WIPER WOES

1

Although we fitted a set of new wiper blades back in part one of Project MGB GT, the view through the windscreen when it rained was rather like looking out of a bathroom window. The blades didn’t seem to be pressing down on the glass correctly, so we suspected the arms had lost their tension.

2

Despite fitting a brand new pair of wipers six months ago, the rubber on one of the blade had split and when pulled came away with very little force. This just shows how some replacement parts aren’t up to the job, as we’d not used the wipers very much since the blades were replaced.

3

Fitting a pair of new wiper arms and blades solved the problem and once the car had thoroughly warmed up on the next long run, the demister even pushed out a trickle of heat. So at last I can see clearly now, just as Johnny Nash once sang back in 1972, the year after our ‘B rolled off the production line at Abingdon.

4

After fitting the new wiper blades and arms, the next job was to check the drain was clear at the base of the MG’s phlegm chamber as a small amount of water was still leaking onto the front footwell mats. The bottom of the airbox was clear, as was the end of the rubber drain next to the gearbox.

5

To keep the MG’s plenum chamber clear of dried leaves and debris, a small piece of stainless wire mesh was fitted underneath the chrome grille before it was refitted. As water was draining out of the chamber when a hose was waved over it, the source of the leak is still under investigation.