Joe Gliebe's Journal

A Slow But Productive Day

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 06:54:17 -0600

Joe Gliebe's Journal --

After I removed the distributor from the '71 (It was a pertronix flame thrower). I decided to try it in my '70. Removed the distributor from the '70 and replaced it with the Pertronix, after tuning it worked like a champ! I will keep it there and keep the other as a working spare, just in case. The '71 sits with the back jacked up, no carbs, no manifolds, no alternator, no distributor, no oil cooler lines, and no wires connected. Today I plan on draining and removing the clutch hyd line to the slave, removing the gear shift and associated plate, disconnecting the speedo line, and disconnecting the driveshaft. Should be ready to pull then.

Posted 2013-02-05 06:54:17 by Joe Gliebe

Another Day Of Engine Removal Preps

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 14:10:32 -0600

Joe Gliebe's Journal --

Only spend a couple of hours today for engine/tranny removal preps. Removed the intake and exhaust manifolds. The carbs were left on the intake manifold while the exhaust down pipes were disconnected from the exhaust manifold. Disconnected and removed the alternator. Disconnected the coil from the distributor, disconnected the temp sensor lead, disconnected the oil pressure lead. This weekend I plan to disconnect the hydraulics from the clutch slave cylinder, disconnect the drive shaft from the tranny, disconnect the shifter, its boot, and plastic cup. In other words, finish getting ready to pull the engine/tranny soon. I am anxious, but not in a hurry.

Posted 2013-02-01 14:10:32 by Joe Gliebe

Days 4 And 5

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:28:01 -0600

Joe Gliebe's Journal --

Not a whold lot of work done the last few days, was busy with my other vehicles for the most part. However, I did drain the engine oil and oil coolier lines, drained and removed the radiator alone with the upper and lower hoses. Also the transmission is draining while I am typing this. The radiator looks in excellent shape, will keep it as a spare unless I weaken at a swap meet. I did notice that the fanteners for the radiator and the radiator support panel are stainless and appear new. That backs up the probability that the engine has been removed recently because the engine mount screws appear to be stainless and new also. That along with the Aud493 carbs in a '71 GT would indicate someone, somewhere, has worked on this thing fairly recendly. I am hoping the head assembly is of the high compression, large valve variety so I can swap it with my running GT. I will return to the warehouse later today if the temperature holds out.

Posted 2013-01-31 12:28:01 by Joe Gliebe

Day Three

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 11:30:41 -0600

Joe Gliebe's Journal --

Completed the inventory of existing parts and made room for parts that will be removed and saved from the new restoration.

Positioned the GT in the warehouse where it will be worked on, with no interference with the other vehicles or my RV. I have to leave room to change oils in other cars also, especially my wife's VW or I will be in trouble.

Removed the heater blower motor with the off chance that it works better than the blower in my other ride, operates normally but I do not think it blows more air. I will disassemble it, lubricate it, and try again.

Posted 2013-01-29 11:30:41 by Joe Gliebe

Day One Of V6 Conversion

Sun, 27 Jan 2013 13:20:20 -0600

Joe Gliebe's Journal --

Spent the bulk of the day noting the differences between my restored '70 GT and my newly purchased '71 GT. Notable differences are the AUD135 SUs I use on my restored GT and the AUD493 SUs on the '71. It is interesting that the carbs on the 70 are from earlier years and the carbs on the 71 are from '72.

Inventoried and catagorized all my parts from the '70 which is quite a lot. A short list of the major parts are: Weber 32/36 with air cleaner and cannon intake manifold; OEM exhaust manifold; brake calipers (not overhauled; wire wheels in poor shape; copious body parts; fuel pump; msster brake and clutch cylinders (not rebuilt); altarnator, alternator pulley; OEM thermostate cover; air pump; and dozens of other parts including copious amounts of electrical components and guages.

Will continue inventory tomorrow and will not start disassembly until next week or so.

Posted 2013-01-27 13:20:20 by Joe Gliebe

Wiring And Dash

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 18:19:56 -0500

Joe Gliebe's Journal --

Wiring, for the most part, and dash are in place along with the console. Need to cleanup the wiring and shroud the console to the dash, then work on the interior and wet sand/buff of the clear coat

Posted 2011-03-29 18:19:56 by Joe Gliebe

Putting Things Back Together Finally

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:37:19 -0600

Joe Gliebe's Journal --

I have installed all new wiring using Autowire plus some ideas of my own. All wires have been run with terminations for the Dashboard and the Console.
Before I start installing the all new interior I have one big decision to make, use the stock seats recovered or install custom seats (looking at all options now).
Additionally before installing the new interior panels I have some rework to do: The left door is just not right. I am going to have to take it apart again, and reinstall the outer scraper and finisher with steel rivets, the aluminum rivets have loosened do to the window friction and has actually damaged the NEW paint at the bottom of the finisher. Have to fix the damaged paint too, that is in progress.
Received some trim finishers I sorely needed from a fellow member of the MG Experience, have installed them and am very happy.
I have to be completed by the end of March so I can sort out all the bugs before the MITTY at ROADATLANTA at the end of April.

Posted 2011-02-16 12:37:19 by Joe Gliebe

One Year Update

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 16:29:02 -0600

Joe Gliebe's Journal --

A year since I started my "cosmetic rebuild". Turned out to be a bit more comprehensive than originally planned. All suspension, brake and other moving drivetrain parts have been replaced or overhauled and preserved.

Floor boards replaced

All wiring removed in favor of newly designed wiring (you know, relays and everything, lol)

Dash redesigned (got rid of pillow)

Engine overhauled

Gearbox overhauled

All paint removed in and out

All body parts removed and repaired as necessary using liquid metal

heater removed and California squirrel nest removed

Radiator rebuilt by local shop

Engine and Gearbox reinstalled

Driveshaft reinstalled with new universal joints

New wheels, original wire wheels VERY rusty inside rims

New tires, 185-70-14s on mini light replicas with knock-off centers

Painting began before wiring starts

CURRENTLY began painting

Posted 2010-11-08 16:29:02 by Joe Gliebe

ALl Paint Finally Removed

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 08:33:50 -0500

Joe Gliebe's Journal --

We, my neighbor and I, have completed removing all existing external paint from the GT. It had two coats of paint. We had few surprises which include some body putty, some leaded areas, and some areas that wer brazed. In all, these previous repairs were well done and I will only replace the putty, with liquid metal (aluminum).

Posted 2010-06-24 08:33:50 by Joe Gliebe

MORE POR15

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:53:47 -0600

Joe Gliebe's Journal --

I decided to use POR15 in all areas covered by the front fenders (wings). Although there is not rust there now, the original coating is chipped and peeled off in many areas around the wheelwells. Yesterday I blasted the areas blowing off all the loose material, cleaned, etched and brushed on POR15. I will scuff it today and apply the soft undercoating over it--mostly for sound deadening purposes but the extra protection will not hurt! Pics to follow.

Posted 2010-03-09 05:53:47 by Joe Gliebe

Progress So Far

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 06:33:39 -0600

Joe Gliebe's Journal --

Been working on everything I can in the garage during this year's cold winter. The unusually cold winter (AL GORE IS WRONG!) meant I worked mainly in my attached garage limiting what i could do. However, I did get a lot done. All the preserving and painting I did was using POR-15 in areas that needed preserving but was not in open.

Major areas:
--Stripped everything from car including all the Lucas Wiring
--Removed all suspension components all four corners
--Replaced all calipers and rear brake cylinders
--Replaced all four springs
--Converted rear to tub shocks
--Replaced brake rotors in front, refurbished drums in back

Replaced both brake and clutch master cylinders and refurbished brake box along with using all new brakelines and clutch lines.
Will replace clutch slave cylinder also
After 40 years the above is more than prudent

Replaced both floor panels even though the rust was limited to the areas under the slider mounts.....I guess that is where water sat

Using a boroscope, decided to retain gas tank since it appears clean and rust free, and appears to be an aftermarket tank and was obviously replace some time ago.

Took the UGLY Abbington Pillow off the dash and am modifying the dash to use without the ugly pillow. Added a few gauges--Volts and Clock

IN THE NEAR FUTURE:
--Strip all paint
--POR-15 all areas under front fenders (wings)
--Minor body work on sills and around windows sealing areas
--run hydraulic brake lines
--complete work on dashboard

<Engine Compartment as purchased>	<SU's that will be overhauled and used instead of Weber>	<Floor Pan Rust area>
<Floor Pan Rust again, under seat mounts mostly>	<Quick shot of work area>	<Some floor pan progress>

Posted 2010-03-06 06:33:39 by Joe Gliebe

Introduction

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 06:45:17 -0600

Joe Gliebe's Journal --

This is my third MG
My first British car was a '63 TR4 I bought in 1970 in Annapolis, Maryland. It was a learning experience, a steep one!

My first MG was an '69 Midget I purchased used in Baltimore Md while in the Navy in 1973. I kept it for years and sold it to a friend when I deployed to England for duty later in 1976.

I brought a 1967 Jag 420S to the states from England a few years later and kept it for many years. Unique to the states: twin fuel tanks, RHD, Stick with Lycoming OD, no power steering, etc. Another steep learning curve.

Bought my second MG, a '74 "B" in 1980. Restored the interior, mechanically it was not in need. Kept this "B" basically stock and kept it for several years before getting involved in Italian cars.

Retired last year and searched for a GT to rebuild. Found a nice one and the rest will be history.

Posted 2010-02-23 06:45:17 by Joe Gliebe