76 MGB Stewardship

After wrapping up the rear diff gasket project I was ready to give the B a run around town. So, I put on my driving shoes and cap, jumped in the drivers seat, inserted the key, and gave her a turn... and nothing... wah, wah. At first I thought the problem was the battery. I checked the charge, seems legit. I noticed that when I turn the ignition key a couple of clicks the normal sounds sounded and lights lighted. The fuel pump was making it's clickety click noise, the brake, egr, seat belt lights all illuminated. I still went ahead and cleaned up the battery terminals just in case there was some corrosion. While in the battery compartment I did noticed that the negative wires were coming loose from the connector so I sorted that out. Still no luck turning over. Thinking through the ignition and electrical system it seemed to me that it might be the starter. So, I knocked on it with a hammer, nothing. I decided to put the B in gear and give her a push to turn the engine, nothing...

One of the easier things to replace on most vehicles is the rear differential gasket. Not on the MG. While it's not complicated what makes the process challenging is that the parking brake cable and the rear brake fluid lines are attached to the rear diff housing. Removing the parking brake cable and lever is a simple matter of two bolts and that can be moved out of the way. The main troublemaker are the clips holding the rear brake line in place. The clips are connected to two of the top rear diff cover bolts. These are metal and apparently usually rusted. When I attempted to remove the bolts the clips would rotate and start to bend the brake line. I wasn't really looking to replace the brake lines so I had to come up with a different approach. Out comes the Dremel and the diamond cutting blade! The Dremel made quick work of the clip. Once it was cut I was able to remove the retaining nut, pull the clip off, and then remove the rear diff cover bolt. The rest ...