John Lakanen's V-8 at the 1995 University Motors Summer Party
John Lakanen's 1972 MGB/GT with 1962 Buick 215 V8
(originally published in British V8 Newsletter, Volume 4 Issue 1)
By: John Lakanen
City: Bloomfield Hills, MI
Model: 1972 MG MGB/GT
Engine: 1962 Buick 215
How It Was Done
| Engine: | Carter 400cfm carburetor, electronic ignition, headers, remote oil filter,
Hitachi alternator. |
| Transmission: | Rover 5-speed, rebuilt carefully to handle V-8 torque. |
| Bellhousing: | Rover V-8. |
| Clutch Slave: | Rover. |
| Clutch: | Rover 10". |
| Brakes: | standard brakes all around, all new. |
| Tires/Wheels: | 185/70 Michelins on 6" custom 72-spoke Molloy wheels. |
| Suspension Mods: | rubber bumper rear leaf springs (heavier),
heavier touring-type front coil springs,
V-8 lower wishbone bushings.
Most importantly, everything is new. |
| Cooling: | V-8 radiator, thermostatically controlled rubber bumpered electric
cooling fans with cockpit mounted manual override. |
| Rear End: | 3.07:1 gears. |
| Instruments: | 140 mph speedometer, 8 cylinder tachometer, both Smiths. |
| Conversion By: | Foreign Cars. |
| Recommendations: | chrome bumper conversion was much more difficult than rubber bumper.
Clearance to the hood, steering rack, etc., were very tight.
All round clearances were 1/8" to 1/4" maximum range - but final product is worth it. |
| Estimated Cost: | $7-8000 (not including original car). |
