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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - another one on the road

Today was a big day! I drove my BRG '67 V8 conversion for the first time today. It was awesome! The car moved under it's own (well.. Buick} power for the first time since the PO hit the back of a pickup in 1980. The project started out as a restoration some 8 years ago, and caught the V8 bug after a trip to a V8 convention in Cleveland. Many thanks to Al Wolf and Larry Hoy of Colorado for their early inspiration.

The car has taken a long time to get this far because I wanted it to be a little different than most. My concept was to have a car that looked like a nearly original 1967 Tourer from a distance.

It's 215 Buick powered with a 10.25 compression ratio, ported heads, Crower high lift cam, dual valve springs, shaved block, Buick 4 barrel intake with matched ports, and a Carter 400 CFM carb. I spent many hours on the exhuast. I welded my own headers with the Headers by Ed school of thought; 1-3/8 36" equal length primaries dumping into 2" dual stainless steel pipes. The fuel tank was relocated. The headers are Jet-Hot coated mild steel. The trick thing about these headers is that all four pipes are tucked block hugger style inside the inner wings, NO CUTOUTS in the inner wings. This was accomplished by moving the engine mounts as far forward as possible and fabricating extended block mounts. I'm using an early Mustang radiator mounted behind a modified panel so that the full height of the radiator is exposed to the grill opening. I'm using a 3000 cfm 16" pusher fan.

A BW WCT5 transmission from an '86 Camaro was mated to Mustang tail shaft housing to place the shifter in a location very close to the original position. I modified the original shift lever to mate up with the Mustang shifter. The whole effect is A totally stock looking shifter.

I used Dan Master's wiring tips and built a power block with 8 fuses and 6 relays. A Mazda 363 55 Amp alternator fits neatly on the left cylinder head, and aligns perfectly with the buick 300 water pump pulley. I needed to make a couple of brackets.

Today's short drive around the neighborhood was a blast. I have yet to get a safety inspection and registration so I started off slowly just to see if there was any binding anywhere or any strange metal-meeting-metal noises. After a few trips around the block, I couldn't resist the urge to punch it. First gear is just all about tearing up rubber, but my that second gear is sweet. When the carb secondaries open, the sound and the feel is best thing since 60's muscle car period. The car is Beast!

I have a lot yet to do. I have a built Dana 44 axle with disc brakes ready to pop in. I just need the cash for wheels and Bill Guzman's matching front big brake set-up. I suppose I should get an interior kit and bolt the seats down too! I won't make it to the V8 confab, but I hope to be able to drive the car the Salt Lake City when we relocate from San Antonio this June. Thanks to everyone on this site for the countless ideas and limitless inspiration.


Chris J.

Any consideration of following some of your fellow Texans to British V8 2006 in Townsend, TN and to MG 2006 in Gatlinburg, TN?

Would make for a GREAT shake-down road trip...

and....

we want to SEE your car!

rick
rick ingram

Chris,

You sound like me the 1st. time I drove my 215 Buick powered '57 MGA. FUN FUN FUN.

Lyle
Lyle Jacobson

Congrats Chris! I hope to be in the same boat in a couple of months...
rficalora

Fantastic, You'll never ever regret it. It's been 3 years since I did mine and I still get a thrill every time I take it for a drive. The power to weight ratio is just awsome with these cars.
Peter

Congrats! I just moved from UT to CA with my V8 after graduating from BYU. There is a really good Brit car club in SLC, the British Motor Club of Utah. Never did see another MGB V8 while I was there, yours will be unique and draw lots of attention at the shows if you attend. Good luck!
Jake Voelckers

Well done - Keep the flag flying
RMW

Chris,
I am very surprised to see the number of things you did which were very similar to my car. Length and diameter of headers, forward engine location, left side alternator, and my first engine was also a built Buick. I can tell you those headers are like gold, I honestly don't think you can get any better. Mine are routed differently but the exhaust doesn't know that. You should definitely bring it to Townsend. There's nothing quite like bringing it in and showing it off for the first time.

Jim
Jim Blackwood

This thread was discussed between 27/03/2006 and 30/03/2006

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