Mike Alexander's 1974 MGB GT with Ford 302 V8
as published in BritishV8 Magazine, Volume XXI Issue 2, December 2013Owner: Mike Alexander
BritishV8 UserID: restorejag
City: Richmond Virginia
Model: 1974 MGB GT
Engine: Ford 302 V8
Conversion by: owner
| Engine: | Ford Racing M-6007-X302 crate engine:
306cid,
9:0:1 static compression ratio,
Mahle 4.030" forged pistons,
hydraulic roller camshaft (part#: M-6250-E303,
0.498" lift,
220 degrees duration at 0.050"),
aluminum cylinder heads
(1.94" intake and 1.54" exhaust),
rated 340hp at 5500rpm.
Edelbrock Performer 289 intake manifold.
Edelbrock 600cfm carburetor.
Mr. Gasket air cleaner (part# 4339).
K&N oiled gauze air filter.
Mallory Unilite distributor (part# 3744501).
Mallory Pro Sidewinder 8mm spark plug wires.
MSD Blaster 2 ignition coil.
CVP Racing pulley set.
Fram PH8A oil filter, mounted under driver-side fender.
Mantell Motorsport MGB-Ford conversion kit.
|
| Cooling: | Summit Racing aluminum radiator (Mustang spec).
Spal 14" low profile electric fan.
Custom fabricated aluminum fan shroud.
Two 7-inch pusher fans for air conditioner condenser. |
| Exhaust: | Mantell Motorsport RV8-style through the fender headers, ceramic coated.
Dual Cherry Bomb Turbo mufflers, part# 16802.
The fuel tank was centered to accomodate dual exhaust. |
| Transmission: | Ford Racing Super Duty T5 5-speed.
Custom shifter with one inch offset, made by Drive Line.
Custom driveshaft from D&D Fabrications.
CNC external slave cylinder. |
| Rear Axle: | Chevy 10-bolt (narrowed S10) sourced from D&D Fabrications.
3.08:1 gears.
Auburn limited slip differential. |
| Front Susp.: | Mantell MotorSport modified front crossmember.
Moss coil-over front suspension (part# 268-218).
|
| Rear Susp.: | Leaf springs.
Polyurethane bushes.
Tube shock absorbers. |
| Brakes: | (master) later model (1975-1980) power brakes. (front) stock MGB calipers. EBC grooved and dimpled rotors. (rear) Chevy S10 drums. |
| Wheels/Tires: | Panasport 15x6 aluminum wheels.
Dunlop SP P205/65R15 tires. |
| Electrical: | custom wiring using an Advance Auto-Wire kit.
GM-style one wire alternator. |
| Instruments: | Autometer Pro-Comp Ultra-Lite
fuel level (E-F),
speedometer (0-160mph),
tachometer (0-10000rpm),
water temperature gauge (100-250F),
oil pressure gauge (0-100psi), and
voltmeter (8-18V). |
| Interior: | Nostalgic Air air conditioning system.
MGB Mk1 (steel) dashboard, painted body color.
Custom center console.
Completely restored interior.
MGB seats.
Oak plywood cargo shelf. |
| Body: | Frontline Developments front valance.
Louvred bonnet.
Recessed license plate.
LED license plate lamps (two, hidden).
Centered fuel tank.
Fuel filler relocated to passenger side quarterpanel.
Hagen hinged fuel filler door.
|
| Paint: | Dupont self etching and filler primer.
Dupli Color undercoat.
PPG Deltron 2000 metallic basecoat/clearcoat, tinted to GM "Light Toreador". |
| Completed: | August 2013. |
| Comments: | Mike wrote "This is my third MGB-V8 build, but the first one I've done with
a 302. It's had just one minor problem in its first 625 miles: a new SU fuel
pump failed at just 22 miles. This conversion took 10 months to complete." |
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Preparing the Bodyshell
The Before Picture
Stripped down to a just its unibody bodyshell, and mounted on a rotisserie for better access.
Taken to bare metal, and then brought back up little by little.
Restored floorpans.
Building a foundation for a dashboard swap.
Test fitting an MGB Mk1 (steel) dashboard.
Repaired driver side floorpan.
Replaced passenger side floorpan.
In anticipation of their own (factory produced) MGB GT V8 model, MG developed a different
firewall. In mid-1974, the V8-style firewall became standard in all MGBs. Mike's GT was
produced earlier that year. He decided to splice-in V8 firewall features.
The later style firewall will provide more room at the cylinder heads.
The later firewall has different pedal mounting features too; MG rotated the brake master
cylinder front-to-rear so they could more economically offer power brakes as an option.
Now that welding has been completed, seam sealer makes the joints waterproof.
Test fitting a small block Ford engine block.
The Ford cylinder head requires some extra modification in this area.
(A Buick 215 or Rover V8 should fit a late-model MGB without this mod.)
The Ford oil pump mounting boss conflicts with MGB's motor mount.
A storage cubby added over the battery bin, where MG provided a rear seat.
Pocketed license plate mounting surface.
Finish Bodywork and Paint
Dupli Color undercoat.
Radiator support brackets.
Completely removed driver side battery box. (This car originally came with two six volt
batteries, Mike will install a single twelve volt battery on the passenger side.)
The whole car was given a basecoat/clearcoat paint job. Top, bottom, inside, and out.
Dupont self etching and filler primer.
Extended heel board.
MGB GT cargo compartment.
Cut outs in the inner wings for RV8 style (through-the-fender) exhaust headers.
Radiator mounting features.
Shaved side marker lights.
Recessed license plate mounting surface. LED license plate lamps (two, hidden).
Modified front crossmember from Mantell Motor Sport.
Gas springs hold the bonnet open both higher and more level side-to-side.
Frontline Developments front valance.
Hagen hinged fuel filler door.
Please support the sponsoring companies who make BritishV8 possible, including:
Engine Installation
Ford Racing M-6007-X302 crate engine, rated 340hp at 5500rpm.
Mr. Gasket air cleaner (part# 4339). K&N oiled gauze air filter.
Later model MGB (1975-1980) power brakes.
CVP Racing pulley set. Sanden air conditioner compressor. Custom pulleys and brackets.
Spal 14" low profile electric fan. Custom fabricated aluminum fan shroud.
Mallory Unilite distributor (part# 3744501).
Mallory Pro Sidewinder 8mm spark plug wires.
MSD Blaster 2 ignition coil.
Mantell Motorsport RV8-style through the fender headers, ceramic coated. Mantell Motorsports'
complete MGB-302 installation kit was purchased and used. (The kit is marketed for rubber bumper
MGBs, but with a handful of special adaptations it was applied to this chrome-bumper MGB chassis.)
Louvered hood.
MGB MkIII grille.
Summit Racing aluminum radiator (Mustang spec).
Fram PH8A oil filter, mounted under driver-side fender.
Engine, on a test stand.
Torin Jacks Big Red engine leveler.
Foldable engine hoist.
Oil filter remote adapter.
Timing mark on the harmonic balancer.
Edelbrock Performer 289 intake manifold.
Edelbrock 600cfm carburetor.
Front Suspension
Moss coil-over front suspension (part# 268-218).
These GAZ shock absorbers have adjustable valving, and their spring perchs are threaded
to facilitate fine tuning of ride height.
EBC grooved and dimpled front brake rotors.
Rear Suspension
Chevy 10-bolt rear axle with 3.08:1 gears and Auburn limited slip differential.
Tube shock absorbers.
Custom driveshaft from D&D Fabrications.
Parking brake cables supplied by D&D Fabrications.
Dual Cherry Bomb Turbo mufflers, part# 16802.
Interior
Wood trimmed steering wheel.
Autometer Pro-Comp Ultra-Lite guages (left to right): fuel level, speedometer (0-160mph),
tachometer (0-10000rpm), water temperature, oil pressure, and voltmeter.
Sony stereo.
Door trim.
Oak cargo shelf.
Custom covered headliner and trim panels.
Before painting, this MGB MkI dashboard was extensively modified.
Mike added gauge positions and holes for air conditioning vents,
DEI 1700°-rated self-stick insulation (part# 050502).
Advance Auto-Wire wiring kit features top quality materials (e.g. superior quality
wire insulation) and a dramatically upgraded fuse and relay center.
Nostalgic Air air conditioning evaporator for MGB.
|
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Exterior
PPG Deltron 2000 metallic basecoat/clearcoat, tinted to GM "Light Toreador".
Omitted bumper overriders.
Frontline Developments front valance.
Louvered bonnet.
MGB Mk1 taillamps.
Recessed license plate.
Hagen hinged fuel filler door.
Centered fuel tank facilitated a nice dual exhaust installation.
Panasport 15x6 aluminum wheels.
Dunlop SP P205/65R15 tires.
Photos in the section labeled "Exterior" were taken by Curtis Jacobson during BritishV8 2016. All photos other photos by Mike Alexander for BritishV8's exclusive use. Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. Use by written permission only. (Do not print, copy to your hard drive, or post these online without permission.)
