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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Block huggers again

Hi everyone just fitting the V8 into my MGB 1980 I have the engine in the stock position it is all square in the bay the problem is the right hand block hugger is touching the steering rod this cant be normal any help would be appreciated
Mick Black
Michael Black

Mine touched during the install so I put shims on the steering side motor mount. They’re designed to do this for this very reason.
George Champion

George
how many shims did you put in
Mick
Michael Black

Michael

Get the RV8 left hand rubber mount - it is narrower than the right hand one and shifts the engine over a bit to clear the steering.

Even so you will find the engine settles on the rubbers and the huggers move closer to the shaft over time.

You really need to also fix up a steady bar to stop the engine rocking over under acceleration.
Chris Betson

Chris
the RV8 engine mount sounds good where will I get one
Mick
Michael Black

Mick,

I used the two stock shims that came with my MGB, just put them both on the same side. I don’t remember how thick they were, but it only gave me about an eighth inch clearance. Adding shims raise the motor half as much as it sets the motor to the side so you can’t add too many.
George Champion

This is a problem with blockhuggers. Most engines with blockhuggers and rubber bumper racks and crossmembers are either tilted or offset. I wanted to keep my engine low and used an elaborate jointing system to put the rack pinion as low and outboard as possible. I used a borgeson at the rack on a shortened pinion, an intermediate shaft support (rose joint) and a double u-joint at the lower end of the steerin shaft. I also used a pre 68 steering shaft (column) as I liked the looks and wanted the early metal dash.
James Johanski

You should check the rubber mounts that fit between the Xmember & the chassis rails. If they're on the worn or thin side they can reduce the header/steering shaft clearance. If all else fails, you can increase the thickness of these mounts with extra rubber to gain more clearance. Barrie E
Barrie Egerton

Mick,

You could try your local MG Rover dealer, or alternatively try Clive Wheatley or Malcolm Beer.

Possibly also Rimmer Brothers ?

Regards,

Dave
Dave Brooke

Michael
My factory car came with three shims - i did try it with two but the manifolds touched the steering under heavy acceleration (no engine steady tie) - the RV8 mount does move the engine over to the left and helps the starter to stay clear of the bodywork BUT the blockhugger is so close to the spar on the other side that it too can touch.

and for those of you thinking HEAT - the neatest answer is 'coating' but lagging also does the job.

Roger

Yes I have got an RV8 LH engine mount installed as well as three shims
Roger

Thanks everyone for the replys everyone I tried the local MG rover dealer for an RV8 mount they said "I have never heard of one of them is it an old car" I will try the shims under see if that helps
mick
Michael Black

>>>I tried the local MG rover dealer for an RV8 mount they said "I have never heard of one of them is it an old car"<<<

Ignorant and lazy response!!

Go back to the dealer and suggest that he keeps up to date with standard MG Rover part information and refers to MG Rover parts Fiche AKM 1203, if the dealership doesn't have the CD distributed part information.

Then you could show him how to insert slide 1 in a reader and once the lamp is on go down to NO2 which oddly enough is titled 'Engine Mountings'!

Part number ZKC 6611 applies to the LH mounting rubber with ZKC 6612 applying to the right one for your information. The nut for the threaded stud on the mounting may well be metric so you may want to buy GHF 202 at the same time.

It does annoy me to hear of this sort of response from dealer staff, but with the state of RV8 parts generally we may not be able to blame him if these are in short supply.

Rog
Roger Parker

Don't pay Rover prices - go to Clive Wheatley!!!
Chris Betson

Try RV8 headers that go through the inner fender instead.
Jarrod Hills

This thread was discussed between 11/03/2002 and 18/03/2002

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