Dale L.'s Journal

Engine And Trans Installed

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 09:57:43 -0500

Dale L.'s Journal --

I finally got the rebuilt motor and O/D Trans installed . Started running all new Stainless Steel lines for Fuel, & Brakes. Trying to get it done for March British Motoring Show in New Orleans.

<Engine FV>

<Engine LSV>

<Engine RSV>

Posted 2019-10-15 09:57:43 by Dale L.

Motor And O/D Trans Rebuild

Thu, 10 Oct 2019 11:02:18 -0500

Dale L.'s Journal --

Picked up the Motor and transmission ( Blue Label) from BMC Restorations in Kiln, Ms . New performance rebuild with Lucas 25D distributor, Weber 32/36 Intake and Mowog Exhaust manifold. Added a custom performance cam as well. Ready to drop in .

<Engine Rebuild 1>

<Engine Rebuild 3>

<Engine Rebuild 2>

Posted 2019-10-10 11:02:18 by Dale L.

Painting Fender Bolts And Washers, Etc.

Wed, 10 Jul 2019 14:12:47 -0500

Dale L.'s Journal --

I have found a way to paint the bolts and flat washers in order to re-assemble the parts with original bolts while car is in pieces. I mount the bolts onto a plastic cardboard and the flat washers on pegboard with plastic anchors. Also did some powder-coating on parts.

<F OverflowTank>	<Fender Washers 1>	<Fender Washers 2>
<Fender Bolts>

Posted 2019-07-10 14:12:47 by Dale L.

Finally Got Some Paint On The Shell. Champagne Metallic

Wed, 10 Jul 2019 14:06:43 -0500

Dale L.'s Journal --

After 3 years I finally have the body painted. It's beautiful in this Champagne Metallic. Can't wait to start re-assembly. Will try to get the suspension on this weekend if the weather holds out. Once it's a rolling chassis I can start doing the details.

<RFrontFender>	<RRearQuarter>	<EngineBay>
<LDriverDoor>

Posted 2019-07-10 14:06:43 by Dale L.

Engine And Trans Off To Be Rebuilt

Fri, 20 Mar 2015 09:37:57 -0500

Dale L.'s Journal --

I dropped off my engine to Peter Braun (Kiln, MS.) for a complete rebuild. It was fine but not enough horses under the bonnet. Adding forged pistons with higher compression, Aluminum head with hardened seats and stainless valves, matching camshaft, etc. O/D Trans will be checked and rebuilt if needed along with the O/D unit. Once it is all complete with new water pump, starter,clutch kit etc. it should run like a new car should. Hopefully I can add an oil cooler and new AC compressor with aluminum radiator and dual fans to keep it running cool on those hot southern days. Though I will have about 20K invested into this car I know it is not worth that much but it's a gift for my wife which makes it PRICELESS !

<Heat Shield redone and ready to install>

Posted 2015-03-20 09:37:57 by Dale L.

Sandblasting Complete, Now The Fun Begins

Mon, 16 Feb 2015 07:27:35 -0600

Dale L.'s Journal --

Finally finished sandblasting the doors, fenders, rear axle and front suspension. Soon the etch primer and epoxy primer will be done and then the fun of sanding and blocking begins. Stay tuned for how a Big Budget build is done.

<Sandblasted Doors>	<Sandblasted Fenders>	<Rear axle>
<Front Crossmember>	<Front A Arms>	<Bedlined Chassis>
<Bedlined Trunk Area>	<Bedlined Wheelwells>	<MGB Dolly 11.20.15>
<MGB Snug Top>

Posted 2015-02-16 07:27:35 by Dale L.

New Parts I Bought So Far On The Shelf

Wed, 04 Feb 2015 09:07:47 -0600

Dale L.'s Journal --

Complete Engine Rebuild (Performance parts) Weber 32/36 Carb Setup Lucas 45D Distributor Cobalt 8mm Ignition Wire Set Intermotor 40K Sport Coil 10 Row Oil Cooler w/ SS hoses Blue Label Overdrive Transmission (Rebuilt) Borg & Beck Heavy Duty Clutch Kit w/ roller bearing Clutch Master Cylinder OEM Clutch Hose Cobalt Stainless Steel Clutch Master Cylinder (Lockheed) Clutch Fork Rubber boot Aluminum Valve Cover and Nuts MOWOG 12H709 Exhaust Manifold Exhaust manifold studs BOSCH 85 Amp Alternator Thermostat Housing and Thermostat Gear Reduction Starter AC Compressor Bell Stainless Exhaust System MINATOR (K&N)15 inch aluminum rims Accelerator Cable Speedometer cable Emergency Brake Cable Caliper Rebuild Kit ( Seals and pistons) Front Brake Kit Rear Brake Kit Rear Brake Hose Front Brake Hoses Brake Master Cylinder OEM Emergency Brake Cable U-Joints Gearbox Buffer Pad Gearbox Stabilizer Bushing Shift Lever Bushings Trans Mount Motor Mounts Engine mount bracket Left Engine mount bracket Right 7 inch H4 Lucas Headlights Headlight Switch Hazard Switch Heater Fan Switch Fan Thermostat Switch Ignition Switch Assembly Turn Signal Switch Assembly Wiper Switch Assembly Fuse Box (4) SMITHS Voltmeter Single Rubber Connector (10 ea.) Double Rubber Connector (10 ea) Bullet Connector (40 ea) Fuel Filter Fuel Pump Fuel Pump Banjo Washer Stainless Gas Cap Battery Cut-Off Switch #2 AWG Battery Cable (Positive) 10ft Gates Ethanol-proof Fuel hose AC Belt Alt Belt Oil Filter New coated Fuel Tank with seals and sending unit Front Suspension Rebuild Kit Tie Rod Ends Rack Boot Kit (pair) Front Coil Springs Remanufactured Front and Rear Shock Absorbers Heritage Rear Leaf Spring Set Shackle Kit Rear Limiting Straps Front Crossmember pad / LIP Front Crossmember pad Standard A arm Bushing Set Rear Shock Links 3/16 Brake Stainless Fuel Tubing (front to rear) 5/16 Fuel Stainless Brake Tubing (front to rear) 1/4 Clutch Stainless Steel Tubing Tubing Nuts (Male & Female) Stainless Oil line Engine to gauge Side Stainless Trim 6 pc. Intake Growl Grill Intake Growl Grill Clips Intake Growl Screen Wiper Pod Chrome Nut Chrome Wiper Bezel Wiper Pod Seal Wiper /Washer Jet Nozzle Washer Bottle Door Handles Lock Set Door/Trunk Door Mirror LEFT Door Mirror RIGHT Door/Trunk Lock Set Door top rail Trim Kit Door Seal Finisher Left Front Door Seal Finisher Right Front Door Seal Finisher Left Rear Door Seal Finisher Right Rear Shifter boot rubber seal Hood Release Cable Sunvisor Outer Metal Jacket Trunk Emblem 62-69 3 pc Battery Cover Seal Window Channel Felt Kit Vent Frame Corner Block Vent Frame to Door Seal(L) Vent Frame to Door Seal(R) Inner Side Window Brush Windshield to Vent Frame Seal Winshield Support Rod and nut Top to Windshield Seal Lower Windshield Seal Trunk Seal Pillar Post Pad( L ) Pillar Post Pad( R ) Pillar post seal retainer strips Glass to Frame Glazing Seal Vent Frame Door Seal(L) Vent Frame Door Seal( R) Heater Cable Heater Temp Cable Heater Gasket Set Heater Valve and Gasket Heater Box Decals and Clips Dual Electric Radiator Cooling Fans Headlight Ring OEM (Pair) Headlight Gasket Set Door Handle and Trunk Lock Gasket set Tail Light Kit Pair 70-80 Tail Light Kit Pair 62-69 (Want to try this fit.) Reverse Light Lens Rear Side Marker Light Red assy Front Side Marker Light Amb assy Chrome License Plate Lights Convertible Top Retainers and Pins. 1976-80 15 inch spoke steering wheel 95 Miata Beige Leather seats with Headrest Speakers ( Ebay) Complete Interior Panel Set in Honey Tan w/ black piping Complete Prestige molded Carpet Kit Seat brackets for Miata to MGB conversion ( crateparts.com) New front valance OEM Richard Grant front race spoiler 1980 O/D Shift Lever and Knob & Nut O/D Shift Cap O/D Switch O/d Wiring Harness Inertia Switch Electric Washer Pump SMITHS Voltmeter Battery Cut-Off Switch Hood and Trunk Dual Gas Strut Lift Kits Front and Rear Swaybar bushings and brackets Front Sway bar end bushings Rear Sway bar end bushings Front & Rear Bump Stop Buffers Rear Axle Cover Gasket Heavy Duty Headlight Relay Harness Kit Remote Entry Door Lock Kit Burlwood Dash Trim Kit Dynamat Extreme sound deadner for interior New Black Vinyl Top SNUGTOP (used) New Steel Hood Boot Lid without holes for luggage rack

<Valance and Richard grant Race Spoiler>	<1995 Leather Miata Seats with Speakers>	<MOSS 453-840 Real Wood Veneer Kit NOS>
<(MINATOR (K & N) 15 inch Aluminum Rim>

Posted 2015-02-04 09:07:47 by Dale L.

Finally Sandblasted The Shell And Etch Primed

Mon, 26 Jan 2015 08:43:52 -0600

Dale L.'s Journal --

Due to my work schedule I have not had time to do anything since October. I finally had the time to sandblast the shell and etch prime it. Today will be the epoxy primer and then I will start on the bodywork. Having a rotisserie is such a big help when blasting and priming. It is so nice to flip the car as needed. Especially when I turned it upside down to dump all the sand out.The engine bay is done and ready for paint. I still have lots of blasting to do on all the other parts as well. I own a big Diesel Compressor and industrial blasting rig, so it was easy to blast it in a few hours.

<Ready for sandblasting>	<Spraying etch primer>	<Engine Bay Primed>
<MGB Shell Primed>	<Sandblasting>

Posted 2015-01-26 08:43:52 by Dale L.

Just A Shell Of A B

Wed, 17 Sep 2014 11:14:23 -0500

Dale L.'s Journal --

Now it is just a shell. Pulled motor and tranny. Wiring harness is out. all brake and fuel lines removed front to rear. Have to make brackets to mount on the rotisserie and then start blasting to the bare metal. Once on the rotisserie I will drop front suapension and rear. Ordered lots of new parts and stocking my shelves for re-assembly. I'm thinking of a Champagne color for the body. I have the biscuit interior and thinking it would look classy. If not it's going to be an Ice Blue metallic. My work schedule will stop my progress for a while, so I am hitting it hard for now. This car will turn heads when I'm done !

<On the rotisserie and getting ready>

<MGBTub 015>

<MGBTub 022>

Posted 2014-09-17 11:14:23 by Dale L.

Stripped Down To Just A Shell

Fri, 12 Sep 2014 12:28:32 -0500

Dale L.'s Journal --

I have it down and all is left is to pull the motor and tranny.The wiring harness is pulled and soon I will start stripping the parts to the metal. This is a total restore, so everything gets repainted or replaced.

<Getting it apart is EASY, Back is Hard>

<Looking Naked now>

Posted 2014-09-12 12:28:32 by Dale L.

Tearing Down For Restoration

Tue, 02 Sep 2014 09:08:01 -0500

Dale L.'s Journal --

As I posted before once I decide to keep it I will restore it. WELL I did my test drive and was satisfied with the car mechanically. So I started taking the car apart for the paint. I removed the top, stripped down doors, all lights and exterior trim.Removed front and rear bumpers, grill. Interior as for carpet, seats, and console. I will tackle the dash at a later time. I will start prepping the exterior for primer and later pull the engine and tranny to paint the engine bay.For now I want to keep it running to move around my shop as I do the work.

Posted 2014-09-02 09:08:01 by Dale L.

Complete Brake Job

Mon, 25 Aug 2014 00:22:27 -0500

Dale L.'s Journal --

Today I rebuilt my brake system. New pads, rotors, rear shoes, brake cylinders, hoses,springs, etc. Also repacked front bearings while it was off. Flushed out all brake lines and inspected. Moss Motors supplied all the parts I needed. I installed the new fuse box due to fuse #3 had a bad connection on the block. Next I will do my test drive and decide if I will restore it ot sell it. So far looks like I may keep it.

<Front Caliper>

<Rear Drum pads>

Posted 2014-08-25 00:22:27 by Dale L.

1978 MGB Rebirth

Fri, 15 Aug 2014 11:05:34 -0500

Dale L.'s Journal --

I bought this car from an estate fo $250.00 US. I knew the owner's son and they took care of it until an electrical problem with Fuse #3 sidelined the car. It was sitting since 1992 and was in original condition except paint job was showing wear. The top was like knew and had all the tonneau covers, jack, spare tire, etc. This car has Air Conditioning added and it is a proffessional installation. I had it towed to my shop and then proceeded to pressure wash the body and undercarrige.( I have a 4 post lift outside for this task). After a thourough cleaning I inspected the body and chassis for damage and rust. All looked perfect and except for a few spots where the undercoating came off it was better than I expected. I removed the seats and carpet to inspect the floorpans which were in excellent shape and no rust or damage. I removed the belts and spark plugs, lubed the cylinders and manually turned it over several revolutions until I was satisfied there was no friction. I drained the oil and changed the filter, drained the fuel tank and replaced all the fuel lines and filter. The SU pump was bad so I used a spare to test. With the Coil disconnected I proceeded to spin the motor with the starter and watched the oil pressure get up to normal. I did a compression check on all the cylinders and it was normal. I put in a new set of plugs, primed with fuel and cranked it over. After a few pops it did start and oil pressure looked good. No smoke from exhaust except some rust blowing out. I moved it in forward and reverse to test the clutch and all was good. The brake drum on rear driver side was frozen. I was able to free it up and took a test drive down the block and back. All gears went smoothly and handling was fine. Now the decision to keep and restore or just flip it comes in. Being it is such decent shapeI decided to rebuild complete brake system Including hoses and replaced the faulty fuse box. Next when the brakes are done I will take it out for a long drive to see how well it does. If it all goes well I will strip apart and completely restore it. Then I plan to give it to my wife as a surprise !

<Side View of the car>

Posted 2014-08-15 11:05:34 by Dale L.