1973 MGB Will It Run? After sitting for 20 years!

[@SimonHoning]

You've done really well! Rare to see someone this age so competent at problem solving with analog machinery.Keep it up! I wish my kids showed this kind of nous.

[@TheAchordsSing]

Nice job kid! I had a ‘74, when I was your age. I learned a lot about MGs working on that car. I currently have a ‘73, and I still enjoy working on them!

[@CatsCarsAndCoffee]

Great job getting this B going. It’s good to see someone of your age taking an interest in the classic Brits and actually working it.

[@bpeacehelotes]

You should always take care of the ignition first. That is a very early distributor cap. Carburetor adjustments are always the last thing you do after everything else.

[@billbob4856]

Agree. Had more issues that I thought were carb that ignitions fixed (hard starting, missfires, etc.). My MGB would NOT start hot. New cap, rotors, and plug wires and it starts on a dime now

[@chrisadams6595]

My mum gave me her 74 BGT which she bought in 77, I'm going through the same process as you. I've really enjoyed doing it as it is so simple compared to a modern car , so easy to work on. Having done the carbs , rear springs , ignition coil and leads I am now rebuilding the front suspension. Great fun , keep up the good work👍

[@Chrisb8s]

I loved my 1964 MGB roadster, the top was a little more laborious to put on, but it was fun. I had to sell it because I just wasn't driving it as much when I had children. A guy came over from the UK to buy it in Arizona. my car had zero rush, the original banjo steering wheel and electric overdrive.. I wish I still had it but you know how that goes.

[@RedDawg2k]

If you haven’t already, It’s highly recommended to ditch the ignition points and replace with an High Energy Ignition optical or mag field triggered distributor position sensor. That combined with a new thick coil wire will ensure the engine is as fully tuned up as the dual carbs. Points, while original, are hard to set with feeler gauges and are best set using a dwell meter and no rotor or distributor cap while the engine is turned over. That method can set the dwell dead on balls every time or can be entirely removed by converting to electronic ignition. Add to this a performance (straight through) exhaust, and the response will be as good as it gets with a stock MGB. I owned a ‘63 MGB and worked at Precision Tune when all they did was tune-ups back when carbs and points were standard. 🚘

[@dgriffin6074]

6:05 Your issues with the S.U. carbs is precisely why I replaced mine with a Weber which has never malfunctioned. How much oil is the engine consuming? Your interest in mechanics will make owning a "B" a learning experience. They are mechanically simple and easy to work on. If you can, join a local British car club.

[@Chrisb8s]

I was going to say the same thing I had a 1964 mgb and those SU carbs are a pia. For a couple hundred more you could put a Webber carb

[@spurgear4]

There is a spring link inside the distributor that connects the points plate to the vaccume dashpot, it can fracture and allow the plate to move around freely causing all kinda of maddening issues. They are a really good little car once the troubles are ironed out.

[@MGB-learning]

Hi, Great video. Nice 73 MGB. Make sure you check all the manifold bolts and intake manifold nuts again. also check for vacuume leaks. If the car has been sitting for 20 years I would replace the small oil pressure hose on the curbside of the rear of the engine block. this can burst after sitting for so long. It will pump all the motor oil out and you won't know until its too late. The hose is inexpensive. I would suggest inspection of the two large oil cooler lines. If they look brittle and feel very hard they sold also be replaced. If these burst the engine will also pump all the oil out very quickly. I would also replace the big plugged hose on the top center of the intake manifold. Same the short plugged off one next to it. The connector on the side of the distributor need to be tight. Try tightening/slightly crushing connector or replace it. Check your timing, that may be the reason the engine is backfiring.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

Among the last things to check.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

Make sure you check all the manifold bolts... err uhhh studs.

[@edwardurbaczewski7072]

Good advice - I always change the perishable items on my cars and boats - best to prevent petrol fires etc and oil leaks ...

[@patrickhennessey5221]

You did a great job getting it running sweet.. I did notice on your return drive home she was blowing blue smoke Having owned a '65 MGB in my younger days .. I would 1st flush out the old oil replace with fresh oil give it a good run .. if she still blows smoke you will probably need to have new valve seals fitted while your at it clean valves and have them re -seated.

[@flyingscot3666]

great video - I loved it - you are a role model for your generation - getting stuck in - thats how we all learn. Nice B BTW - I have a 74, ditched the SUs for a supercharger - high mountains in Colorado.

[@crosleyfiver8686]

I think the little Poppet valve button in the main butterfly was for emissions. You could of rebuilt yourself at a fraction of that cost you mentioned. I've done 3 G's. I gave my fancy air flow meter away but kept the one with the ball that rises to balance. for old times. If you need some guidance fell free to ask.

[@bomax5995]

Thirty + years ago had one like this. MG name of the colour is harwest gold. My friends without MG callled it mustard.

[@mothyman1961]

Well done- I’m doing the same in UK to my 1976 rubber bumper mgbgt

[@telecomex]

A 72-73 with those nice low bumpers is a real classic. I wish I still had a life and my house so I could work on these cars. My last car was a 1960 Mk 2 Saloon Jag. What a monster! These MGBs however are pretty forgiving and easy to repair. Just watch out for rust. That is beyond most of us. Drive Safely. - SS Vancouver BC

[@Nostalgia_Motors]

Should do cold start video on some of the vehicles.

[@johnmurray3324]

They are called Dash Pots

[@sillysausage6677]

Sick video, do you live in the Lynwood area? If so, we should do a collabo

[@jrsmoots]

Reminds me of my GT, same year, same color :)

[@stephennickles7389]

I was lazy with my Bs, id throw on a Weber as fast as i could get one from Victoria British (or Moss)

[@RickCoMatic]

My "B" was 1st in Class at Cherry Valley speedway in NYS '75. My brother. When you open the bonnet on a '70's MGB there is copious SMOG plumbing and INTERNAL Float S.U. Carbs telling you to stay home on Track Day. If you genuinely want to enjoy a Sports Car experience. Stage 1. Remove S.U.'s and Nightmare Intake Manifold. (Weber DUAL Downdrafts, MANIFOLD! Hooker Exhaust Header) Securing an early NO SMOG Cylinder Head will add 8-10 HP. Ignition Parts: Stock Coil, Distributer, Wires and Plugs. REMOVE! Electronic Ignition, Igniter, Performance Coil Wires & Plugs. Pistons: Remove Spark Plug. Examine Piston(s). If your Pistons are NOT 'Flat-topped' or slightly "Domed'' and you find Pistons with SCOOPED-OUT TOPS. they have to go. Flat-Topped Pistons are more Ponies. My man: That car you have there looks exactly like theone I had in 1973. If you decide todo the Pistons they can be done in situ. Here's the biggie. When you have the Head off, Oil Pan Off and are attending to add some giddy-yap to that baby. Do this! Park #1 at T.D.C. Pull distributer drive from within the Block AFTER photographing and MARKING the position of the SLOT @ TDC. Pull the Cam Shaft. Ship the STOCK Camshaft to: Iskendarian Racing Cams Gardina California Order a T-32 Grind. (Tea thirty- two). rick

[@bruceburns1672]

In my young surfing days, a friend had a Morris Minor which had an S.U. Carby, on one surfing holiday we were stranded for 3 days because the engine would not function, the lack of experienced mechanics in that town familiar with S.U.Carby's was the problem which somehow was solved when it turned out to be the oil that this guy put into the top of the Carby, no oil, no function.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

Not likely.

[@bernarddegrasse8753]

Hi.Noticed as driving up and down the road it was smocking a bit.Not blue smoke which would have meant oil burning but white.Could be condensation or water leak.Worst head gasket.

[@autosportssimulations]

I owned the 67 MGB GT - , but before that - the Autin Healy 3000, & 106; and 57 MGA -

[@Bawkr]

Are you coming back? Hope all is well. Seemed like your youtube was growing still.

[@Mechanic_kid]

New videos dropping soon🙏🏼

[@OldTimeMovies22222]

Looks great! Did you drain the old gas?

[@jett3332]

My first MGB was same. Same year with navy interior. Paint called harvest yellow. Hated the color and painted it a nice med blue flake.

[@JamesHogarth-m3i]

Gloves?

[@chrisadams6595]

Just to mention , it's making quite a bit of smoke. Could be just because it hasn't run for a while. But its worth checking the oil level as it may be overfull

[@coastallad1010]

My guess is the valve stem seals. Shapped like tiny doughnuts. Can be replaced without removing the head.

[@southernpaths2986]

Neighbors be like “nice car!!…. When you gonna cut that grass?!?”. Seriously though, nice work. I had a ‘72 Midget and between those SU carbs and the electrical system (Joe Lucas, the OG Prince of Darkness…) I had my hands full keeping that thing on the road but I sure wish I still had it.

[@Bawkr]

Cutting grass = Noise, pollution, a waste of time & resources & bad for the environment. The only good thing about mowing is there is less risk of fire but you will learn once you live in the country just how low that risk is. Like 0.00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001%. It looks terrible too having buzz cut grass all over the place.

[@rmcmurphy7905]

It's all a learning curve, specifically if you're not familiar with British cars, but onestly you got robbed on the carb rebuild. Next time try it you're self, use your phone ( take pictures) of disassemble then ( reverse ) anyway good on ya for taking it on👍

[@tnc2224]

Damn bro bring the videos back. Schools out

[@michaelannen4168]

Nice shape

[@joeianniello]

Nice

[@nikjames2965]

$400 to rebuild two SUs !!!!- the simplest carburettor design ever!!!! They sure saw you coming

[@TheAchordsSing]

You obviously haven’t looked at the cost of rebuilding a pair of SU carburetors, recently. The basic rebuild kit alone, at Moss motors, for this model, is $239. That, obviously doesn’t include labor.

[@simon-oy6um]

Yup you got ripped off there 😢

[@bpeacehelotes]

For $400, you would have expected the float to been set correctly and not have a leak.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

He got what he paid for.. ripped off.

[@jg769]

For a first-timer, sending them out to be rebuilt professionally wasn’t a bad move, especially since it included the cost of the rebuild kit. This allowed him to focus on other things that needed to be addressed. We sometimes see seasoned MG owners struggling to get their carbs adjusted and dialed-in right.

[@JettRink-b8k]

Good somebody just videoing thier experience... not to impress or sell you something.

[@RonnKilby]

Oil pressure looks low. My '73 BGT goes to 75 straight away and stays there. Also, you're still burning oil at the end.

[@mortenrasmussen965]

For the next drive, make sure the hood is closed properly. 🙂

[@gazza116]

and we called it smokey.

[@calvinjohnson2179]

Welcome to MGB land😊

[@jameswhite9025]

It takes about 30 mins to go through an SU carb with a $40 rebuild kit. $400 and those things came outta the box looking like that!!! British Auto Works should be ashamed!!

[@jeffhildreth9244]

Next time you need a professional carb over haul.. Joe Curto. Your experience is typical. . Keep on plugging. From So Oregon.

[@marka5909]

I think you have done a good job sounds sweet

[@georgetaylor1063]

Does this dude know what that gas will do to his blacktop driveway?

[@gearheaddave9639]

good god... get rid of those carbs!

[@AlanMedina314]

Happiness

[@geoffreycoates4720]

Had a 1971 MGB the hood blew open with the roof down a wacked me in the head.

[@georgetaylor1063]

The weeds along driveway and road are over a foot, Nice way to bring the neighborhood down.

[@Bawkr]

Try moving out to the country. It's toxic when people mow as it's noise & a pollutant. I don't get why people mow aside from fire prevention. Also looks like a major eye sore. Buzz cut hero! (insert meme of a balding dude next to a dude with a full head of hair)

[@tnc2224]

You sound like an awesome person to be around

[@MorroccoM13]

20/50 oil in the carb pots. just like the engine.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

nope

[@nikjames2965]

You didn't drain the tank????? You didn't fit a filter???? You didn't bench check the carbs before fitting them????? You didn't check the plugs/points/leads????? You didn't check the oil?????

[@TheAchordsSing]

You didn’t watch the video?????

[@raulthepig5821]

Give the kid a break. He is just learning.I believe the carbs take 20 wt. not 30.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

@@raulthepig5821 Opinions vary, I have used 20 wt for 50 plus years.

[@crumblefest]

Smoking...

[@edwardurbaczewski7072]

Sorry folks - am still laughing - I suppose he has to learn somehow ... MGB's are simple and reliable - Had mine for 5 years

[@harryfreeman4423]

"promo sm"

[@shaknit]

I still have my 1974 that I bought brand new Just before they came out with those ugly rubber bumpers.

[@richc767]

Painful to watch