Ken G's Journal

The goal was to have it running at the end of May and with only two mores days left in the month that isn't going to happen. Oh well what can you say life get busy some times. BUT I did have a bit of success today, I managed to get the windshield installed on the car with the new bottom seal. After reading about this on the forum I was dreading it, but I didn't think it was too bad. About 45 minutes to set the new seal into the window track and around 2 hours by myself to get the 4 bolts locked in and the seal flattened.

The work continues putting the 1976 MGB back together.
My Saturday was totally blown but I did squirrel away some time on Sunday.
Most of the engine electrical connections are made and checked, The alternator is tightened and belt is in place, the Radiator is installed with the exception of the hoses.

I made up the OD drive connections for the switch to the harness and wired in a new indicator light in the dash .


I had hoped to accomplish more last weekend but I'll take what I can get.

I had a very good lunch hour today. Got the valve cover, alternator, fan, fan belt, coil, and sparkplugs installed. Yes it is all low fruit on what needs to be finished but it is fun when the to do list goes down and I get to throw out empty part boxes.

It took most of the day but I was able to get the engine in and the mounts locked down. One road block that I ran into that was unexpected was that my Engine lift arm was about 4-6 inches to short to make it easy. I could get the engine and transmission into place but I couldn't get enough distance on the arm to easily move it in place.
After the first time not sliding easily I pulled the whole thing out with the idea I could extend the arm out. Well I was at my last setting on the arm so I fiddled with the chains and the balancer to allow for some more adjustment. I think when I pulled the engine out I have the longer chain at the back, but while working on the engine I switched them.
On the second try with patience and some 2*4 pry bars I was able to muscle it into place.
The engine mounts went ok and then I started working on the transmission mounts. for some reason what should have been a 30 minute job turned into a afternoon ordeal. the mounts on the transmission went in ok, but the mounts on the body fought every step of the way which was just weird. With out the mount in there the bolts lined up and went readily in, but with the mount added in place they would not start. but eventually I was successful and happy for the days progress. The things you think may be difficult turn out to be easy but the things you think will be easy, the car likes to trick you.
Now that the engine in back in, The fun begins getting all the parts back together and connecting it up.

The last two days have been fairly productive. The hand brake lever and cable has been installed, the wiring underneath is secured, the engine side covers and front pully are fastened down. I filled up the transmission and so I believe I have everything that I am required to do to install the engine and transmission. (Famous last words huh)

This week I'm going to fiddle around with the engine mounts and make sure I understand how the back transmission mount installs. I know it is different from when it came out as I've got the O/D transmission going in.

If I have some time during the week I'll start to reconnect the wiring harness to the lights and horns and other bits in the engine compartment and to the rear harness.

Starting to put it all back together and I've got a concern that I'll miss something and it will cause a big problem later.

I now have the brake and clutch lines and pedal box in, but not filled. The rear wire harness is run up to the front. The main harness is roughly in place but not connected.
On the engine I have reconnected the transmission, side covers, front pullies, oil filter bracket and hard line and the OD Electrical harness.

I think that is most of the major items, but some of the things I don't want to forget are:
- Oil in the transmission
- Reconnect the emergency brake
- Ground cable for the engine mount
- Ground cable from the transmission
- Transmission restraint rod
- Run speedometer cable
- Wire up the OD harness to the switch

This is is what I have so far, hopefully I haven't forgotten something biggish.