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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Engine Parts Help

Hello all once again,

I have finally discovered that what I seem to have is not a Buick engine as I was first told. I could not find the serial numbers where they were supposed to be, so I started my research on Rover engines and found the serial number on the block under spark plugs 3 and 5. It appears that what I have is a Rover v8 out of a Triumph TR8 complete with the 5 speed behind it. I have not been able to find out what year it is from however. The engine number is 12E01181, so if anyone has any info on that I would appreciate it. The valve covers seem to be of the proper style for the particular engine, grooves and ribs running the length of them. I am going to assume that the aluminum heads are from the original engine for the moment. The intake seems to be a Buick 4 barrel with a Rochester Quadrajet up top. There is also an adapter plate under the carb about 3/4 of an inch thick. I have been told that it may not be needed, so if you have any experience on that I would appreciate input.

I have no idea what timing cover, water pump or distributor is on the engine. Is there a way of finding this out? Are there numbers on these parts that can be found and seen without removing them? One clue on mine that might help is that a "finger" like timing indicator sticks out from the cover over the crank pulley. If it makes any difference, the oil filter is angled down and forward from the front of the engine on the right side (US passenger side). The water pump does seem to be of the "long nosed" type. The crank pulley seems a bit odd. From the engine side outwards, it looks like a v-belt pulley, then a timing ring (about the same width as a belt) and then two more v-belt locations. The crank pulley might even be a combination of pulleys. Without removing it I am not sure and the water pump is driven by one of the outside pulleys.

On the good side, it does have good compression. It has plugs for a Buick in it at this time. I will have to find out what the difference is in these versus what should be in it. It runs strong. I have it idling at about 800 rpm but the idle does seem to wander a bit at this moment, but we will see what happens after I get it timed and adjust the carb. I have installed new plugs (probably wong plugs now since it is not a Buick), points and adjusted dwell, but have not wanted to try adjusting the timing yet since I have no idea if the parts on it should indicate anything or not.



Thanks in advance for any and all assistance,

Matt
Matt

I’ve never seen an intake manifold that will accept a Quadrajet. The adaptor may be to reduce the huge secondarys to the size of those on Holleys and Carters. BTW, Buick intake manifolds have only four boltholes to attach the carburetor that won’t fit the Holley and they have the firing order embossed on them.
George Champion

Matt, This may be of little help to you but I will toss it out anyway. Regarding your engine numbers, I brought home a 1980 SD1 this weekend. Standard transmision, EFI, engine number is, 12AO1177. Above that number is: CR8.13.1. Of course if anyone can tell me more about my engine using these numbers, I would be greatful.
Thanks in advance, Dana
Dana

The number after CR is the compression ratio - 8.13 to 1.

Mark
Mark Marchbanks

Thanks Mark
Dana

Matt,
Your engine is indeed out of a California. spec Triumph TR8 with the 5 speed manual transmission, it would have had fuel injection originally, 8.13:1 CR and 137BHP

Dana,
The engine serial number indicates it is a US spec, low compression, fuel injected 5-speed manual transmission. So it looks like you have the original engine in the 1980 car and in this spec the power output was 133 BHP. The gearbox probably has the slightly lower 5th gear but I'm not sure when the change was made to the higher gear. (My 1985 has it)

Power outputs quoted are from the spec sheet but both engines are near identical and I doubt there was any real difference. I'd say both of them are the same age - circa 1980.

Geoff
Geoff King

This thread was discussed between 16/04/2001 and 17/04/2001

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