The MGA With An Attitude
35-year SERVICE LOG for an MGA - CF-050C
1998-2008, 90,000 miles
 See four pages:
Part A = 1977-1986, Purchase and Restoration
Part B = 1986-1998, 127,000 miles to second restoration
Part C = 1998-2008, 90,000 miles to third restoration - (You are here)
Part D = 2008-2012, 31,000 miles more and still counting
Date Miles Description Cost
7-24-98 25,857 (home from NAMGAR GT-23)
8-2-98 26,500 Speedi-Sleeves & seals in rear hubs 115.00
8-6-98 Install new tonneau cover
8-7-98 Order pistons & brake hoses 232.57
8-8-98 26,500 Install new top
8-14-98 26,824 Add ground wire to fuel sender
8-15-98 Replace heater lever & switch, 2nd time. Heater blower fried
8-22-98 Original engine broken piston in autox
8-24-98 --(Original engine retired)--
8-27-98 27,125 Install 2nd engine, new pistons & rings
New choke links & pins & felt pads
9/11/98 28,852 Install good used heater blower motor
9/13/98 Buy (2) front shocks @ Brit car fest. 80.00
9/19/98 29,057 Install all new hydraulic kits, brake hoses, and
DOT-4 fluid. (Not the clutch hose). Turn front drums. Repack
front wheel bearings. Replace RF shock absorber.
11/9/98 32,180 Oil & filter. Install iron w-pump from #1 on #2 engine.
11/29/98 Reassemble #3 engine (except head)
11/30/98 Engine gaskets & seals, Classic Rest. 118.06
12/4/98 Gearbox parts, Classic Rest. 210.29
12/7/98 Sell head from #3 engine (150.00)
12/12/98 Rebuild 1600 gearbox
12/13/98 Rebuild #1 1500 gearbox (now spare)
12/15/98 Buy #3 gearbox, early 1500 50.00
12/15/98 Buy lower right swivel link 40.00
12/30/98 32,865 Install new carpet, padding, p-wood seat rail
spacers, pedal pads, w/s washer check valve, paint seat
rails, replace heater valve (used from engine #1), new
trailer connector, remove defunct cruise control.
1/1/99 32,865 Replace driver door latch (aluminum latch pin)
1/6/99 Make 4 latch pins, repair 1 LH door latch (spare)
1/13/99 33,137 Rewind heater motor armature, Repaint dash, 25.87
1/18/99 refresh turn signal switch, drill T/S jewel, install
speaker blanking plate, remove radio, new rubber rings on
instruments.
2/5/99 33,756 Repair generator, new brushes (broken), patch field
wire (burned off?), adjust voltage regulator.
2/7/99 Remove rear 5/8" A/S bar (previously disconnected),
Reinstall original rear leaf springs (lower ride). Install new Silentbloc bushings in leaf springs.
2/8/99 Replace suspension lower right swivel link. Bleed brakes &
clutch (dirty fluid, yuck!). (all new on 9/19/98? Maybe DOT4
ain't so great) Replace fuel filler connector hose (NAPA part).
2/11/99 Turtle Wax remove over-spray & shine it 100.00
3/11/99 34,667 Re-adjust voltage regulator (low charge)
3/31/99 Spare crankshaft reground (from Elva) 100.00
4/1/99 36,982 R&R drive shaft, replace 2 u-joints. Chassis lube
& fresh gear lube in rear axle.
4/18/99 37,597 Oil & filter
4/28/99 Magnaflux & machine 6 con-rods 150.00
4/26/99 Check on con-rods, British Motor Classics
4/30/99 38,023 Replaced broken transmission front plate. Removed
competition pressure plate (noisy & loose thrust plate), installed
stock MGB pressure plate (used). Installed new oil pump. Changed
cylinder head (original one not bad but low compression). -
Install new head, hard seats (not), iron guides, rubber/Teflon
valve seals, new Stellite ex-valves, new in-valves, 180dF
thermostat. Fresh connecting rods, slightly lightened and balanced
(from engine #1), new rod bearings.
38,023 Oil & filter.
5/19/99 38,968 Re-plumb fuel pump (3-2 psi), remove p-regulator,
install inlet-filter & 2-pin connector. Configure spare f-pump
(7-4 psi) with regulator, 2-pin connector and inlet filter. Make
quick mount bracket for radio blank plate.
6/11/99 40,703 New tires, Dunlop SP20. Paint wheels.
6/20/99 41,600 Adjust #4 exh valve, no clearance
6/21/99 41,789 Front end alignment
6/23/99 41,829 Oil, Filter, Lube
6/26/99 42,221 New front brake shoes, turn rear brake drums
7/17/99 43,506 Replace #4 intake valve (broken stem at keeper).
Replace front float chamber grommets.
7/23/99 44,675 New generator (front bearing failure) 80.30
- Taxi fare & tip for above 45.00
8/13/99 45,791 R&R gearbox & propshaft, installed #1 GB.
#3 GB getting noisy in 2nd & 3rd gears
8/20/99 45,791 Oil & filter, new clutch disk
8/26/99 46,370 New clutch disk again
8/28/99 46,645 Replace LF shock absorber
9/25/99 47,550 New Spark Plugs 6.42.
Adjust #4 exh valve, no clearance (last done 6/20/99, 5950 miles)
10/16/99 48,618 Clutch failure, broken bellhousing on #1 GB.
Install gearbox #4.
10/21/99 48,618 New pressure plate, Oil & Filter 58.46+
11/13/99 49,314 Adjust #4 exh valve, no clearance
(last done 9/25/99, 1764 miles ? )
11/14/99 49,733 Ref
11/24/99 49,733 Open engine, 2 flat cam lobes, 1 recessed valve.
2/26/00 49,733 Running, new Crane cam, timing set & tensioner,
OLDER HEAD (from #1 engine?) 443.97
4/29/00 52,108 Oil & filter, compression check, 140, 145, 135, 140.
5/26/00 53,162 #2 intake valve bent with broken stem, #2 exhaust
valve slightly bent, #2 piston holed, #2 intake pushrod badly
bent, #2 exhaust pushrod slightly bent, 6 of 8 Crane pushrods
with loose top fittings and one top piece found in oil pan may
have been the cause of the problem. Also two p-rod bottom fittings
loose.
6/10/00 53,388 New pistons & rings, County 5-ring .030, replace
2 valves #2 cylinder. All new pushrods, 1-piece 18V engine type
from Moss. #2 cylinder heavy honed, approaching size limit with
.024 ring gap, others about .014. Rod bearings excellent condition
reinstalled. Oil & filter.
6/10/00 53,388 Modify air cleaner housings and install K&N filters
6/10/00 53,397 Re-torque head, adjust valves after test run.
6/21/00 53,970 Oil, filter, lube, compression test, 128,130,130,127.
7/16/00 56,950 Replace passenger side door striker
8/2/00 57,824 Oil, filter, lube
8/23/00 58,626 New stainless steel muffler (3rd replacement)
9/8/00 59,000 Replace one road wheel (cracked)
9/23/00 59,277 Replace delaminated clutch disk & release bearing.
Replace head gasket. Bush choke link.
9/27/00 Finish rebuild of engine #4 (1600 spare).
10/8/00 59,747 #2 engine dropped #3 intake valve, broken piston,
towed home (how embarrassing). 60,790 miles on #2 engine.
Three intake valves now broken at keeper groove. Conclusion is bad
production batch of intake valves. Bummer.
10/28/00 59,893 #4 engine installed (new 1600) 20W50 oil.
11/6/00 60,723 Oil & filter. 20W50 for last race date.
11/18/00 61,076 Compression check 138, 130, 130, 132
12/2/00 61,178 Oil change to 10W40 for winter.
12/31/00 61,264 Ref
1/1/01 61,264 Ref
4/8/01 62,540 Compression check 135, 135, 115, 115
- Carburetors whacky, may be carbon on valves.
4/22/01 62,740 Oil & Filter. 20W50 Tighten fan belt (very loose).
Tune carbs. Rear carb was way rich (see above).
5/11/01 62,957 Install 7/8" front sway bar
5/26/01 Replace fan belt
6/9/01 63,901 Clean T/S relay contacts. Swap crankshaft pulley
6/21/01 Replace generator out of stock (fried)
7/6/01 New 72-mo Battery, prorated @ Kmart
8/2/01 66,297 Oil, filter, lube 20-50. 130,130,110,110
10/5/01 Weld center hanger on frame.
10/30/01 Windscreen frame plating (not installed)
11/11/01 69,678 Oil, filter, lube. Gearbox and differential
oil change. Repack front wheel bearings.
12/11/01 Replace front parking lamps
12/31/01 70,139 Ref.
1/12/02 70,171 Bumper to bumper hydraulics rebuild. Repack all
cylinders, replace all hoses (again). Install DOT 5 fluid.
1/26/02 70,203 Install re-chromed windscreen frame.
3/10/02 70,203 Rebuild inner tie rod ends. Replace left rack boot.
Replace flasher unit. Replace inner half driver seat belt.
3/18/02 70,747 Replace driver side door latch pin.
4/09/02 74,545 Oil, filter, lube. Replace rear bumper and LR
overrider. Replace dual points in Mallory distributor. Inspect
generator, brushes like new, install Heli-Coil for lower bolt
in front plate. Install Halo Spark plugs.
9/5/02 77,270 Oil, filter, lube. Replace failed clutch disk
(broken spring), valve-cover gasket, throttle cable. Compression
test 125,110,110,125. Patch tach cable outer jacket with hose
cover to prevent oil leak.
10/18/02 78,546 Install 4 new tires 165TR15 Kumho EuroMetric 771
11/10/02 79,120 Install Gearbox oil - Redline MTL and Differential
oil - Redline 75W90
12/31/02 79,300 Ref.
1/1/03 79,300 Ref
4/13/03 80,333 Oil, filter, lube
6/20/03 81,853 replace u-joint, rear 36.51
6/22/03 82,676 ref
7/16/03 82,956 Trim 4 cockpit rails, door pockets, door and
rear kick panels
7/17/03 82,956 rep 2 broken Al v-spring caps, I2 & I3 with steel parts
8/23/03 84,125 Broke 2 steel wheels. Install AL wheels for road use.
9/6/03 84,379 Oil, filter
10/18/03 85,055 Install 3.91 differential (11/43), barter/swap,
& 80W90 oil.
10/24/03 85,096 Replace bent outer rim on one race wheel.
10/25/03 Remove speakers & wiring. Install front kick panels.
11/19/03 85,360 Trim front & rear rails and install new window bag.
12/31/03 85,516 Add 46 miles for lost drive due to ODO error
12/31/03 85,562 Ref.
1/ 1/04 85,562 Ref.
1/31/04 85,889 Jan miles = 327
1/31/04 85,922 Add 33 miles for January lost drive due to ODO error
2/ 2/04 85,922 Ship speedo/odo to Mo Ma for gearing change.
(ODO reading 85843 - Mo Ma reset to 85891)
2/29/04 86,020 Feb miles = 98
2/29/04 86,030 Add 10 miles for February lost drive due to ODO error
3/2/04 86,030 Install re-calibrated speedometer (adjusted to 86030).
Final gears changed from 58 teeth to 53 teeth. Turns per mile
changed from 1450 to 1325.
3/11/04 87,727 Install new tail light bases, steering u-joint,
steering column bushings (with Lock Ease graphite oil).
3/19/04 87,895 Oil, filter, lube.
9/11/04 90,814 Diff Gear Oil. Replace broken LH half shaft.
11/7/04 Weld base of driver side seat back
11/14/04 92,083 Engine oil & filter & Gearbox oil (10W40)
12/10/04 92,204 Rebuild turn signal relay unit using
RadioShack relays.
12/31/04 92,204 Ref
3/20/05 93,500 Rebuild seats, back padding & leather covers
5/12/05 94,257 Refurbish wiper motor, clean and lube
6/12/05 95,135 Broken throttle cable
6/18/05 95,280 Replace throttle cable, and install rebuilt
oil/temperature gauge
6/20/05 95,518 Install modified TS Relay
7/2/05 95,597 Install four-way flashers
7/8/05 95,670 Oil & Filter, install inverted filter mount
7/13/05 96,013 Lube
7/17/05 96,330 Gearbox stripped 3rd gear
7/20/05 96,404 Install A-1 used gearbox (20W50 oil)
8/5/05 96,406 Replace rear axle housing (cracked), Thanks to
Terry Gaskin for the part. Fresh differential oil. (Developing
a whine shortly thereafter)
11/13/05 99,429 Differential oil, +oil, filter, lube
11/13/05 99,436 ref
12/31/05 00,243 ref.
8/18/06 02,099 Replace gearbox (bad lay bearing. Oil & filter,
new battery, paint battery carrier. New tachometer cable, valve
cover gasket & grommets. Replace broken alloy spring cap on #1
intake valve. Replace antifreeze-coolant. New heater valve.
10/2/06 04,088 Install new Door Seals
10/16/06 04,667 ref
11/8/06 04,974 Replace differential assembly (worn bearings). $50.00
New differential gear oil (cleaned housing, suspect grit from
prior abrasive blasting)
11/13/06 04,979 Install new side curtain panels
12/31/06 05,235 ref
1/1/07 05,235 ref
1/31/07 05,760 Install Mitsubishi alternator
4/15/07 06,752 Replace broken rocker arm (#3 intake)
4/19/07 06,785 Grease, oil, filter. Replace alternator bracket, Shim
steering rack, tighten steering u-joint, replace RH rack boot,
replace tach drive seal and gasket, replace float bowl grommets,
clean air cleaners, replace water pump hose, repair rear carb
damper.
4/23/07 07,082 Install longer belt for alternator, replace J-bracket.
Repack master cylinder. Bleed Brakes and Clutch.
8/5/07 10,700 Grease, oil, filter. Replace Tachometer cable.
Re-attach bottom end of fast idle link. Clean & adjust points
@36K, and reset maximum mechanical advance from 24d to 16d
(20 idle +16 mechanical = 36 total max, maybe run cooler).
9/10/07 13,191 Install new aluminum water pump. Remove defective
lighting switch. Radiator filled with diluted weak coolant.
10/12/07 13,393 Install new lighting switch
11/11/07 13,760 ref
11/23/07 13,972 Begin disassembly to replace body sills. Notice
broken alloy valve spring cap #4 intake valve.
7/2/08 13,972 Replace broken alloy spring cap #4 intake valve.
7/11/08 13,972 Finish body sills replacement & repaint.
Carpet, oil cooler & hoses, new K&N air filters, new pressure
plate (from stock),
Terrace Supply paints $885, AutoZone paints $336,
Moss carpet $400, Moss other parts $492,
Sports and Classics rockers $105, Radiator recore $315,
Harbor Freight exp tools $167, Home Depot supplies $80,
NAPA misc $160, Ace Hardware misc $188, Meijer misc $52,
New tools $897 (including $142 compressor motor).
~$4,500 total, not counting personal clothes, heat and electric.
Okay, here's the 10-year follow up report after the restoration work in early 1998. You may find a complete picture diary of the full body restoration and repaint done in 2008 in article RT-601 in the Restoration section.
One of the reasons I took the time to fabricate lots of sheet metal parts by hand rather than buying commercial parts was the interest in keeping cost down for a "hobby" car. The other reason was to show how to do it if you have more time than money. In this case I managed to fabricate slightly more than $1,000 worth of commercial parts from $18 worth of flat sheet metal. This helped considerably in attaining (retaining) the target of keeping the car on the road for $50 per month in major repairs and restoration cost.
Bottom line here is, for the period between end of the 1998 repairs and repaint, and end of the 2008 body restoration and repaint, total of Repairs and Restoration" expenses came to just under $6000, which was spot on target for 10 years (120 months at $50/mo). Dividing that by 94,000 miles gives an average of 6.4 cents per mile. This is a tad higher than the number from 10 years earlier, but it was for fewer total miles, and there has been some inflation (bit of an under statement).
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