MG BGT 1977 Parts on east coast?

gstonesmx5

I am looking for a set of chrome bumpers for my new (to me) 1977 MG BGT. I am trying to contact Terry Mullaly at the min but I'm wondering if any body else might have them.

Also I have seen some good looking Minilites and I'm wondering what size they would be?

Any help would be great.

carchaeologist

Were the 77 cars rubber bumper,i presume it has been converted to chrome?

gstonesmx5

carchaeologist wrote: »

Were the 77 cars rubber bumper,i presume it has been converted to chrome?

Its still rubber so I want to convert it soon as I can.

carchaeologist

Theres a bit of bodywork to do to get them to fit right,classics magazine carried a feature on this in this and last months issues.

You could also take a look at this website.. http://www.asvl47.dsl.pipex.com/mgb_chrome/

Eric318

You would be better off getting the complete conversion kit from the usual suspects: MGOC, MG Hive etc... Will save you a lot of trouble. Plus wih £ this low, you cant go wrong.

My MG is 76 converted to C/B

gstonesmx5

Had a read through Classic Car Mart last night and found what I need.
Thanks Eric. You happen to own a BMW 318 as well ?
Well the damage to the bank acc has been done. Now the proud owner of this.
1977 MGBGT 40k mls.

carchaeologist

Looks great,love the colour!

Its a kerry reg,are you from down this way?

Eric318

I like the airwall valance at the front. I hope it can stay on when you fit the the C/B.

carchaeologist

I see it on carzone still,looks like a good car for the money!

gstonesmx5

Not from Kerry but its the year that's important.

I could not make it down to see the car and pick it up so a friend who is a mech had a look for me and brought it back up to me. Will give it a good inspection on Monday. From looking around I should be able to keep the valance. Looking at the wheels a set of Superlites would be great.

gstonesmx5

Its taken a long time to find the right car. Lots of stalking CBG, Carzone, Autotrader, etc.

carchaeologist

why is the year important?

gstonesmx5

Wife's birthday and her mum had one too.

gstonesmx5

Have my hands on it now and its better than I thought. The car must have been fitted with chrome bumpers as the rubber ones don't fit very well so refitting a new set of c/b's should not be to hard. The underside has had quite a few coats of waxoil so its very good. The body only saw better days when it was brand new but its not bad at all with only really surface rust. It did get a respray some time ago so the paint is in good nic. The history I got is great and goes all the way back to the early 80's. I also spotted it has an ARB which is one less thing on my list. The wheels could do with a refurb but I think I will replace them with some Superlites of I can get a set for the right price.

Now all I need to do is spend some time getting stuck in to it with a good clean first on the list.

I will post some pics when I get the chance.

gstonesmx5

I went for a spin last night only to find the water pump needs doing. Its not a big job and parts are cheap so that is first on the list. I had a look through the history and it had a new water pump in 04 and then in 05 but not since then. The money spent on the car is more than I paid for it. I gave it a wash and quick wax this morning. The inside needs a hoover during lunch. I should have bought one of these sooner because its so easy to get at everything and parts are so reasonable.

budfox

Well done on your buy!!!

Spotted some wheels on ebay...

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/items/__mgb-minilite_W0QQ_nkwZmgbQ20miniliteQ20QQ_cqrZtrueQQ_nkwuscZmgbQQ_nkwuscZminilites?_rdc=1

there's a company called wheelcourier.com who will deliver also. Avoid Wilson transport as they are not great.

Also, there's a company up north which is a massive breakers yard..can't remember the name but could be good source of parts too...

best of luck with your MG....

gstonesmx5

Any body know what would cause a chugg? I think its the water pump not working and the engine getting too hot so thats why I'm changing the water pump but if anyone has any other ideas pass them on and I can look into them while I wait for the new pump to arrive.



Some more pic's.

gstonesmx5

Extra pics

gstonesmx5

These might be better.

MercMad

gstonesmx5 wrote: »

Any body know what would cause a chugg? I think its the water pump not working and the engine getting too hot so thats why I'm changing the water pump but if anyone has any other ideas pass them on and I can look into them while I wait for the new pump to arrive.



Some more pic's.

............I honestly DONT believe both problems are related. If the car is heating up check the thermostat, if its leaking get it pressure tested.

I assume by "chugg" you mean a slight hesitation, usually a missfire. I would firstly ensure all your ignition system components are in good order, and correct for the car, plugs, leads, points, cap, rotor & coil. Ensure dwell and timing is correct.

After that you would need to check the fuel system, pipes for leaks, fuel quality and carb tune.

Good luck.

gstonesmx5

MercMad wrote: »

............I honestly DONT believe both problems are related. If the car is heating up check the thermostat, if its leaking get it pressure tested.

I assume by "chugg" you mean a slight hesitation, usually a missfire. I would firstly ensure all your ignition system components are in good order, and correct for the car, plugs, leads, points, cap, rotor & coil. Ensure dwell and timing is correct.

After that you would need to check the fuel system, pipes for leaks, fuel quality and carb tune.

Good luck.

The temp gauge is only moving slightly but now where near enough and although the engine was getting warm the pipes too and from the rad had no pressure in them. They are not blocked towards the reservoir as when they are squeezed the reservoir level moves up and down.
I will have a look at the leads, plugs and distributer cap soon as I can. I did notice that when I turn the ignition off it took a couple of seconds to stop running and when I had the bonnet up and turned it off i could hear what sounded like and air leak for 3/4 seconds.
I will go for another spin and see when and if it happens again.
Thanks for the advice MercMad .

gstonesmx5

Right so. went for a spin out the N7 and it was fine but when I came back to the car after getting lunch some of the rad fluid had come out the over flow.

I think I need to put aside some time to get stuck into the engine.

Eric318

hmm, any bubbles in the radiator when the engine is on? I hope not.

gstonesmx5

Eric318 wrote: »

hmm, any bubbles in the radiator when the engine is on? I hope not.

I will have a look later as I got new plugs, water pump, oil and oil filter today. You thinking I have a leak from the head to the water pipes somewhere? Defo hope not.

carchaeologist

Stick a V8 in..all will be well then...

gstonesmx5

I know know what has been cause of my chugging and other things.

The alternator is not working and the battery has been running the elecs.
My engine and rad temp sensors need to be changed.
I need to get used to fuel gauge in the car :rolleyes: and how it drinks petrol.
An oil change and engine flush are needed.

All in all I did about 100km this weekend and other than running out of electricity and petrol it went very well.

gstonesmx5

carchaeologist wrote: »

Stick a V8 in..all will be well then...

I do know of a V8 BMW 4ltr but I think I would rather keep this one simple.
If I were to replace it I know of a 1.8ltr Zetec with 180hp that would fit.

Eric318

For information on rubber to chrome bumpers conversions:

http://www.kewengineering.co.uk/upgrades4mgs/Body/rubber_to_chrome.htm

and here:

http://www.kewengineering.co.uk/upgrades4mgs/Body/other_ways_to_modify_for_chrome_.htm