It's been a while and for some reason I can't sign into the website from my work computer (something about a malicious program stealing passwords), anyways here's a bit of an update on my MGB GT Zetec.
The spare motor I picked up was torn down and given a quicky rebuild (rings and bearings), and the adapter plate was replaced with one that locates the starter in the "stock" location for a Focus. I say "stock" because it's about 1/8" off the stock location so the dust shield didnt line up. The reason behind using the different plate is the fact I now have much more room to fabricate a new header.
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Following that, the glass finally went in. It took a bit of struggling but the GF and I managed to get both the front and rear window in:
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And then, things didn't quite go to plan. I hooked the battery up, and the electrical had a few small issues, which turned out to be mostly grounds, and one bad headlight connector. I then proceeded to turn the motor over without plugs to get oil pressure, which turned out very well
to get oil pressure, which turned out very well. Plugs were put back in, and I made an attempt to start it, but no joy. The laptop was hooked up, and with some fiddling with the ignition trigger offset, it fired up. Unfortunately that was at the end of the day, so things had to wait two weeks due to a road trip to see the GF's family (7 hours each way in the Jaaag was quite enjoyable).
Once back from the trip and back in the garage, I bled the brakes and tested a few other things before attempting to drive it up the street. Well, it drove up the street but the motor had to come back out again. The gearbox that was in the car either has a bent input shaft or the input shaft bearing is toast. Luckily I picked up a spare a few months ago (for no reason other than it was cheap). This meant the motor and gearbox had to come out for the 8th time (I think). With the GFs help, it took 4 hours to re-and-re the motor, modify the gearbox, and get running again. I also swapped out my fabricobbled serpentine belt idler bracket for a Retroford bracket which is way better than mine. It allows adjustment at the idler instead of the alternator.
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Which all lead to this:
https://youtu.be/ATVmEg623rYAnd one final shot with it's garage mate (for the time being):