MGB Electrical Systems: Updated & Revised New Edition (Essential Manual)

I've owned and maintained my 1972 MGB since 1977. It has been the most fun "thing" which I continue to enjoy spring through fall. It is so simple, so elegant, and so much fun. The basic design and mechanical workings are very robust. It's weakness is most likely the marginal electrical system. I have an ongoing interest of all things MG through online forums and enthusiast blogs...(free info). I wouldn't have normally have spent the money on this book, but due to the generosity of one of my daughters (via an Amazon credit) I made this purchase. The amount of detail, photos, schematics, insight and recommendations is truly worthwhile for the MGB enthusiast. Rick Astley knows and appreciates the MGB for what it was and can be to current owners in this "updated & revised new edition". The advice and info on modern circuit relays is very valuable. I never expected to see such worthy information for a car whose production ended in 1980.

I have had the manual for several months and have essentially read it in its entirety and have used it extensively.It is an EXCELLENT manual. Hands down, the best written, illustrated and organized auto-electrical book I've owned. Needless to say I would consider it a "must have" for the MG owner. It has sufficient detail to allow full recondition of the electrical system yet it remains easy to read and follow and would assist any casual repair (as in bulb replacement.) Detailed wire harness and wire color charts provide great tracing assistance. The author provides "how it works" insights; when you finish the job - you will know not only how you fixed it but how and why it works . Finally the suggested improvements are practical, useful and detailed. Don't be put off by the somewhat high price. It's a bargain and worth the buy.

Great book! As an electrical engineer and a person who has owned and modified MGBs since the early 1970s, I can really appreciate the accurate knowledge and advice this book contains. Most books just show the wiring diagrams and add a few explanations without any real "hands on" knowledge of MGs, just cars in general. This book is MGB specific. It explains the electrical system components in easy to understand layman's terms and carefully describes ways to improve the car's electrical system detailing the advantages of each modification. Many improvements are very quick and easy such as adding proper ground connections to lamps and converting to a single battery while others are more complicated such as converting from positive ground (earth) to negative ground (earth). The author even supports the modifications with test results (why change something if there will be no resulting improvement? Many of the changes would benefit other makes of vintage cars as well. Anyone interested in the maintaining or modifying any parts of the electrical system of their MGB should definitely purchase a copy of this book.

Necessary book for people with older MGB's . very organized and full of information

I have had my 65 MGB since 1985, and have done all the work done to it over the years. Now that I am dealing with a 45 year old wiring harness, I thought it was a good time to see how I can keep the old girls wiring from emitting smoke and fire. I was really interested in how to incorporate relays into the electrical system, and this book does a great job of not only telling you how to do it, but provides several photographs to help you along. There is even a chapter on electrical theory and how it relates to automobiles. Aside from this chapter, the book is written in plain English. There are lots of great ideas to be had in this book, and I would consider it an essential book to have along with the Bentley manual, and of course the Chilton manual. I would recommend getting this book while it is still available, and still at a decent cost.

Great book! The book does a great job of breaking down electrical systems with colored wire schematics and how it works. I was happy and hoping to find a wiring diagram for my overdrive circuit. I would recommend this book to any MGB owner that works on their own car.

If you own or wrench on an MGB this is a book that must have! Everything you could want to know about your MGB's electrical system!!

Well organized, excellent general discussions and then details on the project and problems. Excellent wiring diagrams illustrated in bold color. Covers everything. A valued resource in restoration.

This manual is a great resource for understanding, diagnosing and repairing electric issues. This takes a lot of frustration out of understanding this vital necessity.

Das Buch ist insgesamt wirklich gut gelungen. Die Grafiken sind absolut hilfreich, die Texte dazu wirklich sehr gut verständlich und teilweise sogar humorvoll geschrieben. Der Autor geht auch ausreichend auf die unterschiede in den Modelljahren der MGBs ein. Er beschreibt etwa die unterschiede der 12V Batterie der späteren zu den 2x 6V Batterien der früheren Modelle. Auch auf sehr spezielle Themen wie etwa das richtige Verlöten der Stecker geht er ein. Insgesamt wird nicht nur das elektrische System des MGBs insgesamt vorgestellt, sondern viel Hintergrundwissen vermittelt, da der Autor verstanden hat, dass jeder MGB seine eigene Geschichte hinter sich hat und oft eben von Vorbesitzern viel verändert und gepfuscht wurde. So versteht man die Systeme sehr gut und kann dann nicht nur "nach Rezept" vorgehen und Arbeiten, sondern man kann den Wagen reparieren, weil man es verstanden hat, wie es sein sollte. Was ich beonders gut finde ist, dass nicht nur einfach der originale Zustand beschrieben wird, sondern auch aus heutiger Sicht verbesserungen vorgeschlagen werden, mit denen man das Auto bzw genauer die elektrischen Systeme robuster/weniger Fehleranfällig machen kann. Vorrausgesetzt ist natürlich, dass man der Englischen Sprache reichlich mächtig ist!!

I already have a good knowledge of classic car electrical systems, especially Triumph, and didn't think I needed any more books on the subject. However a pending overhaul of a rubber bumpered MGB made me look again. Glad I did as this book can offer hints and tips to the novice and expert alike. If you want a reference book on classic car electrical systems with good explanations and practical advice this is a good choice.

Essential Reading for the MG Owner.

Very effective and interesting