1957 MG MGA Roadster Will It Run?

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  • Опубліковано 16 лип 2024
  • Trying to start and get running a 1957 MG MGA roadster that was sitting for a very long time. This will be the first start in many years.
    Don't forget to visit my website for more updates: www.thisweekwithcars.com
    This Week With Cars - Episode 0285
    #willitrun #mg #classiccars
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 155

  • @billbeyer657
    @billbeyer657 Рік тому +10

    Never seen plugs cleaned with a torch before. Learn something new every day.

    • @MrDunky48
      @MrDunky48 Рік тому +2

      Seems to work like everything else he does. Encyclopaedic knowledge!

    • @jeffhildreth9244
      @jeffhildreth9244 8 місяців тому

      Plugs are cheap, toss em and fit new ones.

  • @SierraOne
    @SierraOne Рік тому +4

    Older cars = Basic "old school" diagnostics
    Great work!

  • @rongendron8705
    @rongendron8705 Рік тому +2

    In 1965, at 19, I bought my very first car, a 1957 MGA, (black w/red leather), for $500! The 8 year old car was
    in beautiful shape, but I later found that it had an expensive 'rod' problem that needed fixing! It was a great six
    months, owning it, but since I had no more money, to fix it, I sold it to a "Foreign Car Junkyard", for $100. who
    immediately started disassembling it for parts, right before my eyes! I still 'pine' for that MGA, 57 years later!

    • @jeffhildreth9244
      @jeffhildreth9244 8 місяців тому

      Wrong owner. Good that you sold it.
      A shame it was dismantled.

  • @colinvos4443
    @colinvos4443 Рік тому +3

    Thanks for sharing Steve. I recall as a boy(1950's) we had a split window Morris Oxford. I remember my Dad taking out the sparkplugs on a cold winter day, bringing them in the house, heating them on the stove and then re-installing them to get the car to start. I recalled this when I saw you heat the plugs. Great video.

  • @leeklemetti1887
    @leeklemetti1887 Рік тому +1

    When I was 17-18 years old my Dad acquired a 1958 MGA 1600. Now that car was a BLAST! I drove it everywhere. Oh, I forgot, I am 80 years old now. How does time fly.

  • @kenem1946
    @kenem1946 Рік тому +25

    Thanks, Steve. I gratefully appreciate your videos, particularly being aware of the effort you put in to present them. May 2023 be kind to you and yours.

  • @sebastianmicozzi8153
    @sebastianmicozzi8153 Рік тому +3

    I have a 1958 MGA, also with B engine, and a few other "upgrades". What a great, modern-feeling car to drive!! The process you went through is perfect and something that everyone should know! thank you!

  • @gdsandkes
    @gdsandkes Рік тому +2

    I used to own a '57 MGA.in the '70s. The 3 bearing crankshaft was rather weak (I had to overhaul it twice) and the batteries were an issue, but you could purchase new ones back then. When I bought the car the plywood floor boards needed replacing, as did the body work below the doors. It was amazing how parts were available for this car back then. Dad was a body repair mechanic and so we repainted it British racing green. I had many of the chrome parts renewed, but as I was buffing out the front grille, I ended up taking all the old chrome off down to the brass, and like it so much I left it that way (I had to polish it now and then). I also added a jaunty chrome luggage rack onto the rear boot. The hood, boot, and doors were all made of aluminum.

  • @ronaldjohnson1474
    @ronaldjohnson1474 Рік тому +1

    I'm being flooded with memories! Had a 1960 MGA (affectionately named Maggie). Went overseas and couldn't bear the problems of storage, so she was sold.

  • @colindubord4239
    @colindubord4239 Місяць тому +1

    What a Beauty! I have a 1974 MGB GT! They are great Cars! Everything is so easy to work and they make every part for these cars still.

  • @bodieb.1239
    @bodieb.1239 Рік тому +11

    I so enjoy following the trail step by step. Great job. I did not know that about the coil. So such a weak spark wouldn't get the old girl running very impressed.
    Thanks. I own a 69 TR6 and maybe now know more than I'd like to.

  • @daveshongkongchinachannel
    @daveshongkongchinachannel Рік тому +17

    Yet another brilliant diagnosis. You make it look so easy and while these cars are indeed very simple in terms of both mechanicals and electrics I am sure I would be there until my dying day trying to fix something like this. Happy 2023 Steve.

  • @awalk5177
    @awalk5177 Рік тому +2

    I had the same issue with my MGA when it was in storage, turns out the steering gaiter was split and the oil from the rack was leaked. New steering gaiter and a fill up with 200mls of oil before putting on the gaiter clip and it was fine again. These are simple cars and very reliable.

  • @mundanestuff
    @mundanestuff Рік тому +5

    An MGA is likely our next car. My wife adores the stying and I adore the everything else. It'll be a weird upgrade? side step? From the Midget for sure. Our local car club has a list of them for sale, and we're starting to comb through the local cars.

    • @philupson4561
      @philupson4561 Рік тому

      I'm diving into a 56 that's been in a basement since 73. Came w a 71 for 12v conversion and a boatload of extra parts. Whole spare driveline

  • @bmwoutlander
    @bmwoutlander Рік тому +3

    Bravo on the coil polarity.

  • @strokenumber3
    @strokenumber3 Рік тому +3

    Thanks for the videos all year, enjoyed every one.

  • @seanm2511
    @seanm2511 Рік тому +1

    Sure these aren't the world's most complicated machines, but good, methodical troubleshooting is nice to see even so. Thanks.

  • @goboy319
    @goboy319 Рік тому +9

    Yes Steve, I would like to see the steps you would take from here and any improvements you would make along the way to assure this MGA is a safe and reasonably reliable weekend driver. I really appreciate the straightforward approach you take in your video production. Thanks for taking the time and making the effort to produce these gems.Hope yours is a happy & healthy 2023.

  • @MikeyMack303
    @MikeyMack303 6 місяців тому +2

    Well, that seemed to be a few easy fixes! Nice work. Thanks for sharing with us!

  • @hughbishopnh
    @hughbishopnh Рік тому +3

    Thanks Steve, great year of vids

  • @grayfool
    @grayfool Рік тому +2

    I wouldn't have thought of that. Cool.

  • @BB-gt1eg
    @BB-gt1eg Рік тому +4

    Excellent vid Steve, thanks! Would love to see that B engined A out for a drive once the snows gone!

  • @alancrossley509
    @alancrossley509 Рік тому

    I have just finished bringing my 85 year old mothers'1965 MG Midget back to life after standing for 10 years and it now runs beautifully. Busy with my fathers 1958 MG Magnette ZB 1500 which has also been standing for the same amount of time. They had an MGA as well but sadly they sold it a good few years back. Thanks for the vids. Subscribed.

  • @markmcgee8845
    @markmcgee8845 2 місяці тому +2

    Would love to see more on the 57 MG MGA

  • @micheltebraake7915
    @micheltebraake7915 Рік тому +1

    Always nice how you get the engine running again step by step.

  • @MMitchellMarmel
    @MMitchellMarmel Рік тому +2

    Take 'er out for a spin! :)

  • @drewbarker8504
    @drewbarker8504 Рік тому +1

    Thanks Steve! Isn’t it amazing how sometimes is the small, fiddly details that keep a car from running. (But it worked once the ignition was sorted out!)

  • @bigfilsing
    @bigfilsing Рік тому +2

    That took me back a fews years. Those SU's can be a pig if left to sit too long. Unscrewing the 2 black damper rod / oil caps and lifting the slides can sometimes help free up the varnish like fuel residue on the main needles. Also checking the oil level in the dampers . If empty the slides and needles tent to jump about which gives inconsistent fueling. Wonder if there are still rebuild kits around? Would love to see a video on that Cheers

  • @ClassicRider
    @ClassicRider Рік тому +1

    I had a Blue 57 - Had to roll start it - loved it - Two things - It is positive to Ground, and Brake/Clutch Oil cannot be USA but from GB or seals will leak .

  • @scottcornish3462
    @scottcornish3462 Рік тому +2

    My late father had an MGA when he met my mother in the 1960s - it was also white and they nick named it the ‘white witch’. Being a car guy, I always wanted one. Especially since Dad had one. 😊

  • @nicholasbishop3300
    @nicholasbishop3300 Рік тому +2

    Beautiful little car
    Nick Australia

  • @roycarter6235
    @roycarter6235 Рік тому +5

    Thanks for another great video. I learn heaps as you take us through the process of assessing and fault finding and correction.

  • @robpeabo509
    @robpeabo509 Рік тому +9

    Happy new year Steve! In Australia on the east coast it is 1.20pm New Years day already. I would most definitely want to see more videos on this MG. They are a beautiful vehicle.

    • @kenem1946
      @kenem1946 Рік тому +3

      I'm an Aussie on the east coast and like you have always thought highly of the MGA and have wanted one since I was a kid. Now it's too late ... they are a bit too hard to get in and out! 😃

    • @robpeabo509
      @robpeabo509 Рік тому +2

      @@kenem1946 LOL. I am too. I am rectifying that now, though I fear the old bones & joints are past it regardless of how much weight I loose! I do have a fetish for an XJ6 Jag, that would be the newest one though. Older would be great. I am a British vehicle tragic. I own a LR3 right now.

  • @michaelstair8658
    @michaelstair8658 Рік тому +1

    Great to see someone making a calm general approach to getting the car started, and not tearing into the machine. Nice idea with cleaning the spark plugs. I'll have to try it.

  • @mythrusthelema
    @mythrusthelema Рік тому +4

    Nice car, you lucked out with it. Happy New Year, I look forward to further videos.

  • @Derf1313
    @Derf1313 Рік тому +2

    Very nice, looking forward to a new year of content! Thanx !

  • @richardhill6125
    @richardhill6125 Рік тому +2

    My first car back in 1968 was a 56 MGA that wasn't nearly as nice as this one. Fast forward to this year and my recently acquired 77 MGB which is in very good condition but just needs some things sorted out and freshened up. Hopefully I can get the overdrive working like it should. I enjoy your videos and like your taste in cars. I was born in Iowa and spent many summers at my Grandma's when I was a kid . My parents would pick me up towards the end of the summer and drive us back to Wichita. They had an Austin Healey 3000 back then and I was still small enough to hang out in the jump seats in the rear. I've been in Colorado since 1968 and recently retired. I'm planning a trip back to Clarinda, IA next spring/summer for a long overdue visit. I would like to visit your site and see all your treasures and get some good advice on maintaining my MG if that would be possible. Keep those videos coming and have a Very Happy New Year!

  • @artbysteve215
    @artbysteve215 Рік тому +1

    Thanks for the video on this MG. Yes, please show us more like this one!

  • @johnshrader1655
    @johnshrader1655 Рік тому +2

    Another fine video. Let's see you drive this MGA. HappyNew Year.

  • @mslindadoll
    @mslindadoll Рік тому +1

    Good job on diagnostics!

  • @malcolmgibson6288
    @malcolmgibson6288 Рік тому +1

    Always good to watch you fixing cars. This one like me, nearly 70 with issues.

  • @paulhall170
    @paulhall170 Рік тому +1

    Another old jewel succumbs to Steve's logic and methodology. Nice one, Steve,

  • @SierraJohn
    @SierraJohn Рік тому +2

    Good one. I'd like to see more MGA videos.

  • @erepsekahs
    @erepsekahs Рік тому

    I had one in 1964. It was a nightmare, but I loved it. Lucas Electrics and a warped head. Damn. But it was very, very pretty.

  • @ImsTwo
    @ImsTwo Рік тому +1

    Happy new year and thanks for all the great videos

  • @friguy4444
    @friguy4444 Рік тому +1

    I love your cars and collection. Your videos are great as well because you feature unique cars. Thank you again for the great cars and content!

  • @QBRX
    @QBRX Рік тому +1

    Great job on this one. I love those cars!

  • @bobmanzi7712
    @bobmanzi7712 Рік тому +2

    As always great stuff Steve thanks. Happy New Year to you and yours from me and mine. I look forward to another year of great content

  • @MGMan-ce7sf
    @MGMan-ce7sf Рік тому +2

    Happy New Year Steve. May we get many more cool videos like this showcasing your amazing diagnostic skills!

  • @stephenmctaggart8400
    @stephenmctaggart8400 Рік тому +2

    Lovely car Steve. Happy New Year.

  • @anthonymcandrew529
    @anthonymcandrew529 Рік тому +2

    Thanks for another excellent, very detailed video. Thanks & Happy New Year to you!

  • @jimwiskus8862
    @jimwiskus8862 Рік тому +2

    Great job Steve! Happy New Years to you and yours. See you in the next installment.

  • @johndavey72
    @johndavey72 Рік тому +1

    Not a problem for you Steve . Top man ! Happy New Year to you and your family.

  • @tourettestrickenshan
    @tourettestrickenshan Рік тому +1

    I search for this car on UA-cam just about every day.. I was stoked to see a channel I was already subscribed to.... Excited to see more of this car :)

  • @terryrust5683
    @terryrust5683 Рік тому +1

    just lucked into finding your channel, glad I did Im working on a 59 MGA just now trying to put it all together and look forward to learning from you as I try to get it back to life

    • @ThisWeekWithCars
      @ThisWeekWithCars  Рік тому

      You can check out all of my MG videos in this playlist: ua-cam.com/play/PLRMQ-ShmnWOYTEA1Cdv-5PfVQneIjKUwJ.html

  • @garyverville8211
    @garyverville8211 Рік тому +1

    Great video Steve, very informative. I learn something new every time I watch your videos.

  • @bbrut3332
    @bbrut3332 Рік тому +1

    A Happy New Year Steve. Thanks for all the interesting videos in 2022. Hopefully we will see a many more in 2023.

  • @edsalerno2790
    @edsalerno2790 Рік тому +1

    Enjoyed learning more about changing from positive to negitive ground. Another well done video.

  • @48920jeff
    @48920jeff Рік тому +1

    Great episode. Happy Nee Year. 🎉

  • @timbutton4990
    @timbutton4990 Рік тому +1

    Happy New Year Steve, you make these 'Will It Start?' video's look simple, but it takes a thorough understanding of these old systems and a Whitworth tool kit to get the job done!

  • @robertcallahan4065
    @robertcallahan4065 Рік тому +1

    Another great Vid. Thanks Steve

  • @Rock722
    @Rock722 Рік тому +1

    Steve I can not thank you enough for how much your videos have helped me, I bought a Morris minor about 18 months ago as a first car and got it back on the road after it had sat for 12 years. I learned to drive in it. I love your process of troubleshooting to find the problem, and then how to go about fixing it. Happy new year, and greetings from New Zealand.

  • @emmetband4931
    @emmetband4931 Рік тому +1

    Thanks Steve. The 1957 MG A caught my eye as the first sports car I ever drove was a 1957 MG A, great little cars.

  • @julianwinn4502
    @julianwinn4502 Рік тому +1

    Another very enjoyable episode.

  • @rob9781
    @rob9781 Рік тому +1

    Looking forward to more mg magic

  • @4418CARLOU
    @4418CARLOU Рік тому +1

    Great work.

  • @frankmartorana3955
    @frankmartorana3955 Рік тому +1

    Awesome video!

  • @starckmad1779
    @starckmad1779 Рік тому +1

    Congrats on another great find! Today I picked up the tips on torching the plugs, tightening the screw on the filter and checking polarity on the coil! Great!

  • @adriannoah7526
    @adriannoah7526 Рік тому +2

    More mga stuff it’s helping me with building mine 😂

  • @rocknrollrod5
    @rocknrollrod5 Рік тому +1

    I just bought a 59 MGA last week. I think it has a1800 V MGB motor. It was going to be delivered yesterday and the fuel pump didn't kick in. I'm thinking fuse or bad ground, it ran the day before for the dealer. I had a 59 back in the 70ties and seeing your video brought me some memories of all the little quirks MGA have. I had to constantly tinker with it, fabricate parts I couldn't find. Electrolux brushes to rebuild wiper motor. I'm saving this and looking forward to the next.

    • @ThisWeekWithCars
      @ThisWeekWithCars  Рік тому +2

      Turn ignition on and tap the fuel pump with a hammer. It works 80% of the time.

    • @rocknrollrod5
      @rocknrollrod5 Рік тому

      @@ThisWeekWithCars The dealer put a new battery & and he's ordering a new pump. I think it's an 1800 v MGB motor. I didn't see the car yet to get numbers.

  • @beegee22
    @beegee22 Рік тому +1

    Wow! Is this the condition that it came out of storage in? It's a beauty! Yes please, more videos about this one. Thanks! 👍👍👏👏

  • @craigwiest772
    @craigwiest772 Рік тому +2

    Your canister leak brought back memories. I had bought a TR4 while in flight school and decided to service the car so I took it to the post auto shop. After changing the oil and filter I started it. The car promptly puked out about a cup of oil onto the floor. The sergeant in charge of the shop went ballistic about the mess. Never forgot to check the seals and tightness after that. Totally love your videos. I’m going to have to check my MGB since I converted to negative ground.

  • @stevescott8216
    @stevescott8216 Рік тому +1

    Yes, thanks

  • @parrotraiser6541
    @parrotraiser6541 Рік тому +1

    Very nice machine, in decent conditions. It's nice to see something that doesn't require extensive archaeology before you can even identify the components, let alone test them.
    Maybe that reversed polarity on the coil gave disappointing performance, causing the car to be parked? It wouldn't explain the 2 fouled plugs of 4, though, would it?

  • @jeffharrison5265
    @jeffharrison5265 Рік тому

    Nice My Uncle had a white MGA twin cam. That beauty started my love of sports cars. Happy New Year!

    • @jeffhildreth9244
      @jeffhildreth9244 8 місяців тому

      The worst of the MGA line. The best was the Deluxe.

  • @brentonmanser7350
    @brentonmanser7350 Рік тому +2

    i learnt something today re testing coil operation

  • @regsparkes6507
    @regsparkes6507 Рік тому +1

    Interesting MG here it now has 'blood type AB+"
    This one should be a dandy Roadster to see back on the roads.
    Thanks for this, and Yes, I'd like to see more of this one.

  • @johnrussell5245
    @johnrussell5245 Рік тому

    I have the same colour MGA (OEW with red upholstery) only mine's a Mk2 Deluxe with the Twin cam running gear. Putting the MGB engine in is a good swap, although I'd keep the original engine with it in case you ever decide to sell.

  • @blacksquirrel4008
    @blacksquirrel4008 Рік тому +1

    Nicely done, I would not have caught that.

  • @philupson4561
    @philupson4561 Рік тому +1

    I'm diving into a 56 that's been in a basement since 73

  • @davidthomits544
    @davidthomits544 Рік тому +1

    Leaking oil nothing out of the ordinary for a British car

  • @ricklorimer9984
    @ricklorimer9984 Рік тому +1

    I knew a guy in Alice Springs. in the middle of Australia who had an MGA twin cam. Rare as rocking horse shit.

  • @100CupsColombia
    @100CupsColombia Рік тому +1

    About time you do a dodgy ol Norton Triumph or BSA!

    • @ThisWeekWithCars
      @ThisWeekWithCars  Рік тому +2

      A video is in the works!

    • @100CupsColombia
      @100CupsColombia Рік тому

      @@ThisWeekWithCars Cant wait! The wonderful world of isolastic engine mounts!

  • @Amp497
    @Amp497 Рік тому +1

    More on the MGA, please!

  • @ianrussell9179
    @ianrussell9179 Рік тому +1

    More videos please on the mga thanks helping me a lot with my mga

  • @davidnelson6893
    @davidnelson6893 Рік тому +1

    Yes those are cool cars

  • @2007MXV
    @2007MXV Рік тому

    Good job…

  • @mironeko3820
    @mironeko3820 Рік тому

    More MGA, please.

  • @manytrickpony695
    @manytrickpony695 Рік тому +2

    Happy new year! While it is too late now, I'm curious why you didn't choose to just relocate the ground cable instead of rebuilding the positive cable.

    • @maxvanderploeg2896
      @maxvanderploeg2896 Рік тому +1

      And put the battery on the passenger side (near the positive cable) to balance some of the weight of the driver.

  • @fishaussie9112
    @fishaussie9112 Рік тому +1

    Great work
    But you could have used the other battery holder

  • @montanajimc
    @montanajimc Рік тому +1

    SU carbs the glitch in my MGB and my Austin Healey.

    • @jeffhildreth9244
      @jeffhildreth9244 8 місяців тому

      More myth from the wrong owner. Typical.

  • @lanceneuman9528
    @lanceneuman9528 Рік тому

    I'm going to have to check the polarity on the coil of my B-GT. I changed the polarity about 13 years ago and I can't remember if I did what you said. It has run and start easily all that time so maybe....

  • @ianatkinson8464
    @ianatkinson8464 Рік тому +1

    😎👍

  • @abchaplin
    @abchaplin Рік тому +2

    I am always intrigued by how old cars like MGs are not idiot-proof, yet how resistant the technology is to permanent damage by any idiots who mess with it.

    • @jeffhildreth9244
      @jeffhildreth9244 8 місяців тому

      And that, not Lucas, or BMC or anyone else's responsibility for failures.
      Americans do not take care of their cars as others do.

  • @tomhighway1952
    @tomhighway1952 Рік тому +2

    I don't believe the tach and speedo are original MGA items, either. They look more like MGB gauges to me. Probably came from the same donor car the engine came from.

  • @johnlambert8929
    @johnlambert8929 Рік тому +1

    lol where you located,,hope ohio !!!! and this mg is gorgeous

  • @kazcat8096
    @kazcat8096 Рік тому

    That car is as old as me looks a nice car

  • @frglee
    @frglee Рік тому +2

    Far too nice a car to be stuck in a storage facility for years and years. Some are being stored by loving owners for various reasons, but it makes me wonder how many cars like this have sadly just become part of investment portfolios, fated to be stored for decades and never used.

  • @reijerlincoln
    @reijerlincoln Рік тому +1

    Thank you Sir can I have another, Sir.

  • @hueyhoolihan582
    @hueyhoolihan582 Рік тому

    i think i would have chosen to put the new battery in the other ( right hand battery box) box and move the ground cable attachment to someplace on the right hand side of the frame. that way i could use the original cable to connect to the starter/solenoid. and the short ground cable would not present a problem getting to the frame or motor mount. that's pretty much the way i did it on my '61 mga, BITD.

    • @ThisWeekWithCars
      @ThisWeekWithCars  Рік тому +1

      Doing it this way keeps it out of the way and gives good access for the fuel pump.

    • @hueyhoolihan582
      @hueyhoolihan582 Рік тому +1

      @@ThisWeekWithCars i don't claim much in the way of an advantage in the way that i did it. :)
      BTW, i would have NEVER figured out that the coil was hooked up backwards, in that i would never have imagined that the coil would be affected by the polarity of the system. i looked it up and according to what i could find there is about a 20% decrease in output from the coil. i assume they are referring to voltage, which would mean a weak spark, i guess.
      it would interest me as to the why and how of it from a physics POV. **headscratch**