beloved MGB going again.

@spartacushad started it. 😔

[Ian_Fearn]

Do you know what it needs? You mentioned water pump and radiator. Are all the parts there?

[Mally]

I have the technology and free time, but not the space, and you are too far away to travel often.

If no one closer offers I'll willingly look it over when the time is right.

[Mally]

On reading it though, half a day may see it running.

After that it's just check the brakes and odds and sods.

A days work party should be easy to organise.

[busmansholiday]

Parts are plentiful and pretty cheap. If you're not in the Owners Club, MGBhive will have them.

Whilst I'm not that far away, I've two of them needing various sizes of hammer to adjust / repair them and Mrs BMH has currently got me redecorating the house now lockdown is over !

[SiC]

I would, but you're 3 hours away unfortunately!  

Is Mr Spartacus ok? 

Sorry, just read the post on the main thread - I had this thread up on subscribe and didn't see it. Absolutely gutted to hear he's gone.

 

[tommotech]

I can offer help where I can @Mrs Spart, I do have other projects on the go but can also organise my work plans and itinerary to suit, as necessary. 
Probably best to get a look over the MG and draw up with a parts list and then come up with an action plan / job list and engage other willing volunteers as and when. 
Just give me a shout when you’re ready. 

[Mrs Spart]

Ok...

I'm trying to find antifreeze for my 1973 MGB GT (as per this thread)...

I'm reading no organic, no OAT... But "ethylene glycol"... Went to Halford and basically told because the registration doesn't come up with the advised anti freeze to use they can't advise which anti freeze to use.

Just been in Sainsburys (doing my food shop!) & came across Bluecol'u' clear... Can this be used??? I know Bluecol can be used... but this is Bluecol'u' clear...

Advise please 😣🤔

[SiC]

I personally prefer (and use in my MGB GT) Prestone universal:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009T5NZLI

Normally you use the blue antifreeze but that only has a life typical of 2 years. You must not use long life coolant (usually red) that has 5 year life. If you use that it will turn to brown sludge and gum up the water ways when mixed with the blue antifreeze. It also bugger the internals too.

Prestone is a different formulation that has a 5+ year life but is compatible with all the types without turning to brown sludge. I use it as I prefer the longer life of the coolant, especially on a car that is used infrequently. 

[Mally]

Bluecol  u clear is fine. It's Universal.

The clear bit is because it has no colour, therefore if you mix it with something else it won't change the existing  colour.

In your case it should look clear, but may well look rust,

Are we  putting a water pump in first? 

EDIT

I see on your other topic that the water pump is indeed in situ.

[Mrs Spart]

  A big thank you to @bub2006for popping over this morning 👍🏽😊 Didn't quite get the MGB GT going however did add a bit more information as to what needs doing to it...   Seems like @spartacushad removed a few bolts (alternator bolts, fan pulley bolt, grill screws...) and was either planning to replace these bolts or had popped them in a very safe place. Neither @bub2006or myself could find them; not in the car, around the car or in 

@spartacuswork van🤷🏽‍♀️

 

  I am still very grateful you popped over @bub2006and I hope the camper went to plan 🤞🏽🤞🏽😊

[wesacosa]

Glad you are making some progress. It would be odd to replace things like grille and alternator fixings unless they were really manky so probably in a safe place (not that it helps much if you can't find them!)

I had a quick look on Rimmer bros website but  I couldn't see anything, but i suspect every nut and bolt isn't listed so perhaps worth a call

This guy on eBay seems to sell a lot of fixings ( he mentions alternator fixings and fan pulley fixings) so maybe worth dropping him a line. (I don't know the seller but was just having a look around)

https://ebay.co.uk/usr/tomsgrandpa

or these too

https://ebay.co.uk/usr/grovecomponents

[SiC]

What's the fixings under that cardboard box on the front?

The alternator fixings will be a long bolt, a bracket and a few nuts - including number 36 bracket if not there.

https://www.moss-europe.co.uk/shop-by-model/mg/mgb-c-v8/electrical/charging-system/alternator-mgb-mgb-gt-1968-80.html