Inside this manual you will find routine maintenance, tune-up procedures, engine repair, cooling and heating, air conditioning, fuel and exhaust, emissions control, ignition, brakes, suspension and steering, electrical systems, and wiring diagrams. 
Inside this manual you will find routine maintenance, tune-up procedures, engine repair, cooling and heating, air conditioning, fuel and exhaust, emissions control, ignition, brakes, suspension and steering, electrical systems, and wiring diagrams.
Typical Haynes manual -wonderfully detailed “how to do it” A bit of the British terms can be confusing, but the exploded diagrams have saved us time & again. I disagree that this book is just for novices, we have several MG’s and a copy always accompanies us in the boot during long trips. If you are looking to put a MG back together – spring for Haynes Restoration Manual by Lindsay Porter. Both will save you hours of headaches!
I recently rebuilt my engine on my 1972 MGB, and while I did find the chapter on engine rebuilding helpful, there were times when the writing could have been less vague, not to mention the archaic use of “whilst” for the word while. The section on inserting the distributor drive was vague, and I had often contacted Brit-Tek for much-needed advice. Also, on the section describing replacing the rings, the book states to have the ring gaps at a 90 degree angle from the thrust side of the engine. The book doesn’t tell you that the thrust side is the right side of the engine. There are also sections in the book, such as that for torque settings, that merely state what the torque settings are for early and later cars — but without being specific and stating which years are the early and which years are the later cars! There are three different connecting rods, and mine requires the torque setting of 33 pounds. This is not the early setting, which I believe they have at 40 pounds. Again, this is essential to know, if you don’t want to snap a nut and incure the cost of purchasing new connecting-rod bolts. Issues such as these, make the book sometimes frustrating.
I also had the help of a British car garage, Moss Motors and Brit-Tek — all of which were a great help. The folks at Victoria British generally have little or no knowledge of mechanical issues. Finally, I will add that Peter Burgess’ book “How to Power-Tune your MGB” was further helpful.
This manual came with the 1964 MGB that I bought in Missoula, Montanta (western edge) and promptly drove across the country to Oakton, Virginia. The critics of this manual live on some other planet. This is the original repair manual, I could not live without it, and it is as historic as the MGB to which it pertains.
It can certainly be complemented by other books. The two that I chose and am very pleased with are the Original MGB with MGC and MGB GT V8 by Anders Ditlev Clausager, and the Haynes Restoration Manual MGB (2nd Edition). The first is NOT a restoration manual as it advertises itself to be. It is more like a coffee table book, a showroom “this is what perfect looks like” book. The second, by Lindsay Porter, is a really superior piece of work that brings complex photographic illustrations, detailed descriptions, and context. See my separate reviews of these latter two books. All three are essential.
The value of this book, the original MGB 19962-1980 guide, apart from its substance, is how well is conveys the idea that the MGB, the last and only car I have every been able to understand, was in fact intended as a racing sports car that could be both maintained and restored by its owner.
Fowler and Haynes have done a fabulous job of photographing and documenting the complete disassembly and reassembly of an MGB. Since most parts are identical from ’64-’80, it will cover just about everything you need to know about working on your MG. If you are not British then some of the terms can be a bit confusing but you should know the lingo anyway. Or so say the purists. The book is inexpensive enough to buy 2 copies, one for the shop and one for in the house (so you can keep it clean). Just the money I saved in doing my first brake job on an MG paid for the cost of the book and then some. There still is no substitute for having an Abingdon mechanic looking over your shoulder but this is a great second option.
Everything you need is here; except the parts. Only the factory manual could be more complete and that book is harder to read and doesn’t include the easier to read wiring diagram or the much clearer exploded parts diagrams and the pictures. Maybe the Victoria British catalog is clearer on the parts, but not on the knowledg to fix the darn things.
Keep a copy in the boot with your torch, spanner and a length of broom handle for whacking the starter. You’ll never know when the anti-christ Lucas will strike or rust will win over that amazing british steel.
In typically thorough Haynes manual detail, the MGB edition will enable the weekend hobbyist to become a weekend mechanic. If you’re looking for buying tips and historical context, you won’t find it here… the book is entirely devoted to removing, repairing, and replacing just about every serviceable component of the car – from the engine and transmission to the windshield washer motor. You should know which end of a screwdriver is up, as the book is long on the “what to do” but short, at times, on exactly how to go about doing it. The exploded parts diagrams alone are worth the price of the book.
The bodywork section is generalized – get Lindsay Porter’s DIY guide for that. For the mechanical systems which make your car go, these are the best twelve dollars you can spend – don’t leave home without it.
While not nearly as comprehensive as the Bentley workshop manual, the Haynes contains 80% of all the information you will need for your MGB and for the price you can afford to get it dirty.
Great hoe to book for working on your own car. Great descriptions and pictures to guide you thru the process.
I’m not a big fan of Haynes books but they are better than nothing. The MGB book lived down to my expectations. While there is enough information to get work done, several procedures did not apply to my car even though they are stated to. For instance the pictures and procedures for servicing the cooling systems did not match my vehicle at all.
This has been my experience with other Haynes books as well. I recommend getting them only if there is no alternative such as Chilton or the “factory” manual.
ordered for my husband as I bought him an MGB for his birthday. It needs work and he loves the book with the detailed drawings and technical directions to get things put the right way to make his car drivable. In just two days he had it on the road.