East Midlands owners

I've just bought an '88 x/19... having part-ex my mgb for it. Bodywork has been restored but having the brakes and an awful clutch looked at by my local garage which helped me keep the MG going. Wondering if there are any owners living near me in the East Midlands? I live in Nottingham. Craig

Hi Craig,
Welcome to the forum. I'm in the top end of Northamptonshire, I'm sure there will be other members in your area. Any details on your particular problems the forum will gladly try to help with, there's not much we don't know between us all.

Great stuff. Local garage looking at it on Thursday - I think the clutch master cylinder needs replacing and possibly the brake one also...Think it has usual 3rd gear synchro wear but not horrendous! Car been dry-stored for a long time so although it runs well, will need things doing. Thanks.

Given how difficult the job is its always best practice to replace them as a pair unless you know one is in very good condition. While your at it, check the pipes from the reservoir to the cylinders as they can rot over the past few decades

That's god advice, thanks. How many hours labour for both cylinders do you think? I understand the parts are not expensive.

Replace the heater control valve at the same time! It’s a real PIA job make sure the garage appreciate how irksome it is to do. Drivers seat needs to come out and ideally although not necessary the steering column and wheel. If the reservoir hoses are original change them as well as a matter of course, the garage won’t want to be doing things a second time!

100% good advice there NRG.
My car was laid up for 20years and I had my mechanic do all these jobs (rather him than me!!).
Basically everything rubber needs replaced, including the rubber surround on my speakers!
Fuel hoses aren't expensive and are a must to replace - easy job to do. Get a service kit for the carb
and give it a real real good clean inside. I fitted electronic ignition and an electric fuel pump at the same
time. Car starts on the turn of the key first time every time.
I recommend Eurospares, fair prices, excellent service and free advice from Claire.

Get some relays on the dipped beam circuit, if they haven't been done, ditto the wipers and the ignition switch.
The "brown wire" mod is worth doing to get more current to the fuse box with less heat.
If you only have the 45A alternator an upgrade to a 65A one is a good idea if you ever plan to use the lights, the demister and the wipers at the same time!
(But upgrade the alternator wiring and connectors at the same time!)
Alan is dead right about electronic ignition and an electric fuel pump - improves reliability and driveablity no end - make sure the pump electrics are crash safe.

100% on what Andrew just said.
All these upgrades were also on my list.

I did my own design for the headlamp relays and used 4 relays, 4 fuses so each filament is independant (as modern cars) meaning if a fuse blows then everything else remains operational. With standard H4 bulbs the lighting is really very good now (helps to have 13.1v at the bulb rather than just 9.6v with standard Fiat wiring).

My fuel pump is wired via my immobiliser circuit and a scrap yard inertia switch from a Fiesta (only £3.50!).
I also added relays on my electric windows, now as quick as modern car windows.
An added bonus with the electric fuel pump by the way, means the carb cooling fan isn't really required so I took mine off. That tidies up the engine bay and leaves plenty of room for the fuel pump installation.

Hi Craig,
I live in the Long Eaton area Nottingham If I can be of any help please let me know. I've just completed a 7 year full restoration and put my car on the road this May. I had planned to go to some outdoor events this year, but I'll just have to wait. I think after all this time I'm qualified to give a bit/some advise.

Beautiful looking car