MGB – Don's Place

1974 MGB can be your

admin — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 14:28:56 +0000

The previous owner found this car in an Alabama “barn, where it had been stored for over 10 years. He purchased it in 2012 after finding that it was virtually rust free. I, subsequently, purchased the car in 2019. I store the car in a heated garage in Traverse City, Michigan.
It is the last production year of the chrome bumper cars. It was built in June 1974 and the odometer shows about 56,000 miles. the car is virtually rust free.

A FUN overdrive car with a supercharger.

Repair History (Previous Owner 2012-2019)

Replaced fuel tank, fuel pump, starter, grill, radiator
Tourist Trophy stainless steel header and exhaust
Full brake service (Master cylinder, lines, pads, fluids)

Additional Repairs/Modifications (Current Owner 2019-current)

Repair full body orange peeled paint
Rear u-joints, alternator, tires
Vinyl top and top frame front rail
Head rebuild (hardened valve seats, valve guides, exhaust valves)
Resurfaced flywheel
Tachometer replacement, electronic ignition
Installed OverDrive Transmission, fresh mounts, oil seals and gaskets
VMAXSCART super charger installed in 2023
Aluminum radiator, new belts and hoses
Replaced front A-arm bushings with poly SuperPros
Mounted vintage Shelby/Viper wheels from around 1969
Always serviced with Valvoline VR-1 racing oil
Most of the original parts will be included with the car
Additional photos available at dshikoski.com

For additional information contact: dshikoski@dshikoski.com

Please use “74MG” in the subject line to help it get through the junk filter.

VMAXSCART – Radiator Plug

admin — Sat, 13 May 2023 18:53:44 +0000

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.

VMAXSCART – New Radiator

admin — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 15:40:31 +0000

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.

Here’s what I bought.
Notice the overflow tube

There’s no room for a exit hose

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.

Radiator installed

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.

VMAXSCART – Choke Cable Fix

admin — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 17:54:43 +0000

Choke Cable Connection

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.

VMAXSCART – Need a new radiator…

admin — Sat, 04 Mar 2023 20:13:57 +0000

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.

VMAXSCART – Pulley Install

admin — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 16:27:54 +0000

Yup. I’m going slow on this project. I wanted to finish other ‘clean-up’ items before I competed the install. I think those are done… as if they are ever ‘done’.

Pulling the old pulley

First on the list is to install the new combination pulley for the super charger. That includes unbolting the engine mounts (a P.I.T.A.) and lifting the engine. The photo shows how far the engine mounts are separated. Next I backed off the 1 5/16″ bolt on the old pulley. I set the engine at TDC before pulling the old pulley.

New Pulley compared to the original. Old timing mark is visible.

The new pulley came without a timing mark. The 74 MGB has the timing mark visible from the top. I lined up the key way on both and created a mark on the new pulley.

New Pulley mounted

Pulley is in place. Once again, you can see the motor mounts.

Engine Remounted. Yes, oops, the gound strap needs to be connected.

This is after dropping, and bolting, the engine back into place. There is adequate clearance for the super charger belt to be added after installation. The water pump belt will ride behind the SC belt. Next, the alternator needs to be re-bolted. Then I’m going to heat wrap the Tourist Trophy header pipes.

VMAXSCART – It has begun

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 14:38:37 +0000

Off with the old.

The package arrived on Wednesday and I waited until Thursday to start the first steps of the install. I reread everything I could find on line about the install and read the Mini install documentation and I have a general ideal of what items I need for the install. Those , that I know of, included the front crank seal and timing chain cover gasket. I’m not sure I need the timing chain gasket, but I rather have it on had if I need it. At the moment that appears to be the main parts I’ll need, but that never seems to be true in a project like this. The kit is very complete.

During the removal of the carb and manifold I found that I was leaking oil from the left-side fuel pump blanking cover. Also, the upper engine cooling connect was leaking antifreeze. That added two more gaskets to the mix. I’m sure I’ve missed other ‘needs’ as well. (Oh, I do have a good supply of dark beer in the fridge).

An important step was to set the engine to top dead center on cylinder one. There are no timing marks on the new pulley. Still thinking of a good way to mark that. The keyway is the common locator and I’ll have the old pulley to use as a guide. I’m sure I’ll move the timing mark as I unbolt the old pulley.

So, for now, I’m waiting for parts from Moss. I need to install the new fuel pump cover gasket before I bolt up the headers. Next on my list is draining the antifreeze, removing the radiator and cooling hoses.

VMAXSCART Update

admin — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 15:38:44 +0000

I received an email from Stuart, at VMAXscart, with an update on my order for two MGB superchargers. He indicated he had one of the kits completed and would ship each of the systems separately. So, I’m hoping to see the first kit arrive from GB soon.

Here’s the website for VMAXSCART to see what was ordered. I hope to post updates and photos of the project as it happens. Stay tuned.