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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - V8 Installation problems

Hello Everyone, It has been a long time since I have posted, but now my install is underway.

I have a buick 215 fitted to a T-5 tranny going into a 1978 MGB. What is the best way to put this motor in? I am currently trying to install it all together and I am having problems getting the motor mounts back far enough (about a inch to far forward)as well as the tranny. I have modified the tranny tunnel and there is good clearance. Should I remove the motor mounts from the engine to install? Should I install the engine and tranny seperately? The engine mounts and cross over bar were purchased from D & D (very nice fellows).

I currently have the rearend of the car jacked up higher than the front end and this has helped, but I am still just getting so close.

Any suggestions would be truly appreciated.

Thank you,

Daniel

DJB Biddix

DJ,
Dropping the engine/xsmn in combination and with the engine mounts attached is the correct installation method. The initial drop angle should be about 45 degrees tail down and then a slow levelling as the engine is lowered and moved rearward. Exhaust manifolds (especially block huggers) should not be attached until the last minute. You will need to coax the xsmn tailstock over the fixed chassis xmbr (using a floor jack) just before the engine mounts seat.
The engine drop is usually a two man operation but it is quite doable.
Graham Creswick

DJB,
It's been awhile since I did mine and I can't get to my car to check this possibility out. Soea it make a difference if the mounts are reversed left to right? Take a look at the bolt of the rubber mount relative to the 2 bolt holes for bolting the mount to the engine. If it isn't centered then that bolt needs to be in the rearward position. Just a thought.
Rick
RIck

DJB, the solution is easier than the above directions sound. if you are too far forward than you have 2 too many cylinders, pull it back out and attach a nice 3.4 to that t5 and she will drop in easier than a piece of bread in your toaster, no pounding on the trany tunnel required.


just a little humor, good luck with your install, jim
james madson

Thank you Graham for your input. I do have the block hugger headers already installed and will remove them and try from there. I will also inspect the motor mounts and see if they are on the wrong side. Should the bolt on the motor mount be located to where is is higher up or down. I thought it should be up in order to keep the engine as low as possible.

Thank you all for your input and I will let you know tomorrow evening if I made any headway.

Daniel
DJB Biddix

Liked your comment as well Jim. Next car I do I will try the V6. That appears to be the more affordable way of getting additional horsepower. The 1963 buick 215 was rather pricey to have rebuilt. I do perfer the way the V8 looks in the car though. It just truly looks like it has balls.

Have a great day,

Daniel
DJB Biddix

This thread was discussed between 07/10/2004 and 09/10/2004

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