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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - MGA V8 Finished!

http://www.themgdoc.com/mgav8.htm


Robert
Robert Rushing

Really first rate job, both the conversion & the story.

Thanks for sharing with us.

im
Jim Stuart

Fascinating story - beautiful car - many congratulations.

Roger
RMW

Car looks lovely --well done !!
Now enjoy the fruits of your labour-
All the best ___Gil
Gil Price

John!

Great job...and I REALLY like the paint!

Looking forward to seeing it next week in Grand Rapids!

rick
rick ingram

Very nice car, great story...enjoy the ride!
Michael S. Domanowski

Excellent job and story. Have you done anything to cut down on the heat in the foot well? This is a problem with my car when it's over 75 degrees.

Lyle
'57 MGAV8
Lyle Jacobson

THANKS! I really worked hard on this one. I wanted it to look mostly original with the exception of a few small touches.

Lyle, Its been tough to tell about the heat as it's been in the ninetys since I've started driving the car. It doesn't feel any different than my other MGAs did with a 2.0 MGB engine. I did insulate the bulkhead quite well with foil backed insulation from Moss. It does seem to keep some of the heat out. I guess I'll know more after our trip to Twist's Summer Party and the Lap Around the Lake. The hood louvers do seem to keep alot of the heat from building in the engine bay. I still have to check out the temperature gauge operation as it is showing very close to HOT during traffic driving (remember, its been in the high ninetys around here) and just past normal at speed. However, when I check the water temperature through metal connections or at the thermostat housing, it never shows above 185 degrees.
My biggest concern at this time is the steering. It is very touchy, and wants to go wherever I point it, and quickly. There is no evidence of bump steer but the steering feels heavy. I'm running 205-70 x 15 tires, had the toe-in set and reset a couple of times and it does feel better but not quite right. Any ideas?
John
mgdoc

Hi John,
I am doing nearly the exact same thing. Some of your pictures are identical. Right now I have the radiator in but am looking at solutions for cooling fans. 2- 8" or one 10"? How did you get the grille/fan/radiator combination in place? My engine is about 1/2" back and the rack ended up nearly in the original location with some creative pulleys. I think the heavy steering may be due to alot more unsprung weight in the rim/tire combination, close to 6 or 7 lbs each. Any bump steer? What type of mufflers were used and where did they go? If you could, send me a few closer shots of the engine bay too.
Thanks, Scott
Scott

Scott, I used a late model MGB radiator, moved forward a bit. I had to modify the front frame extension to accept the radiator from the bottom. I cut, rotated 90 degrees to the front and rewelded the tublar crossmember to be able to use a 14" fan on the front of the radiator, it clears good. The radiator bolts in with the original mounting points. I did have to fabricate new radiator mounting panels and weld them to the body.
I fabricated brackets for the grille and welded them to the body and also made brackets for the grille so it can be removed from the front with four screws. The oil filter lives in front and toward the top of the radiator, so I wanted the grille easy to remove / replace.
As for the unsprung weight of the tire / wheels, I have used this same combination of tires & 72 spoke wire wheels on at least five other MGAs in the past with little or no effect. The steering on the other cars was not nearly as heavy as this one. I have no bump steer.
I had a guy at a Midas muffler shop fabricate a crossover ("Y") pipe into a single exhaust. He said he used a late model Firebird / Camaro muffler and mounted it in the rear between the fuel tank and spring. That way, I could install another muffler / resinator if needed for noise. I didn't want this car to be too loud or obnoxious. The combination he used sounds great.
Do you want closer shots of the engine bay as finished or while in progress? I'm not sure what all you will be able to see as finished. Everything is pretty close in there.
John
mgdoc

John, your front-to-rear weight ratio has probably shifted some. Have you tried increasing the front tire pressures and decreasing the rears? You didn't mention what they're at now, but I'd try 34 front and 30 rear and see how it handles.
Jeff Schlemmer

Jeff, If anything, it should be easier to steer than before as the aluminum Buick 215 engine weighs about 40 pounds LESS than the original 1500 MGA engine.
mgdoc

Hi John,
I was just looking at mine again. A picture or two of how the removable grille is mounted plus some shots above the radiator would be great. Between the crossmember with the hood latch and working around the sway bar, I only have 9 vertical inches to fit something into.
As for the heavy steering, with the front wheels off the ground, is everything turning freely and not binding in the reworked steering shaft? I had to do some creative shimming to line it up.
Scott

Hi, Robert, Your MGA looks even better in person.
It was nice seeing it at the University Motors Show.
It should be pretty broken in by now!
Regards, Jack
John Renaud

I got to see John's MGA! up close and personal on Thursday (and later again on Saturday after he returned from the Grand Lake Endurance Trial).

The car is GORGEOUS....well thought out....and quite a runner!

John placed first in his class (Prepared MG) and received a third for "Cleanest Engine" (and that was AFTER running the road rallye throughout lower and upper Michigan, and parts of Wisconsin!

Well done!

rick
rick ingram

I want one!! It turned out beautifull, congrats. but I cant bear to do it to any of the cars I have, too nice. Any one with a trashed project, cheep.
Randy
R J Brown

John Renaud - I really wish it were mine, but it was my buddy John Mangles' car. I just thought it looked so incredible that you guys would want a look at it on here.

John's completely brilliant and a true artist when it comes to restorations and conversions (he's done several beautiful MGB V8's too).

My car was the silver-blue 71B at the Party. It was the one that looked completely worn out after competing on that insane rally of Mr. Ingram's (I will have my revenge!!).

Robert

PS - Scott, John fabricated a front sway bar on the day before we went up to Twist's and it pretty much cured the steering problem.

Robert Rushing

This thread was discussed between 11/08/2005 and 24/08/2005

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