MG Car Repair: mgb electrical probs, volt ohm meter, jump leads

Question
hi Howard
I have a 1979 roadster which we have just imported in from the states to france.The shippers lost the keys and when i saw the car at the port everything seemed ok and the clock was running.

Its now been transported to our house the first thing i noticed is that the clock was not running and on checking the battery(brand new)it was flat.
When i connected another battery the ignition light comes on without turning the key!!!!Ive changed the ignition lock for a new one

If  the transporter had tried to start the car with jump leads and connected the terminals the wrong way round would this cause my problem and could i rectify the situation by changing the alternator or could it be more serious

Thanks in anticipation

Answer
Not knowing what was done to damage the car, you will need to start from scratch. You need a wiring diagram of your car and a volt/ohm meter and some test leads.

Don't start replacing any parts until you know what is wrong. It can still be minor or major, you have no info yet until you do some testing.

If you want, I will try to walk you through the tests when you have the above tools in hand.

Let me know,
Howard