INSTALLING THE REAR SWAY BAR

I love it when a plan comes together, but occasionally it doesn't.  Today, it didn't.  The bolts that actually mount the sway bar itself to the trunk floor were two inches too long and one of the bolts that tie the sway bar to the rear suspension was damaged.  So, it will be tomorrow or Monday before I can complete the task.  Everything is painted, so it will be fairly easy to install.  

Even though my day didn't go as expected, I did not waste the shop time I had.  The day was spent restoring the master cylinders for the clutch and brake.  I cleaned both cylinders and painted them with stainless steel paint.  Stainless steel paint is a very good product that resists rust, but the jury is still out on how well it stands up to brake fluid...we will see.  Photos of the cylinders will be posted tomorrow.

The master cylinder mounting bracket, cover and line connectors have already been restored, so the installation of the hydraulic system can be accomplished in just a few hours.

Stay tuned,

TD

WILL BE INSTALLING REAR SWAY BAR TOMORROW

I have been working on Tim's Healey all week and I haven't had much time for my little project.  However, I will be installing the rear sway tomorrow for sure.  

I have all the parts for the hydraulic system restored and ready to install.  It is easier to install the hydraulics before the engine is put back in place.

Stay tuned,

TD

I TOOK THE WEEKEND OFF

My daughter Jessica came into town for a visit this weekend so I took some time off.  As it turned out, the time off also gave my body time to heal...LOL.  I hope to be installing the rear sway bar soon.  We will be working on the Healey the next few days in preparation for sandblasting the frame.  Check out timsnewtoy.blogspot.com.
Our next project is another MGB...imagine that.  The car is in exceptional condition.  The body needs very little work.

Later 

TD

INSTALLING THE FRONT SWAY BAR

At the end of the day. I took a few minutes to install the front sway bar.  I know, I told you I was going to do that on Saturday, but I was in a "zone".  Now the front suspension is complete. 

Tomorrow morning I will install the rear sway bar.  This may require a few hours. 

Next week, after we remove the engine and transmission from Tim's Healey, we will be installing the new engine and transmission in the "Killer B".  

Putting it back together is so exciting.

Stay tuned,

TD

SWAY BARS, FRONT AND REAR

MGB's come from the factory with a front sway bar.  I have refinished the front bar and it will take only a few minutes to install it.  However, the rear sway bar is a different story.

I had another B that was severely damaged in the front, but the rear sway bar was in excellent condition.  I removed it from the donor car and refinished it.  The installation will probably take several hours, but it will add so much stability to the car when cornering.  

I will be installing the sway bars on Saturday and will post pictures.

Later,

TD

DETERMINING RIDE HEIGHT

LOWERING THE CENTER OF GRAVITY....

The time to consider ride height is drawing near. I installed lowering springs on the front suspension and a lowering kit on the rear. The car will have 15 inch Mini Lite wheels so it will be up to the height of the tires to determine the ride height. The only confusing part is that the ride height changes as the engine and transmission and the interior is installed. 

When the drive train installation is complete, the actual road clearance can be determined more easily.  As it stands now, it has almost 9 1/2 in clearance. Hopefully the engine and transmission should drop it about 2 inches.  That will equal the ride height of the Healey 3000...pretty cool.

The engine and transmission will probably be installed this weekend.

Stay tuned,

TD

TD

READY TO INSTALL THE FRONT SUSPENSION

                            

Now it's time to install the front suspension.  With the steering rack installed, care must be taken not to scratch the new paint.

We installed the front suspension by lifting it in place with the floor jack and tightening the four mounting bolts.  Next, break the connection between the king pin and the shock absorber.  This will allow the swivel axle assembly to be lowered exposing the spring pans.  Simply place the coil spring in the pans and raise the bottom pan with the floor jack., reconnect the king pin to the shock absorber and the front suspension is in place. 

 It is exciting to finally see the car begin to come together.  Having the car on it's wheels will tell us what size tires are required to achieve the desired ride height.

We will be installing the rear suspension soon.

Later,
TD

DIFFERENTIAL IS REASSEMBLED

Late Friday afternoon, Don and I installed the new brake parts I told you about.  Next, we mounted the newly refinished leaf springs and lowering kit to the axle assembly.  This was made a bit easier by suspending the entire differential with the engine hoist.  We bolted the wheels on and now the differential is ready to be installed  on the car.  

Before the front and rear suspensions are refitted, the final coat of paint will need to be applied to the inside of the trunk and engine compartment.







Soon, we will be installing the front and rear suspensions.

Stay tuned,
TD

RECEIVED PARTS TODAY

It has been a while since my last post.  I have been working on an Austin Healey 3000 that has taken all my time.  Tim, the owner, is coming to inspect his car next week and I still have some work to do before he arrives.  You can read all about it at timsnewtoy.blogspot.com. 

Before I began work on the Healey, it was necessary to order some new parts for the differential.  They arrived today, so tomorrow afternoon after the Healey work is done, I will be completing the brake job on the "Killer B".  

Come back and check out the new brakes.

Later,

TD

FINAL PAINT ON THE DIFFERENTIAL

With the differential cleaned and primed two coats of semi-gloss frame paint are applied. The drum brake assemblies have been removed and all the parts cleaned and checked for wear. After painting the brake assembly mounting plate, the brakes can now be installed.

Most of the parts, with the exception of the wheel cylinders, were in good condition. I installed new cylinders just to be on the safe side. The drums have never been resurfaced, so I will have them machined after Christmas.

My plan is to apply the final paint to the engine compartment, trunk, inside of the hood and trunk lid. Then the front and rear suspensions can be installed.

It's taking shape...just look back at the old photos.

TD

CHOOSING THE BODY COLORS

I have been considering colors for the exterior. I always stress over stuff like this. Anyway, early on, my friend and fellow MGB enthusiast, Robert had given me a photo of a yellow MGB that had been customized a bit. I thought it looked cool and began to consider yellow with black “skunk” stripes…the “Killer B”. I have even gone so far as to develop a cartoon sketch of a bumblebee with anger management issues.

As I began to spray the black epoxy primer on the body, I thought it looked pretty good…you know, stealth. So maybe black with yellow stripes? Just when I thought I had a plan.

I just hate red, even though every sports car made is red. The last MGB I restored was Old English White, so I’m burned out on that. The only other “English” color that even half way interests me is British Racing Green and it has been done and done and done. So, for now I guess it is yellow and black…any thoughts?

FINAL PREP FOR TRUNK AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT

Now that the trunk and engine compartment are coated with epoxy primer, they must be examined for imperfections. Re-prime after necessary repairs are made. Now, the surface can be scuffed or wet-sanded with 800 wet or dry paper. Clean and tack the surfaces and apply the final coat of paint.

I have decided to paint the trunk and engine compartment with single stage "hot rod" black paint which will be easy to maintain and has almost the same sheen as the epoxy primer...just more protection.

This car is going to look so BAD !

Rock-n-Roll

TD

CHECK OUT THE NEW "NOSE"

My friend Jake came by the shop to see the car in primer. We made plans to "block" the car next weekend so I will be coating the body with high build primer this week. Before Jake left we set the hood in place just to see how the new nose looks. What do you think?

I love this car...

TD

BODY IN PRIMER

The body has now been coated with epoxy primer. While a coat of primer covers some imperfections in the body work, it highlights others. Next the body will be "scuffed" and several coats of high build primer applied...and the blocking begins

TD

CLEANING & PAINTING THE DIFFERENTIAL

Now for the cleaning process. All the small parts associated with the leaf spring mounts can now be sandblasted, primed and painted.
I placed the rear axle assembly on jack stands on my work table making cleaning much easier. The axle can be rotated easily.
Before cleaning the axle assembly, remove the brake drums, shoes, wheel cylinders, dust shields, axles and hubs. Now the cleaning process can easily accomplished.
After cleaning, use an engine hoist to raise the assembly off the floor to eye level. An “S” hook can be used to connect the hoist chain to the axle. There is a flange at the leaf spring mounting area that has a 5/16 hole. The “S” hook fits nicely there. Now the assembly can be cleaned with metal cleaner, primed and painted. As a final coat, I used semi-gloss black. It closely represents the original color.

TD

RESTORATION OF THE DIFFERENTIAL

While the body work and welding was going on, I was busy refinishing the rear axle assembly.
Place the car on jack stands. Supporting the rear of the car on the frame rails and not on the rear springs. After disconnecting the brake lines and hand brake cable, remove the bolts at each end of the rear springs and lower the entire assembly with a floor jack.
Now you can easily remove the springs from the axle assembly.

THE NEW NOSE IN PRIMER

I finally sprayed primer on the new nose job today. Just couldn't wait any longer. A little more primer and a lot more sanding and we will be ready for the final finish.

Quite a transformation I would say. I'm still wrestling with the grille style, but aside from that, this is the look I was after.

The small openings on the bottom of each side of the air dam are fresh air ducts to cool the brakes. The two openings toward the center will be used as ventilation for the interior. Although the interior will be covered with Dynamat prior to the installation of any carpeting or upholstry, the cockpit will probably still be a bit warm; especially in the summer. A little fresh air in the floor will certainly be appreciated.

Let me know what you think.

TD

EVEN MORE ABOUT THE "NOSE JOB"

I am so excited about this car. Paxton, pictured above, and Jake, below, have done a tremendous job transforming this ordinary MGB into a one-of-a-kind, eye-catching machine.

Paxton is the best welder I have ever worked with and his talents go well beyond that. His welds are remarkable. He is a wizard with a welder. And Jake, is an artist with his tools. The door, hood and deck lid margins are perfect and the body is unbelievably straight. Their hard work and dedication is greatly appreciated.

Just take a look at the finished product. Now it is ready for primer.

TD

MORE ABOUT THE "NOSE JOB"

This is exciting. Watching this MGB being transformed into the "Killer B". This car is going to be bad to the bone. Take a look.

We are moulding the grille shell to the fenders. A stainless horizontal bar grille and two driving lights are planned. Notice, the "hump" on the nose of the hood has been removed. It is looking less like an MGB all the time. I can't wait to see the air dam in place.

Later,

TD

THE "NOSE JOB"

I wanted to make some subtle changes to the front end...

We removed the relief in the fender for the signal lights and welded in new metal. We didn't use panel bond on this patch because both sides of the patch could be cleaned and painted. Welded areas tend to rust much faster.

I bought a Sebring air dam to replace the bumper and front valence. It will be moulded into the fenders resembling a one piece front end.

Using the grille frame and moulding it into the fenders and air dam will complete the new look.

Stay tuned,

TD