MGB restoration PART 7 - Stripping and rust treating the engine bay

In the restoration of this 1974 MGB that's been abandoned for 30 years, I find myself knee deep in the engine bay after deciding to strip it out so that it can be cleaned and any rust treated. Are there any nasty surprises around the corner? Join me to find out!
I realise I said 1978 MGB in the intro. The car is a 1974. I used to own a 78 car years ago!

[@ianmackinnon9916]

working through your vids..i like your quality. . i pulled my engine then dropped the front / rear suspension. Clearing out my engine bay now..2 thumbs up.

[@Endfloat]

Thanks very much! Best of luck with your project.

[@richardhunniford7164]

Good to see you’ve got to the very sweary stage of the resto or should I stay the start of the very sweary stage, you were getting it too handy! 😂

[@Endfloat]

Honestly by comparison to other cars I've worked on, this car is a delight, even though there's a seemingly endless amount of stuff to be done on it!

[@michaelreynolds4816]

The images on the vidwo look fine and I love your channel. This American also finds your Irish accent to be a pleasant addition. I worked in Dublin (actually, in Blackrock) a while back and love the countryside and the people of Ireland.

[@Endfloat]

Thank you very much! My parents don't live too far from Blackrock so I'm often down that direction.

[@donthuis]

Indeed there is no need to take out the console before removing the heaterbox. The trick is putting this unit back with the control wire again passing to the cars interior: a metal wire to pull it though the bulkhead is the way to go. BTW the whole area aound the pedal box where the hydraulic fluid drips on and damages the paint can be protected easily with a thick layer of Waxoyl, which also prevents any rusting developments going further. For those fearing heaterbox jobs: I managed working on my own with the B standing at the kerb to remove the box, get the flap mechanism working as it should and put it back in a single afternoon. The real problem here is the renewal of the foam layer: present versions are way too thick! If renewal can be avoided as I did all the better, if not cut it to size before remount...

[@Mickyrst43]

Brushing on that Bilt Hamber looked very satisfying!!

[@Endfloat]

It was actually! It went on really nice and there was excellent coverage. I ended up using a bit more on the inside of the bonnet.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Really enjoying this project, have to agree it was quite satisfying watching you doing the bilt hammer stuff in the engine bay. That BM sounded quite fruity and be quite good to see the finished result.

[@Endfloat]

My goal is to try and get out for a spin in the beemer when it's finished! For the moment, there's still lots to do on my MG but I'm enjoying it as a project!

[@ianfields6730]

Much better with the improved Lighting

[@Endfloat]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@sepocon]

I have a good lighting set and camera Ross. Give me a bell some Sunday and we will double your raw footage.

[@Endfloat]

I'll give you a shout later if I get a few minutes!

[@phlogs]

I just took the engine and gearbox out of a 71 MGB GT in one go last weekend. I can't imaging taking them out separately so I would recommend just doing them both. The gearbox looks big, but it's not nearly as heavy as the block/head. Fair warning, the crossmember on the gear box will give you a hard time to remove - but it's a monster to re-install - but that's tomorrow's problem. Just don't forget to undo the speedo cable because that will ruin your day. Ask me how I know.

[@Endfloat]

I'm certainly open to suggestion at this point. I was thinking of the in car separation because they have to be separated anyway so the 2 part removal made sense. I'll see if there's a few KZbin videos on this subject that I can learn from myself! It's definitely the next job.

[@rstevep9413]

good show thanks

[@Endfloat]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@keithrodgers1030]

Camera is fine, lighting & sound are the key. The new lamp unit increased visibility no end. Invest in a wireless mic that can be attached to your clothes that way your hands are free to focus on the work. Its a lot easier than trying to do everything.

[@Endfloat]

Thanks Keith. I've bought a DJI pocket 2 camera which should be with me in the next couple of weeks. It has a built in gimbal and wireless mic, so that should really help. It'll be good for road tests too. I might pick up a couple more lights too. Thanks for your input!

[@TheLifeTerm]

I'm following your project and it's very informative. I'm about to remove the heater box on my '79. How's the engine progressing?

[@Endfloat]

It'll be a while before I'm back to it but it's stripped now so that's one bit done.

[@paul-uk]

Just on the camera point, Quality is absolutely fine, as is sound on the most part. Maybe having another camera (not sure what you are already using) would actually benefit as you can then have two views to use in the editing... I would say lighting is your biggest issue atm, on the MGB anyway. I mean its clear, but having better lighting would benefit a lot I think. Thanks for the update, I think its really interesting on what you are doing and am quite envious to be honest. Paul.

[@Endfloat]

Ok that's reason enough to get the DJI camera so. Thanks for your input! I'll try using a bit of B roll footage too.

[@sepocon]

I think you need a mic more than a camera

[@Endfloat]

The new camera I bought comes with a wireless mic.