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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - mgb w/ford v-8

I'm looking for anyone who has done a ford v-8 conversion on an mgb , and yes I know you should use a rover/ P/O/B, but this a budget project and I didn't have enough for a good motor & tranny , so I'm using a 69 302 w/ 289 heads and c-4 slushbox, the #1 piston is behind the x-member, and i'm building my own headers and motor mounts. mym plan is to use a 66 mustang 4 row rad w/ 17 '' core that fits w/ a little trimming. The car is a 67 b body that was a previous racer, the car was gutted, that's the only reason i'm using it, I would not do this to restorable b any comments are welcomed thanks.
mike childress

This may help. A guy on this page put a 302 in a MGB.

http://members.aol.com/danmas4/mgv8conv.htm
Jim

Hi Mike,
I'm in the process of converting to a 302, I had a fully built Rover 3.5 It didn't have the torque that I wanted. The Ford is becomming a VERY popular conversion for many reasons, one of which is costs. With Alum. heads the 302 is only about 70 lbs. heavier than the rover. Some of the differences are the fords drivers side cyl. bank is the rear set, Rovers is the pass. The oil pump on the ford is directly below the crank in the front of the engine, this creates the need to cut the cross member on crome bumper cars, or you can purchase a state of the art cross member from a small company here in the G.R. area (which comes with coil over shocks and vented brakes- e-mail me for details) this cross member gives enough clearance for the ford, I know I helped delevope it. good luck, steve
Steve Carrick

Does anyone know if there are any off-the-shelf headers out there that will work with a mgb/ford V-8 application. Thanks in advance.
Rob Rich

Rob: I talked to a guy name Tim McCracken, who installed a 1994 Mustang 302 in a 1977 MGB with very little trouble. He mentioned the engine was straight out of the wrecked car with no modifications or overhaul. Not even aluminum heads. He said he only had to trial fit the engine about 5 times before he was able to bolt it all up. That includes manufacturing the motor & tranny mounts. He also said he adapted Street Rod headers made for the engine. He had to heat and bend them to fit, but they come out in the wheel wells much like the RV8 headers for the Rover engines. He also mentioned that the Iron Head Ford didn't lower the springs at all. You can see both his MGB with Hi-Po Rover V-8 and the 1977 MGB with Ford v-8 in the web site mentioned above by Jim. Hope this helps.
Bob

BOBF

Thanks a bunch guys. This stuff is a huge help!
Rob Rich

guys, I'm sorry I have not been in contact, got sidetracked on the other strings. Anyway, I would like to use the new crossmember but probably alittle out of my range. Mine is strictly an extra project( already have a 73, and helping my brother in law with a 67 Mustang , I have got my motor in but it is up a little higher than I would like,but it will do. I am planning on using a cowl induction hood w/ car ( like a 69 Camaro-ish?) The # 1 piston is slightly behind the Crossmember. I am using a 69 302 Block w/ 65 289 Heads. I have been looking at tri-power intake from holmann & moody. but it might be touch too much(Linkage). I am going to try my own exhaust, consisting of 5.0 shorty headers. I have a stock header on the Pass. side and my custom made on drivers side, three pipes are in the wheelwell and the number 2 snakes between steering shaft and block, very tight fit! I made my own motor mounts and trans. mount as well.I know the engine will flow diff. but plan to either a balance or an x-pipe and run center exhaust sim.to a porsche or twin like a vette. I plan on using the sebring rear panel and having a dropping license plate, very neat street rodder trick. It makes your rear very smooth. Thanks for the input! Mike
mike childress

Steve:
Would like to know the details about the cross member/front suspension you helped develope. I am part way into my Ford V-8 project and would really appreciate the info.

Thanks,
Bob
BOBF

On my conversion I used the oil pan rear sump kit ford #M-6675-A58 and the short serpentine belt water pmp kit #M-8501-A50, its approx. 1 3/4" shorter than stock. Also the lowest profile 4B intake I've found is the Offenhauser nostalgia intake #5493(you can find a
listing for it in the PAW performance catalog pg. #599
Steve
Steve

I had to modify the cb front cross member to install a Nissan 300zx v6. I cut a notch out in the middle an inch or so wider on each side than the pan. I then welded in sheet metal (heavy guage) to fill the opening and welded 2"x 2" angle iron externally along the front & rear sides. i.e. the notch is down to about 2" of the bottom plate. the sheet metal plate at the bottom of the cut rests on the angle iron tieing it all together. It weighs about 6 lbs over stock. The angle iron has to be cut and bent to follow the contour but that's easy stuff for a good welding shop. I also welded braces to the steering mount to tighten and strengthen the steering mounts. So far no problems.
Barry
Barry Parkinson

How does pricing on the 302 relate to a true Buick 215 in terms of blocks?
Here in the US, the Rover blocks are hard to find. The Buicks only slightly less so. I am leaning toward the Buicks still simply because I found a great deal on a Buick Long block and 90% of all MGB conversions are with a buick/rover, so the research for fitting has been done already. However, parts for the engine are a problem. You can't just walk into a store and buy parts.

Thus the 302 shows promise, especially since it has now been mentioned that it weighs 70lbs more than the 215 (which wieghs 40lbs less than a stock mgb.) and has almost limiteless power options. Add to that the fact than any auto store will have aisles of parts, and you can't throw a rock without hitting a 302 powered car here in the US (Exageration, but you get the point).

I am thinking if I can get a 302 to weight that close to the stock B engine, AND not have to alter the hood of the car with bulges, it seems like a great choice and the best route for ease of repair/maintenance.
Larry Embrey

If you are looking for a buick to build, look in Hemmings M.N. under either buick or olds, parts ,or cars looked at that while deciding myself. but I went with a ford. mike
mike

This thread was discussed between 20/03/2000 and 25/04/2000

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