MG Car Repair: 73 MGB, clutch hydraulics, fan blade

Question
I'm going to look at a 73 MGB Saturday that has supposedly been sitting ina shed for 25 years, "ran  good when it was parked" etc. The guys says the body is in good shape, no rust. I know most everything will need to be redone, but after sitting idle that long can the engine be rebuilt or am I wasting my time?  Can probably buy it for $1,000-$1,200.

Answer
Hi Ray,
That price is about normal for a restorable MGB and the 73 is usually prized over the 75 on cars for a restoration. There is no way to tell about the engine until you test it. You may make a preliminary test by just putting the car in 4th gear and get help to rock the car forward and aft while watching the engine to see if the fan blade moves. This would be a (+) sign not that it will not need overhauling but you would know at least it is not locked up due to rust. Even if it is locked up it don't mean it is not rebuildable. I have had many MGs brought to me in dealerships I worked in that were locked up due to sitting in a garage or barn for many years and I was able to rebuild them anyway. You just can't tell how much work is necessary until you get inside.

Every part is still available for the MGB. There are more parts suppliers in the US now then there were when the MGB was alive. They have web sites and toll free phone numbers and most ship next day.

Being stored for 25 years you should plan on rebuilding the whole drive train even though when you get into it you will probably find not all of it needs rebuilding. The things I can tell you that you will for sure need to do is the complete brake system and the clutch hydraulics.
Howard