Dave's 1958 MGA


Dave's 1958 MGA Roadster
	I purchased MGA1 in August 2009. Owned by the previous owner for 27 years, it had seen little use for the the last 10-15 years. While it wasn't road-ready, it was a good sound basis and I thought I could probably get it on the road in 6-10 weeks. Two years later ... I took my first drive. For the next year I drove the car regularly, often three or four times a week, almost entirely short local driving. Then in December 2012 something went 'bang' under the bonnet, and the MGA was off the road for another 12 months for a total engine, clutch and gearbox rebuild. The car is standard apart from: Fitted with 1622 engine Converted to single 12v battery with cutout switch Listed below is everything that's been done to the car during my ownership. 2009-2012 Fully rewired with original-spec cloth loom from Moss Master cylinder rebuilt Clutch slave cylinder rebuilt, new pushrod fitted. Brake drums machined, new linings fitted, all new wheel cylinders. Some brake lines replaced. New hand brake cable. New tyres fitted New windscreen fitted with new rubbers, screws, cowl and window post rubbers. Dashboard stripped and professionally repaired and painted in 2-pot New front overriders and overrider seals Grill plinth rechromed and new badge fitted. Grill piping replaced. New radiator hoses (radiator recored by previous owner). New water pump & thermostat fitted and fan shroud New sport coil fitted New wheel bearings front and rear New gearshift boot, clutch release lever boot. Steering column felt packing replaced, firewall rubber seal replaced, column painted. New battery and battery leads. Pedal box bushes replaced; new rubber gaiter fitted; new pedal rubbers fitted; all painted. Firewall shelf stripped and painted; new rubber blank and body plates fitted. Heater stripped, checked and painted. New washer bottle and bracket fitted. Windscreen wiper motor disassembled, cleaned, painted. New behind-grill to carbs air hose fitted. Aluminium sidescreens rebuilt with new windows, felts and rubbers. Car also has fabric sidescreens. Flexible oil line replaced with s/s. Fuel tank sender unit replaced. Water temperature gauge professionally rebuilt. 2013 Full engine shortblock rebuild by Paul Walbran Motors, including - crankshaft & conrods crack tested; block surfaced and rebored; new camshaft, camshaft bearings and cam followers; new +040 9:1 pistons & rings; crankshaft machined; new main & big end bearings fitted; new timing chain and tensioner; new timing chain cover with MGB oil seal fitted; new distributor drive spindle; new oil pump; spin-on oil filter adapter fitted; misc new parts fitted, incl thrust washers, core plugs, oil relief valve, gaskets, spark plugs etc. Painted in factory red. Engine, flywheel and clutch balanced. Head inspected and vacuum tested; valves ground. Head had been fitted with harded valve seats and larger MGB exhaust valves by previous owner. Generator inspected and tested. Carburettor spindles replaced (bodies bushed). New engine mounts and gearbox mount fitted. New OEM clutch driven plate, pressure plate and release bearing; clutch arm pivot bush and bolt replaced. Driveshaft stripped and painted; front universal replaced. Steering rack stripped and painted; one inner ball joint adjusted; new felt pinion seal fitted; new rubber gaiters fitted. Steering column universal joint replaced. Gearbox stripped and inspected. First motion shaft and main shaft bearings replaced; second gear synchro replaced; rear oil seal replaced; synchro ring springs replaced. All new gaskets fitted. 2014 Carburettor butterflies replaced New throttle cable and return spring New distributor rotor, cap and HT leads fitted 2015 New heater controls fitted. 2016 Control box replaced to remedy non-charging. Rocker shaft and bushes replaced, rockers refaced, cylinder head combustion chambers relieved to de-shround oversized MGB exhaust valves, head resurfaced. 2017 Rear suspension rebuilt - new springs, all new bushes, new rebound rubbers, new rear shackles, new check straps. All parts from Moss Motors UK. Seats rebuilt, bases repaired, new squabs and back padding, new armrest, new leather covers from Moss UK. 2018 All hard brake lines replaced with newcopper-nickel alloy. New rear oil seals, wheel cylinders and brake shoes 2020 Car converted to chrome wire wheels using Moss conversion kit, which includes brand new front hubs and brake drums. 2021 New battery 2022 Distributor rebuilt with new body and condenser, timing fixed. Front flexible brake hoses replaced. New 7psi radiator cap fitted and new heater hose.