MGB1970 » Restoration

email Dave Braun at dave@dbraun99.com (click here)

The Wire Wheel Conversion that Turned into a Restoration. Diane always wanted a White over Red car... who knew? So after the suspension was finished, the real fun began. Maggie has a few miles shy of 300,000 miles, and she has been restored at least once in the past. She deserves another go at it.

Wire Wheels Conversion The genesis of the project. "Dave, do you think you could put wire wheels on Maggie?" A donor MGB GT for wires and hubs and we were on our way. The wire hubs require a narrower rear axle so having a donor is the easiest way. The first thing to know is "how good is a donor that has been sitting in a field for 25 years?" (89 Images)	Suspension The suspension became part of the original 'Wire Wheel Conversion". (88 Images)	Brakes I figured I would do the brakes during the wire wheel conversion. It is a perfect time. But on the last drive in November of 2010 the brakes failed leaving Diane's parking lot. I drove 25 miles without them and started looking for a culprit. Turns out the 'safety switch' failed and released all the brake fluid. Pretty safe, uhn? (109 Images)	Engine The heart of the driveline. The Austin-Morris B series engine. 1798cc four cylinder with two HS4 carbs with manifolds on one side and cam shaft and pushrods on the other. (420 Images)	Gearbox and Clutch We are lucky to have the four synchro overdrive gear box. I'll be checking the bearings and bushings, clearances, and overhauling the clutch system. (97 Images)
Prop shaft (6 Images)	Body Maggie's body is very straight with little rust. However, to do the proper "Green to Old English White" conversion, we will strip off most of the finish, rid panels of rust, use some body fill and high build primers and sand, sand, sand. (562 Images)	Electrical The Electrical system is pretty straight forward. For upgrading purposes, the four fuse, positive ground, alternator equiped system will do. We will add a few relays and maybe some seat heaters. It is after all, Minnesota. (105 Images)	Instruments The instruments and panel will be checked and upgraded as needed. (49 Images)	Interior The black interior should become red with white piping. (211 Images)
Windscreen We got lucky and had the windscreen replaced last season after a rather large rock went into it. So I only have to remount it (ONLY!) (21 Images)	Wiper The wiper system is complex, with three wipers, the associated trim rings and the remote drive that uses a rack and pinion cable to do the work. (31 Images)	Weather Equipment The weather equipment was a partial driver on this mission. The top has been difficult to erect has it has tighten up shrunk over the years. The tonneau cover has been almost impossible to mount for the same reasons. For the past two driving seasons I would go outside and raise the top every morning for the drive to work. And then the rear window zipper failed. (56 Images)	Heater I have a spare in the attic. It may be coming down. (58 Images)	Cruise Control The cruise control was supposed to be a restoration project, but I left it until I sorted out other problems and broke in the new engine. I bought the kit from Murphskits.com and couldn't be happier with the remake of the Audio-Vox unit. I followed Mike Barne's write-up, but did a couple of things different, such as wiring in the lighted unit to the instrument lights, and the like. Over all, except for its interface with the OD unit it is perfect. It will definitely aid our long distance trips! (21 Images)

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