The Great MGB rebuild Pt3a

The body shell has arrived back from the paint stripping and delisting process - in this video we do a walk around and take a quick look at what we've got :)

[@marknelson5929]

The reason why your heater box area had rusted out is probably due to the rubber funnel that MG fitted to the base of the chamber below the chrome grill forward of the windscreen (behind the heater unit). The rubber funnel was there to drain the rain, but it clogged up in time with debris, dirt, leaves etc blocking the drainage, causing rust and in some cases flooding in the car. This flooding issue due to a blocked drain funnel affected me in the 1980s in my 67 GT in a heavy rain storm. When I investigated I found the drainage funnel was totally blocked with muck. I simply cut off the bottom of the rubber drainage funnel (allowing more free drainage) and cleaned out the debris. Problem solved. I've since bought back this very same GT after 36 years by chance in Australia - there are no issues (with the chamber) and it is still in lovely condition after all these years, testament to its 4 owners since I sold it in 1988.

[@jimbarin]

in 1980 when I re-shelled the MGB Roadster bodyshell with a brand new factory shell (in primer) I gave the shell a close examination and found the ''hidden'' factory stamping of the chassis number on one of the rear body rails, I made a record of exactly where is was located, I am told the factory varied the position for security reasons. Knowing exactly where the chassis number was stamped turned out to be useful, as in those days rebuilds were examined by a police vehicle inspector, who actually did check the '''hidden'' chassis number before signing off on the car.

[@tomedge1044]

had to do the heater area in my MGC, ended up using parts cut out of a bulkhead cut out of a written off late model MGB. The rust spot on the left rear shelf is where there is a patent notification plate which looks like it's missing in your car. But on the whole it looks to me like you have a pretty good example

[@deep6thisdeep6this92]

i suggest keeping a close eye out for rust on that body (i'm probably preaching to the choir here...). i know, they've put a rust preventative, but they don't last forever, and i'd hate to see you have to dip that thing again.

[@stevegnome]

Its been treated apparently good for a year or so - bonderite MZN-253

[@jonathangilmore2584]

you lucky chap! thats in fantastic condition. To answer the battery box rust area question: that area usually has a rectangular chassis plate number/identifier bonded to it. (not important in my opinion, i cut mine out too) Looking forward to seeing it take shape :)

[@stevegnome]

Thanks for the info!

[@kenmerrin1483]

Where is number 4

[@stevegnome]

coming soon! - its been really hot here and working in the shed has not been so pleasant :)