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MG MGB Technical - Engine change: Ceiling height

I going to change my engine and gearbox, I think I have all the parts needed and I would really like to do this in my garage. The garage has a nice smooth concrete floor, the yard outside is big lumpy cobbles and it will be difficult to move the crane.

Have I got enough room with a ceiling height of 2.19 metres (about 7'2")?

I am planning to buy or hire a 2 tonne folding crane to do the job along with a load-leveller.
I have only ever changed an engine on a Hillman Imp which is simply jacked up, unbolted and the car rolled away so I have zero experience.
I have tried to find something in the archives but with no results.

Mike
Mike Standring

I would think that is probably enough. If using the load leveller, the attachment chains should be fairly short, meaning the jib won't need to go too high.

I removed my engine and gearbox separately, so the angle of the engine wasn't as steep as if the gearbox was attached. I am planning to refit them as a single unit, with a load leveller.

ISTR reading about someone refitting the engine and gearbox into an MGC and they raised the back of the car off the ground to reduce the angle of attack.
Dave O'Neill 2

Mike I have just measured my garage ceiling height and it is 2.40 M just under 8ft, when I have removed the engine and gearbox from a B I have had plenty of room, and that is with the vehicle jacked right up with all 4 wheels off the ground, and enough room to work underneath, if you think you may struggle for room just jack the back right up, drop it in onto its mounts remove the crane, then jack the front up,if I may offer you one piece of advice do not try to remove the oil cooler pipes off the oil cooler, if its a chrome bumper undo the pipes from the engine,remove the radiator complete with the diaphragm, and the 4 bolts holding the oil cooler, and lift it out all as one unit,if its a RB undo the pipes from the engine and pull the back through the rad diaphragm, leaving the pipes connected to the oil cooler which is left in place. last thing don't take the bonnet off tie it back.

Andy Tilney

" last thing don't take the bonnet off tie it back."
Yes, that's one of the great things about the MGB bonnet. It will open vertically, even wider than is shown in Andy's photo. Use a piece of rope round the catch and tied to the rear bumper, or some other convenient place.
Mike Howlett

My garage ceiling is 2.4metres. I've removed 1800's and V8's without clearance issues. I certainly would remove the bonnet, for the sake of 5 bolts, don't see why you would take the risk. Also recommend jacking the rear as high as you can get it and support on axle stands. This helps reduce the angle necessary to tilt the engine.
Allan Reeling

I certainly would remove the bonnet, for the sake of 5 bolts, don't see why you would take the risk. I fail to see any risk, there is more risk of damage in removing/refitting the bonnet, and then standing it in the workshop, letting it fall over, or knocked over, running in to it, with the crane, or any other number of other possibility's to damage it, as it is best to have two people to remove/refit the bonnet, may I suggest if you are not confident with this procedure, you get this person to watch what you are doing with the crane rather that helping you remove the bonnet. A.T
Andy Tilney

Thank you, Gentlemen for all your help.

I picked up an engine crane last night via the local Gumtree equivalent. A generic two tonne job (I've seen identical ones in the internet in red, blue, yellow and black), it seems to work OK and waasn't as tall as I had feared. It has a balancer bar too. So I am running out of excuses not to start the job....

Mike

Mike Standring

Each to their own Andy!
Allan Reeling

I've removed an engine outside with the bonnet tied back, but in the garage with the front wheels on ramps needed to remove it. Like anything else, if you take care removing and refitting and storage when off there is no risk.

If removing the bonnet check the hinges for alignment holes, and that they do indeed line up! Mine had them (I think the factory drilled them originally as the bodies came to them with bonnet fitted, and they removed it to fit the engine and gearbox) but they didn't line up, so I redrilled. Makes it easier to get the alignment close, then with bolts just barely nipped up you can wiggle it into the correct position, then lift it carefully without disturbing the position for tightening.
paulh4

This thread was discussed between 07/06/2017 and 08/06/2017

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