Bob Hertz's 1979 MGB with Ford 302 V8
as published in BritishV8 Magazine, Volume XVII Issue 1, July 2009
Owner: Bob Hertz
City: Seattle, WA
Model: 1979 MGB
Engine: Ford 302 V8
Conversion by: Don Sasnett
| Engine: | Ford 302/345hp GT40 crate engine from Ford Racing (part number M-6007-XE3M),
Ford Racing GT 40 aluminum heads, B303 "hydraulic" camshaft with roller
rockers, short water pump. Edelbrock RPM Air Gap manifold with Holley
4150 570cfm Street Avenger carburetor. Lokar throttle cable. K&N
air filter. MSD 6AL (6420) ignition with MSD (8598) distributor and MSD
Blaster 2 coil. |
| Cooling: | Fast Cars/Howe aluminum radiator with 16" Tornado electric fan. |
| Exhaust: | Fast Cars stainless steel block hugger headers with 2.5" stainless steel
down pipes into 2" Flowmaster Hushpower mufflers. Dual tailpipes exiting
together on driver's side. |
| Transmission: | Tremec H.D. T5 5-speed, special ordered with a 0.073:1 overdrive fifth gear ratio.
Ford Racing clutch with hydraulic throw-out bearing. |
| Front Susp.: | Fast Cars coilover front suspension. |
| Rear Susp.: | Hoyle Engineering independent rear suspension, with Ford (Granada)
7.5", 3.36:1 gear ratio and limited slip differential. |
| Brakes: | all wheel disc brakes. MGB power brake servo. |
| Wheels/Tires: | 15" X 6" Panasport wheels with 24mm positive offset. |
| Body: | a custom hood scoop was fabricated, using an Austin Healey 3000 trim
piece at the front and open to the back to provide better airflow in
engine compartment. Hood to engine clearance was not an issue with the
exception of the hood cross brace, which was modified to fit around the
distributor. Rubber bumpers were removed (because they were very heavy)
and chrome bumpers installed along early style, all metal bumper overriders,
a 1974 grille, and a vented (73-74.5) gravel pan. |
| Interior: | stock MGB gauges. Dakota Digital electronic tachometer signal converter.
Mazda Miata seats with custom upholstery. |
| Completed: | summer 2008. Driven approximately 200 miles as of April 2009. |
| Comments: | this car was built from a stock 1979 MGB we purchased from Ted Lathrop
of Fast Cars. It had suffered a minor engine fire with only 7000 miles
on the odometer and had been parked (unrepaired) for all those years. Other
than the engine compartment, the car was "as new" and it was a pleasure
and also quite educational to take apart a car that was basically factory
fresh.
Our project was somewhat unusual because it featured Fast Cars front suspension in combination with the Hoyle Engineering independent rear suspension. This is the second car I built with this combination. I find the handling to be excellent. The car is very fast and nimble, with light steering feel and excellent rear wheel hook-up. |
Please support the sponsoring companies who make BritishV8 possible, including:
Ford 302/345hp GT40 crate engine from Ford Racing (part number M-6007-XE3M).
PCV system and fuel pressure gauge.
MSD (8598) distributor and MSD Blaster 2 coil.
Remote oil filter plumbing, and 16 inch Tornado electric fan.
Fast Cars (Howe) aluminum radiator.
"How It Was Done"
Aluminum plinth for steering pass-thru, and custom throttle pedal.
Coolant overflow tank.
Brake line and wiring harness routing.
Fast Cars shortie headers.
Ford Racing GT 40 aluminum heads.
Edelbrock RPM Air Gap manifold.
Holley 4150 570cfm Street Avenger carburetor. (Note the electric choke.)
B303 "hydraulic" camshaft pushes roller rockers.
Short water pump.
Motorcraft alternator.
Heater valve and throttle cable.
MSD Ignition (multiple spark discharge) "MSD 6AL" controller.
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Fast Cars front suspension, featuring Wilwood brakes.
Hoyle independent rear suspension.
Mazda Miata seats with custom upholstery.
Austin Healey 3000 inspired hood scoop.
Fabrication of the custom hood scoop.
The scoop actually opens at the rear for cowl induction.
Austin Healey 3000 trim piece, and 1974 MGB grille.
Hood cross brace (with raised profile to clear distributor.)
Vented (73-74.5) gravel pan.
Chrome bumpers with early style (62-69, all metal) overriders.
Panasport wheels (15x6).
