QuestionI have a 1977 MGB (all original)wtih 45,000 miles. I bought it from the original owner (family friend). The car has been in storage since 1980, and has not been started since 1980. My question is:
1. What do I need to do in order to try to start this car?
I love this car, and my mother gave me one just like it when I was 16, so I'd really love to have it running.
Thank you for your help,
Tracy
AnswerHi Tracy:
Congratulations on the MGB! If the car has been sitting idle since 1980 - or 31 years, there's a lot to do. First, if it was put away "wet", i.e.,with gas in the tank, fuel lines,fuel pump, and carb the whole fuel system will need flushed out and/or possibly rebuilt as 30 year old gas will not be good and probably will have gummed up the whole fuel system. Not good news I know.
IF it was put away dry, then it gets a bit easier, as you can likely just add fresh gas. Think change the oil and filter, also a new fresh battery would be necessary. Take out the spark plugs and squirt a teaspoon of oil in each cylinder- do not re-install the plugs until after you try to turn the engine over on the starter and you've developed oil pressure on the dash gauge. Then you can re-install the plugs. Hopefully at that point the engine would start.Don't move the car yet. Hopefully the clutch disk is not rusted to the pressure plate - if so, you will know if you can't get the car to go into gear when the engine is running without the gears grinding. There are ways to try to get the clutch free if it's stuck, but we won't go into those right now. Hopefully also is that the hydrallic clutch is not stuck or leaking, but both the slave cylinder and the clutch master cylinder will need checked as well or (likely) possibly rebuilt with new seals.
Now; about the brakes and tires. You probably will need to have all the brake system (individual wheel brake cylinders and the brake master cylinder rebuilt because of corrosion- look to see if there's still fluid in the master cylinder you may be lucky but don't trust the brakes on the road. This is assuming they aren't locked-up. If the emergency brake was set 30 years ago, it could be frozen to the rear drums and won't release - you will know when you try to move the car. About the tires: You may get them to hold air, but again I wouldn't use them on the road since they're 30 years old. You will need new tires if you intend to really drive the car on the road for safety sake.
Basically, there is a lot to do and check, but if the car was basically sound when put away, and if you are lucky with the WAY it was put away, then you could have a fairly easy revival - if not, then it will be more work and expense but in the end you'll still have a pretty cool MG for not a lot of money depending if you can do some or all of the necessary work yourself or if you have to pay to have it done. If the latter, make sure you find a mechanic who you can most definitely trust OR a shop that specializes in English / MG cars in your area. You need someone who is familiar with MGs if you can find them. Good luck and let me know how things go for you.
Brian
