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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - MGB 302 Crossmember

Hi all, I am thinking about doing a 302 Ford conversion to my 75 MGB. I have been doing a lot of reading, and have a couple of questions for those of you that have been there and done that. I have available any oil pan setup there is for a 302 Ford. I figure using a rear sump pan from a Bronco would be the best to use. My question on this is how much did you noth your crossmember? I haven't found any good dimensions to go by. I would like to know depth as well as width. I am going to be retaining the heater shelf.

I am going to use a T-5 transmission from an 89 Mustang GT. My question on this is what type of crossmember modifications did you do to make this transmission fit properly?

Also, I would like to know how to make the motor mounts/stands. There are a lot of different setups I have heard of and can't decide what would be best, so I would like to know the pros and cons of as many setups as possible, so I can determine what would be best for my setup.

Any Information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Thomas
T Johnson

I used a rear sump Bronco pan such as you described and it works fine as for knotching cross member--I ddnt take dimensinons but will try to figure it out and let you know. I also retained heater box--its a 1979 B.I also used a Mustang T 5 and used the Ford trans mount bolted right to the B crossmember after removing all the brackets for the reg B transmission and drilling holes for the Ford mount.
My motor mounts are custom
made--done by fitting and refitting and are welded to the cross member and frame. Sorry I cant be much help.Good luck
Gil Price

T,
Welcome to the club! Check out my website. Go thru tech section and the 5.0 diary month by month lots of stuff in there. There IS no exact measurmenet on cutting the K member, as it depends purely on how you set the engine and which pan you use. I had a truck or late model fox bodied mustang pan in mine originally. Now I have a cast alum explorer pan on it.

Motor mount are buil off the rear sides of the k-member, I think I have some good pictures of that on the site also. Trans k-member same as gill, hacked the stok B stuff off so I had a bare uniform k-member and then drilled 2 holes for it to fit. I am using some 1/8" alum between the k and frame to drop the trans just a hair for motor level and driveline angles.

Let us know if you have more questions!!
Larry Embrey

Gil,
The Bronco pan is the one I will more than likely use, so those dimensions, even if estimated, would be excellent. Thanks a lot for the info on the trans. mount and motor mount.

Larry,
Your site is excellent with some really good pics. I have been looking it over for a while now, and it has lots of really good information. I really appreciate your help, and I will be sure to get in touch if I need more help in the future.
T Johnson

I also meant to ask where should the holes be cut in the fender wells for the headers to exit. I have seen several pics of this, but haven't seen any dimensions regarding the location of the holes. Is this just one of those things where you get it pretty close and leave it at that, or is the location more tedious. Thanks in advance for any information.
T Johnson

I eyeballed mine. Sicne I built my headers from scratch I just built them to where they hit the wheel well and then cut them out. Course ont he driver's side I had already started a round hole until I found that the tubes in a square would interfere with the tires at full turn.
Larry Embrey

Well I just thought of another question for you guys. What types of radiators have you used in your conversion? I heard that one for a 65 mustang would work great. Any info. on this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Thomas
T Johnson

I have heard that as well about the mustang unit. I for now am using the radiator that came in my 4cyl MG. I tlooks to be a standard MGB rad and it has handled the V8 quite well thus far.. I added better fans this year so hopefully it will be cooler and I will not have to eye the temp guage like a paranoid freak all the time.
Larry Embrey

I had a 3 row early Mustang stock Modine rad in my car for the first 3 or 4 years,along with twin pusher fans and it was marginal.It did survive the DC traffic jam that others no doubt remember from the '98 V8 meet,but only just.Since then I bought a Griffin aluminum unit,it is a direct replacement for the Mustang only it has 2 1-1/2" tubes.It took 20 degrees out of the car.I've learned that it isn't very strong however,the bottom outlet does not support the weight of the car iffin' the jack slips off the crossmember....
Dale

This thread was discussed between 24/03/2004 and 26/03/2004

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