Restoration Costs

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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