MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - MGB Auto in Oz(what to do?!)

HI all,
I have just picked up a 1970 mgb automatic in need of total restoration .So the question is now do I

a)restore her back to her former self (red ,auto, 1800 etc..)retro 1970
or
b)remove the 1800 engine and drop a rover v8 in.Golf Mk1 arches and big wheels.21st centure'B'.

I am told that the 3.05 axle will handle the V8 ,will the BW 35 auto box?

It was assembled down here.
Is this a rare car in Australia?
All the info I can find is on UK and USA sold figures.
Also sat in the corner of my shed is a Rover SD1 V8 and auto box.Will this box fit?
I can see pro and cons to both but just can't decide!!
Warren

Warren,

a MG B with Automatic box is a very very rear bird.

It is not that easy to 'drop' the SD1 engine into your car, a 1978 to 1980 model is a straight forward conversion compared with the pre RB cars up to 1973/74.

For my opinion it would be a very interesting project fitted with a High Flow Supercharger, adding all the performance that the stock B was lacking of and keeping it drivable without very expensive investments in the drivetrain, rearend, suspension etc..

Costs will be nearly the same for a SC rebuilt to the engine or a budget V8 converson, but the SC can be detatched again without welding, the V8 not.

Ralph
Ralph

Thanks Ralph,
sorry about the "drop" the V8 in remark but I have completed a CB conversion in the UK a couple of years ago before the move down into the sun.

Your idea of the Supercharger is one i had not considered.It would ease the conscience and give the welder and gas axe some well earned time off.

I ill start looking into it now!
Thanks, Mate!!
Warren

I would tend to agree that the four-banger autobox *should* be kept as original as possible due to its scarcity.

A supercharger would not diminish the value of the car. Addition of a different powertrain would.

Keep this one as stock as possible...put the V8 into another MGB.

FWIW - YOMV

rick
1978 MGB Tourer
1969 MGC Tourer
1974.5 MGB/GT V8 conversion
1968 MGC Tourer
rick ingram

It's a loaded question to be sure. It's very true the auto B's were scarce. More some places than others no doubt, and the performance was less then the manual car. It didn't have a great following and it is doubtful if it will ever become highly valued as a collector car. If you look at the most sought after cars today they are usually outstanding in some way, not just scarce and I don't think you can say that for this car. Those who will complain loudest about not restoring it to pristine original condition neither have one nor would willingly trade you a manual car for it, and if you are disinclined to do so yourself I would suggest first offering it in trade after which you will have a perfectly valid excuse for anything you do to it. Having posted such an offer here and elsewhere on the web, few would later be able to accusingly claim they would have done the trade had they known.

That's just my opinion, I'm quite sure the purists will see it differently. But which of us is asking you to do something other than what you desire?

Jim
Jim Blackwood

Warren, the BW 35 in the 1800 MG is physically smaller & a less beefier version than the BW 35 in the Rover. It will not bolt up to the Rover engine. I don't think it came with a 3.05 axle either. more likely 3.7. I don't often disagree with Jim Blackwood, but there was not much difference in performance between the auto & the manual. Personally, I would restore it to original.If you want a V8, convert a less a rare model or better still buy my '71 rdstr coverted V8 auto. (BW65). Barrie E
Barrie Egerton

Not sure what the difference is...but I *believe* there is a BW35 (which is what MG used in the B and the C) and a BW T35.

Perhaps Rover used the T35?

But then again...I've been wrong before.

rick
rick ingram

The BW35s used in MGs & other 4 cyl cars were different to the version used in Rovers,Jags,Volvos & in Australia, Fords & Chryslers. The type used in the smaller cars did not have a separate bell housing.It was an integral part of the case & was definately slimmer. I think the torque convertor was also smaller. Barrie E
Barrie Egerton

I tend to agree with Jim on this.
MGB autos are rare...because no one wanted them.
I think that may still be the case. The phrase 'picked up' implies that you did not pay much for it. Like my 75 rubber bumper car (now chromed bumpered and V8'ed), you can only increase its value if you alter it. On the plus side, if you do put in a V8 and stay with the auto theme, you can reduce your conversion cost very substancially by using one of the many and cheap rover auto gear boxes. Barry knows which one will fit in without tunnel alterations.
Peter
P.N. Sherman

ps- you've already got the right diff' for a V8.
P.N. Sherman

"MGB autos are rare...because no one wanted them."

I'll second that! I have no interest in a sports car with an auto trans. Convert away!
Carl Floyd

Carl,

an auto trans in a B is a lot of fun if there is enough power to do the shifting with the gas pedal.

The auto trans MG B's were discontinued as they had not power enough to pull a dead fish off a plate. The MG C was very comfortable to drive with the auto box, due to the torque of the large engine.

A normal 4 cyl. auto trans B with adequate cam, head, dizzy and SC should be able to perform very well and I would have done this instead of fitting a V8 to my car in the early 80's (not so easy in those days here in central Europe), keeping it as original as possible. In those days I did not have the experiene of the MG scene I have today and SC upgrades for a B were not offered in those days.

O.K. the V8 is capable of a higer theoretical top speed, I have done 130+ MpH on the Autobahn with my V8, but do not ask for quality of roadholding or breaking at these speeds, even with lots of upgrades to the wheelbase etc..
Driving my V8 since 25 years now, I am still not satisfied with this package although it is fun to drive, but when I want to enyoy driving a MG B, I have to take my stage 5 roadster.

I think Warren should contact High Flow and talk to Hans Peterson before cutting the engine mounts out of his car.

Ralph

Ralph

Posted 29 December 2006 at 14:26:32 UK time
"MGB autos are rare...because no one wanted them."

I'll second that! I have no interest in a sports car with an auto trans. Convert away!

************

Carl..

Phhhhhhhhhbt!

;-)

rick
rick ingram

In my opinion, normally no mgb is sacred when it comes to modification and coversion. For example, no 1980 LE should be exempt from the cutting torch of the converters whims...having said that, I cast a dissenting vote on the humble mgb automatic..there were so few of them (I know, for good reason)and in my case, in ten years, a turtle slow 90 hp mgb automatic may be the only mg I would be caple of driving!
Michael Maloney

Yeah, but who's offering to buy it from him? Nobody.

Jim
Jim Blackwood

Jim..he's in Australia. If the car were in the US, I would consider it.
rick ingram

It would be an easy decision for me! My wife complains that she cant drive my MG's because she cant reach, to depress the clutch in all the way. She is only 4'10" tall. She is a capable stick shift driver though, and likes horsepower, (her car is a 5 spd Mustang Cobra).
So here's the plan, restore it with the auto so she can drive it. Then supercharge it so would have enough power for her (and me)!
bill jacobson

Not everyone has two legs & as a result of events in Iraq & Afganistan there's going to be a lot more amputees around. An auto is the only hope these people have to drive a car. Since auto sports cars are rarer than most, I say restore it as original rather than destroy it. There's plenty of other MGs around to convert. Barrie E
Barrie Egerton

Not like it's hard to put an auto in a 4 speed MGB or anything. Probably the only thing different is the pedal assembly and the shifter. Maybe he could sell those parts to you guys.

Jim
Jim Blackwood

Jim...with all due respect, you're missing the point here.

Wth all of the RB MGBs available, in my opinion, it would be better to do a conversion on one of these...or even a chrome bumber...than remove the "pedigree" from this particular car.

You know me...I am certainly no purist. But this car is indeed a rarity...and should be left alone.....again, my opinion.

Barrie make a valid point as well...I purchased my automatic MGC fom a handicapped enthusiast in St.Louis. It was the BW35 that allowed him to enjoy the MG that he bought.

FWIW - YOMV

Happy Gnu Year!
rick ingram

I guess you're right Rick, I *do* miss the point. What use is rarity if nobody wants it? It's more of a handicap really, something you feel you must preserve at the request of outside influences when you could be making good use of it. Save it for posterity? What reason is there to think anyone will ever want it more than is now the case? Again, if it is that valuable to anyone, buy it now! All I'm saying is that *nobody*, yourself included, is willing to expend the resources necessary to preserve and/or restore this car. That being the case, why should Warren feel bad about making use of it as he sees fit? Should he scour the globe to find the one handicapped MGB enthusiast with the money and the desire and every other needed prerequisite to buy the car from him? I say no. That individual is the one who should be looking. There are doubtless more cars out there, and even if not, the parts still either exist or can be made and/or adapted to build one. Bear in mind, the only thing Warren has told us about the condition of the car is that it would need a "total restoration" whatever that means. We know nothing at all about the integrity of the shell for example.

Personally I consider it to be poor form to ask somebody to do what you are not willing to help him with, so why don't you find Warren a buyer? With your contacts, and the great desire ;) to preserve the car it should be an easy thing.

Jim
Jim Blackwood


rick ingram
Illinois
USA
mowog1@aol.com Posted 30 December 2006 at 18:28:07 UK time
Jim..he's in Australia. If the car were in the US, I would consider it.

rick ingram

Yes to be fair about it, I expect you would, as you are a good, honorable and decent man. And ordinarily I would probably agree with you as well and assist if I could. But it doesn't seem to me that the case merits it, as we see none of our Australian friends stepping forward with an alternative, and that being the case I'd have to recommend to Warren that he do as he wishes with it, though we might have an interest in the unique bits, which should at the least be posted on ebay.

Jim
Jim Blackwood

Jim, "as we see none of our Australian friends stepping forward with an alternative,". I've submitted my 2 cents worth on this topic twice ! Since most of our Australian friends who read this BBS are either in the process of converting or have completed a convertion, they're not likely to be interested in taking on another project. Especially one that requires even more attention than normal. That's 6 cents worth now ! Barrie E
Barrie Egerton

Sorry Barrie, didn't mean to touch a nerve there. What I meant was that nobody down there is doing anything to take this dog off Warren's hands so he can go and get a "more suitable" car for a conversion. If anything speaks more eloquently about the desirability of this car and the attractiveness of it for restoration or preservation, I can't think what it would be. So I've probably put in a full quarter's worth now and maybe I should stop.

Jim
Jim Blackwood

Well to date the car is stripped down to the shell on my rotisory awaiting a decision.

This cars history,
well all i know is this poor thing has sat in the corner of a body shop for about ten years.It had been rubbed down ready for paint when some sort of disaster struck (financial I would say).Completely covered in ten years of dust and #%?@. Its missing bonnet, valance, wings (fenders guards)all detachable front panels,grill and seats.All the rest is complete and in OK condition.Its had new floors and sills just before it went in to the body shop and its on wires.The gent who sold it to me turned out to be an old good friend of the family so his word would be true about its history.

I'm alittle concerned that some of you think the auto was not such a good idea in a "B"

Thanks for the info and all of your view so far!!!
Warren.
aka (Mr indecision)
Warren

Warren - Remember this: It's your car.

Lots of folks have offered up suggestions and opinions - many of them good - but at the end of the day you're the best judge of your own resources (time, money, patience, love of the breed, etc.).

Restoring this car to 100% stock is a great idea (with sentimental and long-term value reasons being foremost), but if you're looking for zippy performance you may be disappointed. An Ozzie CKD auto is a rare bird indeed, BUT there are obvious drawbacks.

Converting it to something more "daily-driver" roadworthy is also a good alternative. That's why there are so many V8 conversions out there. The work is fun and the result is even more fun.

Either way - it's your car. It's soul will still be there no matter what it's wrapped in.

R.
Rick Stevens

"I'm alittle concerned that some of you think the auto was not such a good idea in a "B"

Don't be. It's not that it's not a good idea. It was just not a very popular one. It's a great idea for those that don't want to or can't shift gears. Or, if it will be primarily a highway cruiser, then it doesn't really matter.

I personally prefer to manually shift gears in a sports car. It's more fun to me.
Carl Floyd

Warren,

From a personal perspective i would opt for the restoration route with the auto in place.

There are a more and more conversions being done out there and fewer and fewer original aoutos remain.

The rarity factor is part of the equation. The BW 35 was a common gearbox used in many cars including Volvos , Rover , Morris and so on so spares and repairs should be no problem.

The auto versions are not lacking much in performance from the standard models and , having driven a couple , they will keep up with the standard 4 sp + O/D as well as be suitable for daily traffic duties if you wish.

The reason for the lack of popularity was simply buyers of the day expected a sports car to be a manual and if it was not then it was not sports car - end of discussion.

The MGC suffered from the same limited level of arbitrary thnking although these days it attracts a strong following.

Keep posting as to which way you decide to go.

Cheers , Pete.

Peter Thomas

Thank you, Peter.

My sentiments exactly.

rick
rick ingram

Well where to start?
First off, thanks for all of your input and suggestions.I really expected the scales to weigh heavier in one way than the other and was surprized by the arguments for both sides.

So my decisions it this;
Restore her body back to normal,rebuild the engine and gearbox and put them back in to her with only small engine upgrades.
The only possible exception is an SC upgrade as this is only a bolt on modification and can be removed later if required. Once I have tried out the auto box I will decide what do from there on...I may even like it but if all else fails I will fit a O/D box and respective parts.

I will keep the V8 though and the next one I may go in the opposite direction ...Sebing V8 GT...who knows?

Thanks again for all your help gents.

Warren B
Warren

You are quite welcome Warren. Glad we were able to give you enough information to make an informed choice, and though I argued for the conversion I'm glad to see that you are inclined to keep the car intact. It's nice to know a few of them will still be around. Maybe you'll find a good car for a conversion later (one that is more suitable) and let me take this moment to lobby for a roadster.

Jim
Jim Blackwood

This thread was discussed between 27/12/2006 and 08/01/2007

MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical BBS now