Day 18-20 front brakes,carbs, side covers etc

The rebuilt distributor showed up, and I can't believe this is the same distributor.  It was a shame to install something so clean and shiny on such a filthy engine.  But, I went ahead an installed it with new spark plugs and new vac line for the advance.  I would try to run the car a little later.

I also installed the painted valve cover.

Shiny rebuilt distributor

installed distributor with new coil and plugs

ready to run again

I also installed the pedal box and pedals.  No real problems, just very tight access to the mounting bolts.
I'll wait to bleed the clutch and brakes until the new front brakes are installed.  Speaking of brakes, I started to take an old front caliper apart for rebuild, but the caliper piston was too rusty, so I just ordered two rebuilt units.

pedal box installed

pedal linkages and pedals installed

painted pedals, with new pads

Drew worked on the front brakes and wheel bearings.  We got one side ready for install with it's shims.  So, it was time to mount the new front rotors to the hubs.  But, when we went to torque the 4 bolts down, they just distorted and destroyed themselves.  After a little online research, I figured that some previous owner replaced the bolts with some garbage hardware.  Why someone would skimp on brake hardware is beyond me. New bolts were required before we could continue with the brakes.

So, we decided to see of she would run.  I hooked everything up and gave it a shot..... but there was no noise from the fuel pump.  Well, this is not good.  I smacked on it a couple of times but that didn't work.  I checked that it was getting 12 volts, and it was. So, I started to remove it once again.  When I loosened up the fuel feed line from the pump to the carbs, fuel sprayed everywhere!  With the pressure relieved, the pump worked fine. Why was there so much pressure?  After a phone call to an SU carb expert, we figured that one of the carbs had a float needle that was stuck closed. I ordered two rebuild kits. 


That was about it for that day.

The next day, I removed the carbs....again.  No problems.  Since the carbs were coming off, I decided to remove the entire exhaust and intake manifolds so I could install new gaskets and replace the two side cover gaskets as well (one was leaking oil).   No problems with the removal.

carbs removed

intake manifold is removed

exhaust manifold removed, front leaking cover removed- you can see the pushrods

intake manifold after blasting

exhaust manifold, down pipe, and front side cover

Drew started by installing the new brake rotors on the hubs with the new bolts.  Then he greased up the new wheel bearings and installed both front rotor/hub assemblies onto the car.  Hopefully the rebuilt calipers and new brake lines can be installed next weekend.

new rotor and hub installed- driver side

new brakes (almost) and new bumper (more on that later)

 I started with rebuilding one of the carbs.  No real problems, just time consuming.  The second one will be much easier. As a side note- it was a nice sunny day today so I just set up a table in the driveway to work on the carb!

starting to take it apart- lots of new tiny parts

these are the two adjustments for idle speed and throttle enrichment (choke)- in the finished photo below, you will see that I replaced the lock nuts for these adjustments with springs so it is MUCH easier to adjust later

assembly progressing

Finished- with new adjustment springs

I also cleaned up the side covers, installed new gaskets, and installed them.

cleaned up

cleaned and old gaskets removed

new gaskets installed with sealant

Installed.

And finally for the day, Drew installed the new (to me) bumper.  I saw an ad on Craigslist for some free MGB parts.  I got in touch with the owner and got the "new" parts this week.  He had done a restoration and wanted to get rid of his old leftover parts.  I got a valve cover, timing set, rocker set, side chrome trim, chrome trim rings for the wheels, a white front valence, a bunch miscellaneous hardware, sealbelts, and used bumper.  The bumper was in much better condition than mine, so Drew installed it.  It looks great- just needs a little polish.

old rusty bumper

new bumper- I left the overriders off for now- I like the cleaner look without them.

That's all for now.  Hopefully next week I'll rebuild the other carb, install the manifolds, install the carbs and run the car again.  Aslo- work will continue on the front brakes with installing the calipers and brake hoses.