It always seems to be the simplest thing that stalls a project. The new radiator was shipped with a stripped, plastic, drain plug.

I’m contacted the supplier and they are sending a new plug. I’m hoping it will arrive this week so I can take advantage of the spring weather we’re having.

In the mean time I’ve completed everything else I can. This included attaching the cooling pipes, overflow tube for the radiator, fuel line/filter install, installed under hood insulation and many other small items.

The most important thing was that I started the engine for a very short idle. Since I don’t have any coolant in the system I couldn’t run it for very long. But, it was GREAT to hear the sound of the engine after a winter of storage and upgrades.

I’m hoping to do a summary of the project after I’m completed. I’ve noticed slight differences of installation that weren’t expected but understandable. The 74 MGB U.S. version includes the wonders of environmental accessories. I’m still researching what to do with all of that plumbing. Ah, the European MGBs are so much easier.

UPDATE: (5/15/23). I just received a new, brass, pitcock in the mail. Very fast replacement by the vendor. I’ll be filling and tuning the carb in the near future.

Since the Super Charger pulley extends into the area where the outlet is on the 74 Radiator so I needed to change radiators. The new one has the engine connection on the passenger side. The filter is still on the drivers side but doesn’t interfere with the pulley. BUT, the overflow connection will need to be modified.

I’ve removed the current connector and a shorter connection should work. It’s metric so it’s not available at my local auto stores in Michigan. I’ve found the correct bolt and I’m going to use that to fabricate a new connection that’s shorter. My friend has a lathe that can drill out the center of the bolt and create a shorter snout.

Here’s my current state of the install. Next is the cooling system.

The new radiator works with only a bit of enlarging of the support bracket holes. The water hoses will need to be fabricated from the water pump to the radiator to clear the super charger belt. That’s next on the list.

I connected the choke control cable today while waiting for my radiator. The choke cable on my early 74 MGB is larger than the hole in the DCOE choke shoulder bolt. I noticed someone else mentioned this and had a solution I used. Two small flat washers that would fit the bolt and not over the shoulder of the bolt. Then I compressed the cable between the washers.

If you read my previous post you will have seen the snout of the super charger was where the early 74 radiator connection should be…. Another part of the project is being creative.

The solution I’m working on today includes:

A new aluminum radiator from an earlier style mgb. The 1967 B has the upper connection on the passenger side of the unit. My research discovered that many of the radiators are back ordered with no indication of when they could arrive. That lead me to my current solution of an aluminum version. I ordered one of those today.

Well, the current (74) thermostat housing points to the driver side where the original outlet resides. So, I need to source a housing that points either towards the passenger side or toward the front of the car. The European version does not have the pump bracket and it does point toward the corrected side. So I ordered one this morning from NorthWest British car, in Seattle.

The main reason I began this project was the challenge and the learning. I knew that this is not the Moss kit and could provide creative solutions for it to work. Each MGB is different and I’m learning many of the differences.

Now I’m waiting for the radiator and thermostat housing to arrive. More later.