Restoration Costs


Click here to add your MG News.


Extract from November/December's NAMGBR publication - The Driver

Cutting the Cost...

WHERE DID IT ALL GO?

In the July/August issue of the MGB Driver, Dave Reed told us how he brought his 1978 MGB and described some of the problems he discovered after purchase. Here we give a breakdown of the hours and costs involved both as a guide and a warning to prospective MGB purchasers.

HOURS COST
1978 MGB purchased 1991 with 63,000 miles on the clock (in average, neglected condition!) 20 $500
BODY
1. Wash, scrub, scrape, paint and undercoat the under-body 10 $20
2. Replace rusty front fenders, rockers and rear fenders 120 $1600
3. Prime, sand and top coat the body with Delcron black paint 120 $500
4. Prime, sand and top coat bumpers to match body 8 $30
5. Repaint windshield wiper arms 2 $0
6. Rustproof with Waxoyl kit 4 $75
7. Replace cracked windshield and windshield rubber 8 $150
8. Replace chrome body trim and moldings 8 $100
9. Replace rear view mirror parts with replacement parts 2 $25
10. Replace rubber body weatherstrips and window seals 8 $125
11. Clean and replace worn carpet pieces 4 $40
12. Rebuild hazard and fan rocker switches 2 $0
13. Replace console lid striker and catch 2 $5
14. Replace seat belts with Rover recall belts 2 $0
15. Replace worn clutch and brake pedal pads 1 $5
16. Replace worn aluminum sill plates with stainless steel 1 $20
17. Replace worn vinyl steering wheel with leather 14" wheel 4 $150
18. Lower steering wheel with shims for better visibility 1 $0
19. Replace rubber floor mats and shelf with 'MG' carpeted mats 0 $130
20. Replace worn seat cushions with new cushions 1 $50
21. Replace worn vinyl seat covers with Moss leather kit 10 $550
22. Replace worn vinyl shift boot with Moss leather kit 10 $20
23. Replace shift knob with leather 'MG' knob-Paint lever 1 $10
24. Replace worn vinyl convertible top with Moss Fabric top 20 $500
25. Replace damaged front valance with flexible air dam 2 $110
26. Install 'emergency' pull-wire for hood release 1 $0
27. Plug front bumper license plates holes with black RTV 1 $0
28. Replace all nuts, bolts and screws 10 $50
CHASSIS
29. Replace leaking rear axle pinion seal 4 $5
30a. Replace front wheel bearing seals-grease bearings 4 $10
30b. Replace worn front brake rotors, pads and pins 4 $60
31. Replace leaking rear brake seals, linings, springs-repaint 10 $80
32. Replace cracked brake and clutch hoses and bleed 4 $30
33. Replace worn steering tie-rod ball joints, boots and fluid 4 $40
34. Tighten steering gear lash-remove shim in gear cover 2 $0
35a. Replace worn front shocks with rebuilt units 4 $150
35b. Replace worn front king pins with rebuilt assemblies 4 $200
35c. Replace lower outer front bushings 1 $35
35d. Replace front springs with Moss Stage II lowered springs 3 $100
35e. Replace worn trunnion rubber bushings with Nylatron 1 $20
35f. Replace worn lower control arm bushings with V8 type 1 $20
35g. Sand blast and repaint front lower control arms 8 $10
36. Replace broken front bump stop and corroded spacer 1 $10
37. Lower rear spring height with Moss Stage II kit 8 $75
38. Install five new Minilite 6x14 wheels and 185R14 tires 2 $800
ENGINE and ETC.
39. Change engine, transmission and differential oils and lube 3 $50
40. Rebuild Stromberg carburetor-sticking choke 8 $20
41a. Replace Stromberg Strangler with a used downdraft Weber 6 $225
41b. Replace cracked exhaust manifold with tubular header 1 $100
42. Replace rusty exhaust system with free-flow exhaust 8 $150
43. Replace stock rocker cover with aluminum rocker cover 1 $100
44. Install Crane-Allison Electronic ignition system 4 $125
45. Replace spark plugs, rotor, cap and wires 2 $40
46. Clean and repaint engine 4 $10
47. Replace cracked L/H engine mount 2 $20
48. Replace leaking heater water valve 1 $30
49. Replace worn heater and radiator rubber hoses 4 $50
50. Replace cracked fuel tank hoses 4 $10
51. Replace carb fuel hose, filter, remove fuel cut-off switch
(Clutch and fuel pump had been replaced by previous owner)
1 $10
ELECTRICAL
52. Replace dead battery 1 $50
53a. Replace worn alternator belt 0 $10
53b. Replace alternator with 'bargain' rebuilt Beck/Arnley 1 $70
53c. Re-Replace failed Beck/Arnley alternator (100 miles!) 1 $0
53d. Re-Replace 2nd failed Beck/Arnley alternator (100 miles!) 1 $0
53e. Re-Replace 3rd failed %&!%@* Beck/Arnley with LUCAS 1 $140
54. Replace broken fuel sender unit and O-ring 4 $40
55. Replace radio with 4 speaker AM/FM stereo cassette 6 $150
56. Replace manual antenna with Radio Shack power antenna 2 $50
57. Replace dim headlamps with brighter Halogen headlamps 1 $20
58. Replace weak horn with Fiamm extra loud horns 1 $15
59. Replace squealing radiator fans with single Hayden 10" fan 1 $55
TOTAL HOURS OF FUN AND ENTERTAINMENT COSTS 500 $8000

North American MGB Register Home Page
Also from this issue of The Driver

Back to the News content

[Copyright/Credits] [Home] [Information] [Feedback]
Made in England