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MG MGB Technical - What vintage 18V?

I need an 1800 for my MGA, what motor is the best? Many recommend the 18V, what years were they produced? Where is the best place to find one?
Russ
Russ Carnes

Found it...
The 18V series started in 1971. The change over was in AUG of 71.
Thanks anyway,
Russ
Russ Carnes

Russ,
I assume that you know that fitting a 5-bearing is not the simple changeover that a 3-bearing allows?
Regards,
David
David Overington

Hi David, thanks for your post. I will be fitting an 18V with all synchro with OD and rear end, probably including front suspension into a 1500 MGA ex racer shell. A good clean no rust shell with a welded rear end, no motor mounts, fuel system, interior, or wiring at all. I have considered Rover V8 and others, but I wane to keep it reasonable. I have an option or two on a donor rusted, bent MGB, not worth restoring (by me). Hopefully I can find a home for what's left of the body. None of these are throw away cars, any MGA or B that is still alive should be kept so. This does present quite a personal conflict. To buy the bits separately would be prohibitive, a complete car seems the way to get all the bits at once. I also have a '58 1500 that I have owned, modified and maintained for 45 years, yes it would be difficult and unacceptable to do the swap into that car. This is a retirement project to keep me out of the kitchen and local pub. It has also been a personal goal of mine for a lot of years. What is the best year MGB for the mechanicals? All will be rebuilt, what are the best mechanicals to start with?
Russ
Russ Carnes

Russ,
There are discussions in the archives which suggest that the 71-74 flat sided crank is the best. Other than that I can't see that it would make much difference which 18V you started with, as you would be modifying it anyway by fitting duplex timing chain, double valve springs etc.

Regards,
David
David Overington

Thank you David, I'll follow up on that.
Russ
Russ Carnes

This thread was discussed between 07/06/2009 and 10/06/2009

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