1971 MGB GT - It's alright, you can look now - see page 35

21,267 · February 10

11 minutes ago, Peter C said:

Right, on the basis that I don't have the right tool to correctly set the ignition timing nor the right tool to assess how much air each carburettor is sucking in and I have no way of checking what is coming out of the exhaust, I have decided to have the MGB looked at by a specialist. I have spoken with a chap called David at AutoRevive London, who is based in Ickenham, which is less than 30 minutes from where I live and he is happy to give the MGB a proper once over. I'm giving him the MGB next Friday and I will get it back, hopefully properly fixed and ready to enjoy. David is an MG specialist with decades of experience and I am sure he will do a far better job of getting the MGB running properly than I ever could.

With this cunning plan in mind, I have decided not to purchase the Roadster and persevere with my GT.

The GT's are a much cooler car than the Roadster IMHO. Quite practical and usable.

And they do look very good.

10,645 · February 10

Will the specialist show you what to do in the future or is the idea that he sets it and that's that?

Glad you've decided to keep the GT, you've already done quite a bit but I don't think it's had the full Peter C treatment yet! Look forward to reading more of what you get up to with it.

12,702 · February 10

6 minutes ago, Sunny Jim said:

Will the specialist show you what to do in the future or is the idea that he sets it and that's that?

I leave the MGB with David, he tunes it up, I pay him £££ and drive home happy, totally unaware of what he’s done.

13,602 · February 10

1 hour ago, Peter C said:

With this cunning plan in mind, I have decided not to purchase the Roadster and persevere with my GT.

I had a GT, I loved it. Obviously a Roadster would be better, so I bought one and sold the GT.

Within a week i regretted it.

The GT was a proper car, usable in all weather.

Roadster was noisier, draughty, cold, I hardly ever bothered to take the roof. off, A car for posing in, not driving.

Both feared me a little when passing HGV's on the motorway, I was sure they couldn't see me and I went as fast as possible.

40,538 · February 10

3 hours ago, Peter C said:

right tool to correctly set the ignition timing

Static timing can be done with a test lamp and sufficient. Not expensive things and useful any automotive electrical debugging.

https://amzn.eu/d/daHn4Dk

3 hours ago, Peter C said:

nor the right tool to assess how much air each carburettor

There are tools out there (E.g. this is what I invested in: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/294818904813 ). Or a piece of hose to the ear is effective and the go to method for years.

I just prefer numbers as an engineer and so got a tool.

16,274 · February 10

6 hours ago, Peter C said:

Right, on the basis that I don't have the right tool to correctly set the ignition timing nor the right tool to assess how much air each carburettor is sucking in and I have no way of checking what is coming out of the exhaust, I have decided to have the MGB looked at by a specialist. I have spoken with a chap called David at AutoRevive London, who is based in Ickenham, which is less than 30 minutes from where I live and he is happy to give the MGB a proper once over. I'm giving him the MGB next Friday and I will get it back, hopefully properly fixed and ready to enjoy. David is an MG specialist with decades of experience and I am sure he will do a far better job of getting the MGB running properly than I ever could.

With this cunning plan in mind, I have decided not to purchase the Roadster and persevere with my GT.

I think that's a smart move. Paying a few ££ for years of experience should save you time and wasted money on wrong avenues. You should get it back the best it can be.

40,538 · February 10

I disagree. The old give a man a ~~set up SU carb and ignition timing~~ fish, and you feed him for a day. Have a man learn to ~~set up an SU carb and set ignition timing~~ fish, and you feed him ~~BL products~~ for a lifetime.

I read a lot of material, watched a few videos, used advice on here + elsewhere and figured it out. Now I can pretty much take any SU HS/HIF carb and Lucas dizzy and set them up. Useful not only for any future vehicle purchases but also know how to diagnose an issue by the road side. All without having to pay and wait to get another man to do it.

17,688 · February 10

You can't get ignition timing fish any more, they've been wiped out by illegal electric fishing.

21,315 · February 10

If my experience of elderly SU carbs is anything to go by you'll be fettling frequently to keep it in tune.

Maybe they were a bit tighter when new but mine have always re-tuned themselves over a few hundred miles. The twin carb Dolly 1850 was a menace, I'd have it set up running perfectly and 200 miles later it'd be idling like crap due to carb inbalance.

I had one of those airflow meters as SiC posted which I've since lost (probably still in the 1850) so am back to using a bit of hose and my ear on the Acclaim's twin Keihins!

7,445 · February 11

if you watch Iain Tyrell he tunes lambos, ferraris, astons etc with his trusted "bit of pipe"

February 11

I was gonna suggest the old ear wax removal treatment for balancing carbs too - it’s surprisingly accurate!

See also silencing worn out Ford OHV tappets

February 11

15 hours ago, Peter C said:

Right, on the basis that I don't have the right tool to correctly set the ignition timing nor the right tool to assess how much air each carburettor is sucking in and I have no way of checking what is coming out of the exhaust, I have decided to have the MGB looked at by a specialist. I have spoken with a chap called David at AutoRevive London, who is based in Ickenham, which is less than 30 minutes from where I live and he is happy to give the MGB a proper once over. I'm giving him the MGB next Friday and I will get it back, hopefully properly fixed and ready to enjoy. David is an MG specialist with decades of experience and I am sure he will do a far better job of getting the MGB running properly than I ever could.

With this cunning plan in mind, I have decided not to purchase the Roadster and persevere with my GT.

'tis a wise man that knows his limits ...

6,074 · February 11

10 hours ago, SiC said:

I disagree. The old give a man a ~~set up SU carb and ignition timing~~ fish, and you feed him for a day. Have a man learn to ~~set up an SU carb and set ignition timing~~ fish, and you feed him ~~BL products~~ for a lifetime.

I read a lot of material, watched a few videos, used advice on here + elsewhere and figured it out. Now I can pretty much take any SU HS/HIF carb and Lucas dizzy and set them up. Useful not only for any future vehicle purchases but also know how to diagnose an issue by the road side. All without having to pay and wait to get another man to do it.

Agreed - it's not hard, but requires some patience and going back and forth until you're happy. This video is a good explanation:

The mixture just needs to be there or thereabouts. The lift pin method is good enough.

Mostly it's a question of going back and forth until you're happy, and bear in mind that some engines never idled brilliantly smoothly anyway.

12,702 · February 11

@SiC and @N Dentressangle

I don't disagree with your comments but you must appreciate that I tinker with my cars because it gives me pleasure, not because I have to. I have already spent considerable time and money messing around with the carburettors and distributor and the results are not satisfactory, so I'd rather enjoy doing something else and leave it up to an expert to get the MGB running properly. I have no issue with paying a professional money in exchange for a smooth running engine. In fact, I have spoken with David again and I have arranged for him to remove the engine and gearbox, replace the clutch and fix whatever else he finds along the way. I have no facilities to undertake such repairs in my workshop, which leaves me no choice but to pay him to do the work. All being well, I will get back a much better car, ready to be enjoyed, until the next thing goes wrong.

February 13

I haven't been on the forum for a while, lots of life stuff going on over the past 3 years or so.

That said, I came back and read this entire thread from the start - what an awesome journey, and I'd be lying if I wasn't a little envious!

That little MGB GT looks like a lot of fun Peter, and for the money it's cost you so far, it looks like you've really scored - enjoy it!

12,702 · February 13

1 hour ago, smellypoo said:

I haven't been on the forum for a while, lots of life stuff going on over the past 3 years or so.

That said, I came back and read this entire thread from the start - what an awesome journey, and I'd be lying if I wasn't a little envious!

That little MGB GT looks like a lot of fun Peter, and for the money it's cost you so far, it looks like you've really scored - enjoy it!

Very kind words @smellypoo, thank you.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates soon.

16,274 · February 13

5 hours ago, smellypoo said:

I haven't been on the forum for a while, lots of life stuff going on over the past 3 years or so.

That said, I came back and read this entire thread from the start - what an awesome journey, and I'd be lying if I wasn't a little envious!

That little MGB GT looks like a lot of fun Peter, and for the money it's cost you so far, it looks like you've really scored - enjoy it!

My missus sometimes addresses me with your AS name 🤣

21,267 · February 19

Doing some research on cookery writer Caroline Conran today - former wife of Sir Terrance Conran and founder of the Habitat dynasty - threw up an article in Hello! magazine - and there outside the current Conran family abode is...an MGB-GT looking effortlessly stylish set against the Regency architecture.

These little coupé are so cool. You can take them anywhere! 😄

Good luck with the tune-up. I agree it pays to use a specialist from time-to-time - old engines are tricky to get just right.

27,350 · February 19

I'd say having it gone over and set up fucking well by someone who can do it by feel and sound alone is a good baseline to do anyway.

If it then starts drifting away as you drive it you'll notice and can assess. After a few visits, you build up the rapport, start to ask the questions for common things you could adjust and check yourself at home knowing how they work and away you go!

Then when something big goes wrong/scary knocking noises occur you can have an ally to get it recovered to for proper diagnosis and fixing 🤞🤔

13,602 · February 19

Is there a problem with the clutch/engine/gearbox? I'd be careful about giving him an open chequebook.

Seems extreme when you wanted to do the bare minimum.

21,267 · February 19

Depends on the reputation and mutual trust both ways. I give my garage an 'open checkbook' on niggling problems - but once it looks like it's getting expensive they speak.

Garages running up daft bills unimpeded risk their reputation as well as collecting unresolved bad debts.

February 19

I've really enjoyed reading your posts so far on the GT @Peter C, you've transformed it completely.

For what its worth, I was having running issues with one of my 3.0 Auto Capris, I like to think I know them pretty well and reckoned I had the V6 Essex all set up as best as it could be having been through timing, ignition, fuelling and valve clearances but it just wasn't running quite right.

I took it to a local well-known carb whisperer after a month or two on his waiting list and for £90 he transformed the thing, the drive back from his remote workshop was fantastic!

21,267 · February 19

59 minutes ago, Steviemillar said:

I've really enjoyed reading your posts so far on the GT @Peter C, you've transformed it completely.

For what its worth, I was having running issues with one of my 3.0 Auto Capris, I like to think I know them pretty well and reckoned I had the V6 Essex all set up as best as it could be having been through timing, ignition, fuelling and valve clearances but it just wasn't running quite right.

I took it to a local well-known carb whisperer after a month or two on his waiting list and for £90 he transformed the thing, the drive back from his remote workshop was fantastic!

Same with my bicycles 🚲. I can do basic stuff - but our local bike whisper can transform their feel and usability. Worth every ££ for a service and sorting.

Independent specialists need to he cherished in this world of overbearing corporate homogeneousness.

13,602 · February 19

2 hours ago, lesapandre said:

Depends on the reputation and mutual trust both ways. I give my garage an 'open checkbook' on niggling problems - but once it looks like it's getting expensive they speak.

Garages running up daft bills unimpeded risk their reputation as well as collecting unresolved bad debts.

It's just that early on in the story welding was mentioned, and because of a possible bill of £1K ish it was decided to pop rivet a few plates over instead.

Car was then put up for sale, so presumably pretty sound as Peter does not sell bad cars.

Change of mind, and for a slight hesitation engine wise, it was decided to put in the hands of a specialist.

This somehow escalated to engine and gearbox removal to fit a new clutch.

7,445 · February 19

get one of these for future tinkerisation

clicky

richard the ~~slag~~ stag gets jolly fine results with one

12,702 · February 21

Today was the day that I arranged to take the MGB to David at AutoRevive.

I set off just before 8:30am. Predictably, weather conditions were completely gash.

My wife took a couple of photos from the support car.

On route the MGB ran surprisingly well, with no hesitation or misfiring, without doubt the best its been since the misfire first occurred.

Less than 20 minutes later, the MGB was parked outside David's workshop.

Then David's colleague arrived, a man called David and opened up an Aladdin's Cave of MG and Austin Healey treats.

Not sure how well my MGB fits in amongst the immaculate and race prepared machines.

I am pleased that I've taken the MGB to David. I've lost my mojo with the engine tuning and I have no means to replace the clutch, which is an engine and gearbox out job and the not quite right biting point has been bugging me since my first test drive, although the clutch isn't actually slipping and would probably be ok for the foreseeable future.

All being well, I will get the MGB back, with the engine tuned up, clutch replaced, overdrive working and probably also improved in other ways.

More soon.

February 21

3 minutes ago, Peter C said:

Today was the day that I arranged to take the MGB to David at AutoRevive.

I set off just before 8:30am. Predictably, weather conditions were completely gash.

My wife took a couple of photos from the support car.

On route the MGB ran surprisingly well, with no hesitation or misfiring, without doubt the best its been since the misfire first occurred.

Less than 20 minutes later, the MGB was parked outside David's workshop.

Then David's colleague arrived, a man called David and opened up an Aladdin's Cave of MG and Austin Healey treats.

Not sure how well my MGB fits in amongst the immaculate and race prepared machines.

I am pleased that I've taken the MGB to David. I've lost my mojo with the engine tuning and I have no means to replace the clutch, which is an engine and gearbox out job and the not quite right biting point has been bugging me since my first test drive, although the clutch isn't actually slipping and would probably be ok for the foreseeable future.

All being well, I will get the MGB back, with the engine tuned up, clutch replaced, overdrive working and probably also improved in other ways.

More soon.

27,350 · February 21

Looks like they might have an idea about how those cars work at least 🤔😂

21,267 · February 21

Ask them to take a few photos of work in progress?

Any specialist work will go with the cars service history and will add to its value IMHO.

Good luck with this.

👍👍

12,781 · February 21

49 minutes ago, lesapandre said:

Ask them to take a few photos of work in progress?

Any specialist work will go with the cars service history and will add to its value IMHO.

Good luck with this.

👍👍

..... yeah, Kev with the 'angry wheel' on AVAS back box...

I'm putting it into the 'future WBAC negotiation' folder 🤣🤣

Nice to see SherpaCoop getting the lurve 😉👍

🚙💨

1971 MGB GT - It's alright, you can look now - see page 35

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