FORGOTTEN 1979 MG - Will It Run and Drive After Decades? 

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That annoying buzzer you hear on the MG is the seatbelt buzzer. You’ll also notice there’s some blocks between the frame and the body because USA headlight laws came into affect so they just raise the whole car versus changing the headlights.

Weird thing in the trunk is the jack. 2 things that help these run, 1) turn out all the lights, left the hood and start it, than chase down and fix all the sparks. 2) dribble 1/2 teaspoon or so of light weight oil into the top of the carbs (that little screw top thing on top of the carbs) my MG’s always ran a lot better after these fixes.

My parents had a GT version when I was a kid in the late 80's. Your American market dashboards are quite different to what our UK ones had. And the triple wipers, we had to make do with 2... great little cars, twin SU's carbs on uk models, they sound great.

Normally the zenith carbs go in the bin and swop it out for a Weber

At least the folks across the pond will be happy that you're doing some of their stuff

You did put oil in the dashpot on the carb right ?

I live in the uk and owned a couple of these all I can say is good luck and God's speed to you dylan. Oh at 54:40 that was a very familiar and common sound and those carbs if you sneezed on them they went out of adjustment. The run-on (diesel'in) is usually timing

just about every MGB trunk and hood gets deformed from fools slamming them down before releasing the prop rod!

And the record for dieseling goes to Dylan. Great video.

Gauges are important in an old brit shed ...temp to show you its running right even though its virtually seized...fuel to show you there might be a fuel tank installed so you dont have to stop and check the trunk ...oil pressure to warn if its going to leak additional oil when you move it and a clock so you know how long the tow truck will take...

Absolutely hilarious! It's a runner, but quite cantankerous. Keep up the great work!

That hardtop is worth whatever you paid for the whole car.. impossible to find.

Dylan, welcome to the hobby of British Cars! My wife and I fullfilled a life-long dream of owning an MGB last year. The activities and club participation for these cars is next to none. I encourage you to join your local MG club! In fact, I met of few of the guys from your area at the Brits on the Bay show in Pensacola last week. One of them had met you at some point. Cheers!

I’ll be completely honest I’ve had an absolutely horrible day but seeing Dylan being goofy in the mg gave me a good laugh that I needed

Hi Dylan your version of what we English people like is funny man like the midgit build pull the small engine and drop a V8 in the hole. Good luck fella.😅

I think the MGB GT V8 would suit Dylan more. The hard top MGB GT is a far better looking car than the roadster, especially the chrome bumpered cars. I think many people in here exaggerate about how unreliable these cars are, they are OK if MAINTANED properly, and not bodged by a cheap skate in the past.

😂😂😅😅😂😂 Just started the video. Youre going to attempt to start this car. All I can think of is my Neighbor from the early 1970s trying to start his MG. Same model. It ran once a month. The rest of the time the hood was up and it wasnt running! 😂😂😂

I just got my 1973 MGB running after it had been sitting since 1993.

You should have some atf-oil in the upper part of the carb, under the little yellow cap. It stabilises the throttle. Fill until you have some resistance when lifting the throttle. Good luck and a great video as always.😊

I just got home from a fun day driving my 1979 MGB around in the sun thought I would check some RU-vid, and then...this! I am five minutes into the video, can't wait to see what you do with this one. I have had my MGB for just over a year; it is my first british car. I have gone through the electrical system and cooling system, put in electronic ignition and tuned it up. Lots of plans to replace/repair more but for now I am having fun driving it.

I have a 1998 MG-F very similar in shape and size to your MG. Also with a soft top and a hard top. There is always a lot of work to do, but that is simply the case with English cars. Nevertheless, I have a lot of fun with it, And although the engine is small, the weight is also small and you can tear through the corners with it and have a lot of fun with it.

You should contact Steve channel. “ This week with cars “ He knows everything about MGs

My dad had a 79 mgb with a Range Rover v8 in it with 5 speed and mustang 2 front suspension. It was a little hot rod and it was so much fun to ride in.

the wiring on that is Lucas or as we refer to the "prince of darkness" probably the worst system ever!! three total fuses.

Mg used a B series 1.8ltr four cylinder engine. The British used twin carburetors on UK models and capable of doing 105mph. The buzzer could be a seat belt warning alarm.

Sounds like it running on 2 n 3 quarter cylinders. Terrible rust traps and unreliable. In the uk we might have a day or 2 when you could get the roof down 😂 if you love it then ur more than welcome to keep the darn thing 😂😂

Stole this for you from a MG site: As long as the alternator is still turning, power is back fed through the white wire to the ignition relay. The same white wire that powers the fuel pump. The ignition relay stays energized so the ignition coil still see's 12V. Even if the fuel pump isn't getting enough current to deliver more fuel there's enough in the carb float bowl to continue running for a few seconds. I have an 80 model and diagnosed this condition long ago. The anti run-on system is absolutely necessary and it can be tricky to correctly diagnose. It should only pull a slight vacuum on the carb's float bowl when you switch off the key. It can fail to pull ANY vacuum or can pull a slight vacuum all the time and interfere with idle. Get the anti run-on system working and you won't have any problems. OR change the way the ignition is wired.

I was sitting here thinking "when is Dylan McCool doing another video?". I swear not even five minutes later here we are! It's so cool seeing you tackle something a little out of your wheelhouse but that makes it even cooler. God bless you sir.

Sorry Dylan, but I really wonder how much stupidity it takes for some one to push the boodlid so hard that it breaks before they realise they are doing something wrong.

Just pull that hardtop off, and drive that thing the way the British intended -- topless (the car, not you Dylan 🙂)!

to stop dieseling put tranny into gear and let out clutch. for the life of me I can not figure out why you cut the muffler off.

That thing runs better with the key off than it does with the key on!

despite the minimal approach to patching it up, it runs and sounds pretty good. A little extra effort and she could be a wonderful runner...

It was worth watching the video just to see the car diesel for two minutes 😂 I think the water pump is acting up and the thermostat. That engine was hot 🔥 keep up the good work and the awesome videos Dylan 👍✌️🇺🇲

Great video! I have a 77 Mgb and my son has a 79 Midget and we both love our British sports cars. and we are planning on taking the both on power tour this year.

An old mentor of mine used to have one cherry red, that he converted the entire car to electric, run it off golf cart batteries and did all the mechanical stuff himself...and this was late 90's early 00's, beautiful little car, i want one so bad tbh, great job Dylan!!!

Hey Dylan, when a car excessively Diesel's like that, the quickest way I've I've dealt with it is to put the car in gear, and release the clutch. And make sure the parking brake is on.

Now I really want to get the heater core, brakes, and front end work done on my Town Car so I can pick up the orange MGB GT hatch sitting in a field somewhere around me. Convertibles are cool but only useful in mild weather. Also, no rubber baby buggy bumpers in '74, just rubber caps on the chrome bumper guards. Might be a fun little commuter car once it's roadworthy. Can't be any more of a money pit than my minivan was...is...it's still not done either but I'm driving it anyway to get the work done on the Lincoln.

Dash pot carbs need filling with oil,take the yellow cap off and check for oil. it's what creates the vacume. Rover used those on their V8 3500cc engines,the can be changed for Holleys. See if you can find a MG-BT. got the English Rover V8 3500 cc in it

My mum used to have a '66 or '67 bright red MGB with the chrome bumpers and man that was a cool car. Still wish she had it. The B Series I must admit does sound nice in the upper rev range without a muffler 😆 They made a version with the C Series inline 6 but it was too heavy for the car and ruined the handling. the GT was nice if you liked the fastback look and could be found with the Rover 3.5 V8 which was lighter then the cast iron B Series. Very cool little roadster in my book.

My first mod would be removing that buzzer....

FYI - those car came with a bag of tools from the dealer because they knew it would break down.

You need a tweed jacket and a flat cap while driving that car.

I would love to see more videos on this old Girl @Dylan McCool

That oil filter looks like it's Overkill, looks like it would last a lifetime for that engine! And that alarm probably was to remind you to put your seat belts on

What that thing needs is a twin turbo six dropped in. Have no idea why anyone screws around with a 9 year old battery. If it doesn’t hold a charge, it is junk. Usually like your videos but this one fell short. Have fun and stay safe.

Not the best British sports car but good to something made in England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 on the channel

Coild that annoying buzzing be a door buzzer that goes off when the keys are in the ignition and door is open to let you know the keys are still in the ignition so you dont lock them in the car. Used to be on most every car.

As an MG fan from England it’s great to see you do an MGB even though i subscribed for mopars it’s nice to have some variety

Door buzzard.. shut the drivers side door and it stops😅

I know these vehicles all to well. Had fun with it though.

I don't know the bible by heart yet, but i really enjoyed looking up Romans 10:9-10. God bless ya!

Its a single carbed model for us emission standards,in europe,this engine has dual carb setup,and had 25hp+power.😁

Check out Flying Sparks Garage's 1976 MG restoration for an omen of what's in store.😁

Best episode so far!!

This vehicle will be showroom floor new when Dylan is done with all the parts that are brand new in the first 40 minutes lmfao 😂😂 @Dylan McCool

You probably already figured out that the head gasket is blown lol. Dump the clutch next time it diesels that was painful 🤣

Spray your starter fluid down a vacuum line. It reaches the engine better. Also you can put gas on a rag and stuff the rag into air filter housing works just as good as starter fluid.

Omg that Car sounds Bad ass With the muffler Missing 😮😮😅 so awesome @49:00 @Dylan McCool

Did these things have Lucas electronics? Y'know, the "Prince Of Darkness"? 🚗🤘

You ought to do like morski does and buy a bunch of inner tubes of various sizes that way it's a quick fix and you don't have to buy the tire

you might contact the guy that does Barn Finds at Hagerty--utube--he restored a Woody----he might be able to give you some people to talk to in your area

Everybody that has ever owned a British car is laughing at the newbie. You are only scratching the surface of repairs.

I’ve been obsessed with MG’s lately then Dylan drops an MG video. The universe may be telling me something.

Oh and British leyland electrics speak for them selves as you found out 😂😂😂

such a shame that British import cars got hampered by smog regulations, low compression, smog pumps, crappy carbs.

fix the cooling , clutch and put some wheels' tires on it and she should be golden. could be your motor mount situation is throwing off the clutch

Loved this one Dylan. Growing up my dad had a dark green MGB. Rode a many mile back and forth to the NC Coast in it. They are super temperamental cars though🤣

The last mg i worked on needed to rebuild the head. Number four valve was dead.

Greetings from England🙏 Wow! MGb Roadster. That’s was a highly desired car in The UK back in the day. Love it👌

You fill the radiator through the thermostat

Try a Clymer and a Chilton's Manual, Dylan - I went through my 69 with just those - straight through to a valve job and re-ring, replace electric fuel pump, rebuild calipers, replace brake and clutch master, rebuild clutch slave ... much more. And it was 2 x 6V batteries with Positive Ground, twin SU's, lovely Lucas electricals and Lockheed hydraulics plus the REAL spinner wire wheels and an external Bendix spring on the starter. Mine was bought out of a junkyard for $350 in 1976, was a hatchback, was driven home, and got full body work and paint in the garage - GM Metallic close equivalent of Hunter Green; bit darker😁.

I’m sorry if I’m totally out of line, but the sponsor payday loan thing comes across as slimey.

Hang on thats not a Mopar lol the MG is as long as a chargers hood you know what they say about guys with small cars....😅

I as well was wondering where has Dylan been and Bam there you are. While MG's yes can be a little problematic if you can work out the bugs from it sitting it will almost always run. Great job Thnx 👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸

The rusty rims are in need of a wire brush, and a coat of silver Rust-Oleum paint.

Lol enjoy that Lucas "electronics " lol (relays, switches, ignition) Other then Lucas products they can be fun

We used a late 80’s v6 camaro alternator on our 79 MG, cheaper and charges better

I've had 2 MGBs, a 76 and a 77, both droptops with Overdrivs (right stalk) they can be electrical nightmares but fun to drive.

Definitely sounds like a race car now since you cut the muffler off @Dylan McCool

Add oil to the top of the carburettor, unscrew the cap and add, will run like a pig otherwise

I love your channel I love that there’s no foul language that means a lot. You find the coolest cars.

Never mind the MGB...was that a '68 Galaxie on the lift at the beginning of the video? I worked with a guy that fully restored his MGB, so it's nice to see another one, despite the myriad of problems that took it off the road.

By the way im pretty sure that buzzer was only on American car models.

Isn’t the annoying beeper because the door is open? I mean, just roll down the windows and close the effin door.

I had a buddy in high School that had a few of these and I remember him telling me it's a very simple car to work on.

When Worlds Collide! Been watching you and envy your rides and now you have a British rot box-got a 1967 mgb gt on my drive being hacked to Ribbons because of rot. GOOD LUCK!

Hi,Dylan,if you need some tips about the mg you can try to contact Steve on is RU-vid channel THIS WEEK WITH CARS, he is an expert on foreign cars from great britain ,keep the good work from a subscriber in canada.

My sister has been after one of these for a while as a project to work on with her husband. Nice to see someone like yourself dig into one and see what kind of trouble someone can get in!

Good god Man. Put it in 4th gear and let the clutch out, don't just let it sit there and diesel like that.

My boyfriend also has a 1979 MBG. It was a one owner car that hasn’t run in years so should be fun to get running again

I bought my 1974.5 MGB from a salvage yard for $500. Bleeding the clutch was a real treat for me. But I have her running, driving, and stopping. And you're right, they're a lot of fun to putt around in.

Maybe they got tired of the ignition buzzer and abandoned it. Maybe it's a seat beat warning?

That’s the seatbelt buzzer. Way before the days of chimes, beeps, and synthesized voices.

Can't be Truely British unless it's a right hand drive 😂😂

Dylan is one of the few RU-vidrs who can make sponsor messages entertaining, Getting that early 2000s TV vibe. Absolutely love car content ❤

why do you have a lift and always do everything laying on the floor?

I work retail and theres a guy who always comes to my work to shop and drives a 1976 MG Midget, all original. It's a beautiful little car and comically small looking compared to cars nowadays. I took a picture of it next to a Nissan crossover and it still looks tiny lol.

My first car was a 1978 MGB. I’ll never get rid of it, it’s my most prized possession