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MG MGB Technical - Lower a rubber bumper B

Hi,

I just bought a 78 mgb roadster to pair up with my existing 70 bgt. The roadster is in the process of restoration and I'm thinking about to de-bumper it with sebring front & rear valance. Here comes the problem, the ride height, I know that the rubber bumper is 1.5 inch higher than chrome bumper.

Currently, I have some used parts collected throughout years:

1. Chrome bumper GT front coil springs;
2. Chrome bumper roadster rear leaf springs;
3. Chrome bumper rear lever damper drop links.

Are the above items possible to lower the car?

Thanks in advance.
Ennio

Ennio Wong

Ennio - the short answer is yes but have a look at the archives - if you are doing the Sebring thing you will be looking at wheels and negative camber arms too.

Wou won't be taking the roadster onto the mainland will you !

Good luck

Roger
RMW

Hi Roger,

thanks for your prompt advice. Of course I will drive to mainland China if there is any event organised by the Classic Car Club of Hong Kong. Last year, I drove with my GT to China once.

You remind me that the wheel problem, the car came with 5 72-spoke chrome wire wheels, unfortunately the condition of 4 on the car are terrible, rust everywhere but the spare one is still brand new. I am thinking about to sand-blast them and silver paint them! On the other hand, one of MG enthusiat make me an offer of 4 knock-on Minilite for about 350 pounds. I like the look of wire wheel, but couldn't resist the Minilite offer!

The car will be equipped with a used Peter Burgess racing engine which I bought 1 year ago. And the brake will be up-graded also.

Thanks!
Ennio
Ennio Wong

PLease look at, mgbracing.com There you will find the lowering spindles and some race brake parts.
Good luck. Dick Da Killer Beez
Dick

Hi Ennio

RB cars are higher because

Front - A diffent cross member is used, the body of the car sits higher on it than a CB car.

Rear - The spring hangers are effectivley longer than those of a CB car. The car sits higher because of this.

The parts you have may lower the car depending on how much sag they have developed, but in the main the ride height is affected by the mountings rather than the springs themselves.


There are three basic ways of lowering a RB car.

Front- (1)CB cross member, or (2) shortened springs, or (3) replacement front swivels that have the stub axle mounted higher.

Rear - (1)Revised spring mounts, or (2) flattened springs, or (3)lowering blocks.

These options are in the archives.

I have gone to option (1) for both ends of my rebuild, but quite a lot of cutting grinding and welding are required.

Cheers
Ian F
Ian Fraser

Hey Ian, when you did your car did you have to get it re-certed? Or is this a job you just don't mention to them and what they know won't hurt them? I mean it is returning the car to original factory specs right :)

Simon
Simon Jansen

Hi Simon

I talked it over with Neal Fraser at Fraser Cars ( no relation). I am taking photos of all the changes and have certificates for the critical welding (steering box mounts).

It is probably not an issue though.

midget is a different story in that a different engine is being fitted.

Cheers
ian F

Ian Fraser

Ah yes, I know them. Been and had a look at their factory.

I never know which bits they consider critical on an MG in terms of needing certified welding.
Simon Jansen

This thread was discussed between 18/02/2005 and 24/02/2005

MG MGB Technical index

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