Russ Penty's Journal
Home Page: Russ Penty
Mission Viejo, CA, USA
| Total Posts: 6 | Latest Post: 2019-01-22 |
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Just bought a '79 blue MGB. Took it to my mechanic to give it a through bumper to bumper 'once over'. The car does seem to be in quite good shape overall. Pic's coming very soon.
No rust
46K miles
paint and body in good shape
new top, carpet, door panels
original tonneau and boot covers
so far back up lamps, gas gauge not working
Looking forward to figuring out how I can get a bit more power under the hood to offset the CA emissions on the car.
No rust
46K miles
paint and body in good shape
new top, carpet, door panels
original tonneau and boot covers
so far back up lamps, gas gauge not working
Looking forward to figuring out how I can get a bit more power under the hood to offset the CA emissions on the car.
Well took the MGB to get smogged this morning. It went very well until the last test. Yeah it failed the CO% part of the test. It's running very rich and idling pretty roughly and low almost to the point of stalling after its runs for 10-15 mins.
Going to go get the carb adjusted to raise the idle level and check the mixture. Then hope for the best on the next test! Just want to get the car registered!
Going to go get the carb adjusted to raise the idle level and check the mixture. Then hope for the best on the next test! Just want to get the car registered!
Member Comments on Journal Entry: First Smog Test ↵
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Well it failed the second test. Prior to the test I took it to a local MG mechanic who tuned the ZS carb, it was running way rich. He leaned it out as far as he could but no go on the smog test. The CO level was still WAY too high @ 6.75 and 6.04 should be in the low 1%.
Now I'm looking for a mechanic who also can smog it. Frustrating!!
Other than that the car is great runs and looks great.
Now I'm looking for a mechanic who also can smog it. Frustrating!!
Other than that the car is great runs and looks great.
Member Comments on Journal Entry: CA Smog Test #2 Failed ↵
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Well its been a three month ordeal in getting the MGB to pass CA smog. Bought the car in Oct 2013 and it passed yesterday! Jan 21st'14 Had to get a new California version catalytic converter. Which of course you have to overpay for (didn't choose to drive to Nevada or Arizona for the standard and cheap one). It passed easily. Got my tag's, I'm legal!
Beware fellow Californian's there are plenty of catalytic converters advertised to fit MGB's, but they don't fit! They are too big (long) I found out the hard way during this three month process. You can get a CA cat that fits here:
https://www.catalyticconvertersonline.com
Or order one from Moss, much cheaper, and have it sent to a friend in any state other than Cali.
Beware fellow Californian's there are plenty of catalytic converters advertised to fit MGB's, but they don't fit! They are too big (long) I found out the hard way during this three month process. You can get a CA cat that fits here:
https://www.catalyticconvertersonline.com
Or order one from Moss, much cheaper, and have it sent to a friend in any state other than Cali.
Member Comments on Journal Entry: Smog Test #3 Passed! ↵
2014-01-28 13:37:20 # 13852
Comment by Jerry LaRocca
Just read with interest of your ordeal with getting the smog certificate. As an ex-Californian, I know why the rules exist. Lived in LA in 60's and 70's when quarter mile visibility in Long Beach was the norm. I am a little surprised that older cars don't have an exemption, for instance over 25 years old. The impact of a very limited number of vehicles with limited on-road time wouldn't be much. Congrats on finding a low mileage car, but you're right that the late years are strangled by emissions equipment. I live in WA state, and my '72 doesn't get smog tested; I'm grateful.
2014-01-28 13:37:32 # 13853
Comment by Jerry LaRocca
Just read with interest of your ordeal with getting the smog certificate. As an ex-Californian, I know why the rules exist. Lived in LA in 60's and 70's when quarter mile visibility in Long Beach was the norm. I am a little surprised that older cars don't have an exemption, for instance over 25 years old. The impact of a very limited number of vehicles with limited on-road time wouldn't be much. Congrats on finding a low mileage car, but you're right that the late years are strangled by emissions equipment. I live in WA state, and my '72 doesn't get smog tested; I'm grateful.
2014-02-04 23:16:51 # 13987
Comment by Russ Penty
Jerry, you are right about those days here in S. Cal. As a native growing up in the 70's here it was bad at times. Calif did have a rolling 30 yr smog test exemption law and my '79 would have hit it's 30 yr date but our former Gov Arnold stopped that rolling 30 yr law. Now ALL cars from '76 and newer must pass smog. So now we play the smog test game (and shell out more $) but it's part of the ownership cost. Until I get a '75 or older!
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Just had my rebuilt (2 yrs ago) 45 amp alt replaced with a new 65 amp alt. Got the new alt from Basil Adams here in the MG Exp site for a fair price. Going to take it for a fairly long mountainous run this weekend since I haven't gone out for a long run in a bit. For those of you familiar with South Orange County, CA I'll be headed over Ortega Hwy to Lake Elsinore then to I15 down to Murrieta than back the same route a couple days later.
Member Comments on Journal Entry: New Alternator ↵
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My '79 Roadster's original headrests were beginning to show wear on the backside, sun wear I presume. So I bought a new set from Moss they look great and are an exact match.
After reading many posts here about having to fight the removal of the old headrests I was all set for a battle even scoping out pry bar material to get them to release and come out.
So I straddle the seat, brace my back ready for the fight. I give the first one a light tug and it moves up about an inch then I pull a little harder and it slides right out!
The second headrest exactly the same. It came out with just a swift pull, no fighting, tweaked back or headrest hitting my chin. Piece of cake. The new one's look great and slide up to adjust to my head level. It sure is nice when things just go as you think/hope they should.
After reading many posts here about having to fight the removal of the old headrests I was all set for a battle even scoping out pry bar material to get them to release and come out.
So I straddle the seat, brace my back ready for the fight. I give the first one a light tug and it moves up about an inch then I pull a little harder and it slides right out!
The second headrest exactly the same. It came out with just a swift pull, no fighting, tweaked back or headrest hitting my chin. Piece of cake. The new one's look great and slide up to adjust to my head level. It sure is nice when things just go as you think/hope they should.
Member Comments on Journal Entry: Replaced Headrests ↵
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