MG Car Repair: sittting MG, clutch fluid, wd 40

Question
Thank you for your help any information that you can give would be greatly
appreciated.  I have a '73 MGB that has been sitting for about 5 years without
being started (in a garage).  My first goal is to get the car running, but I am
unsure
of all the steps I need to take to make this happen,  The car ran when it was
parked.  Thanks again for your help.

Answer
Hi Mark,
These are my recommendations,
First drain all fluids including transmission and differential and replace. I would also change out brake and clutch fluid. On the brakes and clutch you can drain down to a low level and refill so as not to get air in the system. On the brakes and clutch, add new DOT 4 fluid (DO NOT USE DOT 3!!!) Bleed the right rear until you see clean fluid and then left rear and right front and last, left front. On the clutch you can just open the fill cap and open the bleeder and watch so you don't go empty then refill again until you see clean fluid. Change out the cooling system. A car that sat that long you should go ahead and replace the thermostat. Belts that look OK can still be prone to failure when put back into use so you should replace the belts.
If the battery is still any good, charge it on a low rate over night or replace it.
When you change oil and filter, remove the spark plugs, pull the coil wire out of the dist. cap and ground it. Label each plug wire if you are not use to working on an MG. Spray some lub like WD-40 or a teaspoon of engine oil in each hole and spin the engine until you see oil pressure on the gauge. Aprox 35 PSI is normal.

Your biggest problem will be the fuel.
I would first look to see if you have a fuel filter. If it does, don't change it yet. first remove the fuel line from the carb line and add a piece of hose to it so you can pump out over the fender into a can. Don't do this inside and keep a fire extinguisher handy. Turn the ignition key on and listen for the pump running. If you do not hear the ticking of the SU pump (if it still has an SU), go under the right rear and bump the pump with a hammer handle while the key is on. (hit the metal part of the pump not the end with the plastic cap and wire. If the pump will run, you can use it to drain the tank since there is no drain plug. (BLM and their wisdom or lack of)
Fresh fuel and some additives from your local auto part store will sometime do, but in worst case scenario, you may have to replace the pump and remove the tank and have a shop clean it out. (most radiator repair shops do that kind of work)
The carburetors may need to be cleaned out too. Even if they don't it is common for the float to stick when sitting for years. So if you want to try to run them without taking them apart and cleaning, remove the vent hose and add a piece of hose and run it down (not over the fender) and out from under the car so if the floats are stuck you will not destroy the charcoal canister or dump fuel all over the engine compartment. (ALWAYS KEEP THAT FIRE EXTINGUISHER HANDY) After everything is finished in the fuel system, you can then put a new fuel filter on.
If you have to or want to go into the carburetors let me know and I can walk you through it.
Howard