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MG MGB Technical - Good Book?

I've recently purchased a well rusted MGB-GT, what can you suggest for a good manual/book/video specific of mgb restoration?
David Werblow

Best book is Lindsay Porter's Guide to Purchase nd DIY Restoration ISBN 0-85429-664-6 This should contain all the information you need.
Iain MacKintosh

There is a dvd available over here called "An MG is Born" in which an MGB is rescued from the dead. Here it is available from Amamzon (http://www.amazon.co.uk/An-MG-Is-Born-DVD/dp/B000AXWCXA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311370689&sr=8-1)

Don't know if you can get it Stateside.
Mike Howlett

I thought I had Lindsay Porter's book, but I can't seem to find it.

I have the DVD but I haven't watched it yet.
Dave O'Neill 2

In my opinion the best one by far is the "Practical Classics" magazine publication of "COLOUR MGB GT RESTORATION". I don't know if it's still available, but ISBN 1873098 41 3 might find it. "Practical Classics" have published a few other books on MGB restoration but they weren't as good as the one I'm suggesting. The later edition of Linsay Porter's "Guide to Purchase & DIY Restoration" would be my second choice. Barrie E
B Egerton

Thank you gentlemen, I have ordered "COLOUR MGB GT RESTORATION" from BritBooks and have started cutting-out some of the work of the "rust maggot."
David Werblow

I have use Lindsey Porter's book, the Haynes workshop manual and Brooklands owner's wokshop manual - they compliment one another very well - overlap but great detail.
/Moss
Moss

David-
I must agree that the Book by Lindsay Porter is a must for a restoration project. But before you begin, you will need to have a proper Service Manual. I would recommend that you purchase a reprint of the original factory service manual that the MG dealers had for their mechanics to consult. To my knowledge, there is nothing that can compare with it for completeness. Its actual title is “The Complete Official MGB,” although it is often called “The Bentley Manual” as it is printed by Bentley Publishers. Bentley also sells a reprint of the Factory Parts Catalogue, which is very useful for discerning just which part is appropriate for your particular MGB. Their website can be found at http://www.bentleypublisher.com/ where you can eliminate the middleman and order it / them direct.
Stephen Strange

I would call "An MG is born" more inspirational than educational. They skip a few things. And I got the impression they got pressed for time at the end! But it's definitely worth having.

I used the Porter book, the Haynes manual and the Bentley manual.
Simon Jansen

Also the Original Technical Publications - workshop manual,parts book and handbook are available on DVD (no reprints here)from British Motor Heritage at Witney.

Links 62-69 MGB http://www.motoringclassics.co.uk/mgb-and-mgb-gt%3Cbr-%3E1962-to-1969/p21728 and
1970-80 http://www.motoringclassics.co.uk/mgb-and-mgb-gt%3Cbr-%3E1970-to-1974/p21729 £22.98 plus postage.

I have one for my MGB and another for my RV8. Great for printing off the relevant page to use in the garage and the parts list especially for knowing what goes where - or should do so as Clausgar has commented in the past.

George
251GRW
G R Wilder

I ordered the Bently book from the site Stephan referenced. Currently on back order. IMHO the Porter book is very over rated. Might be good if you are doing a new body shell which is what this book is about but for a DIY restoration it leaves a lot to be desired.

K
Kelvin Hawkins

"IMHO the Porter book is very over rated. Might be good if you are doing a new body shell which is what this book is about"

That is certainly not the case in the issue I have - "Guide to Purchase and DIY Restoration of the MGB", a significant portion of which is dedicated to body restoration. Remanufactured shells weren't even available when this was written. I believe it has been reissued as "The MGB Restoration Manual", haven't seen a copy so I can't comment on what that covers. Porter has written other books on the MGB which *don't* cover body restoration.
PaulH Solihull

Paul

Mine is "Guide to Purchase and DIY Restoration of the MGB", but is noted as being a reissue. 1995 is the print date. It does show some body work then goes into the reshell project.

I don't remember what I expected, just that I was disapointed.

K
Kelvin Hawkins

Mine is 1989, it's disappointing to hear the later issues place more store in replacing the body than in repair. While some cars may be so far gone that they need that, most runners will be perfectly well served with quite a bit of panel replacement before things get that bad.
PaulH Solihull

This thread was discussed between 21/07/2011 and 02/08/2011

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGB Technical BBS is active now.