Great channel and after seeing your post on the bumper restoration I set to it with mine and having some knowledge from your good self its more achievable in doing so Thanks for the work putting this on your channel and the graft you are putting in top man 👍
Great start, once completed this will be a beautiful GT. I am starting the same restoration on my 68 MGC GT. I completed my 68, 71, 79 and 79 & 80 US version Black Limited Edition MGBs. From California USA.
Thanks very much! By the sounds of things, I reckon I could learn a few things from you, with that much experience! This is definitely the biggest project I've undertaken.
Great video , only just seen it,, I've now bought a 1974 mgb ,, gonna do a rolling road restoration , am dreading taken wings off and finding the rust lol ,,,
Hi Ross, Not easy persuading those wings off! Passenger side should be easier as there are less obstructions under the dash. The two little screws you removed in the wing gutter are the remains of the rubber bonnet buffer. These stop the bonnet from vibrating when driving along. The shape of them also centralises the bonnet in the engine aperture to keep shut lines correct. Try an online search for part number AHH 6523 and you get an idea what they used to look like. You're totally correct about the design flaws in the MGB (there are loads of them😕) Could be excused as this was there first attempt at a monocoque design. The bit that is totally inexcusable, is that almost none of were 'engineered out' in a production run of over 18 years... Just plain lazy... No idea how they got away with it. Keep up the good work. 👍
Thanks Carsten! That's great info. Yes, the wing was a real pain, especially because the fasteners were completely siezed. I had to grind off the heads of a lot of the fasteners but that wasn't possible with the ones under the dash. I'm going to try and fix the wings I have though cause new ones are mad money.
Impact wrenches, my battery powered, take a lot of pain out of old bolts. Secret, use carefully, use penetrating fluid. Getting aggressive can and will make life miserable.
These tiny pieces on top of the fender channel are the remnants of rubber stops to the bonnet. Just put in new ones in and also renew the rubber at the back, in front of the windscreen for equal support front and back. The condition of the fenders itself does not surprise me: on my own (CBB Tourer) 1986 resto both front fenders and in my case also both doors had to be renewed and painted in the same process as the rest of the body. But: the sill on the bottom and the top structure are indeed in near to perfect shape after 30 years of rest. At least present British Heritage produced fenders areof a much better quality and shape than the ones I bought in 1986 (my right one had to hammered in place).
Even with the dashboard out it can be fun to get the bolts for the wings in & out. But I highly recommend to take the dashboard out as well - especially if you want to check the wiring as well.
I really shouldn’t post this but…. I just bought a 1970 MGBGT. There is absolutely no rust anywhere. Runs like a Rolex… had a 5 Speed Datsun transmission installed some time ago. I intend to repaint it as the paint is tired. Drives like new. Bought it in Oregon, USA. I’m actually from England but left in 1987. I am so saddened to see the rust buckets that you guys work on.. just tragic. But great job and keep it up. Great Videos.
So I attempted to remove the passenger side Wing yesterday…. What an absolute Bastard!!! God knows how to remove the remaining Bolt that’s up under the Dash and at the very end/tip of the wing. I tried for hours but couldn’t get a socket on it. Must be tiny hands that assemble these Cars. I eventually said F..K it and went in to have some Beer. Absolute Nightmare.
When you put the wing back on, install a plastic inner fender liner which will keep the dirt from building up on the horizontal surfaces and potential rust incubator. Nice work. I have a USA Arizona GT I’m working on.
@@stuwhite2337 ah that's a pity. Well this car isn't going to be getting much winter use anyway when I do have it back on the road, so it should be ok. Maybe in the future they'll come available again and I'll pick up a set then. Cheers!
I've just done exactly the same job on my MGB roadster. Very similar story to yours in that it has been standing outside for 20 years. The inner wings are just like yours in that they are in remarkably good condition. I haven't decided yet whether to repair the outer wings or replace with fibreglass ones.
@@Endfloat I spoke to MGB hive yesterday when I was ordering some bits and asked them about the glassfibre wings they sell. Their advice was do not fit them to a road car under any circumstances which seemed a bit strange! I'll ring Honeybourne mouldings and see if they have a similar view of their product. Not sure who makes the MGB hive wings - could even be Honeybourne.
I had the same problem but my wings came out a bit easier and i took the wings of and got a good welder to plate and weld my wings. The head light area had to be cut out totally and a new plate fabricated
@@Endfloat have you got a hinged 12mm ratchet spanner? I found that invaluable in removing the bolt at the top of the A pillar. The one you have to feel for
Drill,out center of bad screws, bolts, soak a few times with penetrating oil, let soak completely, they use an “easy out”. Never met a screw or bolt could not get out. Buying a cheap set of tap and die set is essential to clean stuff up before assembly. This guy, making his life too hard for this..
That car could have been really rotten behind the wing but it's very solid. Lets hope the other side is as good. It's a good car. Are you reusing those rubber bumpers?
Loved the comment 'whats a couple of wings cost 3-400 quid ' you might pick up a 1 steel pattern wing for that money , but MG Heritage wings , for what they are , are horrendously expensive , patch panels are available , suggest you either try repairing your original wing/s yourself or get friendly with a really competent welder/panel beater ... you got very lucky on your inner wing/A post and castle section from the look of it , have not seen the inside sills/floors yet , if good wire brush and paint your 'Por 15 ? stuff , asap . Check out this guy ' Henry's Garage' to see just how lucky you got with this MG BGT .
Thanks! Yeah I did a bit of googling afterwards and when I picked my jaw up off the floor I broke out the welder. My efforts can be seen in subsequent videos.
That sounds cheap for a front wing. New ones are I think are about £600 each ! Ouch. I have had MGs long enough to remember when parts where cheap. Not anymore it seems. Second hand on ebay can be a bit of a lottery. Ask me how I know !
Oh yeah I did price up wings after and was horrified at the price. The ones I have will definitely be getting fixed! I need to bite the bullet and learn how to weld sheet metal.
No go with gas! You will find you have more control over the work! Were metal has over lap you could use the other! But you will end up using gas overall! Loving the video
Great channel and after seeing your post on the bumper restoration I set to it with mine and having some knowledge from your good self its more achievable in doing so
Thanks for the work putting this on your channel and the graft you are putting in top man 👍
Thanks very much. Yeah it's a straightforward enough job but just takes time.
Great start, once completed this will be a beautiful GT. I am starting the same restoration on my 68 MGC GT. I completed my 68, 71, 79 and 79 & 80 US version Black Limited Edition MGBs. From California USA.
Thanks very much! By the sounds of things, I reckon I could learn a few things from you, with that much experience! This is definitely the biggest project I've undertaken.
Great video , only just seen it,, I've now bought a 1974 mgb ,, gonna do a rolling road restoration , am dreading taken wings off and finding the rust lol ,,,
The plates you were musing about in the wing channel I think are intended to hold rubber pads that the bonnet sits against when it’s closed.
Been a while but just catching up on Videos, so it was good to see you working on the MG again.
Good to have you back! There's more to come in the near future. 😉
Hi Ross, Not easy persuading those wings off! Passenger side should be easier as there are less obstructions under the dash.
The two little screws you removed in the wing gutter are the remains of the rubber bonnet buffer. These stop the bonnet from vibrating when driving along. The shape of them also centralises the bonnet in the engine aperture to keep shut lines correct. Try an online search for part number AHH 6523 and you get an idea what they used to look like.
You're totally correct about the design flaws in the MGB (there are loads of them😕) Could be excused as this was there first attempt at a monocoque design. The bit that is totally inexcusable, is that almost none of were 'engineered out' in a production run of over 18 years... Just plain lazy... No idea how they got away with it.
Keep up the good work. 👍
Thanks Carsten! That's great info. Yes, the wing was a real pain, especially because the fasteners were completely siezed. I had to grind off the heads of a lot of the fasteners but that wasn't possible with the ones under the dash. I'm going to try and fix the wings I have though cause new ones are mad money.
It can be painful working on old cars but the results are very rewarding, keep up the good work. It’s going to be a lovely car when finished
Yeah this one is rewarding to work on. I think I'm going to try and fix the wings myself rather than replacing them. Good ones are serious money!
Impact wrenches, my battery powered, take a lot of pain out of old bolts. Secret, use carefully, use penetrating fluid. Getting aggressive can and will make life miserable.
@@wallisparnell4464 I actually have one. I just forgot to bring it with me on this occasion.
Great you're back with the mg
Yeah it'll be a bit of class when it's done!
These tiny pieces on top of the fender channel are the remnants of rubber stops to the bonnet. Just put in new ones in and also renew the rubber at the back, in front of the windscreen for equal support front and back. The condition of the fenders itself does not surprise me: on my own (CBB Tourer) 1986 resto both front fenders and in my case also both doors had to be renewed and painted in the same process as the rest of the body. But: the sill on the bottom and the top structure are indeed in near to perfect shape after 30 years of rest. At least present British Heritage produced fenders areof a much better quality and shape than the ones I bought in 1986 (my right one had to hammered in place).
Even with the dashboard out it can be fun to get the bolts for the wings in & out. But I highly recommend to take the dashboard out as well - especially if you want to check the wiring as well.
Thanks. I'm trying to sort of compartmentalize this car so I don't get overwhelmed by it, but yes, I'm thinking a dash removal might be on the cards.
I really shouldn’t post this but…. I just bought a 1970 MGBGT. There is absolutely no rust anywhere. Runs like a Rolex… had a 5 Speed Datsun transmission installed some time ago. I intend to repaint it as the paint is tired. Drives like new. Bought it in Oregon, USA. I’m actually from England but left in 1987. I am so saddened to see the rust buckets that you guys work on.. just tragic. But great job and keep it up. Great Videos.
Oh I'm not at all jealous! Honestly! 😁 Best of luck with your new car.
So I attempted to remove the passenger side Wing yesterday…. What an absolute Bastard!!! God knows how to remove the remaining Bolt that’s up under the Dash and at the very end/tip of the wing. I tried for hours but couldn’t get a socket on it. Must be tiny hands that assemble these Cars. I eventually said F..K it and went in to have some Beer. Absolute Nightmare.
Good to see the old girl again! She might fight you a bit, but she’s just playing hard to get. Look forward to the next video!
Oh she definitely plays hard to get! And yet, she's a dirty little minx when you get stuck in! 😁 Next video shouldn't be long coming!
the panel below the front bumper is the front valance.
When you put the wing back on, install a plastic inner fender liner which will keep the dirt from building up on the horizontal surfaces and potential rust incubator. Nice work. I have a USA Arizona GT I’m working on.
That's actually something i will definitely be doing. They should have had them from the factory! Thanks for the info!
@@Endfloat I don't think you can but them anymore in our neck of the woods, at least I can't find them in the UK
@@stuwhite2337 ah that's a pity. Well this car isn't going to be getting much winter use anyway when I do have it back on the road, so it should be ok. Maybe in the future they'll come available again and I'll pick up a set then. Cheers!
I've just done exactly the same job on my MGB roadster. Very similar story to yours in that it has been standing outside for 20 years. The inner wings are just like yours in that they are in remarkably good condition. I haven't decided yet whether to repair the outer wings or replace with fibreglass ones.
I've heard mixed reports on the quality of the fibreglass wings. I'm going to try and fix mine.
@@Endfloat yes, I've heard the same though looks like they are £260 a pair which combined with lack of any future rust makes them quite attractive
@@stuwhite2337 well if you do go down that route, please let me know how they work out.
@@Endfloat I spoke to MGB hive yesterday when I was ordering some bits and asked them about the glassfibre wings they sell. Their advice was do not fit them to a road car under any circumstances which seemed a bit strange! I'll ring Honeybourne mouldings and see if they have a similar view of their product. Not sure who makes the MGB hive wings - could even be Honeybourne.
@@stuwhite2337 thanks for the info. I think in this instance I'll be sticking with the steel wings.
I loved this. It even came with the tongue sticking out the side of the mouth and cussing too 😂
But of course! 😁
I had the same problem but my wings came out a bit easier and i took the wings of and got a good welder to plate and weld my wings. The head light area had to be cut out totally and a new plate fabricated
Yeah I'm going to try and fix the ones I have. New ones are mad money. I still have to remove the one on the passenger side.
@@Endfloat have you got a hinged 12mm ratchet spanner? I found that invaluable in removing the bolt at the top of the A pillar. The one you have to feel for
@@nevergiveupever1069 I might, actually. I must have a look. Good idea though, thanks!
Drill,out center of bad screws, bolts, soak a few times with penetrating oil, let soak completely, they use an “easy out”. Never met a screw or bolt could not get out. Buying a cheap set of tap and die set is essential to clean stuff up before assembly. This guy, making his life too hard for this..
Yes! The MG!
Yes indeed. That's what my feeling was when I went back to it. 😁👍
That car could have been really rotten behind the wing but it's very solid. Lets hope the other side is as good. It's a good car. Are you reusing those rubber bumpers?
I am, yes. The car is staying completely stock and original aside from electronic ignition and hardened valve seats.
Loved the comment 'whats a couple of wings cost 3-400 quid ' you might pick up a 1 steel pattern wing for that money , but MG Heritage wings , for what they are , are horrendously expensive , patch panels are available , suggest you either try repairing your original wing/s yourself or get friendly with a really competent welder/panel beater ... you got very lucky on your inner wing/A post and castle section from the look of it , have not seen the inside sills/floors yet , if good wire brush and paint your 'Por 15 ? stuff , asap . Check out this guy ' Henry's Garage' to see just how lucky you got with this MG BGT .
Thanks! Yeah I did a bit of googling afterwards and when I picked my jaw up off the floor I broke out the welder. My efforts can be seen in subsequent videos.
$999.00 here in the US from Moss Motors. And they are Asian imports. Absolutely ridiculous price. There’s a company in LA that sell them for $375.00.
That sounds cheap for a front wing. New ones are I think are about £600 each ! Ouch. I have had MGs long enough to remember when parts where cheap. Not anymore it seems. Second hand on ebay can be a bit of a lottery. Ask me how I know !
Oh yeah I did price up wings after and was horrified at the price. The ones I have will definitely be getting fixed! I need to bite the bullet and learn how to weld sheet metal.
Fix the wings!
Don't worry, that's what I'll be doing.
Don't buy wings!! Get a mig welder same cost but you will always have the welder! There not hard to use just take your time!!
I actually have a mig welder so yeah, I'm going to give it a shot. Do you think flux core wire (gasless) is good enough for my purposes?
No go with gas! You will find you have more control over the work! Were metal has over lap you could use the other! But you will end up using gas overall! Loving the video
I'll try and get my welder kitted up to run with gas. The kit is pricey though!
@@Endfloat i agreed! But on the up side you will always have it! You will end up enjoying it and it will save you a lot of money 💰 🤑 believe me!