Iain's 1970 MG BGT

Books

There are a lot of books available about cars, and more specifically MG's. Below are the ones I have bought, along with a brief comment and a score out of 5 for how good I have found it to be. I have bought most of these through Ebay, an excellent way to keep down costs (typically a Haynes Manual might go for £8 or £9 including P&P, compared with about £17 new).

Fundamentals of Motor Vehicle Technology 5/5

V. A. W. Hillier; 4th Edition; Nelson Thornes; 2001; ISBN 0-7487-0531-7

I came to the B with little real knowledge of how a car works. This excellent book by V. A. W. Hillier starts from real basics and builds up your knowledge very quickly. I know have a rough idea about the design of the head, the valves, the cylinders, the cam, the crankshaft, the manifold, the carbs etc etc. You get the idea! If you want a decent grounding in how a car works get this book!

How To Power Tune MGB 4-Cylinder Engines 4/5

Peter Burgess; Speedpro Series; Veloce Publishing; 1996; ISBN 1-903706-77-7

This is the must read guide before modifying the MGB to get more power. It explains, often in great detail, what changes to the bottom end, cylinder head, camshaft, exhausts and carbs. It gives power recipes, prioritises the modifications by what gives most power for the money and explains the expensive modifications to avoid! Well worth reading, but you'll probable need to read it several times before taking it all in! If you have no idea how an engine works buy the book above first and read it too.

Haynes Manual 4/5

John Fowler; Haynes Publishing; 1981; ISBN 0-85696-623-1

A must have really. Not always totally clear, but it does contain an awful lot of info on how to go about removing, repairing and replacing parts. If not complete it will at least help you find where to start!

Haynes Restoration Manual 4/5

Lindsay Porter; 2nd Edition; Haynes Publishing; 2000; ISBN 1-85960-607-5

Well worth a read. If you were undertaking a total restoration then this would be a great book, but for general repairs it is still a useful reference. I bought it shortly after I bought the B, so now that I'm getting stuck into some major work I will probably read certain section again.

MGB Restoration Preparation Maintenance 4/5

Jim Tyler; Osprey Publishing; 1992; ISBN 1-85532-190-4

Very different in style to the Haynes books this is an excellent additional reference source. It is far more text based and descriptive, which can be good and bad. It covers history and buying of a B, then goes on to maintenance and then major repair and restoration, and it is this last section I have found useful (with regards to engine stripping).

Step By Step MGB Service Guide 3/5

Lindsay Porter; Porter Publishing; 1994; ISBN 1-899238-00-X

Very thorough guide to servicing. I have found it to be a bit much and haven't really used it, but would be a useful guide to someone who really plans to carry out services to the letter!

Classic Car Restoration Guide 3/5

Lindsay Porter; Haynes Publishing; 1994; ISBN 1-85010-890-0

A general book on classic restoration. A good general guide, that I have had longer than any of my other books and did get me interested in getting a classic. Covers general techniques which I suspect could be useful, and also has an interior section that cover the general principles on renewing this area of the car.

The Car Bodywork Repair Manual 3/5

Lindsay Porter; Haynes Publishing; 1989; ISBN 0-85429-373-6

Covers the general principles of how to sort car bodywork. Looks like it is up to the usual Haynes standard. Picked this one up for nothing, so it may come in useful at some point. 

Practical Classics MGB restoration 2/5

Brooklands Books; ISBN 0-946489-42-4

Rather old, with the pictures in black and white. Not the greatest and I haven't taken anything from it that other books don't offer in a clearer fashion. But as with other books, now I am getting into major work I might find more use for it, and will certainly look at it again.