1963 MGB - Features of an early MGB

Oil cooler

Original 10 row oil coolers had rounded ends.  Later oil coolers have square ends, although mounting is exactly the same.

Unfortnately original oil coolers are not available anymore and I have not found any suppliers.

6 blade cooling fan

It seems early Mk1 MGB’s were fitted with a 6 blade cooling fan, which was a legacy from the MGA.   The only difference is the MGB fan is notched on the front corners of the blades to prevent them from fouling the bottom of the radiator, which protrudes slightly at the back of the core.  So if you find a 6 blade MGA fan be cautious if you install it on an MGB, as there might not be adequate running clearance at the radiator bottom tank.

Stabiliser bracket to hold up oil cooler hose

This part is nearly always missing; in fact this is the first engine bay I have seen with the bracket present.  The bracket consists of a strip of metal attached to the top rear generator mounting bolt, and to the oil cooler hose with a ring which attaches to the metal strip.  It is there to stabilise the oil cooler hose when changing the oil filter.

The only supplier I have found for the stabilising bracket is Clarke Spares in the USA.

Coil bracket

Originally the Lucas ignition coil was located very close to the distributor on a bracket that was attached to the engine support. 

Grommet to allow tacho cable access through bulkhead

Early MGB’s have a mechanical tacho and the cable enters the bulkhead through a large blanking grommet that has a neat slot and hole manufactured in it.  These grommets are not available so don’t throw them away.

Caps for brake and clutch master cylinder

The early MGB had metal caps on the Lockheed brake and clutch master cylinders, rather than the more common white nylon plastic caps.

Metal caps for the brake and clutch master cylinder are available, but can be hard to find.  Mini Spares in the UK seems to be the best option.

OD Vacuum Switch & relay

Overdrive became available on the MGB in January, 1963.  A correct installation of the overdrive option includes a relay and a vacuum switch mounted next to the heater box behind the carburettors.  The overdrive will function satisfactorily without the relay and vacuum switch, but its purpose was to protect the overdrive when changing down during engine overrun.

Vacuum switches are not available.  The only chance is to find a used one or one from new old stock, which rarely appear.  The relay is a Lucas 6RA, number 33213.

Windscreen Washer Bottle

The windscreen washer bottle on early MGB's was produced with a large "Tudor" decal.  On the back of the bottle are details from the manufacturer including address and the bottle specification.

These bottles are extremely hard to find, so if you have one I would recommend you do not throw it away.

ENGINE Breather

Early MGB’s fitted with a “G” series engine had a non-positive engine breathing system. This consisted of a breather hose from the rocker cover to the inner part of front air-cleaner box. Both the rocker cover and the inner plate of the air-cleaner box had a pipe manufactured in them to enable the breather pipe to be attached. The system also used a non-ventilated oil filler cap.

I have observed many early cars have lost their non-positive engine breathing system. The rocker cover (part no. 12H 1838) and the inner air-box plate with the short pipe are not available, so this may account for non-poistive breathing systems missing on early cars.

HEATER DECALS

Early MGB heater decals are slighltly different to later cars. The above picture shows the correct decal for cars up to around early 1964. However, reference pictures from the time show the orginal decal was a transfer rather than a sticker. Also the same reference pictures show the decal changed in early 1964, where the “Manufactured in England” changed to “Made in UK”. The transfer decal was replaced from around 1965 with two sticker decals as shown on the picture below.