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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Body mods, looms and steering racks.

Hello All,

Things are moving apace, as usual some unexpected things have sprung up requiring some advice.

1. The loom.

I am considering changing it as the whole thing is out of the car, it looks OK but is showing its age coming from a 1973 car.

Should I renew it - (expensive things)? If so should I get the standard 1800 loom and mod it myself, or should I get a 'special' CB V8 loom.

2. Steering

Do I just need the double UJ and pinion, or do I need a special rack as well. RP's book talks about just needing the column, then later about needing a 'foreshortened' rack as well.

You can just see the top of the column in the photo below. Does that look liekit will clear the engine ? The lower UJ is barely flexed.

3. Drivers side bulkead mods

I am completely confused by what RP says in his book. On page 74 D7/1 the lower plan drawing has an 85 mm dimension on the left (as you look at it), but a 110 mm dimension on the right. Even measuring 110mm back from the front has some of the cutting well inside the heater support panel?

Can anyone explain this?

I have posted this, with my intended cutting lines drawn on the bulkead.

http://freespace.virgin.net/l.healy/driverbhd.bmp

(2.5 mb for detail)

..but I'm not quite sure how I managed to get them. In particular the junction of B/C - I can only get the dimension out from the firewall end, but not from the drivers wing side - it's a bit of a guess really.

Does it look about right?

My first plan was to cut out the top section ABC, then cut through D,F and G then fold in along E and dress the code to allow clearance.

I have seen this meathod on a video. I really dont want to unpick then plug weld a noew cone section in.

How have all you CB converters dealt with this?

Cheers, Liam.
Liam

Hi,
I carried out a v8 conversion of a chrome bumper shell, when i got to this part, i ordered a rubber bumper repair for this area, cur out old and let in the new panel, the panel was not that expensive and had the correct mounting for using the rubber bumper steering column, the only thing i had to do was weld the mouting brackets up near the dash board to use the column. Hope this is of some help
Ian Sanders

Hi Ian, I'm sticking with the CB set up and using the doble UJ column. Would the RB cone panel interfere with it?
Liam

Liam,
On my rubber bumper the (vertical) cone face angles from, the top of your line E to very slightly forward of the top of your line D. There is no line A or B/C angle/corner. Personally if I were custom cutting the corner I would go as far back as possible and not be worried about "slightly forward".
I should point out that my car has been converted from LH to RH drive by persons in the past.
If you don't need the rubber bumper lower steering column mounting point ie the bulkhead/steering cone then what you might consider doing is cutting along the top bottom and RHSide corners of the vertical face around the cone and pushing it back on the angle. First having removed/folded back any excess top, bottom and side "bulkhead".
There might be a problem if the centre hole moves too far to the side as it angle back, in which case you might have to enlarge it , or cut off the remaining side then attach the cone to the back of a sheet of metal?
Peter

For my conversion I use V8 conversion company Farnborough parts and layout, I don’t have problems, just clearance between carb and bonnet (I built my own ally bonnet with bulge), the gear lever it’s at the right place, I use american shell, my car is LHD, I remove the cone for the RHD steering column, the gap between right cylinder head and bulkhead is too much large, cutting more small is possible, Imho for the left cylinder head, cutting the bulkhead it’s not necessary (with V8 conversions company brackets) I have collapsable steering column and two UJ shaft, I use Triumph TR8 steering shaft (Rimmerbros).
service should you require further information.
Regards
http://membres.lycos.fr/mgcontact/fileupload/uploads/v8conversion.jpg
michel

Peter and Michel, Thanks.

You can just see in the photo above 'B' the bolts for the lower steering column mount - this came from an unmodfied chrome bumper car so I think its standard.

I might be using a custom column and mount - although I have nothing to compare it to!

Is this the same as the rubber bumper?

It is restricting my options somewhat - I may have to keep that A-B-C angle. If I take it out it just leaves the single column mount right under the front dashboard next to the indicator switches.
Liam

Liam

I have the exact photo you need if you email me direct.

I converted a 1964 car using RB profiles.



cheers
Ian Buckley

Liam,

Where are you getting the two UJ column from?

Mike
Mike Howlett

Mike - it was a custom job, but not for me - it came from another CB V8 conversion.

The top section slides into the lower section (or vice versa). Its the lower bit with the two UJ.

Its nice and slim, you can see the top UJ on the photo, but I am going to have it rewelded to beef it up a bit.
Liam

Ian, thanks for the photos - very useful indeed.

Did you column have a support/mounting bracket just next the the pedal box ? I can't see any mounting holes in your pics.

Liam
Liam

This thread was discussed between 21/02/2006 and 24/02/2006

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