MG-Cars.info

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

Recommendations

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 Technical - Cylinder Head

Can anyone describe the differences between the MGA 1600 Cylinder Head and the MGB 1800 Cylinder Head, and tell me if they are interchangeable?
JR Jim) Ross

Jim,

I don't know enough to give you a good answer, but I know enough to think you need to offer more information. Such as, which way are you trying to interchange. It is further complicated by the fact that there is not a single MGB head. There are probably at least four.

Charley
C R Huff

Can't specifically answer, but my Wolseley, with a 1500 engine, has an MGB 12H1326 head, and runs OK. It seems as if the rocker gear had to be changed as well, because there is a set with a heap of parts that came with the car.

Herb
H J Adler

HJ Adler & CR Huff,

Thanks for the input.
All of the MGB cylinder heads are interchangeable, with varying performance differences, dependent on whether you are going "up or down" in model years.

I am specifically interested in knowing whether an MGA 1600 cylinder head can be successfully employed on an MGB 1800 engine.

Sorry I wasn't clear enough in my original post.


JR Jim) Ross

Ask Peter Burgess. He will know. He reads this BBS sometimes.
Mike Howlett

Just reading it now.
What is the casting number on your 1600 head?
12H?

Peter
Peter Burgess Tuning

Hey Peter,

The casting N0. on the head is: 1H967
JR Jim) Ross

Thats the style fitted to early 1500 type engines. Small inlet and ex valves and around 38cc. On a B it would give good high compression around 9.75:1 but it would not be very revvy as the ports and valves are more suited to a smaller engine.

Peter
Peter Burgess Tuning

Peter Burgess,

Thank you for the info. The chap who owns this car is only interested in having it running, and he's of an age where performance is secondary to reliability and comfort. He only puts about 500 Miles a season on his car.

Thanks again.

JR
JR Jim) Ross

This thread was discussed between 31/07/2015 and 02/08/2015

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGB Technical BBS now