Topic: What did you do to your car today?

[Firm]

This was last weekend, but I am finally getting around to putting my blue MGB on the road...Forced hand to some degree because the car needs to be moved from it's current position, but it's the last car in my fleet that wasn't totally up and running, so I am looking forward to it.

It hasn't really been in regular use since 1994, has only 21K miles on it. I've been starting it every year, and up until about 3 years ago I would spin it around the block every summer and then stick it back away. 3 years ago it got pushed against the back wall in the garage, which made taking it out for a spin more effort than it was worth, so it sat, but I did start it and ran it for 30-40 minutes last summer.

I've actually been pretty good at keeping it up mechanically despite it sitting over the last ~5 years I've rebuilt the brake & clutch master cylinders, rebuilt the carb (still has the factory single stromberg carb with water choke) and a bunch of other little things. I've also been pumping out the gas tank every couple years and replacing it with fresh stuff....so the fuel system shouldn't be *that* bad.

Anyway, I got it unburied, confirmed that it's got brake and clutch hydraulics and doesn't appear to be leaking anything...I am busy this coming weekend, but hopefully the week following I'll be able to drop a battery in it and give it a little shakedown run.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

So the CRV buyer ends up with a turkey and the fixer gets a free Rust Check.  I'd love to know exactly the numbers on her deal.  Probably got really slammed. 

Like, who hurt you so much in life that you're this jaded and cynical? 

Do you absolutely refuse to believe that there are good, honest people out there who have each other's best interests at heart?

[Layne]

So the CRV buyer ends up with a turkey and the fixer gets a free Rust Check.  I'd love to know exactly the numbers on her deal.  Probably got really slammed. 

Like, who hurt you so much in life that you're this jaded and cynical? 

Do you absolutely refuse to believe that there are good, honest people out there who have each other's best interests at heart?

On this forum or in the real world?

 

[Great_Big_Abyss]

So the CRV buyer ends up with a turkey and the fixer gets a free Rust Check.  I'd love to know exactly the numbers on her deal.  Probably got really slammed. 

Like, who hurt you so much in life that you're this jaded and cynical? 

Do you absolutely refuse to believe that there are good, honest people out there who have each other's best interests at heart?

On this forum or in the real world?

 

Yes.  Both.  Not everybody in the world is 'out to get you'. 

[ktm525]

I'm just slightly less cynical.    It is the dealer's #1 job to separate buyers from as much money as possible, not be your friend. Whether they do this is a hard hitting sleaze bag way or ooze pretend friendship doesn't matter. 

[PJungnitsch]

This was last weekend, but I am finally getting around to putting my blue MGB on the road...Forced hand to some degree because the car needs to be moved from it's current position, but it's the last car in my fleet that wasn't totally up and running, so I am looking forward to it.

It hasn't really been in regular use since 1994, has only 21K miles on it. I've been starting it every year, and up until about 3 years ago I would spin it around the block every summer and then stick it back away. 3 years ago it got pushed against the back wall in the garage, which made taking it out for a spin more effort than it was worth, so it sat, but I did start it and ran it for 30-40 minutes last summer.

I've actually been pretty good at keeping it up mechanically despite it sitting over the last ~5 years I've rebuilt the brake & clutch master cylinders, rebuilt the carb (still has the factory single stromberg carb with water choke) and a bunch of other little things. I've also been pumping out the gas tank every couple years and replacing it with fresh stuff....so the fuel system shouldn't be *that* bad.

Anyway, I got it unburied, confirmed that it's got brake and clutch hydraulics and doesn't appear to be leaking anything...I am busy this coming weekend, but hopefully the week following I'll be able to drop a battery in it and give it a little shakedown run.

21k total? Wow

Must have been stored under cover too, looks amazingly good

[Firm]

Yeah, it's always been covered. It's not perfect though....original paint has some chips, scratches, etc. I've never had the motivation to go around and repair them yet, but I will. The engine bay needs a really good detail, stuff like that. Interior is damn near perfect.
Someone installed those Stainless Steel rocker panel overlays, which look OK, but I kinda wish they weren't there, especially on such a nice original car.

[Fobroader]

Is there an actual way to lose the rubber bumpers on those or is it a huge project involving welding and changing body panels??

[Firm]

It's pretty easy if you wanted to. Four bolts drops them right off...and the car's look sorta cool without any bumpers. Then you could toss on a Sebring style roll pan and just run no bumpers, or you can convert to the earlier style chrome bumpers. I believe you can get conversion kits now, it's not too difficult, but I believe there's some metal work to be done to the front fenders if you want it to look 100%.
Not for me though, I don't mind the rubber bumpers at all.  Plus, MGBs are not exactly high $ or hard to find...If you don't like the rubber bumpers you just spend an extra grand or two and buy a chrome bumper example.

[Blueprint]

It's pretty easy if you wanted to. Four bolts drops them right off...and the car's look sorta cool without any bumpers. Then you could toss on a Sebring style roll pan and just run no bumpers, or you can convert to the earlier style chrome bumpers. I believe you can get conversion kits now, it's not too difficult, but I believe there's some metal work to be done to the front fenders if you want it to look 100%.
Not for me though, I don't mind the rubber bumpers at all.  Plus, MGBs are not exactly high $ or hard to find...If you don't like the rubber bumpers you just spend an extra grand or two and buy a chrome bumper example.

Exact - Moss Motors sells the kits for the conversion, but BL did a pretty good job of integrating these bumpers on the B and the Midget. Notice I did not mention "Spitfire"  .

Worried about the absence of leaks - is it low on fluids? 

[ktm525]

Looking at my car ownership cost spreadsheet:

Total repair and maintenance cost for the BMW since 2015: $13k
MX-5 since May 2022: $1k

Very close. I bought my 2010 LR4 used in 2013 (70k kms). Now 9 1/2 years later I have spent $12 913 on her. That is everything; Tires, maintenance, windshields etc. Total cost of ownership with an estimated value today: $360/month.

Ridgeline is $277/month. Or as the greasy dealers like to quote  $127.85 bi weekly   

[Arthur Dent]

It's pretty easy if you wanted to. Four bolts drops them right off...and the car's look sorta cool without any bumpers. Then you could toss on a Sebring style roll pan and just run no bumpers, or you can convert to the earlier style chrome bumpers. I believe you can get conversion kits now, it's not too difficult, but I believe there's some metal work to be done to the front fenders if you want it to look 100%.
Not for me though, I don't mind the rubber bumpers at all.  Plus, MGBs are not exactly high $ or hard to find...If you don't like the rubber bumpers you just spend an extra grand or two and buy a chrome bumper example.

Exact - Moss Motors sells the kits for the conversion, but BL did a pretty good job of integrating these bumpers on the B and the Midget. Notice I did not mention "Spitfire"  .

Worried about the absence of leaks - is it low on fluids? 

To be fair to the Spitfire only '79 and '80 were given the ridiculous black bumpers.

[Firm]

It's pretty easy if you wanted to. Four bolts drops them right off...and the car's look sorta cool without any bumpers. Then you could toss on a Sebring style roll pan and just run no bumpers, or you can convert to the earlier style chrome bumpers. I believe you can get conversion kits now, it's not too difficult, but I believe there's some metal work to be done to the front fenders if you want it to look 100%.
Not for me though, I don't mind the rubber bumpers at all.  Plus, MGBs are not exactly high $ or hard to find...If you don't like the rubber bumpers you just spend an extra grand or two and buy a chrome bumper example.

Exact - Moss Motors sells the kits for the conversion, but BL did a pretty good job of integrating these bumpers on the B and the Midget. Notice I did not mention "Spitfire"  .

Worried about the absence of leaks - is it low on fluids? 

lol, I mean, there's some oil spots under it and whatnot..but I was half expecting hydraulic leaks, or something else silly. Still haven't pressurized the fuel system, so there's still time for a mess.

[Firm]

It's pretty easy if you wanted to. Four bolts drops them right off...and the car's look sorta cool without any bumpers. Then you could toss on a Sebring style roll pan and just run no bumpers, or you can convert to the earlier style chrome bumpers. I believe you can get conversion kits now, it's not too difficult, but I believe there's some metal work to be done to the front fenders if you want it to look 100%.
Not for me though, I don't mind the rubber bumpers at all.  Plus, MGBs are not exactly high $ or hard to find...If you don't like the rubber bumpers you just spend an extra grand or two and buy a chrome bumper example.

Exact - Moss Motors sells the kits for the conversion, but BL did a pretty good job of integrating these bumpers on the B and the Midget. Notice I did not mention "Spitfire"  .

Worried about the absence of leaks - is it low on fluids? 

To be fair to the Spitfire only '79 and '80 were given the ridiculous black bumpers.

Yeah, those rubber bumper Spitfires are pretty frumpy. Oddly, it only started halfway through 79...My green 79 had the chrome bumpers on it.

[ktm525]

In my step by step of refreshing the Ridgeline front end I added new sway bar links. Greaseable ones so was happy I found these on Rock Auto.  The old ones did not play nice and the bolts needed an angle grinder. A simple two bolt project turned into hours of swearing 

[EV Dan]

^^^^ Look fancy. What brand?

[ktm525]

Mevotech TTX, looks to be their "premium" line.  There are golden nuggets on Rock auto just need to avoid the junk.

[EV Dan]

Cool beans. Will keep them in mind.

[ktm525]

Unfortunately they were made in China. I try to avoid that as much as possible.

[rrocket]

Mevotech TTX, looks to be their "premium" line.  There are golden nuggets on Rock auto just need to avoid the junk.

Canadian company!

I often find the Mevotech stuff cheaper to buy in Canada from The Wrench Monkey. Not always mind you..but often enough that I look there before buying.

https://www.thewrenchmonkey.ca/products/auto-parts/mevotech/txms60864/