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MG MGB Technical - MGB Technical Books

Can anyone advise of good quality books or booklets on the MGB which deals with the technicalities. The workshop manual is AOK but it is a bit short on some matters. I am thinking of a book which has very useful details as well as facts.
T type owners have a wide choice of books, it appears that B owners do not have that luxury.

Any suggestions?
Bob Marshall

Bob, you surprise me when you say there aren't many books for the MGB, if you just look on Amazon alone you'll see there are loads.

If your looking for a book with a view to restoration and/or preservation of an MGB then you'll find Lindsay Porter's "MGB Restoration Manual" (ISBN-13: 978-1859606070) is an excellent resource. If you want a book that goes into detail & facts on the MGBs long production run then you'll find none more detailed than Anders Clausager's "Original MGB" (ISBN-13: 978-1870979481).

~Mike
Mike

Bob. In addition to the books that Mike has recommended, "The MGB Handbook" by Stuart Turner and John Organ has a lot of good information. Jim Tyler's two books, "MGB Owner's Survival Manual" and "MGB Restoration/Preparation/Maintenance" are worth considering. Not as upbeat as Porter's books, but go into depth where Porter does not. Add "How To Power Tune MGB 4-Cylinder Engines" by Peter Burgess for good data on the engine and Des Hammill's "How to Build & Power Tune Distributor Type Ignition Systems" as a general book on understanding the distributor and ignition system. "The Sports Car Engine", by Colin Campbell should be in every owner's library--it is one of the best books on engine trouble shooting and tuning ever written. Add in one or more books on the SU carbs and fuel pumps which directly relate to the MGB.

There may not be "a lot" of MGB books out there compared to something like the Mustang or Corvette. But, I have a couple of rows of books on the MG cars, the MGA and the MGB, all of which provide historical and technical information and all of which get re-read from time to time.

If you are asking for a single book that "does it all", I know of no such book--for any automobile.

Les
Les Bengtson

When you say the workshop manual which one do you mean? The Haynes book or the official factory manuals?
Simon Jansen

Bob,
Your Expert Guide to MGB & MGB GT Problems and How to Fix Them by Roger Williams and The Essential Manual MGB Electrical Systems by Rick Astley are a couple of good books to add to your collection.
You may want to check the MGOC and MGCC to see what books they have available. There are quite a few books out that should fill your needs like Les says.
Tony
Tony Shoviak

Bob,
I'd also point you to a number of useful websites including "The pages of Vee and Bee" by Paul Hunt
http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/ as a starter.
Richard
Richard Atkinson

Bob,
Paul Hunt really has a fact filled informative site and he has always been great in answering any questions I have emailed him. Another good source of infomation on the web is the MG Experience
www.mgexperience.net Another thought do forget to look into all the VHS/DVD MG maintenance material that is out there.
Tony
Tony Shoviak

As Simon asks what manual do you have? I'd doubt you would find one more mechanically comprehensive than the BL Workshop Manual, or the Bentley which is a reprint of it. Haynes isn't bad but not as comprehensive. Porter majors on restoration, primarily of the bodywork. Others deal with enhancements and tuning. Where all of the above fall short is with the electrics, Rick Astley used to have his info online but opted to sell it in a book, but there are other online sources.
Paul Hunt

I noticed so many errors in my Astley book that I loaned it to Fletcher Milmore for a look see. I've yet to get it back. I'm hesitant to buy another Astley because I don't have any idea if he revised his text.

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

1) The Bentley Manual for the best basic shop practices and info for this particular car straight from the factory.

2) The Haynes Manual for very good procedural info on HOW to do the work and a fairly good compilation of tech info necessary to the performance of routine maintenance and understand WHY.

3) Rick Astley's book, "MGB Electrical Systems" to make sense of the Lucas electrical system and components, and very practical information on electrical upgrades and how to do the work properly with proper parts and tools.

4) Both the Haynes and Burlen's SU Carburettor manuals for an understanding of the basics of SU carb maintenance and tuning and comprehensive needle charts.

5) The Factory Parts book ~ the most comprehensive listing of ALL parts used in the MGB ~ you will most likely have to find one at an MG/LBC booksellers or swapmeet.

6) Z-Therapy's Video on SU tuning and rebuilding ~ available from Victoria British.

7) The Factory Special Tuning manual ~ for those who want to add at least the factory's modifications for higher performance for their MGB.

8) "How to Power Tune MGB 4-cylinder Engines", by Peter Burgess, SpeedPro Series

9) Lindsey Porter's "Guide to Purchase and Restoration of the MGB" most recent edition, a Foulis/Haynes book.

10) "BMC and Leyland B-series Engine Data", Lindsey Porter, Osprey books, from Classic Motorbooks.

11) More easily comprehensible wiring diagrams for the MGB available from Dan Masters at his website: [http://www.advanceautowire.com/] ~ FREE!

12) Steve S. of Viginia's Tech Article on MGB performance rebuilding available at this site: [http://www.studdsey.fsnet.co.uk/mgbtunings.htm]
RK Muenchausen

Also the Moss and other suppliers printed catalogues can be useful for seeing what parts there are and where they go.

Simon
Simon Jansen

For body work, " MGB GT Restoration " by Practical Classics. Barrie E
Barrie Egerton

This thread was discussed between 12/02/2009 and 15/02/2009

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