Butch Pilgrim's 1967 MGB with Buick 3.8L V6

Butch Pilgrim's 1967 MGB with Buick 3.8L V6

as published in BritishV8 Magazine, Volume XVII Issue 1, July 2009

Owner: Butch Pilgrim
City: LaPorte, CO
Model: 1967 MGB
Engine: Buick 3.8L V6
Conversion by: owner.

Engine: Buick 231cid (90 degree) V6, with a rated output of about 140hp. Edelbrock "Performer" high rise intake manifold with Edelbrock 650cfm 4 barrel carburetor. Stock cam. Delco-Remy H.E.I (high energy ignition) distributor. All new wiring.
Cooling: stock radiator, lengthened 3 inches with a new core (and relocated forward.) Single electric cooling fan (pushing.)
Exhaust: custom built exhaust manifolds with a rear dump leading into side pipes with Harley Davidson motorcycle mufflers.
Transmission: Borg Warner T-50 5-speed transmission. Cable operated clutch, utilizing the Buick cable, operated by a modified MGB pedal on custom modified brackets. Stock MG driveshaft, except rebuilt with a GM front yoke.
Rear Axle: stock MGB.
Front Susp.: stock MGB.
Rear Susp.: stock MGB.
Brakes: stock MGB.
Wheels/Tires: stock MGB wire wheels.
Body: fiberglass "Sebring" valances, front and rear. Custom fabricated grille. The aluminum hood was replaced with a steel one, with a fabricated steel cowl-induction hood scoop. PPG acrylic urethane base coat ("Porsche red" with a a black racing stripe) with 2 coats of PPG clearcoat.
Interior: custom walnut dashboard. AM/FM/CD stereo. Custom upholstery by Keith Hall of University Upholstery in Eaton CO.
Completed: 2005. (About 500 miles driven since conversion, as of December 2008.)
Comments: this conversion took 2 years from start to finish. To minimize firewall modifications, and get clearance at the cylinder heads, the (90 degree V6 motor) was mounted rather far forward. The crank pulley sits just in front of the MG steering rack. The passenger-side subframe was sectioned and boxed back in to clear the starter motor and oil filter.

Buick 3.8 V-6

Buick 231 V-6

Buick Grand National engine

Delco Remy HEI distributor for Buick 231cid V6

hood scoop

MGB radiator

fabricated exhaust manifold

log type exhaust manifold


clutch release cable

cable operated clutch

bellhousing for 3.8L Buick V6

motor mount for 3.8L Buick V6

walnut dashboard



Harley Davidson mufflers

Butch Pilgrim of LaPorte, CO


British V8 Home:        Read the Magazine        Photo Gallery        Web Forum        Annual Meets        Contact Us        Site Map