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MG TD TF 1500 - OTS - Help needed for MGB service in NJ

I have recently inherited a 1975 MGB. Has Weber and extractor exhaust and new Pirellis - nice clean car with only 23,000 miles.

Car is located in Edgewater NJ and I want to drive it home to Québec. Problem is, that someone tried to steal it and in doing so, used a crowbar to break-off the steering lock and the steering is jammed.

I need to find someone in the Edgewater area that can fetch the car and make it roadworthy. I will furnish the parts.

Does anyone know of a reputable English Car Specialist in that area?

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué
Gord Clark

Off subject, but have you received my emails?
L E D LaVerne

Sorry LaVerne Yes!! I will complete the answer I started last week.
gac
Gord Clark

Had this place recommended by two people on another MGB board.....looks like it's less that half an hour away. They said to call and talk with Peter.

https://www.motorcar-garage.com/home

May have to cut and paste the link.
L E D LaVerne

LaVerne,

Thanks for the reference, but that's a LONG, LONG way from Edgewater. Looks like a burb to Pliladelphia. At least 150 miles.

Gord
Gord Clark

Gord. There's a place on Rte 17 in Tuxedo, NY. It's called Tuxedo Motor Sport, formerly M&G Vintage Auto, located on the southbound side just before reaching Tuxedo.

M&G Vintage Auto

d/b/a

Tuxedo Motor Sport
1 NY Rte 17 South
Tuxedo, New York 10987

845-753-5900

email: BlackCobraGeorge@gmail.com

Good luck

Cheers

Gary
79MGB
gary hansen

Thanks Gary. Having trouble coming up with any definitive endorsement.

All I could find was "Tuxedo Motorsport is a small business with 50 to 99 employees. Categorized under custom designed replica car dealers, Tuxedo Motorsport has an annual revenue of $10 to 50 million. Tuxedo Motorsport is a public business located in Tuxedo Park, NY."

Seems a bit excessive.

I'll keep trying.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gord Clark

I used to live a few miles from there and have seen their work. I will look up the website to ascertain any more info for you

Cheers

Gary
79 MGB
gary hansen

Ok, their website is www.tuxedomotorsport.com

Cheers

Gary
79 MGB
gary hansen


Gord,

You have mail.

Jim
James Neel

Not knowing how updated this list might be, there are a couple of possibilities within 10-25 miles of Edgewater:

http://www.mg-cars.org.uk/garages/New_Jersey.html

ROCS Auto in Belleville and MGTs in West Milford.

Hope this helps.

BobbyG
Bobby Galvez

Thanks Bobby.

Will check that one out, too.

Gord Clark
Gord Clark

Gord: Distance wise Bellville (west 15-20 miles) would be the closest to Edgewater. I specifically mentioned Tuxedo,NY (50-60 miles) as it is directly enroute northbound to Canada

BTW, just what is it that needs to be done to the car? If it is only the steering wheel lock, there shouldn't be too much to get it dismantled. Remove the plastic shroud from the steering column, then remove the ignition key assembly from the collar,(don't forget the tiny grub bolt) then "unbolt" the lock collar from the steering column. IIRC you may have to cut the bolts from the lock.

Cheers

Gary
79 MGB
gary hansen

Gary,

Many tnx for your advice too. I now believe I can do the fix myself, as I have been convinced by others including you, that I can do it myself. So that's where its going for now.

As I indicated below, someone tried to steal it and in doing so, used a crowbar (or similar) to break-off the steering lock and the steering is jammed. A new lock with keys is $50.

The real problem is age-related!

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gord Clark

Cheers Gord. At my tender age of 72, I turn wrenches less and less. The thought of jacking my MGB up to do an oil change and grease the kingpins and driveshaft joints is daunting.

Let me know how you are progressing with your "repair" of the steering lock. Again, IIRC the steering lock collar is a two piece collar bolted on either side. There is a gap where you may fit a hacksaw between the two halves of the collar and cut the bolts. You should be able to operate the car then. Once home, you can restore the interior.

Cheers

Gary
79 MGB
gary hansen

OK so now I have a new lock. But what's this about "fit a hacksaw between the two halves of the collar and cut the bolts"? I just thought I had to fit the new lock. The casting has been broken and I assume (the bolts are still on the steering column and) should be removable with a wrench. Gotta be sure I bring the right tools.

I already have an MGB in my garage but must confess, I haven't paid any attention to it. Hey, I'm a T and MMM guy. Just got the MGB for my 52 yr old daughter.

Hoping to head to NJ in abt 10 days, but would still like to find someone in the Edgewater area that I can call on if for nothing mote, than for moral support.

Suggest we carry this on, off the Forum.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué


Gord Clark

oops! forgot the picture of the broken lock.

Gord

Gord Clark

Oh, the lock IS already broken off. So the hacksaw to cut the bolts is not necessary. The hacksaw approach was to cut the bolts as the heads on mine are a "one way" turn. By that I mean you can only turn the bolts clockwise. By your pictures, it seems you are pretty good to go after you replace your ignition switch.

Hope your trip to Edgewater goes well and enjoy the trip home

Cheers

Gary
79 MGB
gary hansen

The lock assembly is held together with two shear bolts. When assembled the heads twist off leaving what you see here. Rarely are they all that difficult to remove. Tap them with a punch or chisel on an edge with a counter clockwise direction and they usually come right out after you get them loose.

Looks like the cowl is already off....otherwise you would need a phillips screw driver to remove it. You would lower the column by removing two bolts that hold it up to the dash frame work. I don't recall the size....1/2" 9/16"..??

I'm not sure what damage they did to the column, as normally once the steering lock is removed as shown in your last image....the steering should be free. Perhaps they crushed the outer tube against the inner? I'd bring some small pry bars, chisels, hammer.... credit card to head to the nearest hardware store if need be.

Here is an image of a 1971 with the cowl off and the shear bolts yet to be removed circled in red.


L E D LaVerne

Thanks LaVerne. A picture is worth a thousand words and this illustrates something I didn't realize ... makes all the difference in the world.

I had no idea that the top of the bolt sheared-off. Now, its obvious why.

Many tnx to you and Gary Hansen for painting a clear picture. I'm hoping to drive it home, but as a back-up, I just bought a 2004 Buick Rendezvous (towing capacity 3,500 pounds) which I will sell after the car is home.

Just hope this 85 yr old back can handle the job!

Not often I get given a free MGB!

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gord Clark

This thread was discussed between 13/07/2018 and 30/07/2018

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