British Automotive
Helpful Hints
Last Modified - 7/28/99
A new service from British Automotive!
HELPFUL HINTS
The purpose of this new service is to provide information that I think might be helpful to you during general maintenance and repair of your MGA or MGB. Information will be posted whenever "my noggin" retrieves past and present occurrences which I have found to be beneficial.
Handbrake
When applying the handbrake always firmly depress the brake pedal first. The hydraulic line pressure exerts more force on the brake shoes than the handbrake. <Intake Manifold
Whenever the valve cover is removed, such as for valve adjustment, tighten the 4 intake manifold securing nuts. Use a tappet adjusting wrench such as the ones made by Snap-On and MAC.Heater Flap
Have you ever tried feeding the inner-cable back into the heater flap attachment trunnion when refitting the heater assembly? By simply marking the trunnion with a dab of "White-Out" in line with the hole, you will know what position the inner-cable attachment hole is in at all times.Brake and/or Clutch Fluid
To prevent fluid loss when working on hydraulic components (other than the master cylinders) you should plug the hydraulic lines. In addition to this measure you can take the following steps: 1) "top-off" the master cylinders with fluid , 2) fit a small plastic food bag (such as a produce bag) around the top of reservoir, and 3) tightly refit the reservoir cap. Because the influence of atmospheric pressure has been interrupted the hydraulic fluid cannot flow.Filling the Cooling System
When refilling the cooling system always open the heater valve fully and also disconnect the heater core return hose. This will effectively purge air out of the cooling system while filling the radiator.For MGs 1977 and up, a more effective way of filling the cooling
system, in conjunction with the above, is to loosen the top radiator hose,
remove it from the thermostat housing, and swivel through 90 degrees. Next
retighten the hose clamp and then fill the cooling system through the top hose
until coolant starts trickle from the housing, at which point, refit the top
hose in its normal position. Fill the expansion tank 1/2 of its capacity and
refit tank cap. Remove thermostat housing filler plug and slowly continue
filling the cooling system. Last, refit the filler plug.
Removing Wire Wheels without Destroying the Wheels
The best method, believe me I have tried every conceivable way of removing stubborn or rusted-on wire wheels, the following: 1) loosen the knock-off to within a couple of threads of the end of the hub, 2) leave the car on the ground and vigorously shake the top of the tire in and out, and 3) roll the car so that the wheels rotate 90 degrees, shake vigorously, and repeat. Once you have worked the wheel up to the knock-off, jack up the car (place on jack stands) and remove the wheel. Both the hub and wheel should cleaned and inspected before the wheel is reinstalled on the hub.Rack and Pinion Steering Seals/Boots
When replacing rack and pinion steering seals/boots be sure to use OEM parts (Moss part #263-385). We have had significant problems with non-OEM seals/boots, such as those made in Taiwan, disintegrating in a short amount of time. Do yourself favor and spend the extra dollars on the OEM boots/seals.