Travel Tool Kit

[David Blackborow]

New member, first post!!
Not that the B will ever breakdown, I know this to be true as BL we’re so confident they did not even install a hazard warning light switch on my 70’ B 😆. Having said that, should the impossible happen, I would like to put together a emergency tool kit to have in the boot. I don’t want to cart a whole toolbox around. Please could anyone suggest items ie: tools & bits n’ bobs, that could assist with a roadside fix (other than an AA Membership card!)
Many thanks, David

[Hazza1190]

I second the above, I too would like to know what essentials to take in the 'in case of emergency' toolkit! :)

[Andrew Tilney]

David, Your right, a correctly serviced and maintained B is very reliable, and should not break down, we are about to set off on our 12th European tour in our 1969 B, during these tours we have covered more than 40,000 miles, and had one puncher, however I do take the following parts and tools,
1 Fuel pump and sealing washers,
2 length of fuel pipe,
3 Ignition coil.
4 Set of points
5 inner tube (I have wire wheels)
6 1 spare plug lead (the longest one)
7 length of 14/10 and 28/12 cable and a hand full on connectors
Tools.2 brake pipe clamps, to many uses for these to list, 1-13/16" spanner for fuel pump unions, test condenser, dwell/volt meter,3/8" ratchet, plus 3/8"" sockets 7/16" to 3/4" screwdrivers 2 plain and 1 pozidrive no2, mole grips, a few spanners 7/16" to 3/4", a torch, pair of side cutters,and that about it,
my advice would be have it serviced by someone who knows what they are doing 2/3 weeks before you go then you will have time to rectify any faults found on service, have a good trip

[David Blackborow]

Thank you Andrew for your advise and sharing your know how. Some of those items I would not have thought of, so I will ensure they will be new additions in the boot.
I am based in New Zealand and over here we have a Warrant of Fitness (MOT) every six months on older cars. I take it to a very good MG specialist, so it is never too long before it is in the workshop being looked over!!
Thanks again for your expertise 😊

[Peter Cresswell]

I think Andrew's post above covers most things, but I would add a roll and duct tape (in the motorsport world known as 'Racer Tape' because you can stick badly damaged cars together with it!), a selection of cable ties, some fuses (make sure you have ones suitable for everything electrical on the car), blue 3M connectors plus some terminals that can be crimped onto wires with ordinary pliers, will help to quickly sort electrical maladies. And don't forget that the electrical wire can also be used to tie up an exhaust system. A few nuts and bolts in a bag doesn't go amiss either. My 1969 car has a single 12v battery instead of two 6v batteries, and I fitted a Moss plastic battery box to the unused battery tray and used that to carry spares.
Before you go, make sure all the various hoses are in good condition, and you can get to all the hose clips without taking the engine out! Before going to France (ambient temps were mid 30s) last year I fitted a Moss Radiator Shroud and that kept the air flowing through the radiator in heavy traffic with just the standard fan to pull the air. We did have some potentially more serious problems - the engine became increasing smoky pulling uphill in OD 4th and a slight misfire developed at the same time and the gearbox lost all it's oil - twice! But the car got home under its own power.
Remember, the more you take the less likely you are to need anything!

[Charles Farran]

To Andrew''s list i would add an alternator/water pump/fan belt appropriate for the car which is known to fit the car . It sits neatly in the rim of the spare tyre.Ensure you have a car jack that fits under the car (not the original). I also carry a spare top & bottom hose + a small hose to match one that feeds the heater box.I picked up an unused Renault 9(?) jack compltete with plasic box.for £2 that fits neatly between the spare tyre and near side of the rear wheel arch !
I have made a list(in a plastic sleave) of what i carry in the car (& where) & keep it under the passenger seat as some spares are under the spare wheel & in a stressful breakdown situation one can forget what you have with you & where it is!!!
Apologies if items have already been covered & lack of ordered response!
Cheers, Charles

[Andrew Tilney]

I think the most important part of all this is correct maintenance, and a strict service schedule, then items like fan belts, hoses, oil leaks, water leaks, etc,should not be a problem, I always service my car when I put it back on the road after its winter storage, so that's just once a year, however during the year, I will grease it several times, adjust the brakes, check the levels, lights, tyres,
During its service I always replace the plugs and points, and remove the fan belt and give it a good inspection, and if any doubt renew it, (Gates cogged belt is less than £4-00) the same with coolant hoses, if I cant fully inspect them, I remove them to inspect, I also change the brake fluid every service, one very important item I think a lot of people neglect, is wheel spokes, during service when I have the wheels off I take them to the bench give them a clean and inspect every spoke for damage and tension, (in the last 12 years I have found 3 broken spokes) other items that sometimes get overlooked is gearbox/OD oil change and filer clean,(every 24 months or 24,000 miles whichever is sooner) the extra cost of replacement of these parts annually, is worth it for peace of mind, when you are over 1,000 miles from home in a foreign country, where you perhaps don't even speak there language, its the middle of the night, its raining and you are in the middle of nowhere, you will be glad you serviced your car properly,

[Andrew Tilney]

I forgot to mention on cars fitted with carburettor crankcase ventilation, changing the oil filler cap is a service item, that should be changed every 12,000 miles or 12 months, (helps with engine oil leaks)

[Charles Farran]

I'm in total agreement with Andrew with respect to a strict maintenance schedule - given the lack of weight re belt & hoses & lack of space they take up, i keep them handy in the boot as a bit of insurance. ( I was once sharing a long journey with a friend in the mid seventies & one of his hoses split on his Cortina - it was not fun limping home with a quick fit with some binding tape & a rag as he didn't carry any spare hose with frequent stops to top up the coolant )!
Cheers, Charles

[steveshepstone]

Pleased to report that having driven MGB's on continental tours for years, I've never had to use any of the spare parts carried. Agree with all previous suggestions but didn't see any reference to spare rubbers for master cylinders, clutch slave and wheel cylinders. They're cheap and take up little space.