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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Ford 302 Conversion

To all of you that used a fod small block in your B's, how did it fit? Is it heavier or lighter than the four cylinder and what type of mods were needed to do the swap? Id love to see some info on it, web pages, pictures, etc...
Thanks
Matt

Matt,
Hit my site, lots of info, pictures etc..
my car wieghed 2420 and that is with a full tank of gas and a heavy toolbox in the trunk. Motor is heavier than stock, but if you use all alum accces, not by much, maybe 20-30lbs.

#1 piece of advice, get a late model ford motor, something with 50oz imbalance and roller cam. BEST option would be to get a maotor from a 96+ Ford explorer, it will be 2" shorter which helps with puller fans etc..
Larry Embrey

Hi Matt
I installed a SVO crate engine (375 HP) in my 74 B.
At the V-8 show this last August my car weighed in
at 2295 lbs. The stock car that we used for compairson
weighted in at 2280 lbs. If you watch EVERYTHING that you do to the car, you can stay within reason.
Steve Carrick

Steve, I am just asking, and please do not read this in any other way. How much of the engine is over the front axle? The overall weight looks good, but how much heavier is it at front. I am just curious.

Thanks
Bill Guzman

Bill
Only my water pump sit in front of the crossmember.
The engine / bell housing split is even with the heater box.
Steve Carrick

Bill,
Yeah mine is about the same as Steve's. The steering rac om mine sits between the damper and oil pan.

STEVE,
How the heck did you get your car so light? Are you stripping stuff out of it? In the last V8 neswletter most of the cars with buicks weighted in the 23-2400 range if memory serves.
Larry Embrey

Just a reminder: The Ford 302/T5 tranny as installed in Steve's car weighs just 25 pounds more than the stock 4-cylinder with an OD tranny. That's with a 27 pound flywheel. With the recommended 15 pound flywheel, the Ford only weighs 13 pounds more.
Dan Masters

Use a alloy radiator and small hi-torque starter and you're closer yet. Steve
Steve Nightingale

Larry,
Your email is not working for me, can you email me.

Lyle jacobson_lyle@hotmail.com
Lyle Jacobson

Steve, If I remember Steve C's car it already had those units to achieve the 19lbs difference. A full size ford starter will not fit, leasst it did not look like it would with mine.

I am finding out I may be heavier than I should be by a good 20-30lbs simply due to the particular blcok I have. I have heard a few ford guys mention the mexican blcok being 20-30lbs heavier than the late model roller blocks..

Once again, I will recommend ford V8 guys get a late model 5.0L preferably from a 96+ Explorer, 91-93 Tbird and cougar being next best. I am still considering changing out my block for a late model one based on the wieght and other issues....
Larry Embrey

Larry,

The biggest weight difference between your car and Steve Carrick's is in the bumpers. He also is running 'glass springs & tube shocks(I think). Barney weighs virtually the same as my '79 215 powered 'B that still has rubber bumpers & lever shocks.
Carl

Carl, there is that, bumpers is 100lbs or maybe a touch more. Not sure about shocks. I need to "fix" my shocks, but am torn about tube conversion.. heard good and bad things.. Anyone have pictures of thier tube front conversion?

Larry Embrey

This thread was discussed between 07/11/2002 and 10/11/2002

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