MG
The Classic Marque

Here you go---

https://mg-cars.org.uk/cgi-bin/or17?runprog=mgbbs&access=61568411105034&mode=archiveth&subject=13&subjectar=13&thread=20230209082414214528

That really is a nice car Paul, you must be very proud of it.
Also, back to steering wheels, here a while back I'd been talking on-line to a guy (Rocky) with an MGY with a std. black steering wheel which he wiped clean with a polishing cloth that he'd used to polish his car using turtle wax---something on the cloth or in the remaining polish on it melted the rim of his wheel overnight just leav...

Gordon
I am sorry I cant help as have not done the job, but in case you havent seen it, you may find the six pages dedicated to carpet installation on Barney's site of use - https://mgaguru.com/mgtech/interior/int101.htm

I have used a kit sourced from GATEROS PLATING for a number of years with satisfactory results.
More generally used to provide surface protection to workshop tools and equipment of my own manufacture where I do not wish to risk material hardening or components are too large for realistic hot quenching.
Alternative is unused engine oil (old oil smells too much) with components being heated ...

There's also a cold blacking process that deposits a copper selenium compound on the surface.

https://duracoatfirearmfinishes.com/manganese-phosphate-parkerizing-kit

https://www.caswelleurope.co.uk/black-oxide-parkerizing

Parkerizing

What is the black finish sometimes applied to steel? Its not a paint, as it doesnt form a skin. It's more like anodising of some sort. Or a chemical dip? Is it something that can be replicated at home?

Never dealt with either of them built rwo MGBs from scratch with sole supplier. MGB Hive who have been superb

The 1275 valves have triple grooves, so I will have to to get new collets, and possibly caps. They are not expensive. As you say, I might have to shim the springs, but Minispares have a set of springs which they say don't need shimming. I need to go through my stock of springs and check them for poundage. Maybe I can reuse some of them.