BritishV8 Forum

It's come to my attention that we currently have 176 registered members that haven't written their first message yet. A lot of message boards have a special section for people to introduce themselves. So, it occurred to me today that maybe it'd be nice to have a "sticky" thread for people to check in and just say "Hi". That way you don't have to start a new thread!  

Don't be shy. Just tell us a thing or two about yourself (or your car/project)... or tell us how you found BritishV8... or break the ice and say "hey!"

Cheers,
Curtis

Hello My name is Tom. I bought my first British car a 1960 MGA 1600 in 1962. I spent a few years in W Africa and bougth a 1967 MGB thru KLM airlines (duty free) in Holland drove thru Europe before sending the car back to the States. I met a guy at a British car meet around 1986-7 who had converted a MGB using the Buick engine and kinda got the "Bug". I bought a 67 BGT for 400.00 and engine (61 215 Buick) from a junk yard for another 200.00 then added a Rover 5 sp from a junk yard in Toleda Oh. and managed to get the car on the road about 9 yrs later. Loved the car had a lot of fun and SOLD it for a fraction of what it cost to build. Then I decided to relive my childhood and buy a 1959 MGA. I spent 10 years restoring the car drove it for about 5-6 hundred miles and decided to sell and buy a BGTV8 already finished for a fraction of what it would cost to restore myself. The car has the Buick engine (62 215) with a 350 chevy turbo tranny. Mustang rear B&M shifter and fun to drive.
I have been reluctant to add my 2 cents because of the savy posts (tech stuff that I couldn't add to) I enjoy reading the progress of the BADASS project and since I'm retired if you need a roadrunner I can make myself available to pitch in when you need me. I live around the corner from Steve DeGroat and belong the the Midlands British Car club here in SC. I consider myself a "wrench turner". The 67 I built myself using a machine shop to do the block and heads and had the driveshaft shorten and balanced but the rest I bungled thru using whatever would fit. As I recall I used Toyota fourunner shocks on the read and the Spax conversion on the front.
On a personal note I am 70 yrs old and have 8 children and 13 grandchildren and an going to be a great grandad this april so I guess you could say "whats that old fart thinking". Well I still love to go fast and have fun!     T

Hey.  I'm Dan.  I built* an Austin Healey 100 Coupe.  I think it's the only one around.  Can you identify the top?  I built the frame from 1/8 inch wall 2 x 4 steel.  Thought the 7MGTE (Mk III Supra turbo) with R154 tranny would complement the coilovers, double wishbone front suspension, rack & pinion steering, power discs, ABS, Ford 9 inch, triangulated four bar rear suspension, and detachable steering wheel.  I had to make an english wheel to fab a couple of the rear panels.  I used the ABS on a drive earlier this Fall.  Still have to validate that the cooling is sufficient.  Drove to the Mitchell SD Outkasts show in September from the Twin Cities.  Gonna drive it next summer then tear it apart next Winter to cleanup the body.  Later.  232hp, 2400lbs.

* means a tech built from old junk laying around and passed** qualification but is not ready for full production
** with additional performance and testing requirements imposed by customer
BeastatSDOutkasts.jpg

Hi, U'se guys!

I go by Real Old Guy here 'cause that's what I am, a really old guy! I usually post on the TriumphTR7 Forum and go by jclay there.

I have one very good TR7 and a couple that I am going to put back into good shape. I just made a deal with a guy the other day, I fix his TR8 and he pays me with a 3.5 RV8 and a 5 speed trans. So, I am intending to put this combination in one of my other TR7s. I will be looking around here for ideas and help!

I have three sites up that have TR7 information:
My Main site; http://web.mac.com/jclaythompson/iWeb/Site/Welcome.html
My Technical Stuff website;  http://web.mac.com/jclaythompson/iWeb/Technical/Intro.html
and my download site for different articles and wiring diagrams;
http://homepage.mac.com/WebObjects/FileSharing.woa/75/wo/duIfzgd2mVoMtFDI.1/0.2.1.2.26.31.97.0.35.0.1.1.1?user=jclaythompson&fpath=Triumph_Articles&templatefn=FileSharing4.html

I hope you find them interesting!

Happy New Year!

ROG (aka: jclay)
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Hi
My name is Ozgur and I'm from istanbul, TR
I'm building AC/Shelby Cobra 289 from scratch that I've just finished body buck and working on windscreen and fastback hardtop
Regards
Ozgur

Hi y'all,
I from southern California and have been a MGB nut for many years. I never had a real nice car but was always able to find them needing a little work, and I would get them going and drive the heck outta them. I have found 2 jensen healeys that have some potential for a V8 conversion but I still have it in the back of my mind that I would rather have an mgb v8 instead. I lurk here and have tried to catch up on everything on this site. You folks have some REALLY nice cars here. Thanks for a great site.

Robert

Hi folks,  Happy New Year!

My name is Jim, from the UK.

Had my car for 7 years now.  Done various projects on it.  All details here.

http://www.jimmcglynn.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/


Speak to you soon.

Regards,
Jim

Hello to everyone.

I live in Australia. I own a 1974 Chrome Bumper MGBGTV8 and a 1958 MGA.

I visit this site to see what things are being done to improve the cars. My V8 has had a few modifications I'll be glad to discuss if anyone is interested. It has a Costello 5 speed gearbox. Hoyle front spring conversion. Doug Jackson rear suspension kit. 4.3 stroker kit.

I've been looking at a hot wire injection conversion but still saving the pennies.

Happy new year!

Regards
Don


(Moderator: Don's UserID is being changed to "DonGTV8")

Hi Everone

Happy New Year!

Like many of you, I have been playing with cars, of all types, since I was a kid.
I live in Massachusetts (USA), so now is the time that start putting a lot of time in on my automotive endeavors.

Currently, I have two '73 MGBs.
a) A roadster that is great shape but needs new paint. (Someone had a Maco job done on it!)
   The roadster is currently stripped to the bare steel and I'll be sending it to the body shop in two weeks.

b) A GT that has a long, long way to go.
   This is car that I would like have some fun modifying and the whole reason I joined this website.

From what I've seen so far, this website/magazine is going to be real asset.

Cheers
Perry

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      hi im steve i live in england i have a bog standard triumph stag with original tv8,my car is in avarage condition for it's age but will soon require some bodywork(front wheel arches and panel behind drivers door) plus a respray.As i use the stag as my second car these jobs will get done as and when i can afford it.
        cheers steve.

Hi,
I retired from the Coast Guard in September of 2006 and live in Leoma, Tennessee.   I have been looking for an MGB that I can afford that is mechanicaly sound.   Very limited pocket book equals not mechanicly sound.

I owned a 1974 Triumph spitfire that had a Pinto engine in it.   It was an extremely fun car to drive but I blew a head and was unable to fix due to a Divorce.   Needless to say I have wanted to replace it for awhile.

Any suggestions?

I love this website....

Hi, and Happy New Year ! I'm Jack and I'm building a 1961 MGA roadster in a vintage race style for the street. powered by a 1988 Ford 2.3 intercooled turbo 5 speed. as you see I am  just getting started.
<a href="http://s24.photobucket.com/albums/c1/KustommGhia/?action=view&current=mgaengineside.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1/KustommGhia/mgaengineside.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s24.photobucket.com/albums/c1/KustommGhia/?action=view&current=MGArearbody.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1/KustommGhia/MGArearbody.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Hi,
  I was introduced to the MGB V8 way back in 1986 when I offered to help a fellow Auto Crosser with his car, a 1968 MGB GT with a 215 Buick/Olds combo. Over the years and even though it retains most of it's stock chassis this car has developed into quite the fast little racecar. Allen, now one of my best friends, has set many FTD's or wins of our class against superior cars at the many events, that we drag the car to. It is crude and rude but we like it that way.

This Link will give you an Idea  http://good-times.webshots.com/album/565511391fsVuwB
And a You tube clip of one of my runs up Knox Mountain- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP9i-EMq34s

What Do you do when you already have a fast car, You build one that should be faster. I have always wanted to build a tube frame for the 68 but knew the time  would not allow racing for several years. So two years ago we started with one of Allen's spare roadsters to build a second car. The chassis in now nearing completion, and there is a 4.6 Rover being build for us, which is also getting close to running on the dyno. Might turn a wheel under power this summer.
Some specs-
Bare chassis-- 520 lbs
Ted Lathrop front suspension--160 lbs
Ted Lathrop 9 inch ford rear end with Gold Track diff and 3 link suspension- 180 lbs
Rover 4.6 with Wildcat heads and injection--450 lbs est.
Tremec TKO close ratio transmission--105 lbs
Wilwood brakes on all four corners
Fenders and front valance from Spridgetech  -50 lbs -- Ain't the Internet and a Visa card great
Goal is to end up some where around 1700 lbs dry weight with the engine producing 450 hp at 7500 RPM.
Might be a beast! You can follow the build here
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/561131577nRLjYp
Well ta ta for now as I am off to the shop to play
Brian Browning
Canoe B.C.

NotAMechanic Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hi,
> I retired from the Coast Guard in September of
> 2006 and live in Leoma, Tennessee.   I have been
> looking for an MGB that I can afford that is
> mechanicaly sound.   Very limited pocket book
> equals not mechanicly sound.
 
Leoma is a long way from East TN, but you are real close to Kelly Stevenson.

http://www.britishv8.org/MG/KellyStevenson.htm

Hi, Frank here.

I am a fan of all sports cars and muscle cars and like to check in here once in a while to see what's new.  

Happy New Year to all!

OK, I have a 1975 1/2 MGB that my son left for a motorcycle. I guess going topless wasn't enough. I inherited his "baby". I'm sure that you have said this, "When I get the garage cleaned out..." That is me right now. When I get the garage cleaned out my plan is to do a "resto-mod". I would like to put a small V8 in it as well as upgrade the suspension, etc. I'd appreciate any words of wisdom that y'all may have.

I have a hoist, compressor w/air tools, jack stands, hand tools, and probably a lot more imagination and desire than skill. That may be a recipe for disaster but I'm willing to try anything.

That is it for now. To be continued...

Hi
Another Perry here.
I have a 1975 MGB GT V8 factory car which I have modified. I now use the car mainly for track days.

Great forum by the way.

Regards
Perry
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Hello,
Kevin  I've had a 55 BN1 w/ a V8 conversion that I bought in 1991. I drove the car in San Diego when I lived there and blew the head gasket, The car has sat for the last 7 years in my garage now in Virginia taking a beating from kids bikes and foul balls so I'm finally getting around to putting it back on the road. The engine really needed a lot of work so I opted for a Custom Crate engine built by Jon Barret Hot Rod Engines in OK City. I had body work and paint done locally. Right now it has the SM Block 350 with a 350 Turbo tranny set up with the original rear end. I'm looking for suggestions on a conversion for the rear end. I would like to have conventional rear shocks and disc brakes with the mod. Thanks
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Hello from Pennsylvania,
I have a 79 MGB roadster that I'd Like to put a 302 in. We are currently rebuilding a F.I.302 motor and the car is in pieces across the garage floor. I love the look of the sebring flares with the exposed shroud up front. My son keeps showing me the videos on u-tube of all the v8 MGB's. I'm seriously considering the FastCars front end, I have to make a call to find out how much it's going to cost me. I've been in touch with morSpeed Performance Products about the flares but I can't seem to get an order placed. Does anybody know who else in the states that manufactures these flares? I love the articles, keep up the good work. Thanks, Mike
PS. How do you get grease off a computer keyboard?

Hi all. The name is Phil. I live just outside of Raleigh, NC, though I am originally from Fresno, CA.

I found this place due to the late Ken Biermann's 1969 MGB that was on eBay recently. Beautiful car, incredible noise it makes. :]

I've always loved old cars. My taste mostly lies in American muscle cars from the late 60s through the early 70s (mostly Mopars), but I also have a lot of love for British sports cars, both old and new. MG, Triumph, Aston and TVR being my favorites.

I'm currently waiting on my first collectible car to be completed. A customized 1971 Plymouth Cuda, but who knows what might be next? haha

I'm excited that the meet up will be in Durham this year. I may very well attend and would likely have the Cuda to bring along and make noise with as well. :]

Hi everyone. Wishing you all a Happy New Year. My name is Wayne Rippy. I live in Summerton, SC and I have always loved British cars. I have a 1974 1/2 rubber bumper MGBGT that I completed this past April. It has an Olds 215 Stroker engine. I plan to attend  the V8 Gathering in June in NC. Hope to see a lot of you there. I check the British V8 website daily. Thank you Curtis for a wonderful site and dedication.

Hi to everyone and a happy new Year!

I live in very south of Germany. I own a 1964 MGBV8 Costello since 1996.

My first car, when I was 18 years old, was a 73 MGB.

As a short introduction I send you the link of my little RPI workshop trip some years ago.
RPI Engineering: Costello MGB V8 4.6 Power Upgrade (http://www.v8engines.com/projects-019.htm#top)

Regards
Uwe


Costello1.jpg
Costello2.jpg


(note: RPI link repaired by Moderator)

hi
My name is Wes Brown, retired Air Force, at the time i lived in Wichita KS and i had a 79 Spitfire before some lady decided to total it recently.  things that i had done to it, was, installed a cup holder in the center dash section, remote control electric bonnet lift, made fiberglass door caps, that were covered in vinly, made a fiberglass storage unit with lid, that fits behind the seats, in that wasted space, Miata seats of course, replace the paper card board glove box  with a fiberglass one with locking door, made a fiberglass center console. then covered in vinly.

installed a engine remote starter, so working on the car  would be easer then getting in and out of the car to start it, installed under bonnet engine lights so working in the dark without holding a light.  

I'm not living in San Antonio, looking for another Spitfire.  During the time that i lived in Wichita, KS i had converted a 79 bonnet to the LeMans Style.  I still have that which will be going on my new Spit when i find one, i have plans to install power windows, redisigned door panels, and dash. made a motorrized GPS device that will open and close from the top of the dash. (gps removable)  Looking to place either a Mazda engine, or small V6.   Looking for people who have completed a mazda conversion.  everything that i did to the prior Spit will be done to this one, along  with electric jacks behind each wheel,  removing the gas cap and placing a gas door on the passange side, using a GT6 gas tank.  Have also made a third  brake lite to fit in the rear trim.edging.  Also looking into installing a Q45 LSD as a replacement differential. so many things, and no spit to do it.

also in the process of writing a book to help other make changes to their spit. if you have any question of how i did what i did, just let me know, at spitfireoptions@yahoo.com

so now, im just waiting for that new Spitfire to do these changes to it.  HELP

Hey Yall,
I'm Richard Carr.
 I own a MG restoration shop  and am starting my own V6 conversion. Unless I change my mind I'll be putting an '88 4.3 Chevy with a 7004r trans into a 1980 MGB. I  am just getting started on the engine part.  Let me know if you have any suggestions except don't do it. Lol

Dear Friends,

Although I am on the prowel for another dream car at the moment, I
have a set of NEW state-issued Hawaii licence plates that look great
on a show car. They are state-stamped '1981' and read
"HEALEY". Photo available on request.
Anyone who wants them can have the pair for
$100.... and I'll handle the shipping.

Dr. John Knoles
john@knoles.com
Cell: 602-692-JOHN

Richard Carr, you have a PM.

HI EVERYONE MY NAMES MICK BARRATT, I AM 45 AND IM FROM A PLACE CALLED LICHFIELD IN ENGLAND. I CAME ACROSS THIS WEBSITE BY CHANCE AND IT CAUGHT MY INTEREST SO HERE I AM... IVE ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT THERES NOTHING LIKE THE SOUND OF A V8 ENGINE, WHETHER TICKING OVER OR REVVING IN ANGER -- FANTASTIC.. AS A FORMER MECHANIC IVE CONVERTED A FAIR FEW CARS TO V8 SPEC IN MY TIME(MAINLY MGs AND TR7). MY CURRENT CURRENT PROJECT CAR IS A TR7V8 3500(std spec engine so far),AND MY PREVIOUS A MGB GTV8 SEBRING WHICH I REGRET SELLING, HOWEVER MY TR IS A NICE PIECE OF KIT WHICH IM HAPPY WITH.. HERES A COUPLE OF PHOTOS OF MY ABOVE MENTIONED CARS.. IF ANYONE WANTS TO DROP ME AN EMAIL, PLEASE DO.......  REGARDS,  MICK..................
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Just a quick note to introduce myself. I have owned British cars & motorcycles for over 20 years & currently own a 1967 MGBGT that I am restoring to stock because the insurance rate for a collecter car over 25 years old is one third the cost!  My other British car is a 1975 TR6 powered by a 350 Chev & automatic with the stock rearend & suspention. The car was a parts car that was left from building a stock 1973 TR6.

Hello, I have recently aquired a 77 mgb and have high hopes for a sb ford conversion. I would like to build this car to scca specs but I don't have a clue where to start. I am located in Georgia and would like run at braselton (road atlanta) and be as competetive  as possible. I have been wasting the last few years fooling around with fiats, this is my first brit and she will be ford powered. I am content with purchasing a fast cars inc. IFS at 3 grand but I dont know what to do about the rear suspesion, I have a mountain of 9 in. fords somewhere. I would like to find a list of must haves to complete the v8 conversion, like type of radiator, headers, trans cross member location, ect. I would like to here input from more experienced  v8 'ers, particularly from the 302 guys. Thanks -Phill

Hello & happy new year!

I'm currently building an MGB GT (1970) track car which I aquired about 4 yrs ago.  Unfortunately shortly after I bought it I blew both head gaskets (engine was knackered) and bent a few valves, then got shafted for about $5k on the new engine when the builder did a runner.  I've been picking up the pieces since then (about 3yrs ago) and slowly building it into a beast of an MG.

The current (basic) spec is as follows;

MGB GT 1970, full Sebring kit, ultra light bonnet, heavily modified engine bay
Interior completely stripped, caged, buckets & harnesses.  Custom fibreglass hot-rod style dash & centre console etc.
Rover SD1 solid rear axel, shortened, Phantom Grip LSD, 5-stud conversion.  Custom 5-stud front hubs, Jaguar XJ 4-pot brakes, Sierra Cosworth rear brakes/Mercedes discs.  16" Compomotive MO lightweight alloys.
Custom pedal box with Wilwood cylinders, custom brake reservoir.
LT77 5-speed gearbox, custom propshaft.
MGB fuel tank modified for EFI, full race-spec fuel system with swirl pot, Holley/Bosch fuel pumps.

Engine:

3.9 litre Rover V8 with Janspeed twin turbo conversion (twin T04B turbos).  Stage 3 heads, Group A works sump, TVR Taraka 45mm manifold, 45mm trumpet base, ACT Carbon Fibre plenum, 330cc injectors, Cosworth intercooler, Group A dump valve, Aeroquip fittings, Megasquirt/Megajolt with Accel coil packs, launch control etc, plus a bunch of other parts.  Estimated 300bhp/320lbs/ft (any less and I'll be pi$$ed!).

Hello my name is James , I love to build cars mostly sports cars .i am in Richmond Va . I found this sight when my friend Less told me about the article British v8 did about his car .I recently finished an Mgb gtv8 to race in vintage races , or allmost finished , it has an empty motor in it and buisness is slow and i have no money for a motor . but i mostly like building them .
MGBV8022promo.jpg
 The car is a 69'  full roll cage  , big brakes , 8" ford rear , racng seat , the front fenders are made from aluminum the rear quarters are steel , the hood is aluminum
MGBV8025promo.jpg
the wheels are 8" wide so the fenders are flared.

My name is Antonio and I live in Spain.

I am always involved with sports cars and I remember a lot of fun when I drove the Austin Healeys, Triumphs and MGs of my friends. I have a Porsche 944 S2 and I haven't any British V8 project in mind, but I enjoy a lot with the interesting projects showed in your website.    

Happy New Year to all

Hi everyone, Dave here
I have owned many good British sports cars over the past years (Tiger, Alpine, 100/6 Healey, MGB V8) and missing not owning one bought a DUD of Ebay a 1967 MGB  It looks great in pictures but will take along time and a lot of work before its a good car again.
Excellent British car web forum
1967MGB.jpg

Hello to everyone.

I live in Australia. I own a 1974 Chrome Bumper MGBGTV8 and a 1958 MGA.

I visit this site to see what things are being done to improve the cars. My V8 has had a few modifications I'll be glad to discuss if anyone is interested. It has a Costello 5 speed gearbox. Hoyle front spring conversion. Doug Jackson rear suspension kit. 4.3 stroker kit.

I've been looking at a hot wire injection conversion but still saving the pennies.

Happy new year!

Regards
Don

Don, we've not seen much on the Costello tranny, could you give us your impressions of it please?

Jim

Hi all,
         my name is Dave Jennings.I stumbled upon your site whilst looking for upgrades for my 1971 MKIV Spitfire.
What a fantastic site you have I can spend way to much time just looking at your members cars and reading all
about the upgrades that have been done.
           As I said I drive a 1971 Spit usually wearing my flying jacket and with the roof down,hence why my friends call me 'Biggles' I run a standard 1500 engine but am looking to put in a six pot GT6 engine.Also looking to run on motorbike carbs so if anyone has any info on that paticular project I would love to here from you.
                                                            Must dash chaps
                                                                                     Biggles

Hey all, my name is bryce, i live in chesapeake, va and am starting my first birtish car project. im doing what seems to be the usual with a 215. ive got the motor and trans, just gotta find the right car now.

this site seems to be the most informative, friendly, and most organized of all british car sites ive seen (and most automotive forums in general).




        see yall around!!!

Howdy All, I finally found my way to BritishV8.org. My name is Jim Brucato, I have been around awhile now in the MGB V8 world. Some here know me, others will eventually.  I drive an older conversion, done in the late 90's. It's a 1980 MGB V8 with a 3.5  Rover. Is this enough of an intro?
2Jim.jpg
This is an OLD Photo, 2000 I believe, at a car show in south Jersey. Won Long Distance award, drove up from Florida :P Gotta win them anyway I can.

Is that a Boddington's in your lap?

:)

Hi gang, my name is Devon, and I am in Oregon....I've been looking for my first MGB for a few months now...I've loved 'em since i was a kid, and now am finally actively looking for one that i can begin to do some work on.  Ideally i am hoping to find something that runs for now, to get me through the summer, and then next winter start doing restoration/engine swap on.  I love this site, so many great articles and photos, and everyone seems very eager to lend an opinion, which is great in my book.

If there is anyone in the oregon area, or SW Washington I'd love to hook up sometime and trade ideas etc.
Thanks!

Hi, my name is Jason and I am in OH. I recently purchased a '59 Bugeye. I also own a '59 Morris Minor truck. They are both projects. My other cars include 3 model Ts, '54 Hudson Jet, a '50 Chevy sedan with a 454 and a '63 Corvair. I have a '40 Buick coupe, '46 Ford sedan and the Corvair for sale.

As far as my projects related to this board I will start posts in the proper sections. I will have a ton of questions, more related to the Bugeye than the Morris. Thanks

Hi Curtis,
Many thanks for your reply.
Myself: I am English, but now living in France  where I run my own tuner / restoration shop. Am 53  and been into customs, racers and tuners for 30  odd years. I have designed and tuned many cars in that time and also have a few trophies when I was
racing (Although, that was for Formula 'E' super  karts).
So, I have a lot of experience in one off's, but the main work over the last few years has been on the 4 pot's.
I have almost exhausted the options for my own  motor and therefore plan the V8 route.
As for my car, if you look at my web site  [www.garagestmarien.com] under Citroën and  then The Beast, I think it will give you an idea  of what I am creating.
I know it's not British, but it's British designed and engineered, will be powered by British power and this model does have a big following in Britain. I think it also found it's way to America and was called the CXA.
With my car, I plan to fit another front subframe in the rear, with a modded jag irs and drive shafts that will take care of the rear wheel  drive.
This also gives me better roll bar and brakes. It also allows me to retain the hyd suspension/steering and brakes. The brakes being incrediably powerful at 175bars pressure. It also gives me independent front and rear handbrakes. So burnouts or drifting will be easy.
I am planing the car to be a wild child on the road. Good response and handling, but also capable of drag racing, so it will be dual purpose. I also plan to control the front and rear suspension independantly, so I can drop it for circuits, or rake it for the strip etc.
Answer, to many responses I get, why a Citroën CX  - "I like the challange of something, where you have to think, design and build and not just get a kit of parts from somewhere".
The only other thing to add, is I believe in Ensteins theory of relativity, where he states the faster you travel, the slower time becomes.
Therefore, I drive as fast as possible everywhere, so I will live longer!!!
The pictures are one from a tuner show (Best of show and top motor), the other is a photo shop plan of the new look.
Regards
 
John
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My name's Chris, i just recently got a 1962 Austin Healey 3000 with a Ford 289. It's been in the family, meaning my father has had it, since I was about 16. So I've been drooling over it for close to 15yrs now.

 Now it sits in my garage instead of his front yard and is starting to come around. I'll post pics as soon as i get to.

Hi All,

Steve Melfi here. I live about 15 miles east of Columbus Ohio outside the small 1 stop light speed trap town of Alexandria. Over the past 40 years or so I've had several V8 cars, the first a black 68 383 4speed Road Runner I owned from 69 to 75.
Sometime in the late 70's/early 80's, when we lived in Middletown Ohio, after watching the movie Last American Hero (the story of Junior Johnson) I acquired a small block 68 Mustang, built up a 302, dropped it in, and drove it every once in a while for a year or so. One day my wife and I were at a party at some guys house out in the country and he had a dead 68 MGB. Five years prior to this I had been an MGB mechanic for six months, so I figured I could fix it and sell it at a profit. I bought it from him for $200. I got it home and put it in the large garage I had at the time. It was sitting next to my Mustang. Next thing I know I have a tape measure out and..........six months later the 302 was in the MGB. I drove it a bit, but needed to do more work to it and then time became an issue as it does when raising a family. So it sat and sat and etc. We moved to Alexandria in 82 and I got it running a few times over the years but never finished it. I meant to start fixing it up in around 95, but my best friend got me involved with stock car racing and that ate up a lot of free time for ten years. Last year I dismantled the 68 MGB and sold the engine and trans.
I suscribed to the V8 register when it was still mailed to you (no web site) and I've never lost the desire to build a nice small block ford MGB. I traveled down to the MGB V8 meet inTownsend TN a few years ago and spent an evening at the motel looking at the cars. Since then I have purchased a 78 MGB and I have a nice small block ford doner car. It's an 88 thunderbird with a built 5.0 (Eldebrock intake and carb, MSD, headers, Flowmasters, electric fuel pump, etc), T-5 trans, fuel cell in the trunk, and 8.8 rear end.
I plan to start my conversion in a month or so.

Steve

Hey Steve

Welcome  We like 5.0 MGBs    well some of us do anyway
Take lots of pictures as you build her  we are always looking for better ways or ideas to skin this Cat.

Joe

Come on down to Raliegh in June, Bring the car or pictures. Hang out and shoot the cr*p with all of us. Welcome to Brit V* too !!!

Just found this site following a link from another site regarding building a solid-state replacement for the Lucas instrument voltage stabilizer.  Nice write up...one that I plan to attempt very soon.

My name is Sandy and I've been driving British iron for almost 4 decades now.  My first actual new car purchase was a 1972 Land-Rover Series III 88".  It's still running strongly today after several hundred thousand miles of hard off-roading.  I am one of the founding members of the Rover Owners' Association of Virginia, the oldest LR organization in the Americas.

Most recent acquisition is a 1996 Land Rover Discovery that has since been heavily modified, or rather, armored.  Winch, snorkel, brush bar, skid plate, diff guards, rock sliders....  It was originally the  hand-built prototype (Feb., '95) for the '96 North American spec model year, purchased directly from Land Rover.  This may be of interest to pub members:  it is perhaps the oldest surviving Rover 4.0 in the world, as  it has an engine serial number of 000000017.  I was told by LR corporate that the first 25 of the 4.0 engines built were 'tested' into oblivion.  It, too, is running strong.




There has to be some wood around here I can knock on.... ;-)

Cheers

Hi Mike from Sonora, CA checking in.  Been working on a v8 transplant for my signal red 74.5 TR6 for over 5 years now.  Bought the car in miserable condition in 94 and got it back on the road but the frame was twisted due to a pretty good smack in the front passenger corner.  Horrible frame repair.  Got taken by the seller in hindsight, but got the car I'd always wanted.  But the car has never really driven to it's full potential.  Motor was worn out as well, was originally an OD car but no OD was present when I bought it.  1988 GM 350 is hitting the driveway tomorrow so hoping for a blast of headway and fingers crossed to have it back on the road by the end of summer.

Hello. I'm Dawie from Cape Town, South Africa.

I'm into all kinds of weird and wonderful vehicles, but foresee two projects for the immediate future. First, I've finally finished building my garage and have consequently been able to get my Morris Minor out of storage after ten years. It's a 1958 four-door with the original A-series, looks sound but needs some work to the floor. From the start the plan has been a sort of "conversation with Issigonis", trying to get something of the original Mosquito prototype back into the design, while also throwing Sir Alec some conceptual challenges. For that reason it has to have a flat-four engine, of which I had considered several before deciding on a Subaru EJ, but will also have an interconnected suspension system that will allow use of a separate chassis by taking all the torsional loads out of the body.

The Morris engine bay is about 31" wide and 19" long. The Subaru EJ is about 29" wide and 17" long. It needs to be done!

Second, I've been collecting bits and pieces for a Ford Model A street rod with a distinctly European vintage flavour, a Weymann-style fabric fixed-head coupé on a Montier-like "surbaissé" frame, stretched 12½" to get those aristocratic proportions.

Expect slow progress, and lots of procrastination!

I've been working on a 1978 MGB on and off since 2003. Started driving it in 2006, it had been sitting since 1989. This is my 1st LBC, It is mostly stock but de-smogged  BTW I'm interested in a second MG. So keep me in mind if you here of a well sorted car that the current owner needs to .xchange for cash. I'd like to find a GT to use as a daily driver. I want a mostly, or completely finished resto-mod with A/C, 5 speed, V6 or V8 that does not leak rain into the cabin or fluids onto the garage floor.. Any other creature comforts that may have been installed would just be a bonus. In other words an almost new car wrapped in an MGBGT shell ready for daily use and long distance trips. And, of course, I'm hoping to find such a gem at a price lower than a Miata. [Excuse my use of such a word.]
I plan to attend the meeting in Durham, June 2009

Cheers,
P. J. Lenihan
mgRByellow.jpg

Hi,
My name is Peter  and I am in Laurens, SC.  I just purchased a 1977 MGB.  I might do a lot of lurking for  starters.

Hi , I'm Rodney and own 2..no make that 3 Triumphs.

2 cars and a motorbike.

my pride n joy is a 1977 June Triumph Stag in British Racing Green, Its registration is Fastag and this befits the 4.4 Rover V8 modification along with drivetrain changes to suit.

Without going into too much detail, I've taken to recondition the engine after 15 years good service and found this site as a possible source of what's out there on Rover V8s. I am a true Triumph enthusiast and have restored a 1976 Triumph TC, Pimento Red to original condition. I swapped its motor with a Triumph S that was in bad shape bodywise and interior wise. The result was a fully restored TC/S hybrid. The 4 door is intended to drive whilst I take my time sorting the stag's engine and lift its appearance a bit.

happy to chat to anyone about Rover V8s and Triumph 1970s models, as my knowledge beyond these models is limited.
I have a photo of my stag in the gallery and waiting for acknowedgement so that I can add it to my avatar.

cheers.

Gidday All
Andrew Gaskin from Feilding, New Zealand
Just stumbled across this site and had to join. Love the cars and what been done to them.
I've fully rebuilt a 1974 Triumph Stag which I have repowered with a Toyota 1-UZ-FE 4.0 Quad cam V8.
Runs toyota crown Auto, Ford 9 inch diff. Nissan drive shafts and rear track controll kit.
Up rated brakes. Volvo 4 pot vented fronts and ford rear discs, BMW Servo and master cyl with willward proportioning valve.
I aquired this car off my father, but after spending alot of time working on it as a trainee mechanic, ( numerous over heating problems,Fuel leeks , constant tune ups and even repairing the massive damage from a broken timing chain etc etc ) I wanted an engine that would be more reliable and less maintinance intensive than the standard Triumph ( boat anchor ) engine.
After looking at various re powering options, decided to go with the Toyota quad cam as they were cheep and strongly built.
Whole project took just under 4 years to complete, but alot of that time was due to getting the body de rusted ( think B L built the rust into the car) and re painted.
So now staggy has been back on the road about 4 months, and we have clocked up over 10,000 kms with out any issues with the enine at all.  
 Am stoked with the way it goes, way better than the old std engine.

Will submitt a project diary shortly.

Cheers

Andrew Gaskin
newpics120.jpg
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stagengine249.jpg
newpics182.jpg

Hello. Name is John Fischer(everyone calls me Sparky). I live in Georgetown,Ontario, Canada. Been lurking for some time after finding the site while looking for info on Rover v8's. Am intrigued by the light weight and relative small displacement of these motors and have a 3.9 I intend to swap into an S-10. With any luck I intend to mate this engine to a Nissan 6speed that I've  got. My engine is all apart right now and am having trouble finding bearings and rings locally. Napa and the other jobber shops around here look at me like I've lost my mind when I mention Rover. If any of the members from around this area could tell me where they get their parts I would be most appreciative. Thanks for reading and hope to get to know some of the people on here.
   Sparky

My name is Mike, some of you will know me as The Wiz from various other forums, some of you even knew me as MikeB4 in the UK over 10 years ago. I'm a displaced Brit and have been driving LBCs all my life, currently owning a 65 MGB, 79 MGB and 71 MGBGT, two of which are running and in use!

I did my first V8 conversion in 1987 putting a Rover 3.5 in a CB 74 MGB. At the time conversion parts were not widely available but some guy called Clive Wheatley was just getting started and I sourced a factory inlet manifold, water pump and front pulley from him.

Now, I'm in the US, I have just sourced a complete Olds 215 engine to go in my 79. This is going to be a quick and simple conversion, the car is our long distance tourer and our Endurance Rally car, we are going to keep using it in the same way, we just want more power and easier highway cruising. We are going to spend this year going through the engine and collecting parts. At the end of March next year we'll do some tidying up on the car and install the engine, initially using the existing gearbox, radiator and cooling fans. We want block hugger headers to reduce cutting and I may even source a complete exhaust system from the UK.

We do want to put an MGC axle under the rear end but that could wait if we can't find one easily.

The car will then be driven and problems taken care of as we go, this is the way we have been treating the 79, we just constantly drive it and tweak it, we'll do the same with the V8 engine.

Then way on down the line I have a 65 MGB body shell and a Chevy 383 engine but that is another story.

Hello Everyone,  

My name is Robert and was looking for a forum with other British Car owners.  I recently purchased a Triumph Stag and am looking forward to sharing it with other British car nuts.  I have owned many British Cars and a triumph was my first car towed home when I was 15 and used a 1967 Baracuda for the tow car.  And I have been hooked ever since.

I purchased the Stag so I could tote my family in it, my wife, daughter and son and on occasion our dog.  I am loving the car and I enjoy the road trips whether close to home or the long trip to a British Car Show.

Hoping to learn some valuable info here as I read.

Thanks again for having me.

My Best, Robert

Hi
   Mike in the UK.
I joined this forum lately for exchange of information.
I am just embarking on another Triumph rebuild but this time with a differance and not common in the UK as the majority of TR owners here are purists and dont like messing things about.
I am building a TR4A with Rover 3.5 V8. This is small by USA standards but you have to think about the insurance rates over here.
My last V8 was a TR7 V8 reimported from Australia, before that I had aTR250 ex Navada car.
In the past I have fitted a Rover 3.5 V8 to a Ford Transit van which I extended to be my race car transporter and have also fitted a V6 into a Ford Cortina 1600E.

Many years of racing and rallying gives me the confidence to tackle most things on cars and have come up with a few modifications that have benifited the TR owners.

Anyway my rebuild starts with a newly aquired chassis already repaired and powder coated.
Rear disc(rotor) brakes as seen on this site from Nissan.
Rover 3.5V8 with Australian spec serpantine belt with distributor.
Edelbrock inlet manifold and carb.
LT177 5 speed box.

I will post picture as I go and my target finish date is June 2010.

Hi,

  Ian here in the UK.

   My current toy is a 1955 MG Magnette that has a 427ci small block Chevy fitted to it...slightly more powerful than the stock, wheezy old four banger that Abingdon fitted!

   This is my first V8 project, my previous ones were all aircooled, and I have a few aims in mind with this one, mainly drag racing in the UK and, all being well with the economy one day, some action in the USA.....I'm already an SCTA licence holder at Bonneville.

  Hopefully the project should be on the road this year...yep, road legal with a parachute bolted to the back! :-)

Hello-

 I found this site looking up info re my old /new project.  I'm currently getting back to my old swap.  It's a 1978 BMW320i w/ a Buick 215-with various Rover/Triumph/Jag parts. I had it together in the late eighties but never worked out all the bugs-it just sat with a wife then son then ex-wife and work....

I've always had a fondness for British cars- My first car was a Triumph TR4,  I learned that oil just doesn't go in the engine - it goes in the carbs too!!!

I've also owned a 1971 TR6  and helped my brother put a Buick 215 in his TR7 years ago.

Here's the test mock -up- Hope to have the car moving under it's own power soon.

     Richard
testfit.JPG

Hi,
My name is Werner and I am 65 years old.I live in Lynchburg, Va. I am retired since November 2008.
I bought my 77RB in 1988 with 75K miles on it. I drove it further to 250K with no major problems and decided that it was time to replace the 4 banger with a Rover 3.5 V8 in 1997.
The MGB V8 conversion was still in its infancy but there was already a small write up from some enthusiast BV8 people on the internet.
I met Curtis Jacobson on one of my frequent trips south and admired his nice BGTV8.
This gave me extra incentive to finish mine too.
In 1998 the rebuild was ready after I found a 1980 SD1 wreck in a junckyard in Kitchener, Canada .
Further upgrades included Wilwood brakes in the front and vented rotors from a Porsche 944. A 5 speed Rover gearbox was found in Florida.
Over the years I travelled many times to the UK and brought regularly suspension parts with me.
I bought a John Hoyle front suspension and plan to install this unit at the end of this year.
The "B" is undergoing a ground up restoration because of many rusty area's, well known to many mgb owners.
The original V8 engine had Federal fuel injection but was incomplete with the wiring and ecu so I decided to run a 4 barrel Carter/Weber for the time being.
I am now in the process on going back to fuel injection with the Megasquirt kit. I might ask for some help with that from people that have done this installation before on a Rover engine.
Further plans involves a possible IRS project. Not sure yet which way to go.The John Hoyle design is super clean but costly.
Reading through the forum I noticed that several people with Rover engines have trouble with tapping noise. After 50 K on my engine it developed the same problem so time to sort it out.
Hope we all can come to a solution for this annoying noisy problem.
I'll keep the forum updated on my restoration project.

Welcome to the forum Werner, you'll find familiar faces here. Have you been running a zinc additive in your oil?

Jim

Hi Jim,
No, no zonc additives. Car is been idle for 4 years. Got retired and found finally time to work on the BV8. In process of converting to Megasquirt EFI. For the moment in the UK for part tme job. Visited RPI.

You might want to look into that. They've been cutting back on the zinc for about the last decade and the flat tappet cams can't survive without it.

Jim

Hi! My name is Dave.
I live just outside Coventry in the UK.

I've got projcet approval for stage 1! Which is to buy an MGB from the "Boss"or "the trouble and strife" better know my good lady especially in her company!
Stage 2 the V8 approval is currently ongoing

I've played with a fair number of Rover v8's in the past in Land Rovers.
I used to work in the foundry where the rover v8's where cast so I know the inner most working well!
I used to work in the auto industry before the economy forced me to make a change.

I have seen that forum and rest of the site is a very good source of ideas and ideas.

Hope I can give at least some help to others.

Hello, my name is Jacques and I live in Alexandria, VA.  I've got introduced to this V8 business two years ago by Jim Stuart.  Jim gave me a ride in his car and I was hooked.  I have a '77 MGB roadster which has been a working progress since 2006.

Jim Stuart it turns out lived about 50 miles from my house, however, he worked on his car in a rented garage/club space only about 6-7 miles from my house.  Originaly, I was going to go the conventional route of a 4.0L Rover motor, but, Jim suggested that I go on line (Britishv8.org) to take a look at some of the different conversion including the Ford 302.

After careful considaration and advice, I decided to go with the Ford set up.  I sat back and listen to all of the problems associated with such a project and decided to try in following these two principles "low un-sprung weight" and "light weight rotating mass"  The Japanese have built some real successful cars following these principles.

Well, it's not easy to operate when you have a champagne taste with a beer wallet and having said that my first killer purchase was Ted Lathrop's (Fast Cars) front end.  People that had it seemed to talk highly of it.

Second, I went with a 8 inch Ford rear end with light disc brake, 3:42 gears, Currie aluminum center, True-Trac posi, Doug Jackson composite suspension with tramp bars, however, I installed a streetrod pinion mounted emergency brake with their optional "Watts linkage".  At the time, no one offered a three links.

I use a Pyar plastic engine to set up the drivetrain.  The engine is a Ford (E.F.I.) 5.0 Liter with a GT-40 modified intake, AFR-165 heads with 1.72 Scorpion roller rockers and a E-303 roller cam.  The headers were fabricated by Ted Lathrop and I installed some spring loaded flanges.  The engine bay has a few unique and thecnical touches that people seem to appreciate (?)  I'll post some pics later.

The transmission is a new Summit Racing T-5 with an aluminnum flywheel.  Although I purchased a new Hydraulic McCloud throw-out bearing, I changed my mind and went with a side mounted slaved cylinder kit available through a vintage Mustang parts supplier, the bearing is for sale.

This car is refered to as a MGB-FV8 and not RV8 (F for Ford) my licence plate will be displayed as such.  I struggled to decide between keeping the rubber bumper and the chrome conversion, I sort of liked the safety of the rubber, but, I wanted to stay within the light weight principle so I went with the chrome bumpers.  I'll try to bring some soft changes.

I also spent a lot of time deciding on the wheels and while searching on Google about light weight wheels I came across an interesting article on Mazda commissioning BBS wheels on certain models.  It turns out that the MGB-RV8 that went back in production from 1991 to 1993 had indentical wheels.  Mazda put these wheels (9-1/2 pounds) only on their RX-7 convertible, it has the same bolt pattern as the Ford, 5 X 4-1/2.

I also purchased a genuine RV8 steering wheel to complement a retro style.  I have a lot of work to finish all the small stuff, as they say, the finishing touches take 90% of the time to execute.  I have to thank Jim Stuart for keeping me motivated, however, the cash needed still can slow things down.

Some of you I have already phoned for advice and I do appreciate your help, thanks.  By the way, Jim's birthday is tomorrow (September, 12th) "Happy Birthday" Jim.

Hello fellow BGers!

I live in Newberg, Oregon, just 25 miles SW of Portland.

I am down to just 4 MGB's at the moment.  ;)  a '67 GT, 2 - 72 roadsters, and a 79 roadster.
All of which have the original 4 cyclinder engines.
I have a 215 engine that I would like to put in one of the cars.
Any ideas how to chose which car?  is one better to V8 then the others?

Also...  I really need to downsize, and at this point plan on keeping only 1 roadster and the GT.
So make me an offer on the others if you are interested.

Great web site!
Thanks!
Bryan Joyce
bljoyce@chehalem.com

Welcome, Bryan.

The engine bay of the 1979 MGB is already set up to accept the BOPR V8. Your other MGs will involve a bit more metal work to make the block fit.

Sell the two 1972 tourers to finance the V8 conversionof the 1979 tourer.

Hello all!

Thought I would introduce myself, I'm a 25 year old pilot currently living in Bowling Green, Ohio (for those of you that haven't heard of this exotic location, its the 4th left past the heard of cows!)  I have been an enthusist for many years, both in the auto racing and show world.  I started my automotive career working for a car museum during high school and much of my college years.  There I was introduced to auto racing.  The owner had several cars, a TR3, Lotus XI, Devin TR3, and Formula Ford to name a few.

From there I began to race on my own, starting with a Honda CRX Si.  I've owned several cars since then (turbo miata, nissan 240sx) and done quite a few laps around the track.  Currently I spend most of my time racing in NASA events, but try to get to as many club events and local autox as possible.  

I recently purchased a MG B project car, that I hope to do a v8 swap.  I've been trolling the forum for a little bit and thought I would sign up and introduce myself now that I have a MG in the garage.

On to the photos...

This is my Nissan 240sx, set it up for drift/road race
(http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae338/DrifterPenguin/s13-01.jpg)

Here is the Miata
(http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae338/DrifterPenguin/Roadster/DSC_7756.jpg)

And here is the new project
(http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae338/DrifterPenguin/teh%20MGB/DSC_7946.jpg)

Hello Fellow V8 Enthusiast's!

My name is Brian and I've been a V8-aholic for 9 years now. I was first introduced to the hobby by my friend John. He built my car, a 1980 MGB 215, on a whim to see what it was all about and discovered that it was a lot of fun. One day I happened to be over John's house and I had asked about the car and he said...Want to drive it? I of course said SURE! I was hooked. My car was originally built in 1999 and never truly detailed because it was so much fun to drive! In the winter of 2006 I tore the car apart and had the motor rebuilt. While the motor was out I detailed the engine bay and rebuilt the entire cross member and all of it's components. It's finally finished with only some minor tweaks to complete before next season. I've attached a couple of pictures for reference.

I'm glad to be apart of the hobby and looking forward to future posts. I should have introduced my self sooner!
1980MGB1.jpg
1980MGB2.jpg

Hello all.....finally got the MGB I always wanted....1980 with the rover V8 (1968) in her...8" ford narrowed diff,T-5 tranny out of an S-10, silvolite pistons, .30 over, edelbrock 4-barrel and intake. She moves!....fellow I got it from has had it for 20 years, body/interior/mechanical mint....going to need a few things in future though....has points, will likely switch to electronic....tach is for the original 4 banger/switch that out and speedo is off by 10 kph. Hope this site helps me figure it out...I have been fixing american hot rods for some time but this is mt first brit car though I did fix alot of old brit bikes when younger...I already have some Lucas issues with this one (sigh!)....will post pics when I get some.

Hello folks,

I am starting the long process of restoring a 1980 TR8 that I've had for several years. I have enjoyed this website for many years. I like the layout and I really admire the engineering that goes into shoehorning big engines into little British cars. Anyhow, the TR8 is box-stock (so far), but I'm dropping the drivetrain first of all to deal with a variety of wear issues, then it's bodywork and paint. I know I'll learn a lot here and, hopefully, contribute a little.

Cheers,

Krusty

Hi, my name is John from San Jose, CA. My car is a 72 TR6 with a 302. It has been in the photo gallery for some time now, but this is my first post. I've owned this car since 1979 (wow it's been that long). One of my other projects will be putting a Ford Zetec and 5 speed into my daily driver MK1 Cortina GT.
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Nice cars Bruce.  And great weather most of the year there to enjoy them too!

Hi, my name is Marshall and I'm from Auburn Washington, I'm 15 and I just bought my first car, a 1965 Sunbeam Alpine that I plan on slowly restoring/rebuilding. Eventually it'll get a built 302 in it along with a 5 speed from a mustang and a narrowed 9" in the rear. But it runs for now and I'll probably drive it the way it is until I can get a real job and really start pouring money and time into it (I paid for the car doing yard jobs all summer).

Here are a few pictures of the car
P1000817.jpg
P1000859.jpg
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Welcome Marshall. Looks like a pretty nice car you got, I know you will enjoy it a lot. Sounds like you have a pretty good grasp on your project plans as well.

I'd like to say hi to everyone out there. My Spitfire (http://www.britishv8.org/Triumph/PhilMcConnell.htm)  has been on the website for at least 7 years and I want to say thanks for keeping it there. I have been driving and updating the car since June of 1996.This photo is of my daughter and I at a solo event in Augustof ,08. I will be sending updated photos and info to to be posted later. I would really like to take part in this years annual meeting. Does anyone know when and where it will be? I thank you in advance for any info.
solo.jpg

Hi Phil, nice looking car -- looks like a blast!  The meet this year is in Indy in July -- the week after 4th of July.  More info here... http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?10,11618

Rob

Based in England in Brighton looking at the cool website love Rover V8s got 3 two 3.5 & one 4.0L love them sounds nice and looks good.
I drive a Toyota Surf 2nd Gen and then added a V8 in it, boy it sounds nice would like a superchager with a chrome inlet over the bonit.

Been here a while, just now introducing myself...  It all started 30 years ago with a Sunbeam Tiger.  Of course, I immediately regretted selling it and vowed never to sell another car.  The two I'm posting today represent the latest finished projects.  The Red/White '64 MGB is a pretty accurate restoration (besides the paint scheme).  Pic is posted under the paint/trim section, two/tone thread.

I bought a second '64 B just to get the overdrive for the first restoration, and wanted to build a V8-B at the same time.  I knew it would be more fun.  But after consideration, I decided cutting all that sheet metal was unnecessary since I had a nice Chevy V6 sitting in the barn. Its got a T50 transmission and I made all mounts and the headers myself.  I wish I knew about Bill Guzman a bit earlier.    B #3, a 1977 will end up with a V8 4.6L - that's my next project and the one I'll post pictures of as I go along.

The pics below are the #2 MGB, V6 - I call it my "mouse" rod.
MGBMouseRod2010010-1.jpg
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MGBMouseRod2010004-1.jpg

Hello All!
       My name is Tony and I just recently got my 1973 MGB GT.  I need to replace the sills and the left rear quarter.  I can likely get away with a patch for the right dog leg.  The eventual objectives include a rover or buick v8, sebring flares, corbeau seats with four point belts, and a wide variety of convenience items.  It should be a fun resto mod/street rod.  I'm hoping to pull off a lot of updating whiile retaining a vintage feel.  Eventually I may autocross the car but it will likely never be track raced outside of a track day or two.

Hello all.

I'm Steve, based in York in the UK (the mini apple, if you like...).

I've just spent the last 4 years building a Lotus 7 replica with a bike engine.  However, no sooner have I finished it than my wife has lost her job so it's being sold.

So - my plan is to cream a little off the sale money and buy myself an MG Midget in need of restoration and busy myself wth that for a while.  Basic plan is to strip it back to the chassis, modify the suspension (5 link rear axle and coilover conversion at the front - something along the lines of the Huffaker setup) and fit an R1 bike engine.

Bodywork wise I'll be fitting a set of GRP frogeye bodywork (steel panels are prohibitively expensive for the frogeye), and going with a brooklands aeroscreen.

I reckon I can get the weight down to something similar to my 7 (460kg wet), which with the same bike engine does 0-60 in about 4 seconds flat.

I guess I've got a steep and no doubt emotional learning curve ahead, but hey, that's part of the thrill (isn't it?).

Cheers

Steve.

Hi,

My name is Todd Bailey.  I am a lifelong resident of Kingsport, Tennessee.  I have been involved in motorsports for the last 18 years (Drag racing and circle track).  I also work in the performance aftermarket as the Director of Purchasing for a medium size warehouse wholesaler.  My stable includes a 1980 Porsche 911SC which I am just now completeing after a three year resto; a 1985 Corvette, and now my 1979 MGB project.  I am planning a 302 swap.  I am most fortunate to find my MG in such a fantastic condition...no rust, perfectly straight, and a decent interior.  I'm very happy to find this site and have already spent a considerable amount of time researching the fine cars and photos contributed by your many quality members.  I too hope to make a contribution as my project takes shape.  

This MGB is my second actually.  My first was an '80 model that I loved dearly for 1 1/2 months before driving it under a school bus at the ripe old age of 18.  I have always loved these cars and now, considering my occupation, it is just natural that I swap the 1.8 for some Ford Muscle.  I enjoyed driving the car home so much...I almost considered delaying the swap.  

Thanks for such an informative site.  I hope that my future input will be of as much value as I have already gleaned from these great folks here now.

Todd

Todd, welcome to the world of MG/blue oval......you should meet up with fellow Kingsport enthusiast, Carl Floyd.
http://www.britishv8.org/MG/CarlFloyd.htm
Carl is not a Ford gearhead (he has this thing for bowties) but has been driving his Buick powered conversion for years - he knows these cars inside-out and he's in your neighborhood..

Hi,
I,m Fred and I hail from Abbotsford B.C. Canada. Have been a car nut my entire life and like many different styles of  vehicle but always seem to be magically drawn to british stuff.
I own a european car repair shop and can actually make an SU carb work well!
My current punishment includes a Jensen Interceptor, Delorean, 3 Citroen SMs, Alfa Milano, Volvo P1800ES, Lotus Elite, my baby a 78 Lotus S2 Esprit with a Le mans engine.  And the daily drivers a Volvo TGB military radio truck and a 1957 Lambretta LD150 scooter.
The disease has been passed on to the rest of the family as well. My wife and oldest daughter both have supercharged Range Rovers and the youngest daughter has a slammed and flamed Volvo 122
My current projects are camperizing the TGB and building a really hot, big inch, Lotus headed Rover V8 for the Elite. But the distractions are many, oh look at the kitty, and working for yourself consumes enormous amounts of time.
I am very technical and can make anything go quickly. In particular a cold beer or a nice red wine.
Anyway thats me and thanks for reading.

Cheers
Fred

Remember, a positive attitude may not get you everything that you want in life....but it will annoy enough people to make the effort worthwhile.

Quoteand building a really hot, big inch, Lotus headed Rover V8 for the Elite.

I hope you're taking lots of photos!  

---

Welcome to the BritishV8 forum, everyone.

Hi, all;
My name is Dan Wilson, and I live in Colorado Springs. Back in 1963 I stuffed a Volvo B16B and Volvo 4 spd in my first Bugeye. I survived that experience, had alot of fun, learned some things the hard way, like how to change a broken axle on the Pasedena Fwy at nite...my date was suitably impressed.  In 1974, I bought another Bugeye in Santa Ana,CA, and thought I'd just fix it up. Should have known better...36 years later, it has a DCOE 45 fed Toyota 2-TC hemi, matching Toyota 5 spd, my own front suspension with inboard shocks, and a four bar rear (think Lotus 7) with Carrera coil-overs. It's rhd, and is currently apart to add double brg rear hubs and fix a rear suspension glitch. Current wheels are 6x13 Chevy Vegas with 185/60 Yokohama A008R slicks for autocross. I know that's an old tire, the car hasn't been driven since '97. I had to go vintage motocrossing for a while while I could still climb on.... Now have a set of Two Gates "minilite" 7x13 wheels off a friends' classic Mini, looking for a suitable street performance tire, thinking that current "street" tires are more than a match for the older racey tires... a couple of pix of the Sprite lifetime project attached.
My next (lifetime?) project, for which I have most of the major bits in hand, will be a tube framed MG (B) Special, along the lines of the Ken Miles R1 and Bud Hand MG Special. Cycle fenders, exposed rear spare, track T roadster nose, staggered seats, big and little Vredestein Sprint Classic tires on Dayton 15" wires, Datsun 240Z rear alfin brakes, and a 300zx five speed. If I live long enough.... My daily driver is an 04 MINI Cooper S, now for sale to make room for my new 2010 CooperS Clubman on the boat in the middle of that oil spill as I write this...
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Welcome Dan, always glad to see more modified Spridgets. As you know 13" tires are getting difficult to find in performance sizes. Other than Hoosier's the best street tires I've found are Sumitomo's from the Tire Rack. I'm running some old Yokahama A048s now, but will go with the Sumi's when those are done.

Hi, My name is Mike, I have a 74 1/2 MBB, been parked in the garage for more years than I care to think about.  I am currently looking to put a 302 with some bite...  T5 with a narrowed mustang rear end.  I want to upgrade the front and rear suspension.  Currently live in Northern California, great info here.

Mike

Hi Everyone

I've been lucky enough to buy Dave Welling's V8 which was subject to an extensive rebuild by him a few years back.

http://www.britishv8.org/MG/DaveWellings.htm

I recently bought an 1800 MGB GT (1967) - my first MG - having owned a Dax Tojiero for a few years.  But I missed the V8 power (and the sound, ohh the sound) and when the chance came to buy Dave's ex-V8 I jumped at the chance.

Happy V8-ing :)

In reply to http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?10,6299,6299#msg-6299

Hello all.
I have wanted a TR6 since I was a teenager.  The time has arrived to buy one...maybe.

About me:  I live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  My mechanical skills are more than the average person, as I went to a "vocational" high school and took autobody, automechanics, welding, machine shop, sheet metal and 4 other shops.  I even painted a car, once, in 1982.  I worked as an electronics and Quality Assurance technician, so have done a lot of prototyping, light machining, wiring and am familiar with hand and power tools and spray painting (albeit on small enclosures, not cars).  I was a QA inspector on the refurbishments of 2 nuclear reactors at Pickering nuclear generating station, so you know I have an eye for detail and am a stickler for doing things right and have no tolerance for lazy, slipshod work (it took 2 years for my brothers to stop making mushroom clouds over Toronto jokes).   Being employmentally challenged for far too long, I am starting a 1 year Paralegal Diploma course in August.  

With my other vehicles I have done basic tune ups, oil changes and minor repairs, although I am confident of doing more complicated work given a good set of instructions.  My apartment didn't come with a garage, so I can only do a limited amount of work on my car  myself, and don't have the equipment to do much anyway.  

This forum is terrific, I have already learned a few important things by reading some of the old threads.  There are many other questions I need answering though, before deciding to buy one or not.
See my post in the Triumph Sports Cars section.  I would greatly appreciate any help you can give.
http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?3,17324

Ian
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Hello fellow British V8 enthusiasts:

When I was a kid growing up in the 60's, my older brother brought home first a red 61 Sunbeam Alpine, then a green 65 Tiger while he was in the service. He didn't keep them long and moved on to the popular all-American muscle cars of the day. Years later I was looking for a restoration project and stumbled upon a 67 Tiger for sale in the Chicago area via the internet (this was 1995). It was in rough shape but with amazingly little rust for a Midwest vehicle.

I trailered it home to Minnesota and began what I thought would be a 3-year restoration project. Ten years, 3 kids and a couple of job changes later, I finally got it back on the road. The rebuilt Ford 260 V-8 is paired with a stout 4-speed toploader that gives the little beast plenty of get-up-n-go. My goal was to return it to stock condition and, as you can see in the picture, it's looking pretty darn close to original.
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If you're visiting northern Minnesota and around Lake Superior, keep an eye out for my little green beast!

Hi there, I'm a newbie to this forum and stand in awe of some of the projects you guys do. My car is a 1977 TR7 4 speed. Actually its a nil speed at the moment as she's stripped to the shell. Most of the 4 speed parts are gone as I'm now collecting Rover 3.5 parts. I have a P6b engine, big brake kit and have just negotiated a deal for 5 speed Lt77 box, bellhousing, prop shaft and 5 speed diff along with a 3.08 crownwheel and pinion from an SD1. I  am from New Zealand in the South Pacific where we have a relatively strong classic car community. I look forward to reading and learning from a lot of your experiences.
Cheers, Ewen
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Greetings all
Posted by: highmileage
Date: August 11, 2010 01:33PM

I just came across this site yesterday. Wow, there really is a site for almost every area of interest.

I had a Sunbeam Tiger Mark 2 (and had Yoke 008R's on it)  for many years and I foolishly sold it about ten years ago. It's a long story...

Then not long ago, while perusing Craigslist for items of interest, I came across two cars offered by two different sellers, and amazingly both lived nearby in Maryland! And both cars had been daily drivers but were now sitting ignored.

One was a mid-eighties Jaguar XJ6 with a small block Chevy conversion. A very nice car (pearl white paint, gray leather, sunroof, etc.)

The other was a '72 Midget with a 289 HiPo Ford. Since the owners were both 'motivated to sell', I bought 'em both. I'd be a bit embarrassed if I confessed how little I paid for them...

It's been hot as H,E, double hockey sticks but it's supposed to break and be in the eighties starting tomorrow. I plan to try to fire up one or both of them to see what I have.

No pics yet of the Jag (and I suspect that there isn't much interest in that one here) and not much history is known about this one. The previous owner bought it running for his then-wife to drive. She's now gone and the car has been sitting for about three years. It's got (pitted) chrome headers and alternator on the 305. Should be a fun car.

But the MG, now this looks like fun! The previous owner bought it on fleabay perhaps eight years ago (he would not say for how much). He drove it occasionally but then got married, had a child, and the car sat in the garage for three years until the wife decided that she wanted the garage space.

It has a 289 HiPo, a C4 auto, a narrowed nine inch rear, tubbed wheel wells, and a stupid hood scoop to clear the Ford radiator (that's gonna change)! It had some seats that did not fit the car (and weren't even bolted down)) and I have acquired a set of imitation Recaros for it, but they are not included in the pics below.

Here are a couple of pics...

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b261/highmileage/My%20stuff/100_1211-1.jpg)
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b261/highmileage/My%20stuff/100_1212-1.jpg)
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b261/highmileage/My%20stuff/100_1213.jpg)
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b261/highmileage/My%20stuff/100_1216.jpg)
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b261/highmileage/My%20stuff/100_1218-1.jpg)

The previous owner purchased the car from a seller in South Florida.  Anyone who recognizes the car and may be able to tell me something of its history (such as who built it) is welcome to contact me directly!  I think that the car may have been built to race at Moroso Speedway...

Does anyone recognize this car?  Inquiring minds want to know...

Hi Members,
My name is Giles, I come from the Land Down under and I have a British V8 in the form of a Range Rover Classic. It was a 3.5 but is now a 4.2. It runs on dual fuel, or it should, but the air flow meter is stuffed. I have the need for a new one but there few and far between in Oz.
I will ask the question numerous times across the forum to get as much response as possible, so pardon my repetiveness if you come across the same question, but here goes anyway. Is there more than one option of air flow meter that will suit? Can you use a just the flap type or can you use a hot wire type? Any input on this matter would be appreciated.

Greetings from Tennessee!

I have been fascinated with mechanical things all my life. When I was small and we were traveling, my mother used to take extension cords and electrical sockets that I could play with. She said I would spend hours hooking things up in different ways.

When I turned fifteen, my parents bought me my first car: a Fiat 600. I spent a year working on it. Mother came in one day, smelled something strange, and traced the smell to the oven. One of her favorite stories is about opening the oven to find a freshly painted Fiat engine block. I have never heard the end of that one!

My next ride was a 1964 Alfa Romeo Spider. Wish I still had that one. Unfortunately if blew a head gasket and in the early 70's Alfa parts were pretty hard to come by. That led to the 1970 Trans Am, and on, and on....

My current projects are a 1969 Triumph GT6 Mk II which will eventually be restored to as near original condition as I can afford, and a 1972 Triumph Spitfire hotrod project with a Rover 4.6 V8. I have begun working on the Spitfire project again after several years of inactivity, so I will probably be wearing you guys out with questions.

Here is where the project stands currently. The Spit chassis has been widened 5.5 inches. The front suspension is 1975 Mustang II with Toyota van spindles custom fitted. The rear is a Toyota Supra f series limited slip. With this setup I can use a Supra master cylinder and the brakes will balance. I plan to use square tubing to box the frame to eliminate flex. The body will be a roadster with the doors welded shut and a fiberglass hood. Suspension is air.

The engine is a 1998 4.6 which is just now ready to go to the machine shop. If it passes muster then I move on to deciding the build parts. My goal is top speed so I am thinking high horsepower and high rpm. I have a friend at HVH (High Velocity Heads - NASCAR, NHRA) who is helping me on the project. He regularly builds small block Chevies to over 500 HP on pump gas and has a private dyno. He wants me to use an aluminum LS engine but I already have the Rover and it is paid for. I could be convinced the other way. Opinions are welcome.

The Rover engine will be coupled to a 1984 Camaro T5 with .64 overdrive. It has been modified with an S10 tail shaft (so the shifter is not at my elbow) and a Mustang short throw T5 shifter. Running 15" tires at about 6500 rpm with enough horsepower should theorectically produce 200+ mph. How fast, of course, is ultimately determined by how much (you spend), so the actually results have yet to be determined.

OK, I know the first question is going to be, "Why are you widening the Spit 5 ½ inches?" Well, my son-in-law is a body man and we were pondering the body mods to make all the parts work and out of the blue he said, "It would be easier to cut the whole thing in two and put it back together," so that is what we are doing. 5 ½" is what made everything work, at least on the drawing board.

That's probably enough for an opening post. The email I got said introduce yourself so here it is. Look forward to talking with you.

Oh, one more note. I work out of town so it often takes me a while to return emails. If you don't hear back from me quickly be patient, I will answer as soon as I can.

Looking forward to seeing some photos!

JB

Hi all!
not really new to the forum as Ive been checkin out the craftsmanship on projects for several years, awesome talent! Finally to the point where I can start makin some real progress on car ( 69 Spit w/ 302) and hope to journal in the appropriate forum.

hello everybody
I'm Kurt. I'm a Triumph TR admirer for a long time. It started with TR4, then a friend of mine bought a TR5PI and that was it. So by now I have collectet a 68 TR250, a 70 GT6+ and a TR3B. I said collected because non is restored yet. The TR250 is getting close and I have a Rover 4.4l waiting to maybe transplanted in there. But the same I'm trying to figure out with my GT6+. For the TR3B I have a little bit more respect, but in the meantime I'm also thinking of upgrading to a TR4AIRS chassis. But it probably will keep its 4 Cyl but with a compressor kit. And from what I learned is, that the chassis is pretty much identical beside the longer outrigger.
And then a few years ago I also bought a 71 Jag XKE which over time should get a 6.0l motor. So we will see.

By the way Dan I like your Austin Healey 100 Coupe, It just looks dead gorgeous and sharp, congratulations!

Hello Curtis and the rest of the gang.Have been reading this website for a month now and I am always amazed at how much everyone knows.Some of the work that is done is just beautiful;real works of art.I live in St Thomas Ontario Canada and have owned  a 54 TR2 for about 35 years. Serial # TS110L. It was a wreck when  I got it  and back then parts were not too available  as you know. Consequently the car is not pure TR2 but it has always been a good driver and lots of fun. Right now Im working on a 66 TR4A solid axle car.Lots of mechanical work as the car was never looked after and everything is shot.Will keep you posted on that.Also  have 60 TR3A that Im planning to modify with a 5speed/engine swap .This is why the website is so fasinating to  read. All kinds of stuff to ponder.This leads me to a question I have to ask,which is this. Im not experienced in swapping but I keep thinking if you want a V6 60 degree engine/5speed, whats wrong with a Ford 3.0 litre 5speed out of a Ranger pickup?  Also why are there almost no TR3 swaps being done at all? Is the engine bay too narrow or what.Anywayif anyone knows what the scoop is I would like to know.Im new on computers but am learning so I will answer responses as best I can.See you later.

Hi All, my name is Tony.After 20 years in the garage it's time to finnish my factory MGB GT V8
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Hello Curtis. I introduced myself the other day and had a couple of question to ask , which I did. Where do Igo to find out if anyone responded. Ca you send me an Email and let me know? Singned Lost.

You might want to try reposting your questions over in the Triumph Forum.  I think a lot of people probably consider a TR3 "too valuable" to do a conversion on, but you can see most converted cars on here have added value.

Hi I'm Bob in Sacramento Ca.
I am restoring a 73 Triumph Stag for a familey friend.  It has been in a shipping container for ? years.  No rust but no engine, plenty of dirt and Wasp nest.  I have hobby level experience in restoring.  70s Chevys, Mustangs, 65 Porsche 912 Piper J3 Cub.  I am looking for some direction in selectng a motor.  Maybe a Ford 302?  So far I am impressed with the web site.  Many thanks.
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A number of people have put the Rover motor in those. They seem right pleased with the results from what I hear.

JB

hi.i came across a 70 gt6 that had been rusting away in an impound yard,and was about to be scrapped.

just couldn't let that happen,so i adopted it.after some dreams of restoring it,i realised that it would not be feasible....but hotrodding it would be.

i was also given a jag v12 from a good old guy that was dying of cancer.when i asked him what he wanted for it,he just said to do something interesting with it.

hopefully,combining the two will be interesting enough.


and for the moderators-i started out by misspelling my username....it should be 'gwaii',not 'qwaii'....if there is something that could be done to fix this,it would be much appreciated.tks.

Hi all,

My name is James and I have a MkIV Vogue Estate I brought with me to the US from UK. Have plans to make it drive more modern, as soon as funds allow!

I will be watching all modifications to Rootes 'Super' series cars with interest since there isn't alot of room in there.

Long time car guy.  All fords, mostly off things; cobra replica, 289 4 speed falcon, mustangs, GT350 clone.

I am pretty serious about buying a 3000 with 260Z running gear.  In good time, it will surely go 289/302/5.0

Here to learn as much as I can before I buy this car.

thanks.

I've been poring over your forums for the past 10 months, since I acquired my own little love project.  I just posted a bit about the car and the progress-to date in the Project Journals section.  1957 MGA Roadster with SBC 350 V*, Muncie 4-speed, and many needs.  Looking forward to reading and writing more inthe upcoming months and years.

-Rick

The car looks pretty good aside from the frame, but that's fixable. You might want to consider a lighter engine, long as it's apart. If it's really a 327 as the lettering on the body seems to indicate that could be worth enough to swap for an LS.

JB

Hi Jim.  There's some decent-sized bondo scabs, but minimal rust other than the rocker panels.  The lettering on the side (now gone - thank you scotch-brite) was done by a previous owner, and it had at least one engine transplant under his watch.  He told me that it was currently fitted with a 350 crate motor, but I'll get the numbers off the engine in the next week or two and confirm.  Fitting a LS would be great, but for now I need to ration limited resources (time & money) and will probably reuse the existing one.

-Rick

Hi, my name is Jim Willenbrink and I live in Florence, KY, which is about 15 miles south of downtown Cincinnati.  I purchased a 1978 MGB in 2003 from the previous owner (Craig Jensen).  He completed the major conversion (he installed a Chevy 327 engine with 3 speed saginaw) in 1996 and logged about 20k miles driving.  I have a number of upgrades for the car scheduled for this winter.  I purchased a narrowed S-10 rear end with posi, and Chev drum brakes.  I am in the process of ordering a new aluminum radiator, and I am planning some sort of brake upgrade (not sure how far I am going with the brakes),
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Hi James,

I recognize your MG & the name of its previous owner.  Craig attended the 2nd annual V8 Meet that was hosted in Annapolis, MD in 1998. First small block Chevy MGB I had ever seen.  Unfortunately, it overheated in the Beltway traffic on the way to Summit Park Raceway. I have wondered what became of Craig & his B cause we never saw him again.

I hope you noticed that you & Jim Blackwood are neighbors.

Hi there, my name is Louis and i purchased my first British car in 1979 a brand new Triumph Spitfire russet brow with factory hard top and electric overdrive. The Dam Masters article on the TR6 V8 w/302 Ford Windsor totally caught my attention, this is the finest article on automobile modifications that i have ever read! Two Thumbs Way Up!!!! I wasn't even aware that you could fit a reliable V8 engine in a TR6!  The mathematical explanations make total sense and i have since then spoken to Van over the phone about the project as it looks likes he took it over. It looks like it's too rich for my blood at present (my budget is $20000. at most for now) but i am really interested in buying one when the opportunity. I also love the Sunbeam "Tiger" Alpine and was wondering if the "289" conversion is "bolt on" or requires firewall modifications etc... Van's car is a solid beast and i would love to drive it to see just how much a TR6 can be improved....frankly it's a concept car with a TR6 shell. I just completed a Vespa 90SS restoration so i am looking for another toy.

(quote)
Hi James,

"I recognize your MG & the name of its previous owner. Craig attended the 2nd annual V8 Meet that was hosted in Annapolis, MD in 1998. First small block Chevy MGB I had ever seen. Unfortunately, it overheated in the Beltway traffic on the way to Summit Park Raceway. I have wondered what became of Craig & his B cause we never saw him again.

I hope you noticed that you & Jim Blackwood are neighbors."

Thanks Carl,

I did subscribe to the old British V8 Newsletter, just took a while to make the digital transition. I made one simple change to eliminate the overheating problem when sitting in traffic (on hot summer days). I added a flex-a-lite fan blade to the front pulley, and it has worked great for the last 7 years. Now I'm in the process of ordering a custom built radiator to replace the original (14year old) radiator.
I'm looking forward to meeting Jim Blackwood, the street I live on (Heritage Dr.) is very close to Gunpowder Creek.

Jim

Hello Guys. I've owned my 71 B-GT for about 6 years now. I had it almost completely restored 2 years ago with the exception of the interior. The old time vs money equation raised its ugly head. If I have the time I don't have the money. So I had the money and someone else had the time. My wife still hasn't forgiven me. 18k later (she says it's 20 [Ihave the receipts]) and I'm beginning to plan the installation of a V8 and maybe a divorce in the process.;) The Olds 215 cid Jetfire looks like a good fit producing 155 hp and 215 hp with the turbo. I've also heard that the Cadillac 273 has the same footprint and bellhousing pattern and should be considered. I haven't looked deeply enough into that option yet. At least the Cad engine is available. After months of looking I've not been able to locate a 215 that isn't just suitable for a core. It's been a long while since I've worked on an engine or done much with automobile mechanics, but the spirit is willing. I'm a field service technician for a packaging machine distributor and am on the road 250 to 260 nights per year. As I said the spirit is willing. I hope to find some friendly advice and shoulders to snivel on every once in a while on a site devoted to those who've already accomplished what I aspire to. I love the B-GT and the smell of the interior on a warm summer's day brings back many great memories. There is just nothing that smells / sounds as good or as right as the interior of an LBC with the exhaust at full song. Thank goodness for a little corner of pure delight.

I'll think of a good signature later.
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Beautiful car Ken.
Have you driven a V8 conversion yet? If not you really owe it to yourself to do so. Any one of them will amaze you, and even an extremely mild 215 is an incredible step up.

You have many options in a very broad range that encompasses nearly anything you could want in an engine. Some want simplicity. At that end something like a 3.5 Rover engine is a good choice or even in some cases a V6, although you lose that V8 sound. From there you can go from mild to wild or as sophisticated as you like and still stay within the Buick/Rover family of engines. Or you can go outside that family with the small block Ford, Chevy, LS series, and others. Naturally the farther afield the more fabrication is needed but the more basic swaps are pretty much a bolt-in proposition. Since your body restoration is complete, pay particular attention to the BOPR (215 and Rover) and SBF swaps.

Go to the Web Forum tab, MG sports cars, scroll down and read some of the articles on how these cars were converted to get a better idea on how to proceed, then check out some of the threads on the MG forum and the Projects forum. For an idea of how far the limits can be pushed, read some threads like the MG-Roadmaster, my 340 upgrade, Calvin Grannis' TR6 conversion on the Triumph forum and others. By the time you're done with that you'll have a real good idea of the direction you want to take.

Incidentally, I think you will find that with the '71 body shell most builders had some sort of fairly minor engine bay mods required to fit the BOPR engine. Probably not what you want to hear. But they vary significantly. For instance, I did not want to cut the bulkhead, steering, or use a remote filter so I used a forward engine location, but that required me to cut the pan and move the radiator forward. There may be a location and method that allows you to only cut the openings for the RV8 style headers. (highly recommended)

JB

Hi Guys
I just retired as a gas compression engeneering tech and moved from upstate New York to middle Tennessee. Love the weather, because of the extended driving season. Started building a Corvette powered TD last winter. The MG also has a Corvette rear and a Corvair front that I converted to disc brakes. Just got the car running last week so I'm working out some small bugs. I posted the build pics on the HAMB, and after over five hundred hits they killed the thread for being off topic. Before the thread was dusted one of the guys gave me a link to this site. Looks like this is the place for me.
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Welcome Dave,

Wow, that is quite a nice looking car.  I can't wait to see it in person, hope you will bring it to the 2011 British V8 meet.  Mark your calendar: May 15, 2011 at the Tally Ho Inn, Townsend, TN.  How far are you from Dan Masters
(at Alcoa, Tennessee)?
 
Jim W.

Way cool Dave.  You've definitely found the right place!

Hello everyone,My name is Clyde, my wife and I live in Salinas Ca,and collect old car's. To date we have a 68 one owner firebird a 72 c-10 one owner, Ive been really lucky(blessed) to find two one owner car's, also my favorite is my 69rs/ss camaro im the 3rd with 97 tho and change miles, a 55 chevy that's on my list of thing's to finish???don't know when because I found a 93'frame sandrail that has a 215 buick V8 alll aluminum block& heads never new they had this? and after some run's and some repair on the tran's ...we are looking for motor parts??? Broke that to,and need a block or the whole thing, bla,bla anywhy that's how i found this great site! Now ,I never wrote thing's but felt happy to do so here???? so hello to all and hope that we can find some things and share some thing's also? never know!  Hi from Salinas CLYDE & SARAH S.

Welcome Clyde.  I used to be @ Ft. Ord years ago -- just down the road from you.  This board has a pretty active classifieds board and also a very active engine & drivetrain board where the aluminum block 215's are covered in tons of detail.  Post what's going on with your engine there & I'm sure you'll find plenty of help (even if it's not in a british car).

Hi All,

A life long preoccupation with small cars powered by relatively large V8s should be explainable. Incidents during the formative years may have played a part.

It may have started with the Hurricane Hot Rod Association races on the ¼ mile dirt oval track inside the Milwaukee Mile in the late 1940s. These stripped-down roadsters were powered, primarily, by hopped-up flat head Ford V8s. Following the feature race, the pits were opened to the spectators. The night air was filled with the smell of hot oil, over heated clutches, brakes and tires. Some of the engines with their aluminum heads and dual carburetor manifolds were still making cracking and snapping sounds as they cooled down with steam still blowing from their radiators. The race cars were driven up the trailer ramps with exhaust blowing from open headers. Intoxicating! A memorable tow car was a lowered de-chromed 1941 Mercury convertible with dual "motor boat" mufflers. The rumbling sound of its exhaust pipes in the tunnel under the mile track as the Mercury pulled the loaded trailer up the incline may have had an irreversible effect.

Those impressions were reinforced by the road race at Elkhart Lake in 1951. Sitting on a billboard at the outskirts of town, observing the awesome sights and sounds of the racing Allards and Cunninghams at our feet could alter the direction of one's life. Some of the engines howled or shrieked but the V8s boomed. Famous and wealthy people seemed to like participating in these events. Good or bad, these are things that can't be ignored.

Many others seemed to be similarly affected. A magazine told of a road racing MG with a Ford V8 60. Just imagine, a MG roadster with a hopped-up V8 engine from a record holding circle track midget or hydroplane.

In 1949, Cadillac and Oldsmobile released their overhead valve V8 designs. It may have been a good thing for some of us that those vehicles didn't handle very well. The Oldsmobile wrecks, in particular, began showing up in the salvage yards making the engines available to poorly financed enthusiasts.

My $150 on Carl's counter in exchange for a 1949 303 cid Olds Rocket V8 confirmed my eagerness to join the movement. I'd gone from observer to participant. This could be attributed to the rebellious teenage years.

The photo, below, from 1954 shows that engine after some development. A used Edmunds 2 carburetor manifold was purchased. Inspection of my new treasure revealed why it was available, a part of a sand core blocking a port! The Stromberg carburetors were from Carl's flat head Cadillac engines. The hydraulic lifters were made into solids by removing the springs and check balls. Ak Miller adjustable push rods were used. The heads were milled to increase compression. Mallory supplied the coil and distributor. A camshaft change came later.

This engine was used in various forms in a 1933 Ford cabriolet, 1938 Ford 2 door and a 1940 Mercury club coupe until military draft papers were received in September of 1955.

Serving 2 years in the U.S. Army with a Military Occupational Specialty, 635.10, Vehicle Repairman, only deepened the affliction. Being surrounded day and night by other auto enthusiasts in motor pools and Ordnance Depots is not likely to lead to a higher calling.

By 1957 the movement was in full bloom on the streets, circle tracks, drag strips and road course race tracks. The high winding small block Chevrolet V8 was changing the landscape. Shortly after discharge from the Army, a 1957 Corvette came my way. It went through a series of modifications, including installation of a 4 speed transmission. A factory 2-4 barrel carburetor set-up and 3 Rochester 2 barrel carburetors on an Edelbrock manifold were tried. The engine was bored and high compression pistons were added. Various camshafts were tried. The later model Corvette traction bars were added to prevent spring wrap-up.

The Corvette was great for ripping through the gears but, the British cars seemed to have an edge in the handling department. Increasing the power to weight ratio of a British car with a V8 engine seemed reasonable enough. By 1969, the sacrifice of more normal pursuits allowed the purchase of a new 350 hp 327 cid Chevrolet V8 engine and aluminum case Muncie 4 speed transmission. These were installed in a 1962 Jaguar XKE coupe that had been acquired for this project. At the time of the photo, the engine was basically a standard 350 hp long block with two 550 cfm Holley carburetors on a Edelbrock cross ram manifold. A Mallory distributor and coil were used. The exhaust header tubes are 5/8 inch diameter X 34 inches long. The car turned a 13.2 sec. at 110 mph at Great Lakes drag strip in 1970. The rear axle ratio was the standard 3.31:1 so it went through the traps in 3rd gear at about 6000 rpm. Firestone Wide Oval tires were used. Now that the obsession had been confirmed, it just became a matter of trying to balance it with the other aspects of life.

There is no known genetic disposition toward V8 engines in the family. Unfortunately, the condition may be infectious. In the 1951 photo, the 1933 Ford cabriolet still had its flat head V8 and a cable operated muffler cut-out. My brother, Al, is seated next to me and Jerry is on the nearside running board. I accept some responsibility for Al's affliction.

Ed
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Ed, I've been toying some time with the idea of a flathead V8 in an MGB. As someone who has probably seen this done, is the Ford flathead the lightest one that was produced, or is there another?

JB

I', Bow,

Live on the Northwest side of Houston, TX.

I'm looking for a British car to swap my built Nissan KA24DE (2.4L, DOHC, FI) into.

Ed,

Nice to have you on the forum, looks like you have quite a bit of experience with Chevy powered British iron.  I was curious to find out what part of Ohio you are located, and I sure would get a kick out of seeing pictures of your Chevy powered MG TD.

Jim Willenbrink
just south of Cincinnati, OH

GREETINGS ALL,

MY NAME IS NELLO AND MY PROJECT NOW IS A TR7. I HAVE LUGED THIS THING AROUND FOR 13 YEARS ITS TIME TO FINISH IT. I HAVE TO GET SOME PICS LATTER TO PUT ON. I AM IN THE PROCCESS OF MAKING A NEW BODY KIT FOR IT. NOT JUST GETTING AN MR2 BUMPER AND SLAPPING IT ON. MOST OF IT WILL BE CARBON SUCH AS BUMPER HOOD AND TRUNK. WHY, MOST PEOPLE ASK AND I SAY "BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME." I NEED TO FEED MY PROJECT SO IF ANYONE WANTS ME TO MAKE THEM SOMETHING WITHIN REASON I CAN HELP "COMPOSITE WISE" ILL MAKE IT FOR ANY CAR.
SO FAR ON MY PROJECT I HAD TO PULL OUT THE GRAND NATIONAL MOTOR BECAUSE I HAD TO SELL IT. I BOUGHT ANOTHER V6 AND SOON AN OLDER CARB TURBO SET UP. I ALSO HAD ADAPTORS MADE TO FIT PORSCHE WHEELS. MOST PURIST CRING AT ME  OH WELL.

Hi, my name is James and I'm a Gearhead(Boy, that was real tough, you know, first time admission!)
I been wrenching everything I have owned to a point since I was a kid. You know the deal, no money for a real mechanic to do the work, so drive on. Dirt bikes, a 1966 Mustang(now with a 357ci Windsor in it), a 2002 Harley Sporty with a stupid fast 110hp motor in it(cafe racer, needs body work, but motor and suspension are done), and a Factory Custom Dodge Dakota Quad Cab 4x4(Panty 6's). We(me and Sam) now have the 1954 AH 100-4, a '72 LT-1, a '83 Doug Nash, and the will to see where we can go with it all in the next few years.
I been military all my adult life. Entered the USMC in '82, served until '86. CA Nat. Guard from '87 - '95, HI NG to '97. Army from '97 - '09. I am now a full time student as of January 13th at APSU to get a MEdical Technology BS degree(How about that! after 26 years of service I can finally get a BS degree!) Hopefully between the books and papers I can give Sam a hand with this little semi rusty project and make it look a little like this by the time it's done:


2407706_large21.jpg

Sam of course wants wider wheels and tires and the 100-4 has the cool triangular grill with the lightning bolts on it. His color of choice at this time is a very dark 'black jade' to make a nicer shade of BRG with some metal flake in it and he wants the sides done in white flake

Hello, my name is Bill Blue.  My car, a 67 Alpine.   While the body and suspension are pretty much stock, the drivetrain is Ford.  Engine is a 2.3 Duratec (Ranger edition), as is the transmission.  Rear axle is Ford 8".  Front brakes are a combination GM "Metric" calipers with Pontiac  rotors.  Rear brakes are Saturn disc.  It has an aftermarket EFI, producing close to 200 hp.

I'm retired and spend lots of time working on the car.  I have put 8,000 miles on this install, but it is now undergoing a winter rebuild.  Mostly a bunch of items that are not exactly right.  Most noticeable is the tranny, a $38 Ebay buy, it has no 2nd gear synchronizer to speak of.   Getting a larger throttle body, fix the AC, the list goes on.

Here are a couple of photos of the more or less finished build.  I am willing to answer any question of anyone interested in the build, also have a bunch of them taken during the build, if anyone is interested.

(http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo17/Orangealpine/IMG_1414.jpg)

(http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo17/Orangealpine/IMG_1415.jpg)

(http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo17/Orangealpine/IMG_1413.jpg)

Bill

QuoteHere are a couple of photos of the more or less finished build. I am willing to answer any question of anyone interested in the build, also have a bunch of them taken during the build, if anyone is interested.

Welcome to the forum, Bill! I know I'd love to see more pictures of your very unusual and exceptional build, although this thread isn't the place to go into those details. Have you surfed through our "How It Was Done" articles or our photo gallery sections? The best How It Was Done articles are the ones with lots of in-process photos. Alpines are under-represented, and I'm keen to fix that. Please help. Here's information about how to get your car featured where it belongs: http://www.britishv8.org/British-V8-How-To-Contribute.htm

Uhh, don't think so.  As I read the fine print, any picture I submit and you accept, becomes your property.  To me, that means I loose the ability to post those photos elsewhere without your permission.

Don't need that, ain't gonna do that.

Bill

That would be incorrect Bill, based on common usage and custom. May sound that way by the agreement but what it really says is that once submitted you can't keep the site from using the photos however they see fit. You still retain your own copies and rights to those. I would expect Curtis will confirm this interpretation.

JB

Jim's explanation is absolutely correct. Without the "fine print", we could go through all the work of publishing an article in good faith and then be forced to pull the photos off our website.  Photos from "How It Was Done" articles sometimes get recycled into tech article illustrations. Incidentally, almost all the photos in our galleries have been "Photoshopped" in one way or another. It might be as little as re-sizing them, but quite a lot of them have been rotated a few degrees, re-cropped, color-adjusted, sharpened, and then stored with our own preferred compression settings. (It's very rare for me to repair a ding or fix rust, but I use Photoshop to clean distracting oil spots off people's driveways all the time. Recently someone asked me to take his wife out of a photo. You might be able to tell I did so if you carefully study the newest Photo Gallery additions.) Therefore, I feel no shame about claiming an all-inclusive copyright on photos that appears in the photo galleries.

Bill Blue,
After being part of this website for years and meeting Curtis Jacobson, Dan Masters, and the rest of the members attending the Indy meet this year, I can vouch for the integrity of their word and their intentions regarding the agreement. They simply want protect the work they invest in the publishing, while helping as many people as possible to see and admire as many cars as possible. When I made my first post, I immediately received private messages asking questions about how I built the car. Many sounded very anxious to use some of my techniqes. Your photos and story could easily be the inspiration that knocks someone off of the fence and starts them building their dream car. Think of how good you will feel knowing you gave someone that kind of confidence. This is a great organization that I am proud to be a part of.

Curtis,

It would be awesome if you could help me with the oil spots on my driveway, too!   ;)

I would Carl, but I don't have any photos of your driveway.  Send me that HIWD article and I'll see what I can do.

QUOTE:

"Posted by: Orange Alpine
Date: December 20, 2010 08:22AM

Hello, my name is Bill Blue. My car, a 67 Alpine. While the body and suspension are pretty much stock, the drivetrain is Ford. Engine is a 2.3 Duratec (Ranger edition), as is the transmission. Rear axle is Ford 8". Front brakes are a combination GM "Metric" calipers with Pontiac rotors. Rear brakes are Saturn disc. It has an aftermarket EFI, producing close to 200 hp. "

Welcome to the site Bill.  Looks like you did an exceptional job on your 67 Alpine.  There are lots of friendly folks here to meet.

Jim Willenbrink

Greetings all,
   I am glad to be here.  I'm from Atlanta, GA USA and have been a long time fan of the Jaguar E type.
jagVC2.jpg
   I am exploring the possibilities of putting one of my supercharged  V6's into an AWD Land Rover.  Used Land Rovers are relatively inexpensive locally.  I would like to explore the performance potential of AWD and I have several Chevrolet-based V6's available.  My question is this:  Can I adapt the Chevrolet small block bellhousing bolt pattern to the Buick 215 V8 Transmission?
Thanks,
Richard

Welcome to the forum Richard! Glad to see you here. (I think you're the same Richard Egge who builds miniature engines, aren't you?)  One little thing though... your question about how to make a Chevy engine mate to a Land Rover definitely belongs in its own thread, and that thread belongs in our "Drivetrain" section, here: http://forum.britishv8.org/list.php?6  (That's where you can be sure the right people will see it and give you the sort of detailed advice you want.) Jump right in. I'm keen to learn more about Chevy's 90 degree V6s.

Curtis,
     Yes I do the small engines.  I've neglected my web site for the last few years but I haven't stopped machining.
V61.jpg
     From what I've seen so far, this looks like a fun place to be part of.
Thanks for hosting it!
Richard

hi ,barry here from lutz fl collect cars retired att 3street rods couple corvettes thought v8 mgb would be fun got it yesterday already pulling apart been retired 10 yrs. doing 302/t5 mgb rdstr

Hi Everyone, it's Roy !

Love the info and galleries from BritishV8 and feel I really need to be part of it.

I currently own (2+years) a TVR Chimaera with a Rover (Buick) 4.0ltr V8 ( don't know what that equates to in real dollar money). It's dark metalliic blue with cream / biscuit hide.
Love the car, staggering performance and never fails to exhilerate.

Spent much time on chassis and engine mods.

Happy New Year where ever you are !

Regards, Roy.
atbeaulieu.jpg

Hello to all!
    My name is Rick. My TR6 has been in the photo gallery for a few years. I've seen some really cool cars at British V8, a lot of thought and engineering obviously went in to their construction. Mine, well,  I smile every time I drive it. 560 H.P., 34" of rear tire, and the Colorado mountains. It took a year to develop a chassis that could endlessly handle the torque.  I chose to use easily available tried and true GM components. The frame and suspension is hand made, but the 1 piece front spindles and 13" brakes are astro conversion van from 98. the rear 11 1/2" discs are off the front of a 96 caprice. A tundra master cylinder  and metallic pads and it stops on a dime. I am using a subaru legacy column with fingertip controls and the crushable structure intact.                                                               See ya!
                                                                  Rick Vandenberg

Welcome! Welcome! Welcome!

Hi,

I'm Steve from down under. I've been driving an MG since I was 18 (32 years back) and still have and flog that poor MGB. I also race a '73 Midget (pictured)
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I'm Sporting Director for the MG Car Club Hunter Region and compete in Motorkhanas, Hillclimbs and Circuit Racing (and I've even cleaned the cars for the annual Concours).

I love checking on the race cars and getting ideas. Unfortunately I'm a bit of a period mod man. All my MG's (oh I forgot that the wife has a 71 Midget as well) run the original B and A series motors, gearboxes and diffs (though all but the wife's are greatly modified).

I can guarantee that the race Midget has enough performance to wipe the smile off the faces of a lot of highly modified race car drivers. They are very suprised to see a normal induction 'A' series engine under the bonnet.

Keep up the good work,
Jonesy

Hi Everyone, Happy New Year !!!!!!

Tried this last night, 2nd time lucky, fingers crossed x.

Love these forums and thought it's about time I introduced myself...........

Roy Summerfield and I have owned a 4.0ltr (don't know what that is in counterfeit dollars !) RV8 powered TVR Chimaera for approximately two and half years, and absolutely love it !

I have spent considerable time on bodywork (full respray), chassis and engine.

Chassis has undergone a lot of powder coating and POR 15 application followed by a hardnose two pack chassis treatment.

Last year I took the heads off and did some extensive porting etc matching inlet / exhaust manifolds.

This was complimented by larger ACT induction hose, plenum and 45mm alloy trumpets blended to the inlet manifold. A thermal space was also fitted.

It now runs a full de catted exhaust and tornado chip to suit.

A shorter 3.77:1 diff provides lively low down performance.

Prior to mods a dyno run showed 226 at the flywheel, it's booked in for a re run in March.

Please view the following pictures, I'm one proud owner !................

Future plans are possible forced induction.
atbeaulieu.jpg

Hello Rick,
The "TR6 Monster" looks awsome! I also had my car on the site for several years before becoming active with the organization. I can tell you that the 2010 meet was the most fun event I ever attended in the 14 years my car has been on the road. I suggest attending the 2011 event if possible. Maybe you and Curtis can get a caravan of westen state enthusiasts to travel to Tennesse.

Hi Folks,

My name is Pat, from Biggin Hill in England.

I have a '49 Jowett Javelin with a 318 Chrysler V8, Torqueflite and Volvo rear end.

I've also got a GT40 replica, '69 olds 442 and a  '70 Norton Commando 750S.

Here's a photo of the Javelin
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HI IM DAVID FROM AUSTRALIA I  have two jowett javelins and of corse im going to put a v8 in one of them i  seen pics of one in the uk with a rover 3500 in it, and i was very excited as this was my plan i love the idea of a hot rod jowett and they are few and far between ? here at least.  its made my juices flow again after i googled v8 jowett javeilin and i found myself here wow great sight

Hi David, I have seen the rover v8 one at a show just outside London, and I have to say it looks a bit odd... i think the main problem is the ride height and the wheel size ( 13" and a bit narrow )... if I had my time again  with my car, I would make it into a two door and cut about 12" out of the middle... it looks very long know its sitting at a decent ride height. ( see side photo ).

I will take more photos at the weekend under the car etc.

Cheers, Pat.
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I'm an MG guy. Retired from NAVY (22 years) and shipyard (19 years). Restored a '60 MGA and 2 '52 TDs. The last TD I'm buildind as a hot rod with a Ford flathead v8-60, Ford 3-speed toploader transmission, and 3.9 gears in the rear axle. Runs nice but have been collecting parts to put in a Mustang t5.

Like to see a photo of that, I've always felt that other than the weight, a FHF would make a great engine swap for an MG. Might in fact be a perfect match for an MG SA.

JB

Hello all!

I have ben driving MG cars for as long as I have been driving. I am 46. My dad had a 1952 TD and a 61 MGA. About 20 years ago I did a V8 conversion (1961 OLDS 215) on my 1971 MGB GT that I bought on my honeymoon trip to South Carolina. I have been driving it ever since and loved every mile.

I also own a 1979 Roadster that is getting very tired so this spring I will be popping the 215 out of the 71 and into the 79 it goes with a little refresh first. I will then begin to build a high performance 5.0L to put into the 79.

The 215 conversion was a great project and with help from Glen Towery with parts, the initial installation went very smooth. The 79 will be a daily driver for my wife. After I finish that I will be coming to all for advice on picking the right motor and parts to do the 5.0 conversion. Thanks in advance to all that will be bothered with my questions. I will be taking photos along the way to document the build.

Hi, my name is David. I  / we recently purchased our father /son project of ebay in 2009 was not as advertised as many things are not. But anyway, after near to 1800 hrs we had our project completed,we thought, The car runs strong looks great and is a blast to drive . It currently  has a 79 mgb 4 speed .We are looking to obtain a 5 speed box , but do not want to change the tunnel any ideas . will post some photos wen son comes home.

David,

Put an MGB overdrive tranny in it or Dave Headley is making a kit to put a T-5 behind a stock B.

http://www.fast-mg.com/index.htm

You son is gonna want a V8 to go with the T-5.   ;-)

Hey I'm Todd, i have always liked mgb so put 3.5 rover in my 78 B. i'm hooked, if i can only get time too finish my 74.5 gt with 4.0 supercharged from 2003 Rover. the supercharger is(Autorotor supercharger) kit from Rimmer bros. the trans is from a Jag 4 speed with rear end. i haved already shorten it. i'm not a body man but i have a seabring kit to put on. i'll have photo's later. Todd

hi my name is tom got a63 mg  need lot body work floor but it ok my not going to be stock (1) I got a 427 tall deck bbc ci 1972 this going out to 632 inch 6 speed 9'' ford this is going to be done in a one car garge i got tool  to do anything i want  i 60 year old  build first motor at 16  doc said no mome working  so got the time  next love car all my life  did drag racing up to 50 y,o, got out everthing sittig watching tv  then my son showed me a car on the web  a63 mg 454 chevy in it l was in love  and hooked found a mg for $50,oo it sitting there i buying parts now got out bbc  looking for 6speed pulling everting apart now slow but i got time looking at everbody car got lots good ideal that help  i'm one you cann't have to big motor  and you cann't go to fast think i try some road race now  my son said he can put me on web so pople can watch me build ing the car we see about that latter if i do i send a mot to british v8  here if you would like to talk about my car or your car  you can get me a hotrodtom50@yahoo,com all one word thank for the time have fun with your cars no picture at this time get some on latter  it hard typing  that why i learn to draw picturs try ges them on your web  i panit car back inold day was hell good air brush arties year ago think i start do it again boy i watch to much tv  forgot what i could do ok that it for now

Hello, my name is Kenny. My first car was a red, 64 MGB. I was a junior in high school in Gilbert, Arizona in 1976 when while helping a teacher bring supplies from his house to the classroom, I spied the faded red car in his driveway. He said it was his sister's car and she was needing to get rid of it.

I ended up paying $400 for it and my dad and I tore into it- To the garage for the engine-pull; to the machine shop for for a kiss and a hone; new top and the memories continue...

I've been into Toyotas for awhile now. Every time I see an MG, though, I still feel like there's something unfinished.

So today on a regular trip the the local junkyard, I see a rarity- 1970 Rover 3500 and except for the tires and wheels, complete. Once they reach this yard the get to spend about 2 weeks before they are crushed. I felt nervous knowing I know nothing about the marque but I had to make some kind of decision to pass on the parts.

I used to work at one of my dad's small businesses, unloading containers from Great Britain full of Daimler SP250 V8s, E-type salvage, and Lucas and Girling NOS boxes and have always been comfortable with the most obscure parts of common cars. So, I looked around to whom Rover parts might continue to satisfy needs and ended up here, and I thank the forum for its existence.

I'll have a post in the classifieds if any one needs any Rover parts off this car. The engine is intact minus the manifold and carburetor in my possession, I had failed to post about an MG in the yard, too so I will try and relate local parts availability.

I'm no baby or new guy or shop, just another hard-working enthusiast, and for Toyotas last year I sold enough parts for 12 complete auto-to-manual swaps, more than 44 old Supra wheels, lots of replacement suspension parts, ring and pinions, LSDs, and hot-rod parts. I mention this so that there might be something in common with present members here, and it helps me to have a familiarity with how-things-are-done-here. One way I do it is to pay attention to what is missing, what is needed, and let them know where the parts are for their information. I have a lot of parts of my own and don't need any more, but the local yard is a self-service yard with reasonable prices located 5 minutes away. I think and walk and pay attention to the cars. This week I shipped a 77 dash to Maine, and I'm sending one wheel to New York today.

It is great to see the cars here on this forum. It is nice to read about some of the details. Richard Griot is a local businessman and collector and he opens his doors once a month for "Caffeine and Gasoline" and last month they started a 70 McLaren CanAm car. This month it was some Porsche 935 race car he races in Monterey that didn't get started but was displayed. There is much about the old cars and tales that surround them that holds peoples' interest enough to make them get out of bed early on a Saturday just to be with people that do the same...This forum manages to do that everyday- cheers!

I am semi-retired and living in Los Angeles all my life.  I've had about 80 cars since the early 1960's.  Most had some hot rod blood infusion.  I usually have about 8-10 roadworthy cars at home.  Currently 2-76 Midgets, a 71 Stag, 67 VW bus, 67-912, a 65 Karman Ghia, an 89 SC Cougar, a 38 Jag 100SS reproduction, a 68 and 2-69 Barracudas, 65 Chevy PU, a 46 Globe Swift and a handful of enduro and dirt bikes.   No "trailer-queens" here, I drive them all!


My dad was a Model A Ford restorer and infected me & my brothers with motor-fever at a young age.  I stripped a 31 Ford Victoria to the bare frame and completely restored it when I was 14-15.  Previous Anglo-autos have included, Hillman, Sunbeam, Austin and Rover.

I run a family,  garage door/gate repair business with my 2 sons.  We are in a hundred or so garages and barns each month.  Amazing what we see and sometimes bring home.  Tomorrow I am picking up an unmolested,red,  63 Plymouth Fury convertible.  The beat goes on...
DCPlymouth2.jpg

Even though me mum emigrated from GB as a wee bit, I still have room in my stable for a bit of American Iron too.  If you will be in L.A.  (April 11-17, 2011),  my club, (Chrysler Performance West)  will sponsor it's 25th. annual "Spring Fling" which includes a pre-show track day, coastal cruise, and other events.  We usually have a few Jensens and other Chrysler powered British cars.   www.CPWclub.com

Hello All,
My name is Tim and I live in the foothills of California just east of Sacramento.  I own 14 MGB's in various states.  I have three that are road worthy at the moment with at least four more to become so.  The others are pretty well rusted but who knows?  While my current cars are pretty much MG, I have one that I am going to put a 1994 Ford Thunderbird 4.6 fuel injected V8 into.  I intend to strap on a T-5 with the narrowed but otherwise stock rear end.  Should scoot right along.  Just for information, I have plenty MGB parts that I am trying to liquidate so give me a call if you are in need.
Happy MG'ing,
Tim
530 409 9926

Hi, just breaking the ice. I have just sold an Anglia pick up that I have been building with input from various people on and off for to many years and hit that wall and could not see and end in site.
That now sold, I am running a 1955 Hillman Husky with a bit of a play on a stock looking body (been stretched 6" so now 90" wheel base) 355 sbc 700r4, 9" and will be in the USA next month picking up some engine parts quad webers etc.
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Hi Everyone, I am Relfy from sunny Curacao, dutch caribbean.
I bought a MGB 1977 on Ebay in 2008 Aug, and started one month later on this project, by selling the engine and start to
install a Buick 1961 215 engine.
I got this engine from a friend and we took this engine out of this Buick Special after not been started for 20 years!!
I started this engine, and installed it after 11 months, but decided to order another Buick 215 engine from D & D 0.40 in 2009!
My car has been running now for 1 year, and now I am going for the final touch up and  final painting.....hopefully in some weeks
from now!!
I got this site from googling to get info and you guys did help me a lot to take decisions, and i have to say that because of
your experience shared, new ones like me don't have to invent wheels................God bless you  all!!
More from me later......Relfy Cijntje Willemstad, Curacao

A quick introduction here.  I've been visiting British V-8's for the past three or four years as I have dabbled with my 'project'.  I've gotten the itch to get it done and on the road and think I need as much insight and knowledge (not to mention money) as the world can provide to accomplish this.  I am out here in the middle of the Mojave desert in the berg of Las Vegas.  Great place to be for fun and games, wasteland for automotive knowledge.  I was raised in Detroit, surrounded by cars that started with "4xx" with pistons the size of gallon paint cans.  For some reason I was defective, I found British cars early, became an outcast, a pariah.    Now I am torn between American iron and British style.  A car that really pulled me in was the Triumph Stag.  Beautiful design, magnificent presentation and a V-8 that earned it a place on the Worst Cars Ever Made list.  I knew that is the car I had to have.  But I just couldn't get the Big "D" out of my blood, so I needed to change the power train.  Not an easy task when you have a low profile engine bay and your aesthetics would not allow added lumps or bumps that the Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti didn't provide.  I also needed more horsepower than the original V-8's 145 h.p.  Enter the 1987 Ford Thunderbird's TurboCoupe.  Now all I had to do was throw them in a blender, hit the puree button and there I have it!  Wrong, years later I still have the 'project'.

 The "Project" is in process.  I have my 1972, Mk.I, Triumph Stag pretty well stripped down.  The 2.3L, turbocharged engine is in  place, mated to a T-5 WC trans, steering in place, cooling system there, all of the Ford wiring all over the passengers seat, the ECM sitting, the TC dash draped over the steering column, and.....  It does run, drives and all of those necessities.  I need to get it past the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, change over the wiring harness, figure out the interments, get it painted, adjust suspension for an engine that is 100 pounds lighter, re-carpet, and the list goes on.  A whole lot of 'trial and error'.   Right now I am trying to figure out the clearest path to conclusion, other than the edge of a cliff.

So here I am.  I thought I would go find a group of other people that just can't leave "well enough alone", and just know it has to be better.  It's time to delve into British V-8 and learn how to do it.  I hope there is a lot of patience out there for my dumb questions, because I have a lot of them.

Pat, with a gearhead story like that, you'll fit in with the British V8 bunch just fine!

Hello to all British sports car fans,  my name is Rick.  Although I'm new to this forum, I'm not new to the hobby.  Over the years, I have owned a'67 MGB-GT, a'73 MGB Roadster, a '74 MGB Roadster, and just a couple of weeks ago, purchased # 4, a '77 MGB Roadster ( lovingly called "the mid-life crisis mobile" )  Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this group.

Well it's about time I join the best site on the web. I found this site about a year ago while looking for ideas for my recent acquisitions. The information and photos here are incredible and I love reading through the forums.

The car that got me hooked on British sports cars was a 1972 MG Midget my dad and I restored when I was in high school. I have all kinds of fond memories of that car. Especially driving with the top down along the gulf coast in Rockport Texas (near Corpus Christi) See photos below. Unfortunately we had to sell it but obsession had already begun.

I currently have 1.5 1976 Triumph Spitfires. I was planning to do an engine swap but have been torn between a Miata (mild side) or Corvette (wild side) drive train. Although it does sadden me that I will have to sell off the Spitfires due to medical issues (shoulder surgery 4 weeks ago and pain for over a year before hand). I will have it in the classified section in a couple days. This will hopefully just be a temporary set back and I will have another chance in the future to restore/modify another British classic.

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My, name is John and I first learned about this site from Ted Lathrop years ago, I'm an old guy. I gave him a ride in my car and he decided he had to have one of his own. Mine was real rough back then but you have to work with what you have and I didn't have much. Years later he told me about the Dan Masters car and all the other people who had fell in love with British cars but thought they were lacking in the power department. It's great to have a site devoted to making something you dream of come to life. I've been working on this1963 TR-4 since 1972 when I purchased it for $235, sold the engine and trans to a neighbor and never looked back. It's had three small block chevy iteratations and now has a destroked 400 down to a 358. It has a home built port injected electronic fuel injection system controlled by a Haltech F9A centered around a Victor Jr intake with a home made throttle body based on a Holley three barrel base plate. Trick Flow twisted wedge cylinder heads, home made 1 3/4 headers, too much to list.  Muncie four speed w/narrowed 57 Olds rear, 3:41gears, still with the leaf springs that have been scratch built to not wind up. Has a full roll cage that was put to the test approx 2007 so I had a chance to do it over again. The rear is widened 7.5 inches and the hood and trunk are one piece fiberglass pieces that were a learning curve all by themselves. The front brakes are four piston wilwoods w 12 in rotors. The spindles are one off pieces made to adapt chevy hubs to a wilwood hat. Rear brakes are Olds 12 in drums. Still working on it and don't think it'll ever be done.

Hi everyone,

What a cool and informative site.  

My daily driver is a stock MGB roadster and I recently purchased a MGB-GT to modify.  I found British V8 while researching common swaps.  I'm convinced that an aluminum V8 is the way to go, but I can't decide on a transmission.  It's a toss-up between the Porsche 924/944 transaxle or the Corvette 6-speed transaxle.  Leaning toward the Chevy though due to its HP capability and cheaper than Porsche parts prices. It will be a while before I get started, but I'll keep you posted.

It's great to meet such a friendly and knowledgeable group.  Thanks.

Dan
Lakewood, CO

Welcome Dan & congrats.  I recently saw an ad for a GT in your area that was prepped for a swap -- rust repairs completed & came with a couple of BOPR 215 engines... is that the one you bought?  Assuming you're planning for the BOPR engine, there are good "tried & true" solutions for tranny.

Hi All,
Tracy here. All these years I've been enjoying this site and I never introduced myself, I mean really
how unpolite of me.  I used to log on as bplus but it's been so long that the site wouldn't let me
back on. Well I guess I'll just have to do a better job.  Anyway my car is a '71 MGB GT. It's got a
350 chevy engine stuffed under the hood, 5 speed trans and limited slip rearend.  She's in total
disrepair at the moment, although I drove the car into the garage, she's in alot of pieces right now.
I really should start a project journal, but I'm afraid the modifications are moving at a snail's pace.
Just don't have enough time to do everything on the long list of modifications. Everything from a
modified hood, to 245/50-16 tires in all 4 unflared wheel wells, custom owner built suspension,
to a cusom frame to....well you all get the picture.  Anyway, I've owned her and her 3 sisters, 2
mgb's, and a midget for 10 plus years.  I got my first mgb in 1981 and took it to England with me
for 9 years. I've built several hot rods and muscle cars over the years, owned both sport bikes and
harleys, but I always have had the soft spot for the mg line of cars. The misses calls the GT the
other woman because I spend just about every free minute I have working on her.  She'll get there
one day.  The plan for her is to compete in places like the Silver State run in Nevada.....I like high
speed curvy road driving....who doesn't in an mg right?  Well I'll cut it short for now.  Talk to you all
in the other forums.

Tracy

Hi, I am Ian and I am in the process of spraying my 1974 MGB Roadster in order to sell it and fund a MGB GT V8 conversion. Monies gained becomes the budget.

I have just bought a 1977 3.9 EFI Land Rover Discovery  engine that has done 44,000 miles and pick it up tomorrow. I have also found a Rover Vitesse gearbox and bellhousing. So all  need to do is sell the car and find a doner. Hoping to get a pre 72 car with bad engine as in the UK you don't pay road tax on older cars. However, I understand the rubber bumper cars to be the easiest to convert....and they tend to be cheaper.

Not too sure about the EFI stuff as it looks potentially tricky and expensive when it goes wrong.  Wondered if a Holly or Weber is a better route.

Once I get the engine the next difficult bit will to get all the front end (SD1 timing cover) pulleys fitted and lined up.

Probably will be asking the forum a few questions as my project gets underway.

Regards Ian

Hi Ian,

I was wondering, in the UK is it possible to use a later body tub to repair an earlier MG, so you would have the rubber bumper engine bay on your pre '72 car?

Dan B

Hello enthusiasts!  My name is Richard but I go by the nickname "Rolly" ( a shortening of my last name.) My very first sports car was a 1958 MG A which I bought while stationed in Charleston, SC in 1961.  I participated in a lot of gymkhanas and literally wore it out.  Traded it in on a brand new Austin Healy Sprite in 1962.  In 1964 came my first child and for a while that was the end of two seat cars.

A few years later while stationed in San Diego I spotted an E-type Jaguar on a dealers lot.  Well, I just had to have that bad boy - so much so that I overlooked some of the vehicles faults - as the saying goes "she'd been rode hard and put away wet".  Many dollars and hours of frustration later I got rid of the Jag.  It was a fun car when it ran correctly but that was seldom the case.

Fast forward to 2011 - thanks to eBay, an individual can purchase just about anything they can (or cannot) afford.  My real passion was to acquire a 2003 50th Anniversary Corvette convertible.  The reality is those cars still command a premium price - low mileage examples are in the $28-34K range and will probably appreciate in value as time goes on.

I do not recall how I got to looking at MG B's but one day (March 20, 2011) I bid $1499.00 on one and won it (much to my surprise).  On April 1, 2011 I got a ride to northern CA to meet up with the seller.  During the usual interchange between buyer and seller,  I inquired about the seller's comment that "the lights were a little weird".  His response: "...they don't work."  Now I'm faced with two choices;  either go home without the car or drive it without lights.  My ride was not returning to Winnemucca so the go home option was off the table.  Being that it was fairly early in the day I decided to drive the car home.  I used hand signals but I doubt anyone under 60 knew what the hell I was doing!  The trip was uneventful otherwise.

While trying to sort out the lights that were a little weird I discovered that tugging on the engine compartment section of the wiring harness resulted in some items that had worked no longer did.  Occasionally items that did not work would come to life and even the starter motor would kick in (fortunately I had the transmission in neutral).  A visual inspection of the wiring revealed a number of splices, wires that had been disconnected or cut, and shabby insulation.  The workmanship wasn't anything to brag about either.  After tugging on the harness I could no longer get the engine started.  After several frustrating hours of "troubleshooting" I gave up.  At that point I decided to begin the tear-down of the vehicle. The car is now in many pieces waiting to go on a rotisserie for sandblasting and paint preparation.  I have a 5.0L engine and C4 transmission to install.  For now I plan to keep the original rear end.
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Welcome Rolly, old cars do tend to get the wiring harness messed up from wear and tear, but mostly from previous owners hacking into them for myriad reasons, there are several suppliers  making conversion kits for V8s and V6 power on this site
and of course a lot of guys with answers to your questions, good luck !!
Dave Craddock

Hey, it looks like I found a site with people that think like I do!
My name is Rex and I like hot rod "furrin'" cars.

I'm not sure how I aquired this disease, but I have had it since I started driving as a teen.
I learned to drive in my Dads Plymouth Cricket, but the first car I bought was a '71 Simca. Both suffered from extreme lack of power. I think that this lead to my love of small cars that HANDLED. I didn't swap engines on either of those cars but always wanted to.

Several years later I started autocrossing and got hooked. I first joined SCCA in 1980. My autocrossing lead to roadracing and I raced Mazda rotaries for many years. Phil McConnell('74 Spitfire) was my crew chief and I helped him with some of his projects.

I currently have a 1970 Lotus Europa in need of a total restoration. The frame was rotted(on a VBritish car?) so I will be starting from scratch. My first thought was to stick a Mazda engine in there, but they are just so loud when they are making lots of power. And I am looking for gobs of power. So I am probably going to use a V8 of some type. I was looking at Audi engine and gearbox combo's but they really don't make enough power for me. So if I can figure out a trans(mid engine) that will hold up an aluminium block Chevy LS engine will probably be the best way to go. (And I could keep up with Phil)

I would love to hear from anyone with feedback, good or bad.    Rex, from the south Black Swamp (OH).
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This is where I found the Lotus after sitting for 20 odd years

Hi everyone,
   I'm new to the whole forum thing so bare with me. I'm building a Mark 1 Ford Escort with a Rover V8. Only 3.5 at the moment with a bit of headwork, mild cam etc. Car will be used for hillclimbs, motorkhanas and annoying the neighbours. Parts and advice for these engines are a bit light on here in Victoria (Australia) so am looking at getting as much info and advice from this form as possible.

Car is still un-finished but is slowly progressing. These things take time and not to mention money!

Regards

Jason

Hi,

Just wanted to introduce myself to you folks, I'm a Brit living in Belgium,and  over the years I've had a "sprog eyed fright" and a couple of MGB's, but career and a few country changes got in the way of things and they were all sold on. However........ I'm now at a point where I want to get a car that makes me grin, and having looked at many of the ( affordable) British and Italian older sports cars, I've sort of plumped for a TR and so started the Google journey, which is how I discovered this great site.

I really love the idea of older British sport car style but with updated technolgy (ie brakes and electrics that work ) and with a big American V8, what a perfect combination especially as I want a car use for "quick" reliable long distance touring ( the autobahns are only 45 minutes away !! )

Great site, great cars and some really passionate people, ruddy marvellous !!

Cheers

Barrie

ps - apologies to the  moderator for my initial mis-posting

Hi newb here. Rick is my name and great forum you have here.

Recently picked up a 80 B with a Chevy 350 in it..

Here is a photo how it looked when I bought it..
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Hello, my name is Andrew. I live in Moscow, Russia and yes, i'm russian. I have ended serving in the army forces two and half month ago and now re-entering my university, MAMI - Mos. Auto-Mechanical Inst.
Haven't got any british sport car, but old USSR mid-size sedan - GAZ 2410, '88 year. Have no photo yet, i'll make them, when everything will be ok with my education and i start restoration of the car. Very soon, in october.
Sorry for my english, if something wrong, i haven't much practice

Nothing wrong with your English, or your restoration project.
&#1087;&#1088;&#1080;&#1074;&#1077;&#1090;&#1089;&#1090;&#1074;&#1086;&#1074;&#1072;&#1090;&#1100; , Andrew

Hi folks!
I've been a British car owner, off/on for over 40 years. Daily drivers (to work) includes 61 Alpine and a TR3-B but kids and changing family needs altered the plan along the way. Life happens!

Nearing retirement, I took on a 9 year, frame-off restoration of a 1935 MG-PA. While I think she's a real beauty, 37 hp, mechanical brakes, a non-syncro crash box, etc. left me longing for serious performance.

I'm now deep into a 71 MG-B mod with a V-6..T5 setup and the plan is to drive it to Texas next May. Had a blast in the Smokies as navigator in Bill D's black "rat rod" MGB-GT last year and observed track day in Indy in 2010.

Don

HI.

I,am daz from halifax in the uk. I,ve just got myself a 3.9 v8 rover engine to which i will be starting to fit into my mgb 1980 soon,
what iam looking for is as much info and pictures as possible and it looks like this is the site for this information

Also any local meets in the yorkshire area

one of the first things looking at is what box to fit

cheers all.............. DAZ

Hi ,just found your site and was instantly hooked on the cars ,one in particular .A 3.5 red de trimmed stag . I woud like to know how bmw mini alloys fitted the car ?,they look great so i tried to fit one of the wheels from my wifes cooper s but found that the wouldnt fit !!! .If anyone can inform me as to what i would need to do ,that would be great .
Many thanks steve

Hello, my name is Willard Moore from Geneva on the Lake, Ohio. Believe me, I'm the only Willard there. The town is only 3 miles long. First of all, I haven't fooled with hot rods since I was in my teens. I'm turning 57. I've been riding and collecting motorcycles for over 30 years and decided I'm tired of them. I was looking to trade my Harley Road King for a Roadster, T-bucket or hot rod. My girlfriend didn't like that plan. I looked for a stock MGTD that I could afford or trade my bike for, but I found that most people that have an MGTD are older and would rather have money than a motorcycle. I decided to make the girlfriend happy and bought a kit car, happened to be a 29 Mercedes with a Chevette motor. I still wanted to have a hot rod and found a '48 Hillman Minx convertible to convert to V-8. But just a week ago, on Craigslist in the middle of the night, I saw a 1950 MGTD with a V-8 in it, local and affordable. It hasn't run in over 30 years. So I guess what I'm asking is: Where do I start? What do I change? Can I keep it old school hot rodding as it's set up now? I'll start a photo journal asap.
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Welcome Willard. Looking forward to the photos.

Welcome everyone!

---

Willard, that TD is VERY cool. I like the paint (patina!) as it looks now. I believe I'd be tempted to just get it running and drive it a bit before making too many decisions about what to change. Make sure to take lots of "before" pictures... and of course lots and lots of in-process photos. It'll be a very interesting project.  Did you buy the Minx too? They're so nifty! (Please post your follow-ups in the MG and/or Other-British forums so we can keep this here thread from going too far off the rails.)

What engine does it have?

JB

Hi all, my name is Rick Parent and I have been a race fabricator / mechanic / engineer / designer / crew chief / and on and on including chief dog poop picker upper since high school. I am looking forward to the forums here. Some of my current projects include a dog ring gear box for Spitfires and several race motors.

This is one of our cars...    http://www.britishracecar.com/PatRyan-Triumph-Spitfire.htm


Rick

Hi, Jim
To answer your question about what engine is in the car at this time, it's a mouse infested 400 somewhere in the 70's. It had a 6-pack on it that was removed long ago. The mice also climbed the upper radiator hose and built a nest in the original radiator. It's hooked to a power glide. It has a 9" Ford posi that has not been cut to fit under the fenders.
I'm going to clean it up, mount an intake and carb on it, change the oil and try to start it. This motor was put in here 32 years ago, prior to that it had an early Corvette engine. Thanks for the interest -- talk to you later.
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welcome aboard Rick.

Hi,

My name in Winston Wood, and live in Houston, TX (Clear Lake suburb). I just purchased this little beast and am in the process of getting it shipped to me:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/?cmd=ViewItem&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649&item=190591497777&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT

I'm glad to be joining the community and hope to participate in some meets soon! I understand that the British V8 2012 meet is here in TX (why during the work week?), as is the 2012 national Triumph meet. I'll be spoiled with everything so close during my first full year of ownership :)

You got one heck of a deal there Winston!
Now that you have the dates and venue for British V8, you can start planning now.
Hope to see the new set of wheels in Palestine next May.

Nice find Winston. I'm amazed that they got the SBF in there and got the hood shut on it, and I suspect somebody spent some serious time to make that happen. Anyways, welcome.

JB

Welcome aboard Winston.  Looks like you got a great deal!  I'm up in Cypress, will PM you my email.  Maybe we can hook up at an event around town...  I almost drove down to the balloon fest last weekend but my son had a marching band competition and someone had to chauffeur.

Thanks for the warm welcomes! I'm really excited about getting the car. There will be a few projects right off the bat, but it will be good fun. I'm glad you guys are in agreement that it was a good deal. I thought so. I doubt that I could build it for less money given the nice condition of the base car (before all of the modifications), even if the labor was free.

-Winston

P.S. Rob, I'd certainly like to get together at some point. That's half the fun of having a cool car!

Hi. I'm a newbie, a 71-year-old retired toy designer in Southern California. I've owned a number of engine-swapped cars, but none of them British. I've owned a few British cars, but none of them swapped.

I don't need a new project now, because I have a couple of active ones as is, and I don't have the energy or money to manage more than 2 at a time. But I've been thinking that I'd like a V8 MGB-GT, and it's never too soon to start thinking about it.

Here's one current ride, which is more modified and faster than meets the eye:

(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee306/50Fraud/Victoria/Muck07B.jpg)

...and here are a couple of past pleasures, just to indicate a bit about my tastes:

(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee306/50Fraud/MyMisc/Super7s.jpg)

(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee306/50Fraud/BubbaNBuck/24ford-miller-06.jpg)

If anyone cares to offer gratuitous advice regarding a V8 BGT, I'm all ears.

WELCOME,
With a GT, you won't have to "put the top up". Seriously, I think you wil like the GT. I have a Hardtop and use it during the Winter, You know,"our winters are Extreme".  temps drop below 15 degrees sometimes! :)

Hi, I'm new to the group and have a '61 MGA with a Buick 215 aluminum block V8 which was allegedly built by a fellow with the nickname of Gyro Gearloose.
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Hello, all. i have been a british car fan since a child. well, actually any interesting car. my current ones 1976 mgb whith Rovers SD1 and Rover 5 speed. 1968 mgb gt 1.8lt with nissan 5 speed, Lotus seven replica with toyota 3tc and 5 speed, 1930 ford model A pick-up waiting restoration.
Mi name is Romney and i live in Boise Idaho.
JUst joined this fantastic forum.

Brian, I don't remember where, but I've seen pics of that car somewhere before.  Recall the Gyro Gearloose name and the frenched in tail lights.  Seems to have been restored since because I don't remember it looking that good!

Romney, welcome aboard!  I haven't been up that way in a long time, but HP has a facility there.  The one time I did go up there it was Steelhead season so I took a few days off and made a side trip to the Clearwater river.  Had a blast.  Can't wait to do it again!

Hi y'all,

My name is Chris and I am a young guy stationed in California with the USAF. I am originally from Texas and I got the wild idea to start a project car about a year ago. After reviewing several cars I saw a '67 Healey 3000 BJ8 and decided it was the right car for me. I lack experience with auto mechanics, but I am learning quickly in the hopes that I can begin my project very soon. I would like to pick up a "barn find" Healey 3000 and restore it to almost it's exact factory specs with a small tweak or three for performance. I saw the 3000 with the Chevy 454 and almost drooled on my computer. I think for my talents and budget though I should work towards something easier to manage since I want to accomplish as much of the work on the car myself as I can. I will be reviewing posts and advice columns on here to find the best combinations for me on engine choice, and other performance items, but any personal advice would be appreciated. Also I really want to get out to one of y'alls big events despite not having a Healey of my own yet to show off. Looking forward to what I can learn here.

-Chris

Welcome Chris.  This site is all about engine swaps (and some that came w/v8's from the factory), but the crew here is great and will likely have lots to share.  Do military bases still have auto craft shops?  If so, that's a great resource - access to tools but also expertise.  Also if the air force moves you around every couple of years you'll want to be sure to plan to be at a stage where you can move the car whenever your next transfer comes up - and remember everything takes longer than we plan!

The meet this coming year is in Palestine TX (east of Dallas) so plan a trip "home" & join the meet in one vacation.

Hey all
I'm Johnny and I'm working on a little different project but hope that I'll still fit in this forum. The car started out as a 1970 Ford Capri 1.6 l four speed. I'm trying to turn it into the '' Last V8 Interceptor '' ( Mad Max movie) and the engine choice was a Rover V8/BW35. It's put together using parts from more than 8 different cars and I'm still looking for suitable parts to finish it but it's in a state now where I can drive it.
I'm looking forward to be a part of this great forum.

Coooool!  We don't see nearly enough British Fords around here.  Welcome to the forum Johnny!

Hi All
I have owned two Spitfires and an MGB in the past but the last one was in 1995
they were all just stock
Just  recently picked up a 1964 MK1 spitfire that I was going to install a northstar v8 in but after taking some measurements and with the northstar being so wide plus having its coolant ports on the back of the engine decided it wasnt worth the effort so I picked up a low mileage fuel injected 5.0 HO and T5 5speed from a 1989 mustang GT that I will be installing instead plus the fact that I was a heavy line tech for ford for over 15 years makes it a no brainer.
Managed to find a fiberglass MK1 GT6 bonnet as well as being lighter than the stock steel bonnet the bulge will give me a little more room and with a custom built upper intake plenum should be able to keep the engine under the bonnet without a scoop
for rear suspension I will be narrowing a 1992 C4 corvette dana 44 rear suspension not sure what I will be doing for front suspension yet but do have some  1984 buick riviera front steering arms and brakes that happen to have ball jounts just about perfectly spaced to adapt to the stock a arms
Allot of your cars and craftsmanship are an inspiration
Kevin
Elko NV

Hope everybody had a good holiday season !
 there is allot of good information on this site and I appreciate the efforts put in by the people that created and run it
Thank You
Kevin

Welcome Kevin, Belated   Just do not ck here very often.   Great to see another Blue Oval Brit Car.

Thanks Kelly
that is a Really nice clean MG  you have, lots of classy details and really clean
It is definitely an inspiration

Hello, my name is Howard.  I have a 1977 MGB that I have totally stripped down.  My intentions are to install a Ford 302, T5 transmission, and a Ford 8.8 rear end.  I have recently pulled the rear end from a 1998 Ford Explorer and have found someone here in Salt lake City to narrow it for me.  They also have a set of 3.07 gears they will install which would probably be better than the 3.73 that is in it now.  Any thoughts of the 3.07 with 15" wheels?  I have bought new outer wheel wells and plan to widen the rear wheel well about 2" so that I can fit a larger/wider tire in the rear.  I havent decided yet on either a 3 link or a triangulated four link rear suspension.  I also haven't decided on what to do about the front suspension yet but will probablydo alot of research and then try to struggle through making my own.  There are alot of great looking cars on this site that give me inspiration.

I have attached a photo of what the car looks like now.  I need to get it sand blasted, I have been doing alot of grinding but that is just too much work.

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Welcome Howard, looks like you're well on your way and have a pretty good idea what you need to do and where to find the information. You'll get a ton of help here, all you have to do is ask.

First of all, this forum is, what I consider a great find.  Twenty-one (21) years ago I had a 74 TR6 and I loved every minute I was driving it.  Two kids later, I have the Triumph fever again.  For years, I have wanted to pick up an old Truimph and restored it right.

I purchased a 1972 TR6 and I plan to totally restore it back to life.  I plan to install a Chevy SB and T5 tranny.  I have read many of the messages from fellow enthusiast and it has been extremely helpful.  I am still debating whether to use a solid rearend or beef up the RIS.

Does anybody have some tips for fabricating a backend frame for a Ford 9" or Chvy 12 bolt?

Great Forum!!!

Med72

Art,

Welcome aboard!

Check this out:  http://www.fastcarsinc.com/chassis.htm

It's set up for a Ford, but I'm sure Ted could modify it for a Chevy.

Welcome Howard & Art
I am new here also its good to see more projects starting
Howard, you don't live too far from me,  I am in Elko nv and I am also using a fuel injected ford 5.0 and T5
I was a ford heavy line tech for 15+ years, if I can be any help let me know

Hello from Asheville, NC.

I'm a British sports car nut. Unfortunately (for my wife), we're empty nest and I've set my sights on an MGB GT V8 conversion. Having done a shoddy job of one in the 70's when I was a teen, I've always wanted to work out the real deal. I've waited 36 years for this, well, not quite . . . I've had a few shots at it in the mean time.

When I met my lovely wife in 1980, I owned a 72 MGB, 57 AH 100-6, 58 MGA, and the odd Fiat 850 and Honda Accord. A new wife and child precluded further ownership of said collection so my early "adult" years I was accompanied by a 78 Honda Accord, 69 TR6 I was restoring (and did, my daily driver for 2 years), and a 78 MB 280 SC.

Building a house required trucks, tools, money, etc . . . and my new business required time and money and time and money, and then all of a sudden my little girl needs a car  . . . and 24 hours later . . . needs another car . . . and four years later goes to college . . . and then . . .

So, such is life and I really enjoy reading and looking at others' conversions here. I just want to do this one correctly and appreciate the wealth of knowledge here. You all are GENIUSES!

Cheers,
Tim

Welcome Tim. Do you have any preconceived notions of the sort of car you'd like to build?

Before you decide for sure you should come to our BritishV8 meet in May.

Jim

Hi
I have bought my first V8!
Land Rover Discovery V8 4.0ltr, I work in the industry and spent best part of 14 years in the product development (engine test) of of a well known manufacturer based in warwicksire, now work 'upstream' on all things that affect the cost of ownership, I have worked for the company for 21yrs this year.
My Discovery is an LPG converted with a Landi Renzo multipoint system that was installed at 15K now I am the 3rd owbner at 66K

Hey Jim,

Wish I could get to Texas in the spring. Hate I missed the Tennessee meet. I've been corresponding with Dan Masters to take a jaunt over the mountain and check his beauty out. His local club has a meet in May that I'm planning on attending. My lovely bride just came home from the hospital after spinal surgery so plans are on slow simmer right now. This was a rather sudden event so my year's plans are going to be in flux. I'm from Texas and any excuse to come "home" would normally be a no-brainer, unfortunately . . . .

As far as preconceived notions, I love Dan's GT, I also love the top down. I want a well behaved, smart handling LBC, sublimely modified with classic looks, power-on-demand and lots of low end torque. I'm not necessarily into max speed but usable power and loping along at 60mph at 1500RPM.
 

Tim

Hey guys,

just bought a 1996 Land Rover Disco w/ 4.0 V8. Unfortunately it has an AT. Well maintained by the book from the original owner (little-old-lady) and got it for a great price! I thought this over and decided if I bought the entire vehicle I'll be able to get all the EFI management out along with peripherals so I'm not running blind when reinstalling.  AND, I can part out the rest to make the engine pretty much free.

I'm an acquaintance of the land rover dealer here and there's a huge community of offroaders who modify these old horses and he thinks I'll be able to unload the entire thing to the local club for more than I paid. So I guess I'm on my way . . . (a weak woohoo!)

Thanks for your knowledge base and your willingness to help out the people you all inspire.

Tim

Congrats Tim & welcome.  Hope your wife is recovering well!

Thanks Rob! She is doing much better. She's got some nerve damage that we hope is temporary. She walked outside yesterday without any assistance. Made me very happy. The home health people here in Asheville are angels!

Tim

Ashville NC?  I used to have family there.  Beautiful mountain country - at least it was 25yrs ago.  Glad to hear your wife is on the road to recovery.

New guy here from Eliot, ME.  Grew up with MGs (my dad had every postwar model) and bought my first Mini in 1987.  Monday will be our 25th anniversary!  In fact, just yesterday I was lying on the ground in a pool of hydrolastic fluid reminiscing about high school...lol.

Currently building an 80-something Mini to rally.  Loving all the incredible stuff everyone here has done - lots of inspiration!

Thanks for the cool site.

Pat

Hi guys, another new one here. I live in Prince George, BC Canada and am just in the process of
acquiring a '62 TR4. A buddy already donated a 302 Ford to the cause.

I have been into hot rodding since 1958, but took a break in 61-63 when I had a TR3 and did some
slalom racing and novice racing at Westwood Race track near Vancouver, BC

I currently have a '63 Chev Impala SS convertible with a 409 (hence my username).
Also have a '52 Chevy coupe with a 283/glide
and a '54 Ford wagon with a 351W/C6

My wife said I need a new project, so..........

Here is a photo of my TR3 about 50 years ago !!!

(http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q101/pg409/scan0003-4.jpg)



Thanks

Keith

Hello,

I'm Steve. I have a few thousand posts on locostusa.com with a few different builds, prior to that the miata.net engine swap forum for my 4.3l miata, and prior to that, Pennocks when I built my 4.3L fiero.

I am a Master ASE, FAA airframe & powerplant mechanic, aircraft electronics tech, EPA licensed airconditioning tech, and I've also worked on foreign and domestic motorcycles professionally. I do mig, braze, gas weld and have a small metal lathe for fabricating parts.

Anyway, I was at the Mitty at Road Atlanta over the weekend, and saw a spitfire rolling shell in bad shape for sale. I decided to make what I thought was a low-ball offer of $500 for the shell if they would bring it to my house on their way back to Daytona, about 3 hours out of their way.

I am now the proud owner of a 1977 Spitfire with hardtop and not much else. The previous previous owner had butchered the firewall area to fit a 5.0L Ford and T5, which are gone now. Since I do full know what I am missing, I will be asking silly questions and posting awful pictures.

Since this is not the spot to post those questions, I will reserve those for later.

I have a friend who recently pulled the T5 and 2.8L v6-60 out of his 80 something s10 for an sbc, and he is GIVING me the drivetrain, as he will be moving soon. I pick it up Wednesday. I've built a few v6-60s during the 90s. I think I may have been one of the first guys to stroke a 2.8 with a 3.1 crank. I've also had mpfi fiero injection and a great Holley 2305 progressive on a modified intake (sure miss that one).

Thanks in advance.
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Steve, that Spit looks like a good solid conversion candidate - good luck with the build.

Steve,
We have a member of our club here in WV with the S-10 drivetrain in his Spitfire. It's still a 2.8 and an automatic, but he drives it all over the place with his wife, going to car shows every weekend.  Here is a picture:  http://wvbcc.com/index.php?mact=Gallery,m6e73e,default,1&m6e73edir=Club-Cars%2F&m6e73ereturnid=59&page=59

Dan B.

Welcome Steve.

Thanks guys.

This car must have lived a pampered life in a garage, because all the panels are solid, with just a few bubbles overall and the floors and rear roll pan have some very light surface rust in a few places.

The yellow spitfire is very nice. I like the cowl induction hood. I'm hoping I can get the engine far enough back and low enough to be able to weld the existing hole in the hood back up. I may use second hand motorcycle cv carbs hanging over the valve covers and / or cut the pan and rework the rails to get the hieght down.
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Hello! I'm out of Minnesota. curenly building an off topic 1930 Ford Model A with an Oldsmobile 215. There is a lot of great info and write ups here. A well educated bunch.

Thanks! I look forward to picking some brains.

Steve, have you thought about fuel injection?

Have I thought about it? Of course! I already have a Moates Ostrich, burner, and wide band o2 for tuning. I like to use modified spark plug antifoulers as wide band bungs to weld into the exhaust at about $5 a pair in the HELP section of the local parts store.

I picked up the s10 bits yesterday. It is a 1985 or older s10 with a vacuum/centrifugal/ 2 wire small cap HEI with remote coil and a varajet rochester 2 barrel, that should flow up to around 375 cfm from what I've read. The rear main is leaking. I hope it is a one piece rather than two.

I'm meeting a fellow parting out a 78 spitfire this weekend. I hope it has complete seats with decent foam for recovering. Triumph really made best use of the space for seating, as nothing else offers as much headroom, adjustability, and access. If I can't find a decent set for a decent price, I'll make my own.

I should start a project topic, so as to stop clogging up the introduction topic.

My name is Bobby and I have just acquired a 1974 TR6.  Any ideas on improving the brakes on this car would be appreciated.  I'm glad I found this forum.

Welcome to the forum, Bobby, and congratulations on the TR6.

You'll want to ask your brake system questions in either in the Triumph or the "handling issues" sections. More specific questions often get more interesting answers. Stock brakes really aren't "bad" - do you want advice on getting them tuned up and working like new? Or are you looking for something fancier? Help us help you. If this is your first British sports car, you're really in for a treat!

By the way, the little "Google" box in the corner of our header works pretty well for searching within our website.

Hi All name is Glenn
 I am the current custodian of a 1973 triumph stagibrought it as a unfinnished project
 it is now signal red the best colour to make chrome ping
mostly standard but have a 390cfm holley & a custom air filter.
 Essex ford v6 external waterpump (stagdad) plus a pacett electric fan
current on going projects a zf4 hp22 4 speed gearbox conversion (now has been stripped and rebuilt) awating to be fitted after garage modifications (strutural) also looking forward to fitting rear disc brakes many thanks to don watson for info

Welcome to the British V8 forums Glen

Hi there, my name is Jason, new to the forum, I am presently shoe horning an 1UZFE (lexus ls 400 v8) into a 1971 vauxhall firenza. Going old skool with it, no fuel injection! It will be running two holley 350 and an msd ignition it will be mated to a r154 (toyota supra) manual gearbox. It will be road legal but i will be using it for track days.

This is my first project like this, thats why i am here, i have lots of questions!!

cheers for now Jason

Welcome to the forum, Jason! I'm excited to have a Vauxhall enthusiast in our midst, and will look for your posts with keen curiosity. I hope you'll consider starting a thread in our Project Journal section.

It is also one of the very few UZ engine swaps so we're keen for details. We know the engine will fit a TR-7 for instance,  but how about an MGB? Obviously we would like to see photos and details like dimensions and weights.
Jim

hi im eric scott you can call me eric or scott just call me whatever you like, im a car enthusiast so finding this forum is a great achievement for me because i want to learn more about british cars and get some good ideas, Thanks to the administrator that created this great forum.

Hi , everyone...im from ireland and currently doing some bit of work on my mgb gt.i got my first mgb about three years ago.since then is the fourth one.had two gt's and two roadsters.the gt was in a bad shape from bulkhead backwards.so need a lot of work.im not a purist and love to do something different.thats way i love mg.my english is not the greatest sorry for that.
thanks to all and good luck.
BvDJLS2kKGrHqQOKkIEvOS3oqeWBMC9-m0QEQ_12.jpg
BvDJldwCWkKGrHqIOKioEvNhwdGBMC9+S0y_12.jpg
BvDJ7PQCGkKGrHqIOKnEEvyFrOUwBMC9+2vh8w_12.jpg
BvDIzkgBmkKGrHqQOKnMEvyFryqulBMC99+PYg_12.jpg

Hi all,

We share a couple of things in common, crazy power to weight ratios, and I have a British rear end, a Jag IRS. I came across this forum researching for a friend just how much you can squeeze out of a turbo 2.3 L Ford 4 banger, and liked what I saw here. If my ride isn't a "fit" here, that is OK, just let me know. I've been into hot rods for 40 years and currently have stopped fighting the Laws of Physics by trying to make a 4500 lb box on wheels perform at a high level. My ride tips the scales at 1790 lb, and the sbc I built for torque, lots as low as possible. Mounted the engine and trans so low in the frame that a stock oil pan would only have 3/4" clearance to the road. CG is around spindle height, so no moment-arm to cause leaning in turns. Gave up around 120 hp on 383 sbc stroker build on the high end to have 516 lb/ft a just 2800 rpm feeding a Tremec TKO 600 5 speed 0.64 OD manual, into that Jag 3.54 IRS and 31" tires. Makes for a tall top cog, turning 1700 rpm at 70 mph. At 65~70 mph on a flat highway, has managed to break 30 mpg, yet at Sacramento Raceway ran a 10.8 @ 132. I generally just short shift on the street with that low rpm torque, 1700, shift, drops to 1200 and again.

I am retired Merchant Marine, and need fun rides to compensate my 12 mph to 20 mph in one hour type of performance. Engine output 65,000 hp @ 115 rpm for that performance.

(http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff452/deckofficer/Day%20tripping/DSC013201014x760.jpg)

This gives a good idea as to how tall I'm geared, heading down I-5 to LA.
(http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff452/deckofficer/Overdrive/DSC01409.jpg)

But this is how I drive 99% of the time.
(http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff452/deckofficer/Overdrive/DSC013911014x760.jpg)

You are welcome here Bob. No doubt there are things we can learn from you.

Jim

Welcome! Yep, this ride definitely qualifies as "British Enough" to fit in fine around here. I'm very curious to know how you cool that engine, but perhaps that's a topic for a thread of its own... maybe for the Other British Cars section?

Bugs on the windshield - I love it!

Welcome!

Thanks guys, nice welcome, so I'll pull up a chair and hang with you good folks. The ride started with only 3" of original 1923 Ford Model T frame, but it was the important 3" that had the VIN #. Reg'ed in California as a 1923, so no smog, horn, turn signals, well you get the idea, easy to keep light. I am accepted into the T-bucket groups and I enjoy on a social level those folks, but there interest is bling, billet, chrome, and engines that are built with components that make them look powerful, but in reality hinders their street performance such as tunnel rams and 2 stroke diesel refuge blowers.

I'm hoping with this group more of an emphasis on pure performance, not show and shine as in the T-bucket groups. Any gatherings in the 7 western states that might have auto cross, rodeos, or other events that test the car and driver?

As to cooling, yes, that has been a bit of an issue. Currently running a 2 core AND 3 core together (common tank) and a fabbed shroud to pull as much air through as possible.

Bob

(http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff452/deckofficer/wrenching%20on%20the%20T/DSC010271014x760.jpg)

I found this site via surfing for Formula 5000 and came across the terrific piece on Bob McRae's cars, and was impressed by the writing and photography.  

I spectated at British club racing from about 1960 on, before emigrating to Canada in 1977.  Although I made foot-and-bus pilgrimages to Silverstone and Mallory, some of my happiest days were at the stock cars, speedway, karts, and at the first Santa Pod drag races.  Nowadays I do the announcing at my local drag races, and my favourit race track is in Washington State: a banked 1/3 mile clay oval that is blindingly fast --- the 410 sprint cars lap it in less than 11 seconds --- 99mph average speed.

I maintain a website devoted to the history of British stock-car racing.  Don't snigger --- there were and are some brilliant drivers and mechanics.  Remember Vanwall?  One of their mechanics starred on British oval tracks, using an Olds Rocket V-8 mated to a Ferrari Superamerica gearbox!  And of course F1 racers Derek Daley and Derek Warwick started their careers in stock cars.
www.oldstox.com

Nowadays I risk my 66-year old neck once a year by taking out a full-race kart, which gives me a rude awakening, or attempt to get Turn One just right in a little Honda at a track day.  Regrettably I am no mechanic!
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Hello I am from Brampton Ontario Canada, about 20 minutes northwest of Toronto. I have what I believe according the serial number is a 1975 MG B. I am a retired automotive mechanic of over 37 years. I say mechanic because what the are training "techs" today is just to change parts, not to fix or repair. I offer my assistance to anyone who wishes to ask, not that I am an expert. I'm sure there are a lot of people on this forum that have forgotten more than I know . I plan to install a 5.0 ford and T5 into the B and doing my research here. I wiil probably ask a lot of questions that have already been answered, I ask for your patience.
Thank you and hope that every day is GREAT.

Hello, my names Mark. My wife and I have a 1980 MGB, which we bought and drove into the ground over the last 20 years. It's now slated for a complete rebuild.
We also have attained the 1958 Hillman Minx convertible that was my first car to drive in 1972 after my mom and older siblings were done with it. It also needs a lot of work.
I was just getting ready to start on the B, when I shattered my ankle helping my brother erect a carport. I'm disabled for the next few months, so maybe we'll have another mild winter here in Kansas and I can get started then.
Glad to have found this forum.

Hi, I'm John and I live in wet Derbyshire in the UK. This is my '67 GT V8 that I've just put back on the road and driven to Le Mans Classic. I've done a few unusual things to the rear suspension, which I'll write up for the 'How it was done' section.
MGBGTJuly2012.jpg

Hi. Well I have already posted a couple things, so I guess I should introduce myself. My Name is Rodney Hoover, I live in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, between Sacramento, Ca. and Lake Tahoe. I have come back to this site because of a request from forum members to know more about the 7 series BMW diff in my V8 Spitfire MK3 Thant is currently for sale on ebay. I'll try to write up a build story and send in a disc later. I also have a 1969 BSA Rocket 3 , BSA A65 Trackmaster 1/2 mile dirt track bike .An Alta Trials bike & a Triumph Sprint. I have several american classic cars and trucks, along with an all steel home made Roadster Royale that is 20 feet long and looks like a 29 Deusenberg, with a 464CI Cummins Diesel and Allison 6 speed automatic. Just a little 2 seat sports car that weighs 6000LBS. that I use it to tow my Vintage 26ft. Airstream travel trailer/(caravan) for those in England. I also own a vintage ski boat with a 215 Aluminum Olds and Velvet Drive inboard. Among way too many othe vehicles to list. Rodney

Welcome to the British V8 forum Rodney
sounds like you have some fun toys, I also have a Triumph Sprint ST along with other unusual toys
I am in elko area which is about 300 miles east of reno so it could be a day trip to visit

My names Eric. I'm from Oklahoma. I drive a 1975 MGB. I have had it for about 9 months and I love it. It has a Chevy 4.3 v6  that makes this car scoot. I just recently took the front and rear bumper off and I'm going to be buying a front and rear valance for it. Not sure where yet.

My name is Werner and I am not new to this forum as I have asked some questions.
I have a 1977 RB that I bought in 1988 with 75K on the odometer. For the next 10 years I put about 20K miles on the car as my daily driver winter and summer from Canada to Florida and from Virginia to the mid west. In 98 the 4-banger was tired and I came across the V8 newsletter from Kurt Schley. That gave me the idea to install a  Rover 3.5V8 with Rover 5 speed gear box. Drove another 50K until I decided to make the big step to EFI. Been working on and off at this project and will start a project write up in the project forum soon. Body has the normal typical rust under the doorsills and rear fenders so lots of work going on in that area.
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Hello all,

I just found this site yesterday and I am thrilled. I have a 1976 Jaguar XJ6L although the 6 is now a Chevy small block V-8 350ci mated to a TH400 tranny.

I am currently replacing the rack and pinon and plan a road trip for right after. I will post about the trip.

I'm in New Mexico, anyone near here?

Scott


minePA1400043.jpg

Welcome Scott!

Hello;Found the site a little while back,while looking for V8 MG TD info.I aquired a 52 in spring in pieces.Was told it had a small block chevy back in the day.Although the radiator modifications makes me think it had a ford.I am planning to drop,or force in a 283 with a 700R4 overdrive,with a rear end from a 62 chevy nova.Rear was with the car.I also just picked up a 65 MGB for the front suspension,cheapest way I could find to upgrade to disc brakes on the front.I sure hope that swap goes easy.This whole build has to be done on a budget with ZERO balance to work with,so it will take some time.
Pic isn't much to look at.Time to browse the message boards.
Scott
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Hi,

I've been lurking here for a long time, because I find many of the things you do quite interesting.

I don't have a British car at present, although I've had three big Healeys in various stages of disrepair, one of which, the 100 had a V8. It was the smallest of the small block Chevys, the one before the 283, attached to a 2-speed powerglide transmission. Unfortunately, it was a real mess, a terrible cobble job and it made me leery of swaps for a long time afterwards.
I used to have a MGB too. A very early banjo axle with the A gearbox and the three bearing crankshaft. Bought it for $100 and run the stuffing out of it after changing the clutch and lighting the valve train. Despite its battered state it impressed me because of its ridged chassis and very accurate steering.

I'm especially interested in the suspension modifications but most of what you guys do wouldn't get past the 'contrôle technique' here in France! Still, I enjoy reading, theorizing and dreaming.

Stan

Hello all

I live in England and have had the mgbgtv8 for 30years.During that time we have constantly developed it into the car it is today.I have always been into Motorsport and first competed in hill climbs and sprints progressing to the circuit later.The best way to view the car is by viewing the website I have just set up.
regards
 Www.johnwilsonracing.com

Regards
John Wilson

Howdy,
I'm from Albuquerque, NM. My current project is a 3.9 Rover/Muncie 4 speed combo in a 1928 Ford Sport Coupe. In looking for info on the engine I found this "place", I've already learned ALOT !! My plan is to make the Rover motor look like a Buick 215. I want the whole car to look like a circa 1965"ish" build.
Anyway, I'm learning/reading everything I can. Thanks for being here !

Gary  aka classic gary

Hello fella's and ladies, wanted to introduce myself- I'm the "newbie" on the block.  My name is Marty Johnson and I've owned a 1977 MGB for several years.  I made a rotisserie out of some steel and I've redone all floor boards, trunk, shocks and most all rubber bushings, the electrical is about half done.  When I bought the "B" I pulled off the carb and cleaned, tweaked a couple things here and there and fired it up and drive it for about 3 miles.  Ran decent, no smoke, only 53,000 miles so I pulled the engine and set it aside while I tackled the under carriage, floors, trunk, body panels, paint, switched over to wire wheels and the plan is for a chrome bumper conversion so I added the little do-hickies under the rear tail lights, picked up a laycock overdrive tranny, drive shaft, etc.  As I worked on the electrical it was time to put the engine back in and i decided to do a "once over" with seals and gaskets, maybe a bit of head work, take a peek inside the oil pan, etc.  
When I dropped the pan I found and oil ring laying in the bottom which amazed me because when I ran it a few years ago there was no smoke. Not sure how that's possible but onward...it was a bitter sweat day for me, I had gathered all of these parts and I'm ready to drop everything in and now- well it all came to a screeching halt.  

The sweet part is- it is obviously an omen to go V-8.  :)  This will be my documentation through that journey.  The plan is to go 5.0 with a T-5 and use a Mansell kit to make it happen.  I'm not a mechanic or a tech or whatever the politically correct word for a professional wrench is these days, but I can hold my own in my 32 X 48 pole barn with 220v, a ventilated paint both and a decent set of power tools, mig, plasma cutter, torches, etc.

I began my journey over Thanksgiving weekend, 2012, by driving to Buffalo NY to pick up my ebay purchase of a 1995 Ford 5.0 mustang gt motor and wc- t-5 tranny.  The rest of the documentation should probably go to another forum and I will figure that piece today.  My intention is two fold- as I roll through this process, first to have all of the guys that have already gone through this process to hopefully guide me and, secondly, to try to document a non professional attempting to do the swap and a cost analysis of a "poor mans" guide to the swap.  

I'm really not poor, am a middle class assistant principal with a decent income but like many others, I have children to put through school and family expences which keep me from going full blown, head over heels on this.  I have decided to go with the Mansell conversion and although it's a bit pricey I think it could be interesting to document the non-professional installing this "kit".

Thank you for allowing me to become part of your community, I am honored.

Welcome Marty. The 5.0L Ford is good.  Should make you a "Happy Camper" when the install is complete.  You are never FINISHED!

Sounds like you're on the right path...  And you're starting way ahead of me in terms of ability when I started.  Note that 94/95 5.0L mustangs used a T5 with a 1" longer input shaft.  You have to have the bellhousing designed for that; hopefully you got it with the engine/trans as they can be a little hard to come by.  The nice thing is your shifter will come right up through the stock shifter hole.

Good Evening to All Who Wish to Read

My name is Doug Brown.  I recently inherited a 1971 CB MGB.  My father had it restored about six years ago.  He and I discussed the many attributes of many British sports cars over the years as he was an engineer in the auto industry.  While in Detroit, my big desire as a teen was to put a 327 in a bug eyed Sprite.  Well needless to say, at the time I had zero funds.

Fast forward 35 years - I'm now getting ready to sell my company and I have this perfectly restored B on my hands!  Finally the time has come to do the witches brew I wanted to do 35 years ago!  My poor Dad will probably turn over in his grave but I know when I have the car completed he will be smiling down!

It's funny, I started this project before I knew there were so many folks doing V8 rebuilds to MG's.  I had purchased many parts i.e. a 94 302 EFI HO, a T-5 Trans, an 8.8 rear end, ect.  It wasn't until I began exploring suspension setups that I found all this info on everyone elses cars.  That would include British V8's website

I've since come to know the folks at Classic Conversions - (both front Xmember & coilover, and a four point rear) they provided these parts at a fair price and the build goes on.

I'm about 4 months into the actual build.  It took a year or so to put together a plan and workout the details.  As you might imagine I'm a fan of Detroit Iron!  The 302 became the motor of choice for the following reasons: Lots of parts, engine width, and the fact that Ford did a lot to get me where I am today.

I own a company that does a wide variety of industrial metal finishing such as powder coating, plating, conversion coating, vacuum impregnation, mechanical finishing, and printing.  As I indicated before, the process started about a year ago.  I built a shop in the warehouse portion of the plant and outfitted it with a lift and all the tools I thought would be needed.  I soon discovered there were many I needed in addition!!!  Now that I'm on this site, I will cronicle the process from beginning to end (if there is an end!!).  I'm not in a big hurry to finish but I do have the time to spend on a regular basis so I hope to be finished some time next fall.  

Thanks to anyone who can add advise going forward and continued success from South Dakota.  nobogez

Welcome to the Forum Doug. The people here are the greatest group of guys you will ever meet. There is a wealth of knowledge and everyone is willing to share. We all want to see you finish your project and enjoy the ride. Please keep us up to date.

Again, Welcome to this crazy group.

Paul

Thank you Kelly and Rob, I'll check on that bell housing, I did get a bell with it but I need to figure if its the right one.  Sounds like Doug is WAY ahead of my curve, it'll be interesting to compare notes.
Marty

I have been building British sports cars for about 15 years.  My business cards say they don't have to run British.  I still own my first British car, a 1970 Triumph TR-6.  It has evolved through the years, its my daily driver, its over 500 horse, with no nitrous.  This will be my fourth year with V-8 in car.  I have some you tube videos you can check out.  Hoping to go to Maxton in the Spring.  190 mph/1 mile should be in reach.  Hope I can stop it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veZXRVBkrHA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mItjEf5M2Hs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwY7gVWzoLE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mspFrBOwfM

Thanks for the welcome Paul!  It was your car that gave me some additional inspiration on the body portion of the build!  Your wheel selection is the best I've seen to date!!

I have Panasport 15" on the car and will probably stick with them for the initial build, but as I'll bet you know, the project is never done!!

Thanks again for the follow up and I hope to meet you in person in Omaha this next year.  Doug

Hi My name is Steve and live in the UK
Whilst my car is not a sports car, my 1963 Morris Minor has a 3.5V8 (I think you call them buick) and 5 speed gearbox, It has a MGB front end and Jaguar powerlock rear end. I have a detailed history of the build if anyone is interested.
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n492/meerkat7/P1010728.jpg)
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n492/meerkat7/P1010729.jpg)
Hope the photos come thru
Steve

Great car Stephen.  I bet you surprise some folks with it!  Welcome.

Stephen, that is one "sleeper" automobile. Welcome to the "group" and YES, please share the build details with us. Have a great Holiday Season.

Hi all. Just a short into.

I'm located on the Southern Coast of Massachusetts, kinda wet Winters, kind of muggy Summers and I haven't a garage so all of the work is done caveman-style out in the back yard. Still I have hope.

I picked up a few derilict and rotted MGAs and just bought an old 5.0 Mustang GT for the drive train.

Bought this:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/TeamEvil/DSC06186.jpg

To help build an Vintage Drag Racer in the old NHRA Modified Sports Car style out of this:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/TeamEvil/DSC05900.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/TeamEvil/DSC05905.jpg

Yup. Kinda crazy I know . . .

Nice to be here though !

TC

Welcome Team Evil that may be crazy buts its the kind of crazy I understand
Welcome to the forums
I am shoehorning the same engine and T5 in a 1964 spitfire

Tom A

That's a beauty!!!  How much time have you got invested in that car?  Do you do the work or farm it out?

To make 500 HP what else did you do to the motor besides stroke it?  In my build I really don't want to much more than 350 to 375 HP as a B (with a uni-body construction) will twist in the wind!!  I do have additional bracing to stiffen the frame up but weight to HP is one of the goals - the other is drivability.

Doug, it is stiffer than you realize.

Jim

That's what she said!!!

Hi Everyone,

My Name is Al and I hail from Sidney British Columbia Canada. I currently own a stock 71 tr6 that I got running this summer. Did some minor replacement of parts  like the water fuel pump brake caliper and the windshield wiper seals ( yikes these were the toughest). More and more I would like to have more power and the most cost effective way seems to be an engine swap. I have no experience with this and with a single car garage it is going to be a bit tight in particular as it seems the body will have to come off the frame. I think I will go with a  ford 289 or 302 as it seems these need the least amount of  additional mods to the body and frame. I will continue to enjoy the car as is but start collecting the parts for the build. I already have a line on 289 out of a 67 Fairlane. Stock bottom end but ported heads and new valve seals. We'll see. I will hopefully get inspiration from all the posts and progress of other projects I see. Cheers

Hi All,

My name is Iwan and I currently reside in Wales, UK but in a few years will be moving to Washington state. I found this forum via the MG experience site and am currently reabuilding a 71 GT that will also be a V8, here is how it looks at the moment:

(http://i508.photobucket.com/albums/s330/iwan1982/MGBV8/DSCF6562.jpg)

I will no doubt be asking a lot of question, but will also breate a blog if people want. I look forward to meeting you all.

Welcome Iwan.  Looks like you are going about it the right way.  How long a stint will you be doing in Washington?  RHD may get annoying if it's an extended or permenant move.

Hi Rob,

You of course know me from elsewhere :p The move is intended to be permanent so I HAVE considered either changing it to LHD or getting another car but I figure it will be a piece of home for me, and if I do get sick of it I can always change it over or replace it.

Debating whether to double up on the blog and post it in the projects section here too.

Hi everyone, my name is Mike and I'm the proud owner of a 1986 Land Rover 90 with a 3.5L V8.  I purchased her when I was stationed in the UK and brought her back to the US when my tour was over.  I came across your site while looking for information on the engine.  

-Mike

Welcome Mike, Good to have you here.

I'm a UK citizen but will be taking my V8 MGB stateside with me when my wife and I move there.

Opps, guess i was in the wrong place.  Just started on the site, learning how to navigate & post.

Racing my '61 Daimler SP-250 w/ English Hemi 2.5L in the SVRA this year.
1111338924026pg.jpg

Hi Guys
Glad you finally found me, or vice versa. My name is Harry and I'm from B.C. Canada. I have a 66 E-type roadster that took me 20 years to build. I put in a 340 Dodge motor with a 727 trans an homemade SS exhaust manifolds and a new wider front frame. Stole a paint job from a well known movie and there you have it. I will post more photos elsewhere when I figure it out. Thanks H
Scan20028.JPG
Scan20006.JPG

Scan20020.JPG
Image003.jpg

Tastefully done Harry......beautiful job!

Smashing!!!

looking foward to seeing more of this car. Looks great in all directions.. Cheers.

Chico wrote:

QuoteI thought I'd introduce myself to the British  v8 group. I have a 74 Jensen Healey that I bought new and I decided to swap out the motor. All work is almost complete and is being done by Limeworks in Whittier,Ca. The engine is a 215 Rover with a T5 trans. When all the work is done I'll post some pictures.

(but he posted this to me in a Private Message, so I'm re-posting it here.)



I can't wait to see the Jensen Healey photos... can't get enough of them!

The SP is ready for the 2013 SVRA race season.  Everything is serviced and we can't wait.
01SearsPtcsrg3.jpg
1111338924026ph.jpg

Very nice.  Look forward to hearing results :) !

Hello Gentlemen. I live in west coast USA. I'm registering here to learn more about the Rover 3.5 I've recently acquired and plan to install in my 1929 Ford tudor.

For starters, where do each of the wires on the distributor connect? Will any standard coil work in conjunction with this ignition? Does anyone market electronic ignition modules for this distributor? Is there any special antifreeze one should use with aluminum engines? Etc etc. Thanks!

(http://imageshack.us/a/img521/9599/hpim2401medium.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img163/579/hpim2499medium.jpg)

Wow - that's going to be one cool Tudor! Welcome to the forum, Rodney.

Your questions about Rover ignition (etc.) are better discussed in our Drivetrain sub-forum... but you might also find some clues in the MG forum because Rover V8s are particularly popular for MGB swaps. For example: this thread is currently running in the MG forum: <a href="http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?2,37626">Rover Distributor Amplifier</a>. Make sure to surf around in the <a href="http://www.britishv8.org/British-V8-Back-Issues.htm">article archive</a> for articles like this: <a href="http://www.britishv8.org/Articles/Selecting-a-Rover-Distributor.htm">Differences Between Rover Distributors.</a>. Any antifreeze will work, but don't try to go without antifreeze.

Hello All-
Just heard about this site. Looks very cool, but I'm not sure I qualify for membership.
 I have a 1965 Jaguar Mk2 with a Chevy 4.3 Vortec V6 & 4L60 transmission (not a V8). Also cruise control, Vintage Air AC/heat system, upgraded features such as shoulder/lap seat belts, third brake light, Sanderson headers, Magna-Flow mufflers, Dayton wire wheels, etc.
 Was located in a barn in Benton Harbor, MI. Took 5 years part-time work to complete.
 It's a daily driver and a blast to drive.
Be happy to answer any questions about the conversion.
Cheers,
Chuck Welch
2012-09-0115.13.48.jpg

Hey, welcome Chuck.  You definitely qualify.  Awesome car; always loved  those.

Chuck,

Ditto what Rob said.  That is one of my all time favorite cars, and with a V6!!!!!!!!

I am jealous, jealous, jealous.

Chuck,

Can't wait to see your Jag up close, that is one good looking motor

Hello all!
I've been lurking around here for a little bit and thought it was time to introduce myself.
I'm Bill Heath, from southwest Missouri.  I'm pretty new to the British car thing; bought a 1969 MGB roadster in 2008 and then bought a 1973 MGB roadster project about a year and a half ago.  It is a stalled project from another enthusiast; body and paint completed (mostly, has some shop worn areas), needs drive train installed, wiring, interior, etc.  It came with a new GM 3.4 crate engine and a 700R4 auto tranny.  
I have not started on the project yet; I've been remodeling my shop into a proper work area, and saving some coin for all the "little stuff" that will come up.  I was planning to complete the project more or less as the previous owner had started, with the 3.4 and 700R4, but then.....
Last year at he University Motors Summer Party, I drove Steve Carrick's car!  Crap!  A 3.4 is never gunna do that!  Sooo, I've been considering my options.
I will be attending the British V8 Meeting in Omaha to look at what all you guys have done, ask millions of questions, and try to get closer to having a plan before starting to finish this project.
I look forward to seeing you all.
Bill

Welcome Bill. You'll have lots to look at.

Jim

Good day gentlemen.

My name is Robert, and I am a British car nut, per se. I worked for Land Rover as a mechanic, and have spent most of my time working on Rovers, but I have acquired, more like inherited, my Mom's 74 MGB. It had a restoration about 20 years ago, but is in dire need of some love. As soon as I finish my full restoration of my 69 SIIA 88", I will tackle this project. As for my handle, I am a firefighter, so lots of time off to play with my toys!
Of course I have alot of questions, with a few answers, but I have found this website unbelievable. I will be posting pix when I start the project, and will try to make you all proud.
I just happen to have a few LR blocks laying around, and one of them is bound to end up in this project. Most likely will get either the 3.5 block from a two door Range Rover w/ LT77 gearbox, or maybe a 4.6 w/ an R380. I just dont know yet, but I look forward to the projecit n the glum days of winter here in Boulder, Colorado.

Thanks to the Moderator(s) for such an awesome site; and I look forward to meeting you guys.

Robert Dunkle
Boulder, Colorado
69 LR SIIA 88"
82 RR 2 Door
83 Alfa Romeo GTV6
92 Corrado VR6

Hi Kids!

I'm Jed. Some of you know me from the other place. :-)

I have a healthy 72 Roadster waiting on getting a 3.9 and an LT77 stuffed in, and a 67 GT with a buick 215 in the works. Still collecting parts for both.

Anyway, I've been lurking here for so long that I feel right at home, and figured it was time to make it official.
So that's that, now on with the show!

WECLOME!         Robert & Jed.  Pleased to have you join our group.  SAFETY FASTER!

Hi, Jed. Glad you finally joined the fun over here. You are right...this is home!  :)

Hi boys and girls.  I am the owner of a 71 TR6 with a 2.0L Ecotec LSJ.  I am very happy to report that it is running very well.  I find excuses to jump in it and drive.  I think my car has the weight/HP ratio the TR6 should have had from the factory.  It is a very well mannered car with a ton of power.  I have a smaller SC pulley producing 12 lbs boost, GM world class T-5, 4.08 R200 diff, GP CV hub/axle the engine delivers 218 rwhp.  The engine happily yields 29.5 mpg highway; 5th gear is 0.63. I will be placing a summary and pictures in the Gallery later.

Welcome Albert. It is good to see another SC user aboard. We look forward to some pictures and a description.

Jim

Hi all,

I just found this site because of youtube.  Another member posted a link to his pictures on this site.  I gotta say I am already falling in love with this site.

I live in Upstate NY, a little north of Syracuse, NY and have a 1971 TR6 with a 300HP SBC crate motor and a tremec T5 transmission.  

When I retired from the Air Force I started looking for a Triumph but always liked the idea of V8 power  I found my little gem on eBay, brought it home to NY from Utah and hope to start a frame off full restoration in the next couple of years.  It is a very nice car now just missing the details I would like it to have.

I look forward to learning many, many things from this organization.

Brad

Welcome Brad!    we are glad to have you.  several SBC and SBF plus LS TR-6's.  Even have a Ford 4 cyl Turbo.  please begin planning to attend our events.   You will meet the great people.  SAFETY FASTER!

Hi, my name is John and I'm a Britaholic.

I found this site last year and lurked for a while before joining this spring. My BritCar problem goes way back, lusting after TR4s, TR6s, MGBs in my childhood. Seeing Patrick McGoohan in that Seven in The Prisoner... Norton, Triumph bikes, I wanted them all.

My pinings went unrequited until I was in need of wheels at the same time a coworker had a surplus RB Midget. It needed work, but the DCOE 45 hanging off the little 4 banger lured me.
midgetbw.jpg
midgetjanegreg.jpg
 I was stationed in Dover DE at the time, and my search for rehab parts led me to a local guy named Glenn Towery. Most of you probably know the name. Glenn gave me a ride in his MGBGT V8 (the same one he now has 500,000 miles on), and my obsession took the next step. WOW, I needed one. But life moved on, I left the USAF, took my Midget to Atlanta, GA. Then I saw a writeup about a guy in Maryland who was making Lotus Seven clones. Not just any fragile little roadster, but ones with Buick/Rover V8s in them. I really, really wanted one....

So I did.
rotusfeet.jpg
Rotus98.jpg
'94 to '95 I put together this Seven. The Rotus is a bit larger than the Lotus/Caterham, 4" wider 7" longer, but at 6'4" I don't fit too well in the originals. Back then I had never built an engine myself, so I had Phil and Ray Baker do one for me. They did good work, it's an Olds turbo block with Buick 300 heads and crank. 292 cid, 4.8L.

Life unfortunately got in the way and the Seven sat in my garage for 11 years.
After finally getting power for my welder and a new compressor, I set out last year to get it back on the road. Much progress has been made, fiberglass repaired, new windshield, new oil plumbing. But as you know, these projects take on a life of their own. I've finished everything I thought needed doing, but now I'm in the middle of a complete rewiring. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it's getting closer.

This board has been a great source of info. I'm working with Gary Walker on a flange for my Buick 300 heads. This'll be the first step towards some greatly improved headers I'll be building this winter. After that, I'm gathering parts for a fuel injection conversion.

John, you have my deepest sympathy.

Jim

Hey there, just joined up as I have the bug bad (old British car bug).
Two 1947 Austin A40 pick ups, mostly holes held together with rust.
A 1956 Morris Minor two door ( want to make a blown gassed out of it).
A locost seven. Chassis that I have a four barrel Skylark alu V8 to put in.
A 1973 E type roadster (4spd,V12).
A 1980 Tr7 rag, 5 spd. (have  215 olds that may get thrown in)
A 1982 Tr8 rag, 5 spd.
Also have two more alu V8's that need homes.
Also have a blown fox body mustang and a 1968 six pack Super bee.
A handful of motorbikes as well
Garage is very big but I've managed to fill it right up.
I'm 56 now, and will have to make it to one hundred and fifty to finish all my projects.
Get a load of this....... I'M still managing to stay married!

Welcome Jeff,  you'll fit in with most of us.   Remember "you can please most of the people most of the time, but not all the people all the time,   SAFETY FASTER!

Hey everyone.  First post here.... I'm Mike from Pennsylvania.  
Just bumped into this site looking for tips on putting an 8.8 in my TR7.  I've got a Ford 5.0 on a stand ready to go in it, but I want to work through the front suspension and make sure I have a good plan for the rear axle before I start adding weight and power to it.  

I've had my 1976 TR7 Victory Edition since I was 16, which was 25 yrs ago.  It was pretty beat when I got it, but it was great as a kid.  About 18 yrs ago I painted it, built a good stock engine, and put a 1980 TR7 5 speed transmission and rear in it.  

Now I'm feeling the desire to put a V8 in it.  

Anyway, I'll have to post up some pics and info in a project thread.

Hi,
new guy w/o a British car. Maybe I can mention my Swedish car now and then? If not I get it. I understand its a British car forum.
I joined thinking I could learn about swaps being I plan on a swap on my 66 Volvo Amazon.
I figure the learning/entertainment factor is worth joining the forum even if I'm not welcome to post Volvo content. Again I understand and will be nice and respectful and stay on topic or just lurk.

I was gung ho about a 60* GM V6 now I'm thinking SBF. Not as cool or funky as say a Quad4 or SHO V6. Hard to beat the dime a dozen factor of the SBF. Bit concerned about balanced performance. Anyway I'll be studying up as I bet I will find answers to all my questions.
XB20Amazon.jpg

Hi to all English marque followers
 I have been an English car collector for some time now, and have just purchased a factory V8 from the uk.
It has arrived by ship this week and I'm off to get it tomorrow.  I've enjoyed collecting a variety of English cars, but now I'm into
finding more unique models, such as the V8.  I have a twin cam MGA, limited edition MGB, XKE, and 67 MGB/GT.
addicting isn't it!!  Hope to get to some shows and meet some other BRITISH NUTS.

Regards
Dusty Rose
bth_DSCF3591.jpg
bth_DSCF3587.jpg

Welcome! Welcome! And Welcome!

A 1966 Amazon isn't technically British, but it's super cool. I'm keen to hear and see all about it.

good evening folks, newbie here, and the fever to have a v8 b has brought me here. I own 2, 1 driver, 1 parts( for educating me on the car).

i'll be doing a lot of reading, but, probably, not a lot of posting, until a bit later.

I do have 1 question to start.

is there a lot of cost difference in doing a conversion, vs, having it done?

 I have gotten an estimate to have it done, and the labor was only around 1800.

thanks in advance

Welcome Edward.  Wow, $1800 to do the swap is pretty cheap IMO.  At a shop rate of $75/hr -- which is on the low side for any sort of custom work around where I live -- that's only 24hrs.  I suppose if you're using one of the engine choices that have a complete kit (engine mounts, headers, modified cross member if needed, trans cross member, shaved intake to fit under the hood if needed, etc.) -- and the person doing the work is already familiar with the MG such that pulling the original motor/trans only takes a couple of those 24hrs, it could be done but odds are it'll take a bit more time than that when it's all said & done.  I'd be surprised if most shops would do it for that so it sounds like a very good price to me - maybe too good.

Edward, it sort of depends on the level of completion the shop is providing. At a guess, for that price I'd say they probably are planning to get the new engine in the car and capable of rolling under it's own power, not much more. And there is quite a bit more to it than that. If you are happy with cleaning up the details it could be a sweet deal for you, but ask if they can direct you to some examples of their work. These conversions can be done well, but they also can be done poorly. A poorly done conversion can make you wish you'd never heard of it, and this is the big advantage of doing it yourself. You can insure the quality.

Jim

Welcome to BritishV8!

QuoteI do have 1 question to start.

Your question deserves a brand new thread of its own. Please don't hesitate to start one... <a href="http://forum.britishv8.org/posting.php?2">here</a>.

I've noticed there aren't any Ford (Mercury) Capri's here.  They were available in the UK from 1969 through 1986 in MK1 through MK3 versions.  Here in the states we got MK1's and MK2's up through 1977.  The Capri's were built in the UK at Ford's Halewood facility and in Cologne Germany.  Eventually all production shifted to the Cologne facility around 1980.

Capri's in Europe had a wide variety of engines ranging from 1.3 liter 4 cylinders to 3 liter Essex V6's.  In the states we got the 1.6 liter Kent, 2.0 liter "Pinto" 4 cylinder, 2.3 liter "Lima" 4 cylinder, 2.6 liter Cologne V6, and the 2.8 liter Cologne V6.

I have 2 1976 Capri MK2's with unusual engines.
RS_Reborn.jpg

The Capri R/S was a conversion of a 2.8 Liter Capri S to European X-Pack bodywork.  The conversion was performed by ASC in Michigan prior to dealer shipment.  The original fiberglass body panels were riveted onto the car as delivered and the rivets were visible.  The cars were white with black stripes.  Somewhere between 44 and 50 conversions were made.  The exact number is unknown but most sources agree on 46. A fire at ASC destroyed the records.

The cars were fitted with front and rear fender extensions, front spoiler, and a rear whaletail.  They also got rear window louvers and a blacked out interior and trim option.

The car originally had a 2.8 Cologne V6 with 109 hp.  It currently has a Ford 2.3 Lima Turbo 4 cylinder that has been modified.  It runs MegaSquirt, a Boport cam, and other hi po parts.  Its about 275 hp at 18 psi boost.
RS_Engine_9_19_2013.jpg

My other Capri is shown below.  It was originally a 2.3 liter car with a whopping 88 hp.  It has a "Folvo" 2.3 liter Lima turbocharged engine.  More on the "Folvo" below.  The car has a T5 5 speed transmission and many Ford of Europe performance parts from their 280i MK3 Capri's.  I just recently put a Ford 8.8 Traction Loc 3.73 ratio rear in the car.  The car has 15 x 7 wheels with 225/45 tires.
Cropped_Resized_Folvo_8.8.jpg

The engine is unique.  It turns out that the Ford Lima 2.3 and the Volvo B23 engines share the same head bolt pattern.  Both are timing belt driven.  Volvo produced a limited number of 2.3 liter engines with a DOHC 4 valve per cylinder head.  With some significant effort this head can be adapted to the Ford 2.3 turbo block.  The result is a "Folvo" engine.

My Folvo runs Megasquirt, 75 pph injectors, front mount intercooler, Borg Warner 6258 EFR turbo, and custom built intake and exhaust manifolds.  An early dyno run with 9 psi boost showed 225 hp at the wheels.  The car is now up to 18 psi boost but has not gone back on the dyno.  I expect that it has about 350 hp at 18 psi boost.  I hope to put it on the dyno in the next several months.  Right now I have a vibration issue as a result of the 8.8 installation I just finished.
Folvo_Engine_9_19_2013.jpg

Don, those Capris are great! Thanks for posting. Your cars will be two very welcome additions to our Photo Gallery section. We'll need lots more photos to appreciate the original Capri design and also all the updates. Here's info on what we'll need to make that happen: http://www.britishv8.org/British-V8-How-To-Contribute.htm

More Capri Stuff....

I know Dale (TR6Turbo) from the Turboford.org board.  He mentioned that you guys love road racing.

Here is our 1973 Capri MK1 SCCA GT3/SPU road racing car.  The current configuration is a Lima 2.3 4 cylinder normally aspirated engine with Esslinger ARCA head, 13:1 compression, MegaSquirt EFI, T5, and 7.5 Traction LOk rear.  The car currently weighs 2430lbs with fuel and 250 lb driver.

We've had a significant number of teething issues and blew an engine early this year.  We just got the engine back together in October.  Here is a link to a video of the car on a dyno pull.  That's me in the car working the laptop.  This run was 195 whp at 7500 rpm.
http://www.amcansolutions.com/amcandocs/docs/Team%20Full%20Crazy/Scarlet_On_Dyno.MOV
http://www.amcansolutions.com/amcandocs/docs/IMG_0435.MOV

Here is a picture of the other partner (and Driver - Mark) of our team.
MarkandCarCroppedOctNJRace.jpg

Here is a picture from several years ago before we reworked the front spoiler.  We were running a Cologne 2.8 V6 then.  We couldn't keep it together though.
LaborDay2006-Caprivs.911.jpg

And here is a picture of the current engine compartment.
TIMG_3316.jpg

Hmmm, Got any interest in a Cosworth YB turbo powered, Cortina MK1, tube chassis road racing monster?  We're working on getting this car back in racing trim.  1800 lbs, right hand drive, either a 380 or 440 hp YB (we're not sure which).  Been stored unkindly for about 10 years.
Cortina.JPG

Sorry : Here are a couple of pics of my 1960 Austin Healey 3000


AustinHealeyEngine.JPG
AustinHealeyBodyPhoto.JPG

Sorry : I am just getting used to this website. I am a new member with a 1960 Austin Healey 3000, powered by a 383 Chevy and a TH 350 Automatic. It has a 10 bolt posi rearend.Disc brakes all around with a Mustang 11 front end.

I became interested in British Cars back in the mid '70's when I purchased a 1968 Triumph TR4A-IRS. I drove the car for a few years and had a lot of fun in it. I did finally get tired of the constant repair of the engine and transmission.

I sold the TR4 and later bought a 1964 TR4 that had been converted to a Ford 302 with a Borg Warner T-10 four speed. The car wasnt completely finished, so I completed the job.I drove this car all through college and through a rocky marriage. I sold it in the mid '80's and regretted it since.

I am planning to make a few imnprovements to the 3000 over the nex several months.

1) I want to fabricate a console to install a new DIN type stereo.
2) Convert the side exhaust to exit like a stock 3000 out the rear.
3) Replace the heater to stock.
4) Install a nice roll bar that wont interfere with the convertible top. Something like the Cobras have.

If anybody has any suggestions or can help me with any of these projects, please let me know.
AustinHealeyBodyPhoto.JPG
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Welcome Donn,

Looks like we are in the same neck of the woods in Elk Grove. I'm on the west southern side of EG. Nice ride by the way!

New to the forum, I have had a 1971 MGB for almost 30 years and have taken it nearly completely apart and put it back together again and it runs great (this week). About 12 years ago I started an MGB V8 project and work, family, and apathy got in the way so it has been sitting about 70% finished for several years now. Finally getting off the couch and finishing it up (I hope). Here is what I have so far:

1977 MGB bought with no drivetrain.
1963 Buick 215 engine, rebuilt with a Isky Cam, lifters, rods, and bored .40 over.
Carter 9410 400CFM 4 Barrel carburetor.
Triumph TR8 Tranny rebuilt - 5 speed.
Jaguar XJS independent rear suspension cut down to the proper width .288 to 1 gear ratio.
Pontiac Fiero Seats with Mr. Mikes custom seat covers.
Prestige interior carpet kit.
VDO Vision gauges
Momo Ferrari Engineering wheels
Lower springs on the front
Have a Rover SD1 fuel injection setup I plan to use eventually.

And probably a few other things I have forgotten to mention.
Glad to be a part and hope to learn a lot here!

It seesm as though I can post in sme forums, but in others there is no post button or text box at the bottom to post. is this just because I have recently joined?

Welcome Henry, appears your BUTTON is working :-)

I can't wait to see photos of your car, Henry. Sounds like a great start.

You should be able to post pretty much everywhere except where you'll find the words: "This thread has been closed." No one is allowed to post comments in the Project Journals (http://forum.britishv8.org/list.php?13) section. If you want to give feedback or ask a question there, do it by Private Message. Also, the various "Sticky" threads about forum rules are closed.

Hi all
On my first ever v8, an 87 TVR 350i  which I bought last summer to replace my deceased 280i (under bonnet fire wrote it off)
Loving it, the noise is fantastic, it goes and handles really well and on the odd days we get sunshine in england I love having the roof down.
The engine is a Rover v8 but whilst it is registered as a 3.5 there is a possibility it has had a swap to a 4.0 at some point as the dyno sheet shows it to be a bit too perky for a 3.5 at 229bhp and 240lbFt
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Hi Folks...

My name is Ken...

I purchase a 1966 Sunbeam Alpine back in 1968...Wrapped my wife in Blankets and drove it through a couple of Canadian Winters..Kids entered the picture and that was the end of the Sunbeam...Later I was involve for many years in drag racing...
I am now retired and living in the small town of Wellington Ontario Canada located on the shores of Lake Ontario....Within a month of moving there I purchased a 1980 TR7 that had been restore to some extent, drive train, brakes and suspension rebuilt...Weber downdrafts, stainless header and exhaust system, MSD AL6+ ignition....

I absolutely love driving this car....but...There is a lack in power...I know I would enjoy it even more if there was a bit more power...

The builds I've found on this site are amazing!!!...The workmanship and technical ability are truly inspiring..
...
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Hello all,  I've been looking at this site for awhile and decided to join the list. Over the years I've owned a 74 midget that I rebuilt the suspension with all performance parts and it was unbelievable. It literally handled like a go cart, but alas had to sell it to get money to finish nursing school. That was about 14 years ago. I also owned once a 73 MGB and a spitfire and a TR6 .  I loved them all and my only complaint was lack of power and air conditioning. I live in Arkansas  and in the summer it's unbearable.  So I was brain storming the other day , quietly until I could kinda work it out in my head before I broke the news to my wife lol. Anyway I got to thinking about the sunbeam tiger as I recall it had a ford 289 in it.  I looked around and holy smokes are the expensive, then I got to thinking I wonder if I could put a V8 in a B?  Lo and behold from this website it looks like it can be done.  So it looks like that's the direction  I'm going to go.  I am thinking it'll be a 3 year project and I'll finish and have a real machine.  I believe I can build up a 302  to some where around 300-350 hp and  it still me extremely realiable.  Here's the thing it's gotta handle like a  go cart.  I mean it's nice to be able to do  150 but personally who needs the ticket.  Has any one that ya'll know of has been able to put in the 302 and have incredible handling,  ok then I hope ya"ll have an awesome day  and keep up the good work.   Bert

QuoteHas any one that ya'll know of has been able to put in the 302 and have incredible handling

Yep.  Here's one: http://www.britishv8.org/MG/DanMasters.htm

Here are a few more:  http://www.britishv8.org/Photos-MG-Conversions.htm

I have driven many well handling MGB V8s, but a well sorted Midget will be closer to the Go-kart experience.

Hello, my Name is Eddie. Im located in North New Jersey. I have just purchased a  1979 Lotus Esprit with the intentions of installing a Chevrolet  283 v8 or 4.3 v6 as in Wayne Collins example. Ill be needing help with locating adaptor to mate with the original transaxle. I had a 1978 Esprit in the mid 90s that I sold In 1997 when 2nd daughter was born. I always wanted to do this swap and excited to start gathering info.         Ive always been a chevrolet guy but also love the exotics that were available in my youth, also inspired by the James Bond Films and Cannonball Run.  I currently have a restored 1984 corvette, 1961 corvette, 1991 corvette, 1981 camaro z28,1999 camaro z28 convertible and a 1985 fiero gt. I attend many auto shows thru the Northeast season and looking to add British events to my scheduale, although I dont see any listed in my web search for this area. Looking forward to making a complete restoration web log of the Lotus with pics and videos. Hope to make some friends here with the same interests, Eddie
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Welcome, Eddie!  I'll be very interested to see your Esprit project develop.

(received via private message)

My name is Rick Eggleston and I go by "Rickoshay" and I live in Pennsylvania in the "states". I bought a 1977 B in the fall that is a very nice stock car.

In watching the web I got hooked on MGB's with V8 engines and now I have bought one! I pick it up this Friday and tow dolly it home 130 miles. I am not an engine man but with friends help I hope to make it into a great car!

The 77 is British Racing Green and the V8 is read.

I don't know how to post photos yet. I hope this introduction works. It was not very clear to me how to do this.

Rickoshay

Hi, my name is Rick and I live in New Britain, Pennsylvania.  I have a 1977 green car that is in very nice stock condition.  It needs an interior which I am arranging right now.  I just retired and I owned a 1968 B as my first car.  I didn't have it very long and got married and had to sell it.

After I retired I wanted to get back involved with the 77 Bee, but then I fell in love with V8's I saw on the web.  I bought a 1978 with a TR8 V8 and transmission.  It is not running at the moment but all the parts are there.  I just picked it up on Friday.

I look forward to going to MG club shows and events.

I go by Rickoshay.

Welcome Rich, you'll find the guys here can probably help solve about any problem you may encounter except CASH! :-)

Hi everyone-

I've been lurking here for a while and have a question:

I have a '77 TR6 that was a "barn find" and plan to swap in a LS motor and 6 speed Tremec, on top pf a new frame from one of the custom builders with modern coil-over suspension, front and rear discs front and rear, new steering, etc.

I've had a NA Miata and my wife currently has a NC Miata. I love these cars. With the right attention to detail, can I expect the same type of "driving experience", with a lot more power? I will basically have a "new" car, but just wanted some opinions from those of you who have already been there and done that. Reliability and driveability are very important. An occasional AutoX and maybe a track day.

The Triumph will have to wait until I finish my current project, a Ford Capri that I raced with the SCCA in the late eighties, sold, and bought back 17 years later. I'm restoring it to how it was when I raced it, and hope to do a few track days and maybe a vintage race or two.

Thanks for the input-

Mike

Welcome to the British V8 forums
Since all you seem to plan on using from the TR6 is the body body it will be whatever you build reliability and handling wise and can definitely be allot of fun.

Kevin:
Check this out.  Ted also builds TR6 frames.
http://www.fastcarsinc.com/chassis.htm
http://www.britishv8.org/Triumph/TedLathrop.htm

Bought a '77 B in September and just finished installing new leather seat covers.  They look great!

Also, just bought a '78 B with a TR-8 V8 engine and transmission.   The engine runs but it looks like the clutch is gone!  It is red with black interior.  It has real nice slotted mag. wheels.

Hi everyone,

I finally got around to registering of the British V8 website.  I've always admired the British Sports Cars and especially the cars of the people associated with this website.  I'm still working on the wife about getting a British sports car & keeping the Vette as many of you know.  See you all soon.

Kelly don't forget to save some of that Dickle for me & Scott.

Artie Clark

Artie, i'm working on a way to ship some out if not availble in the Mountians. One would expect the locals to have top notch drinks  :-). Maybe they have 7-ups there?

"Bout time you finally got around to joining the party, Artie!  :)

Good day folks,

I'd be Jim Deatsch (deech) and I'm a British Car nut (more's the pity).  I've a small business selling used Triumph and MG pieces and bits.  

This is my retirement job after many years toiling for Xerox.

I've just purchased a lot of new and used 215 pieces and will be offering them up as I sort through everything.

I'm available at jdeatsch at rochester dot rr dot com for any enquiries, rants, raves.

Many thanks,

Jim

Welcome to BritishV8, Jim!

"a lot of new and used 215 pieces"  Hmmm...  Did you find any cool "aviation" parts in that mix?

I suppose that remains to be seen Curtis.  Once I've gotten that whole pile sorted I'll be sure to let you know.

I'm curious:  Is there a setting on your forums that notifies me when there are replies to my threads?

Thanks,

Jim

quote: "Is there a setting on your forums that notifies me when there are replies to my threads?"

Yes. When you start a new thread, there's a box you can check to receive the replies to your thread via e-mail. However, there isn't an option of "subscribing" to a thread that someone else started.

HI!
I'm an old guy who has always loved anything mechanical. However, up to when I retired, my job was either over-demanding or I was under-capable of doing very much with cars and motorcycles. I now have two on-going projects, my '74 Chevy Laguna S-3 454 (a long term job), and a '59 MGA coupe, nearing completion.
I LOVE that MG! I bought it in Davis, CA for $250 in 1969. It had a blown engine, but otherwise was a clean, complete, straight car. Perfect for rodding! If I had done the sensible thing, I suppose I could have restored it... it would have been a good candidate for that... but no, I wanted a Cobra on the cheap, so I traded or sold hundreds of $s of its valuable parts in the pursuit of  creating a dream machine.
The car is presently being painted, with the wiring next (I do that), then the interior, by a gentleman who knows what he's doing. This is a radical, but not totally insane car: a Chevy 383 stroker (410 HP) with a TKO600 5-speed trans, a beefed chassis and suspension, and a lot of glitter. On my next posting I'll send along some pictures which do show how well most things worked out for me, mostly through trial and error over too many years. I feel glad to be a part of this website where ingenuity and passions rule.   JON

Welcome John - can't wait to see your car.

Hello, My name is Curt.
My first car was a 1960 MGA. Purchased it in 1971  while in high school for $280.00. Sold it 4 years later for $800.00. Thought I had made some money. Forward a few years and got a 1969 MGB. Ended up taking it all apart, painting it and replacing about anything that would make it look better. Ended up selling it to a friend who gave it to his new wife as wedding present.  I've always loved the looks and sound of Cobras throughout the years. Stumbled upon this website about a year ago. Liked the idea of getting another MGB with a V8. I've been watching and looking for a while. I live in California so have to deal with the Smog laws. I've been watching for a 75 or older conversion. I finally saw one in June of this year and ended up purchasing it. The person that I purchased it from was the second owner. The first seemed to do most of the mechanical and I believe painted it. He replace some of the interior. He did not know much about the car other then it was supposed to have been built by someone in Texas. Both other owners were also from Texas, Here's what I know after having it for a few weeks. It's a  75 with a 1962 -215 buick, Block code (Hi) , 11 to 1 compression, GM 5 speed. I believe the stock rear end. I've already had several conversations with D&D fabrication.Had one heck of a oil leak from the dip stick hole. Also discovered it had a 600 cfm carb. Horrible gas smell mixing with the oil leaking on exhaust while driving. Now has a 500 cfm rejeted by D&D. also added a PCV valve. Oil leak all but stopped. Fuel mileage went from 12 to 23 MPG. I've attached a couple of photos. Might find out who did the original work.
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Very nice looking.  Welcome to the group.

Thanks for the add, 65 year old motorhead with a 76 TVR and 62 Jaguar MK II, TVR is Ford Powered and the Jag will soon be. Twenty three year veteran of the US Navy, Submariner, diver and smal boat guy. have been there and done that (no really) and hope to get good info and maybe contribute a pearl of wisdom or two.
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Hi all - new member Bill (aka Kernel-K from my military days) here.  Had been a 20+ year motorcyclist until 2008 when I had a bad accident and totaled my Harley (fortunately w/out totaling my body), sold the other bikes and diverted my petrochemical mischief to 4-wheels.  

I have a 1945 Willys MB military jeep I drive around in parades and for fun and just bought my first MGB a few weeks ago (1977 RB wire wheel with 68K original miles).  

I have two years to plan my project (working overseas) with the intent of taking the MGB back to simpler times cosmetically (chrome bumper, clean interior, no side lamps) but hiding a neatly installed 302 crate engine under the hood.  I want a total sleeper with 250hp lurking about for street fun.  My son is a Ford diesel mechanic so this will be a nice father-son project.

Been doing my homework and enjoying the gallery and how-to's here on the site.  Here goes:

Q:  Mantell Motorsport 302 kit (modified front crossmember, headers, etc...)  Worth the $1995 ?  I'm a bit reluctant to hack apart the cross member on my own.  I've rebuilt a number of bikes but have little welding experience.  The peace of mind seems worth it.

Q:  I'm 90% certain I'll go with 15x6 Minilight disk wheels after all but giving up hope that chrome 72-spoke Dayton Wire Wheels would withstand the V8.  Thoughts?  I thought chrome rims with anthracite powder coated spokes would be too sweet...

Thanks!
Bill
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Bill - welcome.  You'll get more feedback in the suspension sub-board, but there are a lot of guys with V8 swaps running wire wheels.  Check out the pics from the British V8 meet a few weeks back in Colorado - at least 5-6 with wire wheels.  Dayton 72 spoke do appear prefered over stock MG wires though...  http://www.britishv8.org/Articles/BV82014-TheCars.htm

Bill..

In the Driver's Handbook you will find a diagram that show how to properly fold/stow the hood. Your top will last a LOT longer if you follow the instructions found within.

Here's a John Twist video of same topic:    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3Zfdj9W2Y4

Cheers!

Hello all,
I've just joined the forum. I'm just starting the final build of my long delayed Marcos Mantula. It currently has a 3.5 V8 from a Rover P6, but that's going to make way for a new 4.6 Thor V8 as fitted to Range Rovers.

My main project for the engine will be to create a lower profile inlet manifold, perhaps by moving the throttle body position or even fitting twin throttles.

I can't wait to get the Marcos on the road, it should be a great car to drive.

Ian

Welcome to BritishV8, Ian! Mantula 4.6 sounds like a great project.

You'll enjoy building that custom low-profile manifold. I used a 14CUX lower manifold, topped with a home-made plenum - but I considered using a Thor lower manifold. I liked the Thor fuel rail's construction, but its "returnless" aspect seemed more difficult to deal with. Also, the earlier thermostat position worked nicely for me.  One cool thing I noticed is that the earlier (14CUX or GEMS) "trumpets" are still the right diameter to possibly work with a Thor lower manifold. Of course, their spacing/pattern would be different, but you could easily use them inside a custom plenum. Here's what I ended up with:
(http://www.britishv8.org/MG/CurtisJacobson/TunedTrumpets.jpg)
(14cux trumpets inside a custom plenum, for use with a bolt-on throttle body)

i did my first austin healey conversion while stationed at ft sill ok in 1968. it was a 1959 BN6 big healey!.i sold the six cylinder motor and transmission to pay for the ford 289 and three speed manual. i drove the car for a number of years and sold it. i recently found the car in the Nasty Boys registry. i tried to buy it but the owner was not interested in selling. so i am an old guy who loves austin healeys...modified ones. i have a factory bn6 and a 63 bj7 with a 383 sbc and a 200r4 aol transmission. i bought the car in the cincinnati area a couple of years ago. i had to do a lot of work on the car but it is solid and streetable and fast! i do like the automatic and especially the overdrive gearing. i also have a couple of porsches with v8 conversions. one is a 71 911rs look with a dart all aluminum 434 cubic inch sbc with efi...bout 575 chp. i also have a 78 930 with a mast motorsports ls7. this motor is a little over 700 chp! i did both of the porsche conversions.so i am a hotrodder at heart but at 74 years of age starting to slow down a bit. and speaking of slow, the 1958 bn6 is really slow but i love the two seater big healeys!!
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Welcome Larry, the cars look great.  Age does tend to intefere with the fun :-)    SAFETY FASTER!

Hello, I'm new here. Just picked up a project '68 Triumph Spitfire. 302, 4 speed, 9 in rear end. Needs body work, but not rotted/rusted out. Won't be done anytime soon, but will be fun to work on.
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Hello, I thought I had already introduced myself, but I don't see my post...so here it is again. Heres pics of my '68 Spitfire project. Has 302, 4 speed and 9 in. rear with 4 link. Runs well, not rusted out, but does need body work as you can see.
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Welcome Svenn, looks to have a lot of possibilities.  What are your plans for it?  If you haven't already, check out Phil McConnell's spitfire in the gallery; may give you some ideas.

Hello all,
I am a happy owner of a 1980 MGB with a Buick 215 and BW T50 transmission. Currently undergoing chrome bumper conversion. I imported the car to Canada from the US and have a feeing that this older v8 conversion may have belonged to a Mr. Williamson in the past. Therefore, I am interested in obtaining a copy of a back-issue article (which is not yet available on this site). Maybe someone can help me?

""MG V-8 Newsletter" - Volume II, Issue 2 August 1994, Editor: Kurt Schley, (26 pages)
How it Was Done #4 (Ken Williamson, Bellefonte PA, 80 MGB, Buick 215, T-50)"

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Hello from Todd in Floyd Virginia.

I am building a Model A hotrod with a mix of Buick 215 parts (block) and 1995 Land Rover Disco 3.9 donor parts.

Love the idea of this little V8, just having a time finding all the stuff to put it together, and making it more complicated by tring to improve on things just a bit.

Look forward to talking with people here, and helping the group if I can, many thanks for starting this group.

I came upon this site many times in my searches for Buick/Rover V8 intel, only makes sense to become a member as there is so much more info I still need.

Welcome to BritishV8, Oscar!  

We have a program where you can sponsor the digitization of old articles, so everyone will be able to find and enjoy them. Basically, you just make a $20 <a href="http://www.britishv8.org/Contributions.htm">contribution</a> to the site's operating fund, and specify which article you'd like uploaded. The Ken Williamson article is a good one, although it doesn't contain any photos. BritishV8 was just a photocopied black-and-white newsletter in those days. Hardly any articles featured photos. If you'd like to supply photos of the car, that would be great too! Information about submitting photos may be found <a href="http://www.britishv8.org/British-V8-How-To-Contribute.htm">here</a>. (Scroll down for twenty helpful tips.)

Ken Williamson is a great guy! I've talked to him at Summit Point and at Watkins Glen, where he races this very cool MG:
<a href="http://www.britishracecar.com/KenWilliamson-MG-MGC-GTS.htm">Ken Williamson's 1968 MGC GTS "Sebring" Racecar</a>

(http://www.britishracecar.com/KenWilliamson-MG-MGC-GTS/KenWilliamson-MG-MGC-GTS-AA.jpg)

Welcome Todd!  I'll be very interested to see pics of your project as it progresses.

When you're hunting for parts, don't hesitate to take advantage of our <a href="http://forum.britishv8.org/list.php?11">Classified</a> section. Place "wanted" ads...

My own aluminum V8 project started when I lived in Blacksburg. Is Route 8 between Stuart and Floyd still the roller coaster ride it used to be? I used to drive that road like a moonshiner being chased by a revenue man.

Hi new member here. 1981 TR8 owner.  Going through some mods and new injection this winter.

Hey all,
My name is Patrick and live in St. Petersburg Florida, about 6 months ago I picked you a 1979 MGB, I recently installed a Chevy 350 in the B, the only issue I've encountered is the motor sits up to high, so any feedback or suggestions would be a great help on how to get the motor lower. By the way this site is  great. Thanks
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Hello
Patrick again, don't know why the pics are upside down, they are right side up on my end

You could notch the crossmember and move the steering rack down a bit perhaps.

Jim

There are several SBC's that fit under the stock hood without a scoop in the gallery section.  You might get some ideas there.

Thanks for the advise, The cross member is not the issue, I have a good 4'' till the cross member would hit the oil pan, I think the issue is the motor mounts I made are sitting on the stock MGB mounting plates that are welded to the chassis, its not allowing  me to drop the motor lower. I made another set of motor mounts that are smaller and should fit between frame rails, we will see. I have looked at just about every SBC set up on this site and others but can't seem to find any good pictures of the motor mounts, if anyone has a SBC set up and has good pics of their motor mount set up, please send them my way.
Thanks
Patrick

Hello, I'm a new V8 owner with car #2809, a 1976 GT. I had the car shipped for Scotland and received it only two months ago. The last owner cared for the V8 for 18 years. The body was restored about 2 years ago and looks very nice. The engine bay is another story as the owner did not want to have the out of service long enough to detail the engine bay with the engine out. The salt air took a toll on the un-protected parts of the engine. I'm about to do this now. No other work is needed, the car runs and drives great. I should say I'm not new to MGs and have been a collector with my wife for 40 years. We own every post war model except a twin cam. (Still looking but missed our chance for an affordable car years ago!)
I would like to be pointed in the right direction for things like paint codes for air cleaner assemblies and engine and engine accessories. Can someone here in the know help me out with these details? I do some powder coating also but need a color code to start with. Not going for best of show by any means but I want my V8 to look as good under the bonnet as the rest of the car.
We are looking forward to meeting up with other V8 owners at the shows this summer.
Terry Looft
Wilmington, Ohio


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Hello all. Been stalking here for a while to stay motivated. Working on putting a Buick 215 in a 76 spitfire. Been slow going, but started new job last year with more money and shorter hours (I know right?) So no excuse, time for serious headway. Planning on registering for this summer's meet and driving the car there (although I'll be lucky to get mechanically to that point, not to mention cosmetic). So there it is: a goal with a deadline.... wish me luck.
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Hi Guys, I am Helmut from Munich, Bavaria.

Since 2011, I am an owner of an modified Triumph Stag, which is optimised for quick road use and mountain roads.
It has been treated to:

 -  4-branch stainless steel manifold
 -  an additional oil pressure gauge and
 -  an additional oil cooler,
 -  an Aluminium race cooler,
-   vented and drilled Wilwood 4-pot caliper front brakes,
 -   Ltd - slip diff from a BMW 3-series  and a 3.64 /1 gear ratio
 -  T. Hart's lower & progressive springs
 -  new Koni shock absorbers  all around.

 The engine has been overhauled 2, but is still very much standard apart from oversize pistons.

But in no way is she a competition Car. It is still very much a cruiser. Having been to the Oldtimer Grand Prix at the famous Nürburgring (approx. 500 miles from my home) for the first time and participated in the Solitude Revival 2011  amongst British spectator cars.
I became more and more interested in Historic Racing.
And as the family is not so keen on accompanying me on leisurely trips around the hillside, I started looking for a more suitable Car to quench my thirst.
Now I am looking for an MGB GT V8 with an upgraded 4.0 or 4.6 L engine and some further improvements to make it an ideal track day Car.

But still need some convincing to do to get permission for another old Car.

Best regards to all

Helmut

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Hello from David in North Bedfordshire, England. What an excellent website this is!

Below is my 1966 MGB Roadster complete with a 4.6 litre Rover V8. I've owned it for just over 20 years now and whilst I've done the occasional track day it's been mostly used for holidays around the UK and Europe and general cruising on sunny days. Last summer I had a faultless 900 mile trip to the Le Mans Classic and will be doing the same again this year for the Le Mans 24 hour.

I'll fill in the form with all the details when I get a chance but briefly the spec is:

4.6L Rover V8 with Real Steel stage 2 heads
Holley 390 carb, Offenhauser manifold, K&N air filter with XStream air filter lid
Mallory dual point distributor
Custom aluminium radiator
Custom RV8 style (but bigger diameter) exhaust manifolds
Twin exhaust system with one silencer on each pipe
LT77 gearbox
3.07 MGB V8 rear axle
Quaife LSD
Uprated lever arms front and rear
MGB V8 brakes and discs at front, standard MGB at rear.

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Hello y'all,
My project isn't a small fast car, but there's a British car & an American V8 involved, also there will be LOTS of metalwork necessary. I've been poking around in the project journals & this place looks like there are plenty of open minded & inventive folks involved. I hope to learn from you & hopefully have something valuable to contribute as I expand my own skills.
I learned about britishV8.org from a gentleman who has attended our British car show (Brits in the Ozarks), who has built an awesome looking custom bodied V6 MGB & who has been generous with his time.
I got my first(used)  MGB in 1971 or so & have owned several small British cars & other 2 seaters since. I've done much mechanical work on these cars & a little body repair but have MUCH to learn about metal work & honestly I'm only a decent mechanic. My British cars have kept their original drive trains with small mods (GM alternator, gear reduction starter, electronic ignition etc). Regarding small & fast, I do currently have a supercharged '95 Miata...
The current project began life as an '85 Jaguar XJ6 & a '49 Ford. I've installed a GM Crate 350 & 2004R in the Jag, rebuilt the suspension, steering & brakes, and stripped off the body. The idea is to install the '49 Ford body, nose, deck, shave, chop & channel in the process, thus "forduletuar". So far, only gravity are holding the body & chassis together. Still much fitting to do before I get out the welder, also there isn't a speck of wiring in it, so there's that to do too.
Anyway, I'll be lurking around here & trying to learn from you for the foreseeable future. I'll ask some questions I'm sure & contribute when I have something valuable to offer.
Cheers,
Jim
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UNIQUE!,  this is a new twist on an old concept.  The 49 Ford should look awsome on the Jag chasis.  Please keep us updated.

Hello, my name is Erik, I recently purchased a MGB project.

It has some rust (mostly wheel arches, floor pans appear sound with carpets removed and poking them with a screwdriver) but is complete (sold before PO started the "restoration" ).

I could have bought one that was supposedly "paint ready" for $$$ but this one had the magic word in the craigslist add "divorce."

Unfortunate for the couple, but $650 later + $50 for a Leyland Rover shop manual for the car (with clear title) and I loaded it on the trailer. :)

I wasn't looking for a MG specifically, I have a 3.5 Rover I've been looking to transplant.

At least I think it's a 3.5, it's been a while since I had it out of its' wrapper ( could be a 3.9 I preserved and wrapped it up when it's previous home in a project vehicle changed course with a different engine).

I'm looking to do more of a repair than a full restoration.

My current plan is to repair the rust, clean and repair the rover as necessary, add a T5 and go from there.

I got the Rover with the entire injection system, it appears to be a flapper style MAF.

I'm planning to operate the injection with Mega Squirt (spark as well), I have a Walbro 255 in tank pump kit (from another project).

I have a few 8" ford rear axle assemblies, (from other projects) I may change to one of those later, but currently plan to run the stock diff.

I also have an 8" Toyota (from another project, notice a pattern ;) ?) that may be a candidate.

I have been reading the forum here (sections, V8, MGB, Engines & Trans specifically). and have found a wealth of knowledge. :)

For general information, I have a Model A Ford with a 331 SBF, '92 Mustang T5 and an aluminum flywheel.

I like the way the aluminum flywheel works in the Ford, I am interested in using one in the MGB, my preferred clutch is the Hays 95-201, but it is 10.4" and the cover is somewhat bulky.

All the threads I have found so far that mention a size for the clutch people are using specify a 9" or 9.5" clutch.

Is there room in the Buick 215 bell housing to use such a large clutch? (I will be posting this in the engine / trans section)

I know this light a car doesn't need that much holding power, nor does my model A, but it engages smoothly, holds firmly, doesn't chatter and has enough pedal travel through the hydraulic clutch (7/8" master, 3/4" slave IIRC) that you can leave a stop without looking spastic. :)

Greetings from Beerhaven.

I've been referencing this site for years, and after picking up a V8 Bugeye project last fall, I figured I should make it an official habit.

My name's Chris Conrad.  I've got the aforementioned Frankensprite project underway in the Healey section of the build diaries.  I also own a supercharged '72 MGB, and last summer, our team put my 1 liter MG Midget into the Bonneville record books, taking a record that had stood for 22 years.

Needless to say, I spend an inordinate amount of time in my garage.

Welcome aboard, Chris. Congrats on that Bonneville record! Maybe you could tell us more about that in a new thread.

Jean Gagne is the name and I'm from St. Andrews By-the-Sea in New Brunswick, Canada

Supernatural is no reference to me but to my 1971 MGB.  That is not supernatural but for the fact that this "B" runs the quarter mile in 12.257 seconds at 111 mph, idles at 650rpm and cruises at 60 mph at 1800 rpm is.

I am an occasional participant on the MG Experience, 503 posts in 5 years and will be at British V8 2015.

I have a reputation of having a very sensitive Bullshit-O-Meter.

Hi guys,

I have been following the site for some time and thought it was about time to stop lurking in the background.  My name is Chris and I live in north central WA state in a little town with plenty of mountain roads and no stoplights!  I currently have two Triumphs, a fairly stock 1960 TR10 Wagon and a 1967 TR4A that I have had for nearly a decade.  Inspired by some of the builds I have seen here, I bought a scruffy Fox body racer last week with a mildly built Ford 5.0 and a T5 and plan to use the good bits to reincarnate the 4A with a fairly stealthy build later this summer.

Welcome Chris,
Looking forward to seeing your build up of your TR4a.

Calvin

Looking forward to meeting you at BV8 Jean.

Chris - welcome!

Hi I'm Dan a long time British car nut. My first one at 17 was a Sunbeam Harrington Lemans, along the way I've had Spitfires, Midgets and a Healey 3000, also mixed in there was a 69 Mach I and a 71
Cutlass Convertible. Just recently found a 72 Triumph Stag with a 72 Ford 302 and 4 speed Right hand drive in nice condition clean solid body, nice install on the engine and radiator. the brakes and suspension have been rebuilt. I plan on driving it as is this summer then doing the body work and paint for next summer. here are some pictures of it as purchased. My next post I'll show some pics of what I plan to do
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Well, it's about time I hooked up officially!

Enjoyed the meet in Indy and meeting new friends.  Looking forward to seeing you here in Townsend and online as well.

Mickey

Great to have you aboard Mickey,  must be tough living next door to Townsend :-)

Thanks, Kelly.  Good seeing y'all in Indy!

Evening everybody
Mgb V8 Nebbie.I bought Jack Renaud 1980 Mgb 215 v8 a few weeks back,wanted to say hello.
Jack is a great guy,I'm proud to be the care taker of His pride and joy.The car is a blast to drive,looking forward to many years of enjoyment.
 Jim Czaplicki

Welcome Jim!  Congrats on getting a great car!

Hi, I'm dne', I'm very active on the 6pack, so I thought I'd come over here to get a few questions answered, anyway I have a 71 TR6 which is keeping me pretty busy, but I'm interested in Timothy Amey's build as I'm playing with the notion of a non-traditional TR and I like the fit of the Ford SVT, but perhaps without the supercharger. I don't want a V8, just a nice little something else;)  I'm pretty creative(with a little advice, or alot). I have a super garage thanks to my wonderful husband(Gary)! I have other projects going on as well, enjoying my retirement years!
dne' ;)
www.classiccarsandtools.com

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/Denee/Gantry%20craneg_zpsdjxr9waq.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Denee/media/Gantry%20craneg_zpsdjxr9waq.jpg.html)

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Welcome Dne! Very nice garage to do projects in. Ask away and we will help in anyway we can. :)

Dne I am a regular on the 6-Pack forum and I have been watching your progress.  Early on I had a feeling that you would not be satisfied with a stock TR6.
if you can get your hands on one of those engines and set it up with a supercharger you will have a pretty nice car.
If you cannot find a decent engine you should consider doing something similar to what Al Gary did with his by putting in a supercharged GM Ecotec engine.  I am sure that both the SVT and the Ecotec engines would give you similar performance.

Cheers
Byron

Hi Dne:  I have read your posts on 6Pack.  I am very impressed with your welding.  Wish I could weld.  Well I had modified my TR6 engine to the place (118 RWHP) that I wanted more HP and it was not going to be street friendly so I decided to sell the entire drive train (long engine, roller rockers, GP2 cam, modified head, Mikuni tri power, 6-3-1 SS header, Toyota tranny, lightened flywheel stock diff and half shafts, and more) with tons of stuff. I had raced v8's all my life so I didn't want a v8.  so I looked around at six cylinder engine.  The Cadillac engine was interesting and so was the JZ Toyota. I decided on the GM 2.0 LSJ Ecotec with the supercharger. The engine stock is rated at 205 HP.  I put a smaller pulley on the supercharger and have larger injectors to produce 218 RWHP. This conversion along with the 4.08 ratio Nissan Diff gets me rolling pretty briskly. Great little engine, great on the road mileage, and all the HP on the toe that I need, I do not regret this decision.  

This is my build.  http://www.britishv8.org/Triumph/AlbertGary.htm

Hello all,my first official introduction post here. I have been lurking and searching this site years,since my first B-v8 project. Learned a lot from the net,learned a lot the hard way,more things to learn all the time! Since the addiction has taken full hold,I decided to join up. Many of you may know me from the Experience sites. Good to see lots of familiar names here as well. Awhile back I also joined the 6 pak forum.

 I am going a bit sideways with my next build project #4. I have already done two MGB's and a TR6,all with V8's. Seriously thinking about F.I. on the next. Look for my posts in the "Others forum". I will start at the beginning of the latest mess I have got myself into. Then you all can see what I am up to on the "darkside". Thanks for your help in advance! I appreciate your thoughts & knowledge here.

HI, I am Kearney from Day, New York.  I have owned a British sports car since 1967.  First it was a 1966 Triumph Spitfire.  While in the Navy I towed my Sunfish sailboat to Calif. with it.  Then while living in Phoenix, I found a 1951 MG-TD with the engine in a box.  I purchased a 64 Ford 260 with c4 trans and installed it into the TD.  It is still a "work in progress".  Next I bought a 1966 XKE roadster.  Rebuilt the 4.2 liter once and then, when the shaft went in the trans, I bought a 289 that was in a 66 Ford.  That has been powering the XKE since.  In 1981 I had to replace the C-4 trans with another C-4 off of a 302 Ford.  That was to tow the MG to NYS to get married.  The two cars sat in the barn for 10 years before being moved to my garage here in Day, where they have been since. Before leaving Phoenix, I owned a 1977 MG for a while. Now that I am retired, it is time to work on the XKE and MG, and learn from others that have added V-8's to their cars.

Welcome, Kearney, seems you "Fit the Mold"  great to have you on board!   Join us next spring at Townsend for Annual Meet.

Hullo

Have had a few V 8's over the years and enjoyed them all. The loudest being the Trident Clipper with a 289 Hipo. It was a very quick car off the line but it was a handful on the corners.

A year ago I purchased the 1939 Raymond Mays V8 prototype that was to be the E.R.A sports car and due to WW2 and various fall outs between strong personalities the project was shelved . After the war Raymond Mays started up BRM so that was that.

The 2.7 litre Standard V8 engine was supplied to the newly formed " Shelsley Walsh Motors Ltd " who were based at the ERA workshops in Bourne Lincolnshire.

The chassis and engine were worked upon by Peter Berthon and three cars , two roadsters and a  DHC were ready for the 1939 RAC rally. My car was driven by S.C.H. ( Sammy ) Davis and finished twelfth. The other roadster that was driven by Raymond Mays did not finish after an accident and the DHC finished and won the competition for the best looking new car.

Most of the running gear was SS Jaguar which was owned by Standard at that time.  

A saloon was also made and was sold to a buyer in NZ but the ship was sunk during the hostilities and the car was lost.  The DHC is in the US and the Mays car has disappeared , my car is nearing the end of its restoration and is currently in the trimmers.

In 1939 my car was driven by A.F. Rivers Fletcher at over 110 mph prior to his future wife Penny , taking the car around the outer bank at Brooklands at speeds over 100 mph.

Look forward to taking the cars to Various events in 2016


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WOW!  Beautiful car and great story Stewart.  Welcome to the group.

Hello All !

My Name is "KR" and I live in Dallas.  I caught the SBC (small british car) bug a few years ago when I built a solid teak wood dash for my 2004 Mini Cooper (along with a lot of other mods).  I have been lurking here for a while while working on my 1975 MG for the last year and a half.  Now that I have finally purchased a 302 to go in it I have decided to make it public here on the forums.

I have been doing absolutely all my own work, and if all goes well I will get to put some paint on the car (other than primer) before the beginning of the new year.  I purchased the car from the previous owner just before we moved out of the country for $300.  It was a total rust bucket and completely tore down.  Due to the extensive body damage (and ever growing list of missing parts) I have been coloring outside of the lines in my effort to put it back together.  I have removed (and thrown away) the rubber bumpers and built front and rear roll pans from fiberglass.  I have incorportated early 1980 Cadillac rear tail lights into the rear fenders.  All of the exterior hardware and handles have been removed and filled in.

The front suspension has been dropped approximately 3" and the steering caster reduced to 3 degrees.  The front dampers have been reworked so that the suspension now incorporates a coil over style shock but retains the stock upper and lower control arms.

The radiator for the vehicle is from a jeep cherokee and the left/right resevoirs are tucked under the front fenders out of site.  I am presently working on fitting in the Ford 302/C4 and am working out the design for a pair of motor mounts.

Thank you so much for this site and the wonderful reference articles.  I am looking forward to the day when I can drive it to one of the meetings!!

Kindest Regards to all .....  KR

Meet my little british car...we call her "Sid"
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That's a very exciting build, KR. I can't wait to see more as it comes together! Welcome to BritishV8.

Interesting stuff and quite an undertaking!  Come to Townsend this coming May for the annual gathering and meet the gang.

Mickey

Welcome KR, hope to see you and that car at a British V8 meet soon.  I am sure the 5.0L Ford will be adequate. :-)  Love that "out of the box" work.

Welcome KR

You should be ashamed, how could you do this to a, what did you say it is?
 
I like the smooth look. If you wrote I didn't see, what is the grill from?

Kick it up a notch or two and you could make it to Townsend in May 2016, we don't mind primer.

Greetings to all!  Gary Kinslow here, usually hanging out on the mgexperience forum.  I'm in the midst of reawakening Grover, my 1974 MGB GT 3.5 Rover V8 conversion, purchased in November 2015 in Chama New Mexico, where it had been drowsing for almost 5 long years, during which time it only clocked around 1000 miles.  It's a Glenn Towery build, done in 1995.  With the passage of some 20 years and 42,000 miles, Grover's a bit long in the tooth, but since it was built by Glenn, you know it's solid. I drove it home non-stop 900 miles from NM on secondary roads in subfreezing inclement weather with no major issues.

As built by Glenn, it's a BRG metallic with biscuit interior chrome bumper GT (9/73) with a pretty much stock Rover 3.5, LT77 gearbox, MGC 3.3:1 rear end and improved front and rear suspension.  The PO converted the hubs to center-lock and replaced the bolt-on wheels with 15" Dayton 72-spoke chrome wheels. Somewhere along the line it acquired a Vintage Air AC with the evaporator planted on the floor of the passenger foot well, making it perfect for a dwarf.

So, I'm restarting Grover's calendar.  Thus far, new 12V battery, complete fluids and filters renewal; overhauled dual electric cooling fans; new brake lines, rear wheel cylinders, shoes, EBC dimpled and slotted front rotors with EBC Redstuff ceramic V8 pads; phenolic heat insulator and new jets, springs, metering needles and bowl gasket for the Carter AFB carburetor; new NGK plugs and Magnecor wires; replaced the Lucas Sport Coil with an on-hand Crane PS20 coil; new Clark & Clark battery bins, two-compartment battery bin cover and stainless woven wire mesh grill; new front bumper light bar with Lucas spot light and fog light; new Hella E-code H4 55/100 halogen headlights.

On order: R&S Coachbuilt made-to-order Webasto sun roof

Next on list: Update the Vintage Air unit and replace the shortstack evaporator/blower with something more appropriate (Gen ll Mini?) to reclaim the foot well and add modern heating and defrosting capabilities and servo heater/defroster controls.

Planning on driving Grover to MG2016 with the AC on full blast and the Webasto wide open, the better to hear the throaty exhaust.  What could be better?

Also LT owner of a 1969 pale primrose MGB Roadster, Camille.
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Hey, Gary.  Been following your story over on the MGE.  If you want to make a trial run in May ;-), come on over to Townsend and enjoy the scenery as well as the V8 camaraderie.

Mickey

Mickey, that's a piece of Heaven.  I bought Camille in Butler TN and I have family in Huntsville AL, so I know the area well.  Might take you up on that!

Good Morning and hello. I have been looking for a place to park my MGB since I bought it last summer, but lets start at the beginning. Back in 1969 I bought a MG 1100 sedan, I beat that car to death, but on the way I found the excitement of handling. I spent many hours at a local MG dealer ordering parts and drooling over the MG's, Austin Healey's, Jag's, and Triumph's in the show room. Uncle Sam sent me a letter in December of 1970 and I spent the next 2 years wearing OD Green. The longing for a family hit me shortly after leaving the service of my country and I spent the next 21 years trying to undo the mistake I made. During that 21 years I had some of the usual seats under my ass, Camaro's, Nova's, Mustang's and a bunch of 4wd trucks. I found after 5 years into that mistake that if I wanted some alone time without someone screaming at me to slow down or trying to drive from the passenger side seat I had to find something that the mistake didn't like to be in or on. Enter my motorcycle stage. I rode motorcycles before entering into Uncle Sams Army but mostly off road. Riding motorcycles I found the excitement of high power and handling again, plus there wasn't anyone sitting next to me trying to tell me how to drive, I found freedom. Riding, buying, building, motorcycles, and hot rods not only provided me with a sense of freedom, it also provided me with Real Freedom. In 1994 after 21 years of listening to "The Voice" in the back of my head, I packed my clothes into 2 garbage bags, loaded my tools into my truck, left everything else I ever owned and rectified my mistake.
   I entered into a new life with a new and improved wife in 1995. This one is no mistake, I call her WAW (pronounced wah) and is short for "What A Woman", she actually enjoys the same things I do and promotes my interests in motorcycles and hot rods. I sold my hot rod in 2006 and started building a stable of Harley Davidson's. Between the years of 2007 and 2012 I had 2 heart attacks,a stroke, and 3 spinal fusions. After 2 major motorcycle accidents and the determination that I could not hold up a motorcycle any longer, I sold my stable of 4 Harley's in 2015. I still had the desire for the wind in my face, for the thrill, and excitement of carving a curve at high speed, but the question now was how to achieve the exhilaration I felt sitting behind bars.
    Enter into my latest phase. After selling my last Harley I was feeling like I had lost a major portion of my life and I started reflecting back on my youth. I remembered how enjoyable it was to round a 25 mph curve at 60 mph, the wind blowing through my hair (which I have allot less of now) while driving a convertible, and all the drooling I did over those shinny new sports cars at the dealership where I bought the parts for my MG 1100 sedan in 1969. I started scouring the internet for something high powered, low to the ground, and topless. (If you type those words into your computer your going to come up with a porn site that features short muscular women with exposed titties, we won't go into how I know this.) In my search I also ran into this MGB (below), at a dealer in St Louis called Classic Car Studio. This is an amazing car built by a man named Greg Beishir (may be a member here) It starts out with 1974 MGB, with a Bessel Motorsports Ford Racing 347 stroker pushing 500 plus hp, which goes through a Tremec 600 5 spd, into a narrowed Ford 8.8 rear end.The suspension is from Fast Cars Inc. This car is stupid fast, nimble, and built to pound on.
    I know that there are going to be questions and the answer to the first one is, exfed is my screen name which I came up with after retiring from 27 years in hell, the US Postal Service

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Hello everyone.  My name is Dave, I live in Vancouver B.C.  I have loved British cars since I was a teenager. Here in Vancouver we have an all British field meet every May, coming up next weekend.  I first saw an mgb roadster with a Buick 215 at the show some 20 years ago and have wanted my own ever since. I have a 1979 mgb that was brought up from Southern California by its second owner.  Now that some bills are paid, child has been educated, house mortgage very manageable it's TIME!  I have been looking at this site and all your pictures, reading all about everyone's car and how it was built for a couple of years now.
Thank you everyone for the inspiration.  I still have a dilemma though......what engine to put in.  Must be a v8.  I need the "symphony of cylinders" sound that only comes from 8 cylinders.   I purchased a 4.0 rover  a few years back but I have read far to many horror stories about the mysterious coolant loss. Slipped liners, cracks in the block etc.  My next choice is a ford 302, small simple and installed by many of you.   Last thought  is a chev ls series all aluminum engine.
I don't want to chop too much firewall out and 300 hp minimum seems almost frightening in an mgb.  I am an auto mechanic and worked at a gm dealer for 13 years. I kinda like the ls engine but as I said I don't want to chop too much.  Any thoughts..............
Thanks again everyone and if dreams do come true....I will be at the 2017 v8 meet.  
Dave

Welcome David, just make that choice and "DO IT".  Just returned from Brit V8 2016 in Townsend.  There were examples of all the choices you mentioned.  Seemed to me (I am probably biased) that the SBF was more visible than others this years.  Just the tunnel/floor  near the gas pedal and on right side need to be cut for a small additional width for the bell housing on the SBF.  300 HP is more than enough.  The 78 B I sold had 275RWHP and 305 #'s Ft. Tq.  More than I really needed but what "The Hell".  GET TO WORK!    come join us

Dave, the SBF is steadily rising in prominence but BOPR (Rover) is stubbornly maintaining a bit of a lead. The LS is coming on strong but that swap needs a kit, with minimal firewall cutting. And that is the rub. So far, nobody has tried to do that swap with a primary goal of changing the firewall as little as possible. SBC swaps are increasing too but excessive fenderwell cutting seems to be a common theme there. Again, a proper kit would help greatly.

Ford swaps all require crossmember and generally firewall cutting. BOPR swaps require an expensive bellhousing, flywheel, and usually the HTOB. SBC swaps have distributor clearance issues (Crank trigger is a good solution) and more weight. (not currently considered much of a problem) LS swaps so far have all involved some extensive firewall surgery but may very well be the future engine of choice.

We have seen a shift from a desire to minimize weight (BOPR is 30# less than OEM) to a desire to increase horsepower as we have realized that the car is comfortable with some rather significant weight increases and is not hard to balance. Stock distribution is 51/49. The Roadmaster with Buick 455 and Jag IRS is still at about 53/47 and has completely neutral handling without the benefit of any swaybars. When extra weight comes with significant power gains and does not adversely affect handling that changes the equation and that is what has happened with the Ford conversions. A reasonable upper limit is defined by your own experience. I would not put a teenager in a 300+ hp mgb, but someone who has driven musclecars should be ok with even more than that. Sure, the pedal can get you into trouble if you are neglectful or disrespectful. So it's up to you. My car was running 16 psi boost on a 215 Buick, which is roughly equivalent to a 430 ci engine and well over 300hp. It could be a handful, but was not dangerous. I've upgraded to a Buick 340 and a larger blower in an effort to achieve similar power levels but with more reliability. For me, less than 300 would not be enough. There are plateaus below which there are some things the car just won't do.

Jim

Hi, my name is Harold M.  I'm a Electrical Contractor in Atlanta.  I just purchased my first MGB, a 1977 V8 conversion.  It has a Rover 4.0  engine, a T-5 transmission and a Jag (IRS) rear end.  It's pictured in the 2016 MGB Calendar.  I also own a '68 TR250 which will be for sale shortly.
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Welcome Harold, hope to see you at one of our gatherings.  you'll love the V8!

Welcome Harold! What are you looking for when you sell your TR250?

My name is Kent and I am in the mood for another British car, (without the lucas wiring of course).  Back when I was young, about 30 years ago, we traded austin  healeys like playing cards. I had 5 or six various types or models and we rarely paid more than $6,000. US. The seven of us had more than 15 cars over the years.

Now I want an E-type with a V8.

I want to purchase a friends car. Can anyone suggest a good price for a 64 e-type convertible with a very good ford 302, porsche metal carerra flared fenders, no interior or top, ugly wheels, great straight body but bad color?

Might consider building one myself but can't find project car 61-67 at a reasonable price!

Thank's,  Kent

Welcome, Kent. Good luck with the E-type project!  Cost is so subjective. Some of the guys on here have those cars. Check out the gallery. A good place for ideas

Good afternoon all, my name is John and I live in High Point, NC. One of the members of a local English automobile group steered me to your site. There are some really nice automobiles in the group ....... MG's, Triumph's, Jaguars, Bentleys, and even a three wheeled Morgan. They let me join them for their monthly breakfast meeting even though I'm a "colonist" and have done horrible things to a fine little British car. You see, I built and own a 1948 English Ford Thames 1/4 ct. panel van powered by a 377 horsepower 327 cubic inch Corvette engine.
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Welcome John, appears you could "fit right in".  Your ride looks great. Join us in Townsend Tn.  in 1st full week-end in October.

Hi guys, figured id post something while the offer still holds. Ive got a  rubber bumper B that I backdated and changed reg to read 71 for legal reasons while I had a shop in Albuquerque. I originally was going to use a olds 215 but changed my mind after i found some 64 buick 300 heads and decided to use a 3.9 rover as suggested by some builders. I used the 300 crank also and some stock ford pistons, cant remember witch ones. used the fuel injection off of a 3.5 rover and the brain, built some headers exiting the fender well and added a t5 ford trany I bought thru summit. A friend helped me modify the rear wheel spacing and shot  it Tahiti blue, interior was dolled up and it looks pretty good. Another young friend just getting out of college wanted to write a story on it and try to get it published in a magazine and was able to get it in MG world Sep 2003 center fold. it was then put in retro cars Feb 2004. Both British publications. They appear to place everybody in the US in texas as thats where they claim it lives....lol.  Unfortunately  it has a blown head gasket at present and has been down for about 3 years while I moved to OKC OK and fixed this short sale house I bought. I plan on fixin it here shortly sense Ive just retired ( again) and have a little more time..I know things have changed sense I built this back in 98 so if anybody has any tips on keeping head gaskets in place let me know plz...by the way most of my parts came from d+d up in Michigan Dan Lagrue, I think his son is running it now..    plz forgive me for my crappy spelling.

Welcome.  Sounds like you'll fit right in!

Hi iam Peter TIBBS live in the UK  now retired  and living in a village with my wife I own a 1972 Triumph Stag in original condition with 71000 miles on the clock unfortunately here the weather is our main drawback with owning a sports car or Tourer as the stag is known  but we do manage to get out at least once a week  to drive over the moors which is a bit remote and makes for nice driving

I'm Russ Bellinis from Lakewood, Ca.  I'm a 70 year old retired transport refrigeration mechanic married to my wife for 45 years.  I've been a "gear head" for as long as I can remember.  I currently have a 1987 Firebird Trans Am with a 350 tuned port injected engine and 5 speed trans.  My wife has a Dodge Caravan, and my daily driver is a Dodge Dakota pick up.

I started "googling" Triumph sports car, particularly the Tr6 and came across this web site.  I'm getting fed up with Cali's smog laws, particularly the smog test every 2 years.  My wife does not want an older car, but my truck which has a 5 speed has had difficulties with the smog tests the last 2 times.  2 years ago I took it in for a smog test (the truck is "bone stock") the tech put it on the dyno and had to retest 3 or 4 times because the computer hooked to the dyno insisted that the rpms were wrong!  The clutch does not slip.  I think his dyno was out of calibration, but finally on the 3rd or 4th try it passed.  This year it was due for a test again, and I took it to a different shop, but we could not test it at the time because I went in @4:00 pm (rush hour) and the tech said it was impossible to run it hard enough to get the cat warmed up.  I needed to bring it back the next day between 10:00 am & 2:00pm in order to be able to get it out on a freeway and run it hard enough to get the cat warmed up enough to do the test!

It finally passed, but I would like to get an older truck (1975 or older) that does not need smog testing.  I would also like to get a Triumph Tr6 and swap in the 302 Windsor motor, again 1975 or older so that it does not require a smog test.  I don't know if I'll succeed in doing these things, arthritis in my hands is slowing me down now and my wife sees no reason for the two of us to have more than 2 vehicles.

Anyway that is a little bit about me.

Russ...arthritic hands are are a nuisance...but most all jobs can be done with this condition...I find it simply takes a lot longer...

I've started to remove the heads on the Trans Am.  So far the arthritis in my hands is little more than a nuisance, but I'm discovering that leaning over a fender to remove stuff is killing my back.  Getting old is not for wimps!  Being retired there is no hurry to get the car done to sell.  It will get done when it gets done and then I'll sell it.

Russ and Mike, I know the feeling too!  I just joined this group.  :-)
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Good Day Folks: Back in the late 70's I owned a '73 TR6 when all my buddies owned  American muscle cars. I loved that French Blue TR and drove it for 4 years and eventually sold it when it started to use more oil than gas. I swore I would get another one however that  thing called life got in the way, I joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and promptly transferred to northern Alberta, Canada. Fast forward to 2015 when the yearning for another sportscar bit me.  I am somewhat handy with a wrench however I am by no means a 'gear head' with the expertise that many in this forum appear to have so I was somewhat hesitant to get into a little british car again. While  pouring over the Internet I came across Bill Sinclair of British Car Conversions advertising his 1970 TR6 with a Chevy 3400 V6, T5 transmission, disc brakes all round, Mazda seats, and many other interior modifications. Long story short I flew to Kelowna, B.C., Canada and purchased the car with the added bonus I have become friends with Mr. Sinclair who has provided much needed advice on occasion. When I sold my TR in the 70's I kept the shift knob as a souvenir of 'the good old days'. Forty years later it is now installed on the new TR, all is well with the world.
On a personal note, I am 60 years old, retired from police work and live in Canada where we have winter for about 6 months, hence the TR is under cover from October to May.

Welcome Greg.  Great to have your aboard AGAIN.  Something about the Brit cars keeps people returning to the obsession.  You have all winter to think of upgrades for your new toy.

Hello All,
   Finally, a group that thinks like me.  I'm PJ Peterson and the proud owner of a '78 MGB modified with a 215 V8.  We will see you in June!
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Cool. A fellow Dragon Slayer!  

Love your Buick portholes.

Hi Everyone,

My name is David Huff and I'm from Columbus, Ohio. I've been lucky enough to get in touch with Carl, who connected me to this great community of MG enthusiasts. I'm excited to get to know everyone. My father had an MGA in the '60's, so MG's have, in many ways, been a family affair for me. I currently have a white '74 roadster to base spec that I've been enjoying for a couple years now. Since May of 2016, I've been in the process of having a '73 BGT restored from the ground up. When it's all said and done, she should have a 4.6 liter Rover V8, with an LT 77 gearbox. I'm hoping to have cruise control installed, as I'd like to be driving the BGT on a more frequent basis. I'm having my restoration done by Andy A. out of Zanesville, Ohio and as of now, he's just wrapping up the front suspension and steering; paint was completed at the end of October. With a little bit of luck, I'm hoping to have my BGT on the road by Spring/Summer of 2017! BGT or not, I'm hoping to meet many of you at an upcoming meet. Cheers!

Great to see you here, David.  It's one big, happy family.

Just wanted to mention that David has met & spent time talking with fellow Ohioan & our great friend, Mike Maloney.

Hello....My name is Ron Hourigan and I just completed, as for as I know, the only MG Midget V8 conversion I call a Cobra having a 400hp Aluminum head 302 Ford engine with Dual Quads, C4 Automatic, Mustang II Front Suspension, P/S R/P Ford 8.8 3.70 Rear 4-Bar suspension that now has the racers dream of less than .5% front to rear balance which came as a complete surprise...! Now awaiting a slot at the Upholstery shop only. Needless to say, this little beauty is SCARY fast...! I'm 73 and never had any intentions of keeping this project to drive but only to enjoy finishing off my bucket list dream of building one. This beauty is For Sale in the classifieds section and can be viewed as a on going project in the projects section.
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Hi, My name is David and my son is Kyle. We have a 1979 MGB le which we bought from Ebay 2008 was also listed on Britishv8.org. was ready for final assembly, seemed to be a great father son project! So after getting   home and getting lots of boxes ,ziploc bags organized, we started. We did lots or research on this site. Not really understanding why someone would spend a great deal of time / money building a great car to their best capability. Then in a seemingly short period of time, be unhappy with what was built. Well we ended up in the same position. After just under 960 hours, we had the car built . Many Saturdays were spent hooking up the trailer to my truck, and taking the B out for another test drive, Then bringing her home in the trailer. So after 3 months of driving , overheating , carb, fuel pump etc, we decided to  change  a few things around, starting with cooling, but ended up with a D&D stage 2  3.5 engine along with a T5 gearbox and a new radiator.                                                                                                                                              We had/have a great deal of fun in our car.  We go to local car shows like Carlisle and VGP Pittsburgh, driving if possible as we have no top. Now we seem to have her sorted . This was a great experience and we learned a lot about these cars and ourselves. The car now runs great and sounds fantastic.And we get a lot of smiles for miles out of her!
We are thinking about bringing her to Va in June any pointers?

Welcome, David (and Kyle)!

No real pointers from me; only now that you think it's sorted, just enjoy!  Hope you can make it to W. Va. - you'll enjoy getting to know the group.  Most of us are harmless...

Cheers!
Mickey

Hi there   All
I'm Ozbloke  
I have a 1971 MGB   Powered  by a Olds 215 f85 engine
Been putting it together for about two years now and it's so close
 I also have a 1975 Lotus Elite  with a 1996 FD3S rotary in it.
But  had a  fuel line pop off the fuel rail and  sprayed  fuel  over the turbo
Catching the car on fire
So once the MGB is. Running on the road
Will start working on the lotus   Getting it running again
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Welcome David,  Our Group of misfits are pleased to have you join us.  :-)

Afternoon everyone! Ken from North Carolina here.

Just started to collect parts for a build or two. I've collected 2 Buick Hi Compression 215's and am working on a 1968 Rover 215.

My goal is to drop a supercharged 215 in something like a Triumph GT6 or some other hard top coupe.

So, for now I'm looking to find information on supercharging the little 215.

Thangs everyone.

Ken - welcome!  A lot of good info can be found here...  http://www.britishv8.org/MG/BillJacobson.htm.

Hey everyone. Jim from Illinois. Found you guys while doing some research on modifications I want to make on my 65 Spitfire. I acquired this car because I was looking for a cheap (and by cheap I mean initial investment) project. I knew this car has some rust issues, but was not prepared for what I found when I tore it apart. I wont be posting any pics with this post, but will be adding in the project section.

This is the first major project of this magnitude that I have ever done. I am not a "Body Man" but apparently I am going to be learning new skills. Seeing as how I work in a Hot Rod shop, I have access to metal shaping and fab equipment so I dont feel entirely overwhelmed by all that needs to be done haha. I pretty much know I want this to be a v8 car, but not opposed to a V6 either. I'm planning on making it an automatic so the wifey can drive it some too. The rest of the details have not yet manifested.

And so this is my beginning into the world of modified British Cars. And what a journey this will be!!

Welcome Jim,  come down and visit with us in W.V for our annual meet in June!

Hello everyone,

This is Matt, and I am super excited that this site exists, complete with a forum!  I am about to start on a very big project for me, and I hope I can find guidance from folks who have done something similar before.  My background is sculpture and metal fabrication, so in exchange for technical advice, if anyone needs help metal forming/welding related, I will gladly add my two cents.

My project is Margot, a forgotten Mk2 spitfire I pulled out of a field.. literally pulled with a tractor. There is practically nothing left from the sills down, the motor/trans/diff were still intact, but most of the suspension, all axles, hubs, interior, gas tank and other bits are missing.  It was a parts car for I assume other spits and GT6's that were in better shape.  My goal is to return it to the road one day.

After much debate and pricing genuine Triumph parts, and my distaste for the original rear suspension design, I've decided to go with a Chevy small block as the basis for the build, and piece together something from what ever I can find thats "good and cheap" to learn how to build a car from the frame up.

My ultimate goal is to shift my career into custom coach building / legacy vehicle restoration, so I figured starting with an existing car instead of a total blank piece of paper was a smart place to start.  I know it's a huge leap and a big learning curve, but I'm up for it.


I'll post pictures of the Triumph soon as I can figure out how.

Also, I have a 1969 Morris Mini 1000, Helena, which I love dearly.


Thanks, and hopefully I can find some help with my rabbit hole of a build, and hopefully I can help add some info for other folks.


--Matt

Welcome Matt.  You'll find lots of help here.  You should start a project thread in the Triumph section.  Be prepared for input on engine choice. Whether its a good choice or not depends heavily on what you want out of the car when its done.

Hi all.  

Laurance and I are so happy to have met you all.  We came to our first show ever in West Virginia.  How beautiful that trip was.  And we showed up with best British V8 that was the envy of the group.  If you don't believe us, just ask Mr. Kelly Stevenson.  He will definitely vouch for our beauty.  We have a beautiful Must B that was the pride of the entire group..  We have to admit, we were very proud to be there in our classic!  We felt so welcome from the moment we arrived.  We cannot wait to meet y'all in Townsend, TN.  
Thank you all so much, for making us so welcome.  We are so happy to be invited to another meet.   We're doing the countdown until we can gather again.  We can't wait to "kick some tires and tell some lies"!  See you all in October!

Laurance & Casey

Hi Casey.

West Virginia was a blast.  Glad you & Laurance will be coming down for our October GT in Townsend!

WELCOME Casey & L.  great to see you have joined the Fraternity.  It was evident you all had a great time in Lewisburg.  Please to hear the car is still being enjoyed as I intended.  Look fwd to seeing you both in Townsend. Mickey has you in the pot.  Suggestion:  Use route off I-81& I-40 through  Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Hwy 321  (Wear Valley) to Townsend.  Probably shorted and avoid Knoxville.

I do not take that route any more.  It is shorter, but not any faster.  Plus, you have to deal with many traffic lights & endless tourist traffic.  I can make it in 2 hours from the I-81 & I-25 Interchange (Kingsport, TN) by blasting straight into Knoxville via I-81 & I-40, then US 129 S (Knoxville Airport, Alcoa HWY exit), in Maryville go south (bear left) on US 321 S to Townsend.  Just as fast & much easier.

Thanks Carl.  The Alcoa Hwy. is probably best route.  See you in Townsend.

Hello
Lawrence Owen Seattle, Wa
I had a 1960 Sunbeam in the early eighties. I loved that car.  I recently purchased a 62 sunbeam alpine . I really like the B. Ashby CA18DET conversion i found on line and want to do a similar build. I am just getting started.
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Welcome Lawrence.  I don't see a transmission in that pic, so looks like you're on your way!  Definitely start a thread & keep us posted on progress.  Looking forward to seeing this progress; we don't get to see many Alpines being done.

Hi guys and gals!  My name is Dan Beck, and I live in Prescott, AZ.  After 7 years I finally completed my 1957 MGA V8 conversion, and I thought I would share a couple pictures.  I have to say this website was very valuable for me in terms of providing ideas for the construction of this project, and for that I am very grateful!

On that note, about two months ago I mailed a CD containing photos and the 'how I did it' form to a Portland, OR address, thinking I was submitting my project to the data base.  Perhaps I mailed to an incorrect address?  Please advise.  I wish to share more, if  possible.

Cheers!
Dan
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Hi dan, and welcome!  Your car looks great - and color coordinated with the house too ;).  The Portland address is probably right.  Curtis (the forum moderator) moved that way a few years ago.  He has a full time job now and does the forum in his spare time.  I'm confident he'll get yours poisted eventually.

Hi Everyone,

Just found this great website and forum. My name is Jason and I am a Brit, originally from Abingdon but now living in Germany. The reason that I am snooping around in the background is because I have got this itch, and it's a V8 itch that needs to be scratched! This seed was planted when I was a kid because we lived just a few miles away from the MG factory. I had family working in the trim shop and MG's were a very common site around town. I can still vividly remember seeing and hearing my first ever factory V8 at the summer fete. Just the memory of that moment gives me goosebumps! I must have been around 8 years old (1985) and I couldn't understand how such a beautiful sound was coming from that little red MGB, it stopped me in my tracks.
Anyway, fast forward to 2017 and I have been the proud owner of a stunning 1969 MGB GT for the last 5 years. I have an Oselli 1950cc engine, frontline front and rear suspension, frontline brakes etc. I think this is a good base to accommodate the 'next step' of researching, finding and fitting a V8.
I'm not in a big hurry as I am finishing another project at the moment but I am getting very excited about a V8. I'm here to read, learn, ask a few questions and hopefully get that memory of my first V8 back every time I drive my own MG.

Cheers,
Jason.

Hi guys, stumbled across this website whilst doing some research.

Im Scott, a marine engineer who works onboard an Anchor handler & lives in the Shetland Isles when im not onboard my ship.

Currently in my fleet is a 3.5 EFI V8 Defender 90, 300tdi Defender 130 & a mk5 Ford Escort Van that was used as a fire engine for the Highlands & Islands Fire Brigade.

The reason im here is I feel the want, or is that the need? to Supercharge my 90! haha.

Any info on where to start would be greatly appreciated, from what I've been told by the previous owner, Mr John Eales had rebuilt the engine approx. 2000 miles ago (just need to send him the engine number to confirm) so she should be in good stock already.

Cheers
Scott

Welcome Jason & Scott.  You'll find there's a wealth of info and knowledgeable folks.  Scott, for your super charging questions you'll likely get more response if you post some specifics in the engine/drivetrain section.

Hi my name is Jim and I'm a Britisholic!  There that's out of the way. I go by the name of Oddbrit because that's what I seem to favor owning or having having owned Turner's, TVR's, Warwick's, Lotus, etc.  That being said my real true love is a 1972 MGB GT  that I helped a friend convert to a 3.5 carbed Rover motor in 1990 with much advice and parts from Glen Towery.  I had to opportunity to purchase the car from my friend about 4 years ago with it having only covers about 5,000 miles since conversion.  In the last 4 years I have put over 11,000 miles on the car.  

Now that I know the car I'm starting modifications to improve some of it's weaker points in my eye.  The first of these will be the rear suspension as I have a Frontline 5 link on order.  I'm also starting to plan and gather parts to convert to a 4.6 motor with a 14CUX EFI unit this fall/winter.  I would love to hear from anyone you have undertaken a 4.6 in a MGB for as we all know it's better to learn from others who have tread the path before.

I look forward to being an active participant in the forum and hope to meet many of you in Dayton this year.

Blue skies and green lights, Jim Bolinger

Welcome Jim,  You could consider joining us in Dayton in July of this year. Would be great to meet another member of the conversion group.

Yeah the Dayton meet is shaping up to be one of the best. (They are ALL the best, aren't they!)

Jim

Thanks Kelly and Jim.  I'm already making plans for Dayton and plan on bring along another friend who is in the process of a 302 conversion on a 73 TVR 2500M.

Look forward to meeting some of you there!

Hi,
My name is Earl, and live near Huntington, West Virginia.  I have really enjoyed learning of about your cars and projects, and know that membership here will be an asset in my projects.
My primary interest is in Triumphs and have had experience with them on and off since high school.  I presently own a TR6, TR7s, and a Stag with the original 3.0 V8.  The Stag has been off the road for about 10 years, but looks like it could be resurrected with hopefully some relatively minor repairs.

Welcome aboard Earl!

Earl, you are sandbagging a little wouldn't you say? (He has a whole yard full of TR7's and has been a luminary in the WVBSCC since it began.)

Anyway, good to see you here.

Jim

Hi all!

My name is Derek, I'm a 25 year old recent college grad (Mechatronic Engineering) from Northern California and recently bought my first project car. I bought a 1974 (pre-smog, YEAH) Triumph Spitfire with a 400 small block Chevy v8 with aftermarket aluminum heads, Turbo 400 tranny, and a Gear Vendor. It has a Jaguar IRS rear end as well. I'm currently rebuilding the carburetor and replacing the headers (the headers that came on it were nasty and not meant for angle plug heads, to the headers were touching the plug caps and causing them to arc). Anyways I've done a little bit of wrenching on motorcycles but have never been super deep into a car. I'm really looking forward to this project, It's cosmetically pretty rough but I know it has a ton of potential and I've wanted a spitfire for years, I was just never super excited about the old British drivetrain, so I'm really happy I found this car. I have some plans for this car and a general idea of how I want the project to go,open to any input anyone has as well!

Glad to be here,
Derek
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That looks like fun!

My MG Midget was purchased in September 2016. The car had been in the previous owner's family for 30 years.  
The original engine went bad so they made a few modifications.  The project was performed by a retired A/P aircraft mechanic, who worked to engineer the project.  Some of the modifications include: A rebuilt 1968 Ford 302 V8 with an Edelbrock cam kit and manifold with Holley 600 CFM 4 bbl carburetor mated to a fully rebuilt C4 3 speed automatic with a B&M shift kit.   Dash, Interior, and Top fully replaced at time of full restoration and motor rebuild.  Front suspension was beefed up and brakes had recently been redone with new master cylinder, new rear cylinders, and rebuild kit on the front calipers.  Car is fitted with wider than stock 13" wheels and upgraded wheel studs.  Rear axle was originally a rebuilt stock 3.90-1 MG Midget unit.  The original project was completed over 25 years ago and still shows quite well. The odometer showed 69114 miles at time of restoration but was replaced and showed only slightly over 850 at time of purchase and since full rebuild.The car has always been stored indoors in a climate controlled shop.
Since purchasing the Midget the radiator fan has been upgraded, broken radiator cap replaced, water pump bypass hose replaced, the speedometer gear corrected, the tachometer repaired, the carburetor tuned, replaced battery and charging system repaired, voltmeter installed, 15 gallon RCI fuel cell and fuel level gauge installed and high voltage electronic ignition installed . A custom narrowed Ford 7.5 inch limited slip rear axle was installed over the summer of 2017 to eliminate the fear of axle breakage and improve highway rpm using a 2.73 ratio. At the same time rear springs from a 1500 model were installed as well as custom made anti tramp bars and Acura Integra rear disc brakes. A broken transmission mount was discovered and replaced about this same time. The radiator puke tank was converted to an expansion tank to remedy coolant overflow. A top boot cover was procured and installed to improve top down cosmetics and gas lift struts were installed on the bonnet and boot. In early 2018 the ignition vacuum advance unit was found to be faulty and replaced.
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Mike,
Welcome to British V8!!! If there is any way you can make it to this years get together in Dayton, OH, we would love to see you and the car. That looks like an awesome vehicle.
Phil

Greetings from Pennsylvania!  I'm working with my rover v8 in my 95 land rover discovery.  the more and more i read about these motors the more i like the following they get!  it has been a great truck for the family and i'm currently rebuilding the motor and have some questions for the group.

Hi, My name is Gary, and although I do not currently have a  British V8 I'm interested. I currently own a '74 MGB and a '71MGBGT. I'm slowly bringing them both back to life and making them roadworthy. I'm interested in the BV8 meet in Dayton. Will there be any vendors there to talk with about a V8 conversion?  Do I need to register for the meet ? Is there a cost to register?  Can I just show up to check out the cars and mingle with the owners?

Just show up Gary, you will be warmly welcomed and go home with more information than you ever thought possible.

Jim

http://www.britishv8.org/British-V8-Meetings.htm

Hi everyone! Im Erik from Stockholm, (http://www.lanksamling.se/) Sweden. Im going to GB in a couple of weeks and hope to get updated on upcoming events, meet-ups and such on this forum. Take care!

Just a new member saying hello

 I am looking to gather information on doing an MGB sbc swap as I have a nice fully built 406 that was in a Camaro but now looking for a new home
I also work at a British classic car specialist and one of my favourite cars is an MGB GT so I'm thinking why not join the two
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Welcome Erik & Adrian.

I am a big Chevy fan.  Drop in over here, so we can discuss this further.

http://forum.britishv8.org/list.php?6

Will do as I have a lot of questions and thanks for the welcome

Hi my name is Dennis. Curtis introduced me to this site a few years ago when he came into my store in Longmont, CO. I have a 67 MGB roadster with a 2.3l Ford turbo engine. In its current state it has approximately 250 horsepower and is a total blast to drive. I'll put up some links in the build forum.

Welcome Dennis. Nice car and appears well done. But in case you didn't know, readers can't comment on journal threads. So if you want feedback you'll need to put something in the MG section.

Jim

My name is Jeff and I've posted a couple of times in the Triumph section.  I have a long-languishing '76 Triumph Spitfire ("Mrs. Peel") with a '93 Miata 1.8L/five-speed under the hood. (If you want to get up to speed on the whole debacle, please check out my handful of posts in the Coventry neck of the woods.)

Some quick stuff about me; Am on the downhill slide to 60 yo and grew up in the Kansas City area. Lived most of my post-college life in Honolulu but just moved to Indian Wells, CA, where I had bought a small investment property several years ago (i.e. my new home). Have worked in media my entire life ... first in radio, then for many years in print before going back to the former and finishing my time in the Islands doing on-air news. Currently work out of my home in the Golden State writing copy for NBC Radio on a part-time basis (sadly, good media jobs have gotten scarce in the Internet age, especially if -- like me -- you're not a black belt in social media).

That being said, I do have a question for the group, especially for any of you who call California home. How do you go about registering a post-1975 British sports car with a non-stock engine? I've got about another six weeks on my Hawaii registration, and need to make a decision about keeping her or putting her up for sale. I'd prefer the former, but there are only so many hoops through which I'm willing to jump ...

Appreciate any substantive feedback ... and God bless all of you for keeping these charming cars on the road.

Aloha and mahalo,
Jeff

Jeff
post this in the British pub under a new topic, you will get a lot more traffic that way, as to California I am not any help I am at the other end of the country
good luck

Good day all.
My name is Murray. I am from Scotland, live in Croatia and work in Kuwait. I own a 1973, 3.5 V8 MGB running an auto box. I have owned the car now for about 6 years. I bought the car with only 17k on the clock and drove it from Scotland to Croatia on my first journey. Since then Its had a back to metal respray and new bright work. Along with a full stainless steel exhaust system and 4 barrel Holley carb. Once you've had an eight, the rest feel fake :-)

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Looks great Murray!

Hello everyone!

After wearing out this website and asking many dumb questions since 2014 or so, I just found this thread!  

I'm Dave, I live in the Northern VA area, and am working a '79 MGB Rover 4.6 conversion.  I'm still working full time with young kids at home, so progress is slow.  Paint is done, engine parts are trickling in, garage is a mess. Total investment is more than I'm ready to contemplate.

I have a build thread going, which needs an update.

I was bitten by the MG bug before I was born, and grew up in a harvest gold (maybe bracken) 1973 MGB that my dad bought nearly new in 1974.  It was painted green and nearly rusted in half by the time I drove it every day in high school, often far faster than was safe or legally permissible.  My dad restored it with a BMH bodyshell to mostly stock spec with damask red paint in the late 1990s, and it's in my garage now, in great, rust-free but road-worn, daily driver condition.  Original engine has lasted longer than three speedometers (approx 150,000mi) without a rebuild, but it now has less oil pressure and runs a bit hotter than I'd like.

I absolutely love this forum, and often surf it a few times a day.  I've learned SO much about engines and MGs, and I am forever greatful to the guys here for helping me understand it all.

Many thanks to all of you for making this such a great place to hang out.

Dave,
     You'll like the fact that next years British V8 meet is a stones throw away in Wytheville next June - come and say hello, kick tires and take lots of photos....you'll leave with a renewed energy to complete your project!
Stay tuned to this website for details!

Hello,  I just joined this group. Look forward to connecting with more enthusiasts.

I'm in Marin County, California about 25 miles north of San Francisco. The Sonoma Raceway (which us old timers will always call Sears Point) is a scant 5 miles straight across the valley to the east of my house, and that is where Huffaker Engineering is. (I can hear cars and bikes running on the track much of the time even at this distance and on the other side of the hills).

I purchased a 1982 Canada-export Triumph TR8, VIN # ...339, which was built in September 1981, the last month of production for all Triumphs. My TR8 is on a salvage title because it was in a rather minor fender bender about 32K miles ago and the insurance company decided to write it off. It was purchased back by the owner at that time and repaired and cleared to be roadworthy again.  I bought it from the shop who had worked on the car, with three different owners, since 1997, and he printed out all the service records on for me upon purchase.

The TR8 is a polar opposite of my other British car, a RHD 1972 Austin Mini Clubman saloon, and surprisingly easy to drive albeit much harder to get into and out of than my Mini!
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Nice ride, Pat!

Hello, I just joined this site.  I have a 1991 Marcos Mantula Spyder with a 4.6L Rover V8 and a LT77 5 speed gearbox.  This Marcos has Triumph front suspension with a Jack Knight rack and IRS with Marcos arms and Ford differential.  I purchased the car recently and am in the process of going through it to make sure it is roadworthy and getting it ready for the next driving season.  I also own a relatively stock MGB roadster which I've driven from Seattle to Ottawa and back, then from Seattle to Louisville and through the Smokey Mountains before returning to Seattle.  I expect to drive the Marcos on trips also.  I recently retired after years of developing software (most recently was 20 years at Microsoft) and then I spent 3 years teaching mathematics for a technical college.
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Great looking Marcos! Did not know they produced cars that recently..

Now there's something you don't see every day - great looking auto!

New here. Picked up a Stag.  I must not learn as this is my 8th LBC.  Daily fair weather is my 65B just out from me restoring it and did a 5 speed. I have also had a BGT, A, Spit, TVR, Morgan, and Sonnet, yes a Saab. It was built by Jensen.  Background is in electronics computer science and manufacturing quality/failure analysis.  Recently retired to a more civil location.

Welcome, Scott!  What part of the country are you in?

Hillsborough NC. Just north of Durham.  

Charleston eh?   I went to WVIT in Montgomery many years ago.   I guess it is now part of WV state.  Nothing like the fly ash on the window sills, coal trains, stench from the chemical plants, and worst of all, 3.2 Strohs.

Glad you finally made it over, Scott.  

Jim Blackwood & I met Scott at the Megasquirt convention in NC in 2015.

Tech actually moved to Beckley under WVU.  They pretty much decimated Montgomery.  My brother Jim, who you apparently met at MS convention with Carl, is a Tech grad.

Go Golden Bears, yeah? class of '89.

Jim

Scott, why not join us in Wytheville Va on June 2 for our annual gathering?  Registration form available on britishv82019.org i think. :-)

On my plan.  It conflicts with BCD, but I already invited my old buddies to come to the V8 gathering instead. ( One has a V8 TVR after all)    I used to live in Bowie, original home of BCD. LillyPons is no where as nice a location.

Now in NC, I need to re-map what shows I get to.

Which British Car Day?

We will be hanging out in Wytheville from Sunday to Thursday AM.

The "Original BCD" Which was held in Bowie Maryland for years, moved a few times and landed at Lili Pons a bit further north in Md.  I see they finally moved again. Maybe somewhere with SHADE.
http://www.chesapeakechaptermgtclub.com/OBCD_main.htm

It went from several hundred cars in the 80's to last time, about 20 in the pouring rain. Everyone packed up and went home @ about 11.

Stag is my second V8 LBC. I stuffed a 5.0/C4 into a TVR 2500M years ago. By the time it was done, I could not fold up to get through the doors any more and realized, I really wanted a Morgan.  Years later, my B is fun for around town, but I wanted a little bigger true GT keeping that unique British car personality. If not for the Stag, it would have wound up an Accord coupe. Just could not go for an XJS ( 350/700R of course)

Oh yea, it is screaming for a MegaSquirt!

Wonder what they did with the melted down reactor in the engineering building and the cans of hydrogen cyanide in the store rooms up on the hill?   I left in 75.   Seems I was supposed to be studding engineering but spent a bit more time in wine, women and song. Town was not friendly to students or minorities.  Did the ever put out the coal mine fire under the hill? Good riddance IMHO.  It was an educational year I have to admit.  Actually a very good school.

For all I know they dumped the reactor and the cyanide in the burned out coal mine, it'd be just about like them. Make the mountain glow, right? It's the school I originally wanted to go to back in '72 but ended up in the USAF instead. Eventually made it back as an older student. Things were different as you might imagine. Still had a great reputation as an engineering school though. Guess that's all gone now.

I'm done with MS, I'm moving on to the GM '411 controller. It has everything MS ever had and so much more, is built to last, and dirt cheap. Finally at the stage where it's usable by hot rodders.

Jim

We will need to stay in touch on that!   As I understand FAST is also way ahead of MS.  TBI should be really easy on the 3.0  Proper sequential maybe not that hard.

The real quandary is my Stag is pretty much un-touched which is rare, but a few modern features could make it so much more! The B I don't mind hacking up, they made half a million of them and mine was a DPO disaster. So I am going to try and resist, just going through each system to bring it up to snuff. Minimal mods to cooling, a bit better ignition and see how it goes.  Lots of analysis and tapping everyone's hind sight before I get started.  B will be done with just the hard top and new shift boot for the relocated shifter. I should get the TR into my shop in about a month I hope.  Brakes, electrical, cooling, ignition, probably rebuild the carbs, see how the AC is and a bit of rust prevention so it can stay a rust free car.

Hey, I'm Scott
Originally a Japanese motorcycle tech then a German car tech and again to a Japanese car tech and owner of a couple of Auto Service Center businesses of 25 years. 15 years ago I took a sharp turn and opened a Golf Car dealership that was inspired from building an electric car in 1997 that would do 110 mph and a 14.2 Quarter Mile.

I thought i was done with real cars until recently where the itch for something new to do came back. After 40 years of twisting wrenches and owning various businesses. I thought it would be slightly insane and enjoyable to finally have my private hobby shop and rebuild a car or two. Thus became the birth of the OFRC (Old Farts Restoration Club) or OFC or OFR for short, of which there are only two members. Myself and another insane car guy.

To start up the OFC my buddy and I bought a couple of nice Spitfires, under the influence of his history with Mini's, MG's, TR6's etc. From there I was quickly introduced to the British car consortium of equally insane gear-heads. Now I'm finding there are just as many British car fanatics as there is creative minds. So we're in the process frame off restoring these beautiful but powerless cars. But as power nut, I need to tap into the depths of veteran British car enthusiast minds to assist me in keeping it real. What i'm finding is that putting a small V8 into a Spitfire is not as insane as I thought, and other gear-heads have succeeded. Can't wait to go beyond the ho hum and build this rockin Spit.

Hope to meet some of your guys!
Scott

Hello all.

My TR story begins in 1988.  I was 15 years old.  My father picked me up at the bus stop in a 1975 mimosa yellow TR6.
I was so excited!  Dad bought me a car!

He drove me home, and quickly let me know this was HIS car.  He'd had MG's growing up, but always liked the TR series, and now he'd finally had enough time and money to make his dream a reality.

But this was no ordinary TR6.  The fellow he'd bought it from was midway through a V8 conversion.  Ford 302, Holley 4 barrel, side pipes, etc.

I never found out why the previous owner gave up on it, but dad was thrilled that he had.

So, the car ran well enough, but dad loved to tinker.  He was always good at engine repair and brake jobs, so he tore it completely down, and rebuilt it back up.  That motor sounded so nice.

He went nuts on catalog stuff (no internet then) and we got packages weekly with TR badges and shift knobs and the like.

Shortly after, he ordered a kit car, fashioned after an early model Austin Healey, for when he was done with the TR.  I guess the bug had bitten him hard.

It was a fun summer.  Then life got in the way.  For the next few years, he'd go into his detached garage and work on something.  He never had the patience to teach me how or why, and in truth, I wouldn't have been a good student then.

Then he just stopped.  Too many other things to do. Wouldn't have time to drive it, let alone work on it.

I tried many times through my mid-twenties to have the heavy lifting done for him.  We knew lots of mechanics and body work guys, some even concourse quality.  All of them offered to work on for free or close to it, just to work on something unusual.

"Let these guys work on the transmission, bang out the dents, upholster it, rewire it.  I'll handle it all, and you can work on the parts you like!"

Nah, they won't do it right, then I'll have to re-do it anyhow.

"Ok, dad.  If you change your mind..."

"I won't."

He didn't.

So, I moved away, finished college and got a job 5 hours from home.  I saw dad several times a year and occasionally asked about it.  Project creep had sunk in, and after tearing the wiring and interior out of the car, he didn't have the time or patience to put it back together.

He could get the engine running, if he ran a fuel line to a gas can, but that was about it.

And that's how she sat for another 10 years.

Then mom got sick.  Any chance of that TR6 coming to life were put on the back burner, permanently.

Mom held on for about 8 years, with dad working so hard to take care of his business, the house and her.  Too much for two people, but dad managed to hold it together by himself.  Too proud to ask for help, or accept it, if given unsolicited.

At this point, I'm married with 2 kids, and had moved back to town to help dad transition out of the business and begin running it myself.

More than once I tried to sneak the car out to those friends who could have restored that TR6 for him, but he would always find out and stop me.

After mom died, and he entered semi-retirement, I tried one last time to have the heavy lifting done for him.  One last no.

He traded in mom's car and bought a Corvette.  I guess his TR dream ended that day.

Dad died August 15, 2018.

I'm an only child, so everything after that fell to me.

I now had a 1 year old Corvette with less than 4,000 miles on it.

But it was never dad's car.  The TR6 was dad's car.

I decided that day that I would fix dad's car.  The way he wanted it.  The way I wanted it for him.

I sold that Corvette, and I will use the proceeds to return that TR6 to better than new condition.

That's what brought me here today.

Thanks for reading.

A powerful story - glad that you had the tenacity to stick with your dream!

Submit that story to Moss Motoring, Jim. Do you think you can make it to Wytheville for this year's meet?  You don't have to bring the car.

Thanks for the kind words.

In regards to Wytheville, my wife has been really good about my new obsession hobby, but it may be a bit hard to convince her to let me come to a car show sans car.  Rain check for next summer?  Should be done well before then.

Well, see that's just the thing. If you come to the meet (it really isn't a show btw) then you get the chance to look at all the different ways owners have dealt with every detail of their conversions. There is simply no way you can acquire so much specialized knowledge so fast as to come. And there will be plenty of owners willing to take you and your wife along on drives. One or two may even be driving sedans so you won't have to split up. Believe me, you'd be far from the only ones to attend one of these meets that way, and to my knowledge nobody has ever regretted it. I'm in that group as well. First meet I ever went to was the Champaign meet with my wife and infant son and my car was in pieces in the garage in the middle of getting its 3rd V8. (or was it the 4th?)

Jim

That's exactly what I did before I started my project.  Invaluable learnings and have developed great friendships too.  I highly recommend it.  

And, even some of us who's cars are on the road* sometimes still come without them.  I'm one of those this year because a good buddy's daughter is getting married in TX on the 1st day of the meet. The meet would be over by the time I got there if I tried driving this year.

*No Ralph, it's still not "finished", but it is still a hoot every time I drive it!!

Well, I'm sold.  Let's see if that works on the boss.  

Here's some pictures of the car as it was around 1986.  Forgive the picture quality.

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I drove a stock 4 cylinder MGB to to first 3 Meets I attended starting in 1998.  Wasn't a whole lot of internet info back then.  The Meets are an accelerated crash course in all things conversion.

Yes Jim, come on down and join us!   The car is not a requirement.  My B was a 4 cyl, also.  Went to Townsend Tn to a meet and got started by looking at various cars and meeting people.  Drove to 1st meet in 2005 in Terra Haute, Ind.  Made LIFETIME Friends.

Howdy.
My names John and I live in SE Michigan. when I was about 3 years old, I got a cast Hubbly MGTD toy car. At that time, I could already identify cars at night by the shape of their glowing tail lights. Itvwas the 1950's and every car was unique. I got the bug pretty early. Later, I got to fiddling with a friend's TD that he bought for $300 back in high school but it was more like a junker buckboard compared to the 396 Chevelles I lusted for.

I drove a VW beetle with a stinger exhaust through college but it just didn't make the right sound. Then a '65 Dodge Dart GT with a 273. The sound was there but the handling was stink. So, in 1971, I bought a '66 MGB for $700 and put over 110,000 miles on it before having a brief affair with god-awful '68 Porsche 912 Targa. A '71 B soon got me out of that jam and led me to a '74 Jensen Healy. Despite what some said at the time, it was a terrific car but marriage and kids put me in a series of old Japanese pick-ups and used VW Rabbits.

In 1981, I bought a partially restored '53 MGTD right-hand drive, got it squared away, won a few car show awards, including one at a NEMGTR GoF. Then I drove the hell out of it. Come the 1990's, I got into vintage racing with a '68 Midget and for awhile a MGBGT. Somewhere after the turn of the century, I started "window shopping" for a factory BGTV8. I looked at a few conversions and occasionally lurked on this forum. I had a British friend who moved to the U.S. and brought his  V8 BGT with him. It was fairly unimpressive but it was a factory V8 and I was smitten. Unfortunately, I couldn't afford to buy the ones I liked and my wife, SheWhoMustBeObeyed, stated in no uncertain terms, one has to go before one comes in. Oh, I forgot to mention the five motorcycles, only one of which runs. (She's a sweety, isn't she?).

Life moved on and I was driving my TD across the country on the Rally to Reno when I had a minor setback in Dodge City. I abandoned the car with a newly-found friend there and hitched a ride the rest of the way with PJ Lenihan in his V6 MGBGT...with airconditioning! Since it was 106 out, that was pretty good. I had to have one! I race in the same club that Don Munoz raced his competition BGTV8 in. When it came up on Bring-a-Trailer, I almost mortgaged my house to buy it. I didn't. I stayed married.

A few weeks ago, I went to the NAMGBR meet in Traverse City, MI to help out my friend PJ who has been having some health problems. Once again, I hung around the V8s like a teenager at a pole dance bar. Drove a couple of them. My hands were trembled. My wallet started feeling smaller and smaller. I dreamed of burbling sounds coming from the back of an MG. Things were getting out of hand.

A couple of weeks ago, Eric Kent called me and accepted an offer I could afford and I found myself needing to explain this predicament to my Chief Financial Officer and computer Quiken jockey. This morning, I made arrangements to drive down to where Eric lives and pick up the car. As I was pulling out the driveway, a fellow I met in Traverse City phoned and said he wanted to buy my '05 Honda S2000! Wow! One goes. One comes. Everyone's happy. Ain't life grand?!

Welcome John,  Happy TO Have Your Here!   Keep us informed of your new journey.

I've read stuff from this site/forum for quite some time, but I'm starting a new project on my TR8 that I'm sure I can get some support/help from this esteemed group!

First a quick introduction.  I own two British cars, both Triumphs.  My first TR is a 1966 TR-4A that I've had since 1981 (high school).  This car has the original wet liner engine, but I installed the Moss supercharger kit a few years ago.  

My other TR is a 1981 TR8, which was built right around the time I got my TR-4A.  I got this car about 8 years ago, it was from California, so was completely stock.  I spent the first few years just learning the L-Jetronic injection system, then slowly tried to add more power.  The first step was a slightly upgraded cam and headers, but still using the Federal intake and ECU.  That gave a welcome bump, but I wanted more, so off came the stock system, in went a bigger cam, Edelbrock intake, 390 Holley, higher compression pistons, etc.  I liked the power, but never felt I could nail the tune on the carb.  Perhaps just unrealistic expectations on my part, or more likely lack to skill.  Probably also a bit because I put in a wide-band O2 sensor, which probably focused my attention on the A/F ratio too much.

Anyway, a few years ago I put a FiTech TBI system on.  I've been pretty happy with that, certainly much easier to dial in.  But I still think it could be better, and the FiTech settings are quite dumbed-down.  Great at first, but now it seems limiting.  And of course, TBI has some inherent limitations compared to port injection.  So my new project is putting on an intake/plenum from a Rover hotwire system, controlled with a MegaSquirt, including sequential injection and spark control.

I'm just getting started on this project, and have already found lots of good information here.  But I'm sure I'll have many more questions!


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Well can't post pictures

QuoteWell can't post pictures

http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?1,23602

Writing from North Idaho, happy to get plugged into this forum. I've had a lot of classics through the years, all American cars and trucks. Acquired a 1969 MGBGT about a year ago, my first British car. Solid, but it hasn't been fired up in over a decade, and needs a thorough going over. I've started, however, with the hopes to eventually swap in a small V8 or possibly a V6 and a T-5. First order of business is to fire it up, then on to brakes and electrical stuff. It will need bodywork and paint down the road, but mechanicals will come first. Interior isn't bad, did rip out the carpets. I'm looking forward to getting lots of ideas and advice as I go along.
My69GT.jpg

Coming to you from Westchester County in New York.

I recently purchased this Nasty boy on BAT and wanted to get plugged in to these forums.

i ma also trying to get a little history on the car so if anyone knows anything about it I would appreciate it.

I have added a couple of pictures from how it was supposedly originally built and how it looks now.

Philip, welcome!  I don't see the pics, did you post them somewhere else?

Luv the Nasty Healeys.

We need the pics!

Hi everyone, Don here from down under. My car is a 1975 Jag XJ6 LWB with a 307 SBC and a GM 700R with overdrive and original diff.

I have since replaced the series 3 wheel trims with the lovely original series 2 caps and chrome trims. It rides on 215 x 70 x 15 Pirellis which I feel are too big and are more suited to the V12. Will probably change to 215 x 65 x 15s.

Anyway, love the car and generally prefer it to wife's Merc E500

IMG_20200203_151257_resized_20200416_082337732.jpg
IMG_20200203_151342_resized_20200416_083400428.jpg
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Great looking car and SLICK* install.

Slang for custom.

Welcome Don.  Nice looking car!!  Have always liked them.

Greetings from Nashville Tn.
Guess I am the classic lurker. Owned LBC's since 1968. My football buddy and I needed transport to practice so we collected our earnings and had his older brother buy a very tired Bugeye Sprite. Retired as a aero engineer and pilot who spent the last decades as an air safety investigator.
Current or recent cars included a 73 MGB GT, 67 Alpine, Jag, Tiger, another Alpine, MGB, several Lotus. and recently a brace of classic Thunderbird's.  I consider myself a capable wrench but as you age you face limitations and motivations. Sometimes it is worth the money to just shop it out. May have seen my last restoration project.
The reason for taking your time is I recently bought a fresh, nicely restored 73 MGB GT. The Gt was important for the added head room and it was equipt with overdrive and a a/c system for her comfort. Drove it 700 miles home an it was a pleasure. A few weeks ago, was returning from a visit to a car buddy when a freeze plug departed. By the time I realized there was trouble the car was very hot and missing badly. A few superficial repairs and it runs but knocks. Compression is still good, kept its oil and pressure.
Looks like at least a wrist pin and maybe pushrods and hope the bottom end survived. But if the engine needs to be pulled then seriously thinking a V8 swap might be a viable choice. Rover engine with a 5 speed. Not looking to race, ( her Mazdaspeed Miata is a great Solo II car). If I am in for a couple of thousand for a fresh engine, maybe an opportunity something more interesting.
Is a budget of 6-8 k reasonable for the Rover 5 speed exchange in a already very nice 73 GT? Anyone recommend a kit ?
Phil
pwtrusty@yahoo.com

Hi Phil & welcome!  Sounds like you'll fit right in.  If you go with a Rover that doesn't need to be rebuilt same with the T5,  do the work yourself, and you shop for deals, you should be able to do the project for $6-8k.  Most likely the upper end of that range.  The big items are pretty easy to estimate.  Little things like hoses, clamps, hardware, etc is where you'll spend more than you think.  No matter what, you'll be happy with the result!!

Welcome Phil,  from a bit further souht than Nashville.  You can google the subject and get tons of info.  This site plus others can provide all info you need.  The Rover was not my cup of tea, but a tired and true conversion.  Use the MG Sports link and post your questions there.  Others will chime in.  Rob & I did the Blue Oval thing. :-)

Hello Kelly
Thanks for responding. Monday the oil pan comes off, remove the caps and look over the bearings. A spun main will mean the engines comes out and I will start collecting numbers about a swap. If the bearings are still good then the head comes off and I pull the pistons, rods, tappets.
Since I have some knowledge about the Ford 5 liter, a modern EFI and HEI motor with tons of aftermarket parts has some appeal.
When you change one system, you always change a couple more so the diffy and probably the rear suspension, motor mounts, some sheet metal mods to firewall. So not a weekend bolt-up even with the Rover iron.
Ever entered the Huntsville British Car Days show? I took a couple of Lotus ( 1 Europa and a Elan +2) several times a few years ago.
Will keep you posted.
Phil in Nashville
pwtrusty@yahoo.com

Yes, member of North Al British Motoring Society.  We are inclusive of European and other car.  Maybe see you at a show.  You should plan to attend our V8 gathering in June at St. Louis and 1st weekend in Oct. in Townsend Tn.  at Tally Ho Inn.  You NEED to meet up with our group....  Dream it and generally we got it.
Loved the EFI and Ford Drive Train.  In process of Learning Jaguar now :-)

Kelly
 My wife's daily driver is a 03 XK8. Prior was a 03 S Type R. We are active with the Nashville British Car Club. Last entry with the Huntsville Show was a Lotus Elan +2. Which I eventually sold to a Martin- Marrietta engineer. Took a trophy or two and met the club pres. ( Dan?) a local independent shop owner. Nice guy.
Excellent show but the "European" part included Ferrari and Lambo which made everyone else look lame.
Just finished rebuilding a second Sunbeam Alpine. Nice enough but I miss the Toyota 5 speed that was in the previous one. Will need to install a Laycock, a 5 speed or just sell the car and make room for the MGB GT. Still grieving over selling the Tiger..one I should have kept.
We relocated to her "forever " retirement house and I lost my lift in the move. Have become a major nuisance to my friends who do have lifts.
Happen to have any pictures of the tranny cross member and engine mounts for your 5.0 conversion ? Dont make a special effort..
Phil
pwtrusty@yahoo.com

Major newbie here. Am interested in the MGB GT V-8 (factory original). Main question is whether these cars make good daily drivers under todays driving conditions? Are they reliable? Do they handle well? Where would be the best source to find a good one? I live in the Boston area, is there a way to search for members in my area? Thank you.

Welcome to BritishV8, Garrett!  

The factory MGB GT V8s were reliable and handled great by the standards of their day. You can read a huge archive of articles about them here: http://www.britishv8.org/MG-factory-MGB-GT-V8-model.htm - and if you do, I think you'll see even the least generous reviews criticized only their harsh leaf-spring rear suspension and their high cabin noise levels.

In retrospect, the factory V8s didn't exactly have an excess of cooling capacity - better radiators and fans are readily available now. Conversions often have better fan shrouds, etc.  The factory V8s had weirdly complicated induction systems - obviously a four barrel carburetor is easier to tune or rebuild than a pair of SUs.  The factory iron exhaust manifolds were restrictive and surprisingly fragile.  The factory-installed engines easily could have been tuned to produce more power, but for various reasons the factory chose conservative specifications.  (Example: low compression ratio meant you could run them on very low grade gasoline. MPG was a big concern at the time because the factory V8 was introduced just after the Arab oil embargo.)  If sales had been better, perhaps the factory would have offered higher-spec options later.  

Only eleven left-hand drive factory V8s were produced. (Some might quibble about a 12th or 13th.)  And, I think only one of those eleven is located in North America. FWIW, I personally wouldn't consider any right-hand-drive car suitable for daily use in a North America urban setting.  I'd instead recommend you consider a well-sorted converted MGB V8 complete with electronic fuel injection. If you're patient and lucky, one will come along.

Good luck!

Hello everyone, I'm Dave from Coventry UK and came across this site purely by accident but it looks really interesting.

Apologies to the Moderators but I completely missed this section when posting "Hello from the UK" in the main pub forum so feel free to delete my post from there!

I've got over 30 years experience in engines and automotive in the UK, having worked for an F1 engine company (Judd), Cosworth, Lotus, JaguarLandrover including SVO and now I reside in a small engineering company in Coventry UK where we specialise in engine conversions - up to now just for Landrovers - but as part of my role I was looking at potential for putting one of our engines into classic british cars such as Marcos, TVR etc and during that search in the UK, your excellent site came to light.
Hopefully I might get a feel for what kind of thing appeals to you guys by reading the forums and will help guide me down the correct route here across the pond.

Anyway, I'm pleased to be here and hopefully I'll get to contribute something of value as well as learning a great deal from people such as yourselves.
Have a great day.
Dave

Re: Hello from the UK

Posted by: rficalora
Date: July 08, 2020 10:31AM

Hi Dave, and welcome!

This is a great site with TONS of information sharing. You'll find most of the activity is V8 swaps into MG's & Triumphs, but also some other marques & some other motors. Most of the V8's used are BOPR (Buick, Olds, Pontiac, Rover) 215+ aluminum block variants. Another popular choice is Ford 302. Some Chevy 350. 60* GM V6 is another popular choice and more recently GM LS motors are gaining popularity. Turbo'd I4's are less common but always interesting.

My 2 cents though, if I were building or expanding a business around this topic today, I'd be seriously looking at packaging electric powertrains for classics. I'd do that in addition to gasoline motor swaps -- e.g. a 2nd product line. And, I'd do high end restored turn key but also basic turn key & also kits for DIYers (which this site mostly caters to). I'd pay attention to suspension & convenience upgrades too. I think materially modernized (in terms of handling & comfort) classics whould have a strong enough draw to support a small company. And, sacrilidge, I'd also look at Miata's & other "classics" as the market continues to move!

Thankyou for the warm welcome.
I agree, an electric alternative does seem to be the most sensible route but then I see websites like this and think "really????"
I'm too much of an age where gasoline engines, and big ones at that, became the staple diet of any motoring enthusiast.

I'm incredibly lucky to be of a generation where we've produced some exceptional engines and cars/bikes in the world. I grew up as a kid reading books about people like Don Garlits, becoming fascinated with the (simply quite mad) powertrains that were being installed into the rails at that time.

In the UK, the older Rover V8 seems to have become the kit car / specialist car (as in TVR/Marcos, Morgan) engine of choice but I'm now looking at where I could shoehorn a Jaguar AJ engine and that was my main reason for looking at excellent sites such as this.
Unfortunately most of those engine bays don't lend themselves to a double overhead cam V8. Doesn't mean to say it's impossible though...

New member here! My name is Chuck and I am located in the western Chicago burbs. I've had several LBC's on and off for over 40 years. I am currently well into a rustoration/repower on a '69 MGBGT. I also have a '79 roadster in need of some lovin'.

My goal with the GT  is to end up with a highway cruiser (not a corner carver) that will serve me for many years to come. So far, I have taken care of all (?) the rust. I have new floors, new sill assemblies, replaced inner rear fender, the normal dogleg repairs, lower front fenders, front trumpets and much much more. I am currently making the necessary mods to incorporate A/C, EPS, 3.4L GM L32 with 4l60e trans. and cruise.  

I do practically all my own work on a shoestring budget. In the past, I have rebuilt engines, done complete restoration and brought a few cars back to life from the dead and near dead. Fabrication is not new to me. I have built a rotary powered Locost (Lotus 7 homebuilt replica) and did all my own work including some design and fab using mostly an angle grinder, a drill press, a few hand tools and a MIG welder.

I used to be active on the MG BBS back in the day, I've been semi-active on the MGExperieince board over the years, and I am currently a member of the Chicagoland MG Club. This is my first powertrain mod, so I decided to join here. I hope to learn a lot and perhaps share a bit of what I know along the way.

Hi Chuck, good to see you over here.

I used to hang out on the MG Enthusiasts BBS back in the day, as well.  Still peruse the archives on occasion.  Your local LBC club has a great website.

Welcome Chuck.  I'm actually planning to be in Chicago in early/mid August - although we're going to cancel unless our son tests negative for Covid.  He's up there doing an internship for Motorola and his roommate is positive.  Should have son's test result tomorrow.

Thanks for the warm welcomes guys.

Rob, I would love to meet up and possibly show you my project. What car guy wouldn't? The Motorola campus in Schaumburg is  about 1/2 hour away. Under the current Covid-19 conditions, I think it best we delay that until things are more under control. I hope your son tests negative.

Chuck

Rob PM sent

Hi everyone
Well trying to post up my new projects but having problem !
Please help.

Gerald, easiest way I've found to resize pictures is to get them on my phone.  I use Android and there are a bunch of free apps.  I use one called "Photo and Picture Resizer".  If the pics are on my PC, I'll just email them to myself, open and resize them on my phone, and then email the small versions back to myself to get them on my PC.  Don't know for sure, but I'm confident there are similar apps for iphone too.  It's a bit of a hassle but it works.

If you have a computer with Windows 10, there are two apps built in that can be used to resize pics, Photo & Paint.

Good Morning, New member here, After having owned a few MG'S and Bugeye's over the last 25 plus years I now have a 1980 MGB that has had the motor out for maybe 10 years and had lost interest in the original 55hp 4 cylinder, Lately I have been thinking about a 302 Ford swap and saw some really nice swaps at Dillard Georgia last weekend at the show. Question I have is I need an automatic and am looking for suggestions as in C4 or ? but would rather have an overdrive style.
 

Also I see the gathering in Townsend Tenn. next weekend, Is there a schedule at to what is happening when?

Thanks in advance
Ronald Ford
Woodburn, KY.

No schedule - that's by design.  Just a time for folks to gather informally, and always a good turnout.  There will be plenty of lots of time to check out some great cars and how they were done, some impromptu drives, and plenty of opportunity for some great one-on-one time with like-minded enthusiasts.

Sounds like a great time, I was afraid I came over after work on Friday (about 5 hours) and then everyone would be gone out driving all day Saturday with no time to talk and look at the cars. If I come over I'll be in a '15 Miata retractable top. It also puts a smile on my face lol

They will be gone & at a cookout Friday evening, Ron.

Understand about the cookout, It will be about my bedtime by the time I get there after getting off work at 5 pm CST.

Thanks
Ronald

Hi everyone, John here.  I've come across this forum many times while researching engine swap ideas for my 1979 TR7, so I decided to join.

My first car ever was a 1967 MG Midget, with the pre-smog A series motor pushing out 65 hp, allegedly.  That car taught me a lot of things but I had to sell it when I went to college.  Nearly 40 years later, I bought a TR7 convertible to work on with my car-loving 16 year old son.  We've done several projects to get ready for the engine swap including:

Upgraded the suspension with TSI higher rate springs and bushings, and new shocks/strut inserts, plus new needle bearings on the strut towers.
Replaced other suspension wear parts including the wheel bearings and rod ends.
Swapped the 13x5.5 minilite replicas on the car with 185/70 rubber for some 16x7 MGF wheels from the UK with 205/45 tires.
We still plan to upgrade the front brakes with some larger ventilated Wilwood rotors and 4 piston calipers before we do the engine swap.

I've relocated the 3 engine swap ideas I have onto the Triumph forum, comments welcome!

John








Tr7.jpg

Hi John, welcome to the forum!

Please, copy & paste your post to the Triumph section.  That is the place to further discuss your car, as we try to keep this thread to  introductions.

BTW, we have a 1UZ TR7 here, minus smog, though.

http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?3,40779

Howdy, everyone!

My name is Andrew Ficalora. I've had the pleasure of meeting several of y'all at a few of the past BV8's that I've attended with my dad, Rob.  In fact, at the 2018 BV8 in Dayton, OH, I brought out my "British roadster inspired" 1993 Miata.  However, I can now proudly say I'm a part of the MG club!

Last week I picked up a '78 MGB and Ford 302 from a '95 Mustang, and this past weekend my dad and I pulled the motor and trans from the B.  Here's a quick pic I thought was neat.  Over 14 years between the two photos, I guess you could say this apple didn't fall far from the tree!

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Anywho, I'm still getting all the details together, but I look forward to the expanse of knowledge on this forum and taking my own B to a future BV8 one of these days.  

   - Andrew

Andrew, I see that you've pick up your dad's mechanical genes - if your conversion turns out anything like his, it'll be a winner.
...you've got all Winter to get it ready for Auburn!

Hi Drew!

I would welcome you aboard, but................you have already been here over 2 years.  :)

Knowledge?  Got all you need working right there with ya!

i did my first v8 healey conversion while stationed at ft sill ok in 1968...ford 289 and three speed manual. i sold the car in mid seventies and moved onto datsun z. years later i began to think about the healey and what happened to the car. in 2013 i came across wheelspinner publication listing known healey conversions by state. sure enough there was the car. i contacted the owner but he was not interested in selling. but about three months ago i was able to buy the car from the owner at that time who lived in minnesota. needless to say i was very happy to be back in ownership and the car is now in south carolina. it was not this nice when i owned it and the engine had been updated to a 5.0, 8 inch narrowed rear end, rack and pinion steering and improved cooling. it matches up well with my other 59 bn6 with a 350 sbc and built 200 4r aod transmission.
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A friend of mine's dad had a 283 powered Healey back in my high school days - will always remember that car.
Nice ride you have...certainly a good candidate for "Nasty Boys" status.

Glad you got it back, Larry!

Hi,

I'm Anthony or Tony or "Hey You", depending on the circumstances. Currently, in the Northwest Indiana section of the Chicago sprawl, later...who knows?

I don't have a V8 conversion or engine or parts or a solid idea. But...there's a AH 3000 (profile photo) that has a locked engine, lots of rust repair needed (perhaps a Jule frame is in order?) and with the long term goal of being the "Stupid Ass Ridiculous Car." Originally the idea was to rebuild the 6-cyl lump, give it some guts, toss on some Weber carburetors, beef up the suspension and brakes, add those fancy (and expensive as hell) D-type Dunlop knock-ons (AH Spares sells them).

But after reading the Nasty Boys article in the November AHCA club magazine, maybe I'm thinking of ditching the 6-cyl, the not-so-good transmission, and doing some hotrodding. I have a Land Rover V8 readily available with a manual box attached (still in the truck), so perhaps that's one route. Or I could go the route of a Ford-Chevy-Buick V8. I'm ok mechanical-wise (can handle pretty much most jobs so long as I have the tools and some kind of guide), but have little to no experience in body modification and so on (but everyone else started at zero at some point, so it's not entirely in the words of Ralph Wiggum, "unpossible.")

If not that, there's two ratty Sprites (one Frogeye and the other a Spridget) that my dad and I have considered doing something ridiculous and fun with.

Looking forward to learning a lot and taking the leap.

New guy, go easy. I am a 23yr pipe welder with a bunch of powerhouse experience as well as ammonia and process food experience.  I've done a lot with X-ray welding as well as UT.   Last October I went into education and took a teaching roll in welding and fab at a local high school.  All to get out of the physical labor of course.   I should have done this a while ago,  it's a hoot.    I'am starting a 302 build here in a 70 BGT  in Green Bay,WI.  It may seem a little rough but it sure seems fairly solid.  It needs outer sills for sure and floors but inners it may not, we'll see.   Next Saturday I'm
Suppose to pick it up.   The car has spent the last 25yrs in a dry barn and last fall hauled out to make its way to a crusher.  A local MG guru has it and I think we worked out a deal on the parts I would like to go with it as well.  I'm excited about our new venture, I think it's going to be a lot of fun.   The vision for this build is a classic GT car with some power and modern refinements, I have a picture of a 275 GTB in my head as a benchmark.    Thanks for the add guys I guess a build page is coming soon.  The pics are from Friday's look at it.  Also paint color and interior I have in the vision for it.  
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Welcome, Steve.  Looking forward to your Project Journal!

Welcome both Anthony and Steve.

Thanks Carl and Rob.   Carl next time I'm down we should see about meeting up.  I get down by you once or twice a year.  Kurt is a really good friend of mine.  I believe your TF owner.

Kurt Rosenberg, owner of my former TF project?  Great guy!

My name is Dave.  When I joined this site, I owned a 1991 Marcos Mantula Spyder.  I have since sold that car and purchased a 1995 MG RV8.  The RV8 is still in England and won't ship for another week or so.  Then it will be on the water for 36 days, so I won't actually get the car until late February.  I am looking forward to getting to know the car.  I hope it is a keeper.
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Sweet.  I hope you enjoy it!

Very nice. We're all jealous of course.  ;

Jim

Hello to all of our American friends.  Yes I'm a Brit but please don't hold that against me.   I only came across this particular forum today when I was looking for TR3s that had undergone an engine swap for something more modern.  That said I found a great example carried out by Randy Shultz who fitted a Nissan twin cam into his much modified TR3.   I would very much like to include a photo of his car in my forthcoming book on the TR2-3B so if anyone could put me in touch with him I would appreciate it as I wouldn't like to infringe his copyright.

Regards,

Paul Hogan.  

PS. for the record I own 3 TRs, a 1959 Le Mans TR3m a 1963 GTR4A coupe and an all Alloy bodied TR4 sprint car.
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Gorgeous cars

http://www.britishv8.org/Triumph/RandySchultz.htm

Sweet build.  Hope you noticed that the body was widened by 4 inches to accommodate the TR6 frame.

Curtis Jacobson may be able to put you in touch with Randy.  

Another article:

https://driving.ca/triumph/auto-news/entertainment/vintage-triumph-has-a-split-personality

Apparently, he is a teacher at BCIT.

https://www.bcit.ca/

Howdy from Central Texas!
Found this 1980 MGB on Facebook Marketplace only $250!  (need to apply for a bonded title)
Last year license plate tags are 1988 - 32 years!
I got it running on Carb & Choke cleaner spray... the petrol tank sounds like concrete inside when thumped on.
Considering all the leaves and rain - the floor is much better than anticipated!
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Hey all!  I just picked up a 59 Hillman Minx convertible as a rebuild project here in Houston Texas.  It is a very, very cool car.. I love the look and the feel behind the wheel.  I've done a few complete restorations, but this is my first British car.  It's pretty much rust free, but needs an interior, paint, a top and some wiring work.  The original engine starts and runs well, but I will be upgrading to modern power.  Thinking GM Ecotec if I can score a Solstice or Saturn Sky, but I might use a 2.2 from an S10.  Anyway, I was research how to manage the steering linkage and found this wonderful website.  Glad to meet all of you and I'll be proud to share some pics of the project in the Rootes group folder when I get going.
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Welcome Tom!  I'm just up the road from you on Willis (North of The Woodlands and Conroe).  Sounds like a fun project!

Pretty cool. I've never seen one of those cars. Apparently very rare in the US and looks to be in great shape. Congratulations on your find and welcome to the British car world.

Hey Everyone,
I'm a newbie to the swap scene, but I've been working on MGBs since I was 15 and always dreamed of a V8 swap. Finally decided to go for it with a 1977 MGB, 302 SBF/T5 and Pete Mantell's install kit.

This forum has already been a huge help in getting me prepared (mentally and emotionally). With any luck, I might even be of some help to others one day. Although given the general level of expertise in the threads I've read, that day may be a ways off.

Looking forward to sharing the journey. Let me know if my questions get too annoying :D

- Aaron
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Welcome,
Feel free to start a Project Journal. That way we can all watch your progress.

Aaron - and interested others,
I suggest looking into the options to shorten the overall length of your engine. Ford had a collection of damper/pulley combinations.
I found that the front dress from an Explorer 5.0 was as short as can be found. I believe the distance from the front machined timing cover face
on the block to the outer edge of the damper/serpentine belt pulley is 5 3/8" That was the major reason I chose the Explorer engine for my TR6.
Well, that and I wanted the roller cam block and fuel injection.
I'm not as familiar with the MG, but I would assume the available interior real estate is not generous, and reducing engine encroachment into the interior
is an advantage. I believe the limitation on changing to the Explorer timing cover etc would be the current location of the dipstick (cue the little girl in the commercial giggling at her Dad), which requires a side of the block entry, and the external balance of 50oz.
Do some checking to satisfy yourself. Also, ask others what they think about T5 transmission first gear ratio vs. rear axle ratio on a light car.
I have a 2510# TR6 with a 3.35 1st gear, and a 3.45 R200 differential, and 1st gear is pretty low. I have an early shift out of 1st gear - although
it does lessen the chance of stalling the car when the traffic light goes green!
Dennis

Aaron, An Oops from me, as I didn't see your other post about the engine being an '88 flat tappet.
I find in my information that all Ford 302 engines after 1982 were 50 oz. balance. Also, beginning
in 1985, all blocks were roller cam equipped. Have you verified this? also, I was overlooking the variation
in firing order between the non-HO engines and the later model 302 HO. Non HO engines use a 1,5,4,2,6,3,7,8 firing order,
and the HO engine uses the 351 Windsor firing order of 1,3,7,2,6,5,4,8
The fun begins!
Dennis

Hello everyone! My name is John, I love cars. Due to the fact that I have no one to communicate with about them, I decided to register on the forum, I duplicate the greeting here on the advice of rficalora;)

Welcome, John!

Hello forum! I'm new here! ':D

Welcome Fiona, Jack, Aaron, and Lincoln.

Lincoln, where in Central TX?  I'm in Willis (N. of Houston).  There are a few of us in the areas around Houston, Dallas, Austin, and Waco.

Quote1967Spitfire
Clifford Kimmel
4.14.92.210

(2 posts)

Registered:
03/29/2021 01:33AM

Main British Car:


New Member
Posted by: 1967Spitfire
Date: March 29, 2021 04:32AM

Hello all! New member. Thanks for the add.

I have a 1967 Triumph Spitfire that has a modified frame, a 2V 318ci V8 and automatic transmission installed with a Ford rear end. It is an exciting ride!

It needs paint and I'm looking for seats, but I love driving it!

Howdy! My name is Ilace ("Eye-less"). I live in SW Missouri and am preparing to offer my late husband's 11th TR6 for sale.  It's a '76 that he was in the middle of swapping engines (Chrysler V8?) when he died rather suddenly last summer.  He found lots on inspiration and practical info on this site and I wish he had been able to complete the project.  Watch for an ad later this month.  Thanks!
ilace Mears

Hi, My name is Tim, I live in Wisconsin. I've been wanting to build a V8 TR6 for most of my life but have never found the time. I am retiring from Harley-Davidson Product Development Center in July, and can't think of a better project than that to keep me busy. Looking forward to the journey!

Tim, welcome! If you can get any time away from work before beginning your retirement, the June 1-4 meet in Auburn IN should be an inspiring event. Lots of great cars, great people.

Hi Everyone. New guy on the block here. I just got my hands on a TR6 with a Ford 302.  I've wanted a TR6 for years!  I've owned 5 Jags and 2 MGs...and am a muscle car enthusiast as well. This car (and this web site) seems like a good fit :-)

My new car is in great shape and a blast to drive. I'm changing some of the PO's work to suit my own tastes but I reckon that's pretty common.

Looking forward to chatting and learning.

Cheers
DD

Welcome!  I love TR6's!  Share some pics.

Figure I should check in and say Hello. I'm new to the site , I own a 1955 100 that came to me without a motor and transmission. I built a new frame and now ready to assemble the body back on it. I'm looking forward to all the help I'll get here to fit a small block into it and I hope I won't be to much of a pest with all the questions I'll be asking.

Welcome Scott,  great to have you aboard.  Many helpful people on here and glad to help.

U.K..

Beautiful car Stewart!

Thanks Rob
Was sent this medal on a 9ct gold chain which was a nice surprise and following up a lead for some files that were auctioned a few years ago.

Hi, I'm new to the site and am happy to see there's a place to share the trials and tribulations of restoring and maintaining these classic British sports cars. I've owned a stock 741/2 MGBGT, a 62 AH 3000 BT7 and have just recently purchased a 741/4 BGT V8. This car was illustrated here by its original customizer,  "Wayne Rippy". I spent the last 10 years or so restoring/modifying a 81 Toyota Landcruiser HJ47 RHD Turbo Diesel. I retired and decided to get back to the British sports car neighborhood.
The BGT V8 is awesomely fast and sounds like a race car. It has the Buick 215 stroked to 266, RV8 style headers through the inner fender wells. Rover 5 speed, Ford 8 inch rear end with limited slip diff.
Ill be asking questions here knowing that experts are close by. Issues I will be addressing are: 1) Vapor lock/ float bowl percolation causing warm start problems. I've added a 1/2inch phenolic spacer on the Edelbrock 500 CFM carb; no help! Added some heat insulation around the fuel line and filter above the engine, no help. I'm getting a spare hood/bonnet louvered in a couple weeks. I know getting the heat out of that cramped engine bay after shutdown is critical. Looking on the internet I've seen people try a fuel filter that has 2 outlets/one inlet with the extra outlet for a fuel return. Don't know if that will help. Only other thing I see out there is going to fuel injection, which may be the best fix. Would love some input from the members on possible fixes.
Next,  2)  I need a seat that fits my back, as the Miata seat back has narrow bolsters that hit me mid shoulder blade; not comfy! I've seen some comments here about seats that will fit in the small cockpit; Fierro, Miata etc.
3) A/C has a leak somewhere; not a huge issue here in Washington Sate, so low priority for now.
So, far I've rebuilt the rear drum brakes (had a blown wheel cylinder), so now it at least pretends to slow down.
The front brakes are Wilwood 4 piston discs and seem OK.
Any insights the members here can provide will be immensely appreciated!
Scott
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Hi Scott, and welcome!  

The AC leak is probably easy.  You can get a dye that you add to the system and then shine a black light on the components - especially around connections while wearing yellow tinted glasses and the leak will glow in the black light.  If you can't get a leak detection kit with the dye, blacklist and glasses at your local auto parts place, they're available on eBay and Amazon.

Fiero seats are definitely wider than Miata seats and look good in GTs IMO.

Vapor lock is tougher.  You're doing the typical things.  It'd help to know how hot your motor runs, what the typical temperatures are where you live, how long after shutting off you have restart issues, etc.  On thing you didn't mention is your fuel bowl floats.  If set high, you can get similar symptoms.  But, you'll likely get more and better feedback on this one if you post it on the Engine section.

Welcome again!

Thanks Rob,
 I have the black light and glasses you mentioned and will do the leak check once it's drivable.  I've taken it on 2 drives of about 10 miles each or so in mid 80's temp. It got up to 210 degrees in stop and go traffic. Once you shut it down, it hesitates to start and the smell of fuel is evident like it's flooded. On the longer drive after insulating the engine bay fuel line and filter at the carb, and the addition of a 1/2 "  phenolic carb spacer;  the car restarted a little better  but then as I tried to pull onto the roadway it stalled and barely restarted. This was after a 15 minute shut down period. I'm going to try one of the fuel filters that has the 1/4" return line at the carb and run that to the fuel vent line that goes to the tank. Temporally vented the cap by drilling a small hole in the back of the cap. That may have no effect on the float bowl percolation, but may help. Also, I'm getting a spare hood louvered in 10 days and that should help with the percolation issue. Otherwise I see no alternative than going to fuel injection. Of course if I can get non-ethenol gas it may help as well. Naturally the tank is full, so it wont be getting better gas any time soon if its even available here.
I'm going to look at the Fiero seat option as well. I'll post my results as I go,
Thanks again.

Hello to all!
New member here that is currently in the construction stages of an MK1 BGT conversion to Ford V8!
Just got the last of the metal from BMH and Fiberglass Sebring kit!
Fast Cars front crossmember is installed, bought their under chassis headers and radiator as well.
2008 Mustang Cobra 8.8 rear with disc brakes will be narrowed as needed....
Hope to have her running in a year!
Drive train will be a 331 or 347 Ford with a T5...
Will post pics......As soon as I can get them downloaded,,,,,,,

THANKS!
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Looks like you're doing it right!

Welcome to the group!

Hey guys great to be here &#128512;  I'm in Canada &#127464;&#127462;  just bought a 1964 hillman husky for a father,son,daughter project she be fun! I have a 500hp sbc  going in it  looking for info and I think I came to the right place &#128512;

Hi all,

  I have lusted after the TR6 since i first saw one back in the early 70s.  As i got older and turned into a muscle-car guy, i thought that the two were a natural fit (even though a bit tight according to some of the stories and pictures).  So, here i am.

Cheers,
Russ

Welcome Russ, you'll find much info and great people here!.

Welcome Steve and Russ!

Steve, enjoy the project with your kids.  My boys worked with me when building my car.  Great memories and there was lots of captive time to get to hear what's going on in their lives!

Hello, I am the latest addition to the community. Attached is a photo of my ride.

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Welcome Joyce,  joint us at one of our gathering.  hope you are close enough.

Good day, I Sorry I do not own a British sports car but do recall helping my Father restore an MGB for a customer decades ago, and I'm sure it's still showing today.  I mostly joined to gain and share knowledge of the 215 V8.  I have and Oldsmobile Jetfire version of the 215 motor my dad acquired back in the 70's sans turbo system. We ran it in stock form with 2bbl heads in a jet boat back in the 80's till the heads cracked during a tough Michigan winter.  Fast forward a few decades and my Dad and I decided to rebuild the motor using original high compression heads so we can fit it into 1990 Miata.  Thanks for having me,

Richard

Welcome, Richard!

I always thought that the Buick/Olds/Rover V8 made the most sense for a Miata.  Years ago, I ran across a website that detailed a Rover 4.6L swap into a Miata.  I do hope he finished it.

Please start a Project Journal on this site so that we can follow along.

What a great website! My first modified British sportscar was a Mk2 Sprite that I fitted a "B" series motor to.That was in the early 70s.I then produced a transverse mid-engine (RoverV8 mated to BMC 1800 gearbox) kitcar that earned me enough money to go to England in the 80s where I worked initially on kitcars but led to work in UK and Scandinavia on Group B Rallycross (Ford RS200 and Quattro S1). back home in NZ I made a mid-engine 4WD hillclimb car using the last of my kitcar bodyshells.That car went on to win over 30 hillclimbs and rallysprints. Other builds include replica 1998 Porsche GT1, replica 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C2900, spaceframe Speedway racecar,a couple of original motorcycles,my current racecar which is a spaceframe , carbonfibre body Jag XK120 powered by quadturbo V12, under construction is a replica Broadspeed XJC and replica Alfa Romeo T33 Stradale.My daily driver is a 1955 DeSoto pickup truck powered by....TaDaaaaaa...ROVER V8! I am slowly working on my Triumph GT6 with 2.5 P.I. engine
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Good morning, I live in southern Kentucky and have owned numerous British cars in my liftime. Today I own a '80 MGB LE rust free project for sale, Am building a 5.0 ford v8 in a '71 MGB GT, A '60 Morris Minor 1000 convertible and I am waiting on a '70 Morris Minor Traveler being shipped from England hopefully this Thursday.    Love this site,


Ronald Ford
Woodburn, KY.

Hello,
I am (Forrest) Lee Erickson
I have a 1972 MGB on which, when I was younger and more flexable, I started trying to fit a small block Chevy into the engine bay but stalled.  I am no longer working and considering restarting the conversion and willing to consider other engines. I would like advise on what might be emerging as a standard recipe.

I see some 3.4 V6 conversions about which I would like to learn more.

Will try to post photos some time soon.

Forest,
Please study this link:

https://www.mgexp.com/forum/mg-engine-swaps-forum.40/comprehensive-300-buick-build-thread.4463289/

Jim

Hi, just thought I'd drop a few lines here.  I have a 74 Triumph TR6 that I specifically bought for a V8 conversion.  It'll be all aluminum from the LS family of engines.  Transmission will be an AR5 manual using a Fabbot adapter kit.  Rear diff from a Nissan Z350.
I am going to try to lose the flexy flyer chassis behavior and put some effort into strengthening and stiffening.
I will likely be in touch with some of you who have been where I am now for some details.  Thank you in advance for your help!

Howdy! I'm from the MGEXP forum.

Doing a Buick 300 swap in a 79 MGB LE (In the US some 79's -were- in fact true limited editions due to import laws)

Here and there for all the expert advice all ya'll have hoarded over the years!

I am (Forrest) Lee Erickson. Currently 64 years old and getting stiffer and stiffer.

I have a 1972 MGB Roadster, wire wheels.
I would like to finish a conversion to V8 or V6.  
I started in 1984 with a SMC (283) as a proof of concept that did not look like success.
I live in Maryville TN not to far from Towensend where there is an annual British Car get together I have from time to time attended.

I have concluded that if I am to succeed I need to start with a more modern donor car but do not know much about cars after 1970s technology.

I have also concluded that I had best purchase more than fabricate as I am feeling less and less able and want to enjoy a drive in the car before I can no longer climb down into it and up out of it.

Hello all,

I'm Erik. I have owned my 1971 TR-6 since 1998. About a year ago I decide to RestoMod it.

Instead of going V8, we have put a Honda JDM K24A with a Haltech Elite 1500 ECU in it. Custom headers. With almost no ECU tweaking we anticipate around 225+ HP. But one of the reasons of going with the K24 is it is super tunable. Even without forced induction we can probably get nearly 300 HP. And if we decide we need more power, there are a lot of bolt on turbo and supercharger kits for that engine. The transmission is a 6 speed out of a Mazda RX-8. The differential is an R200B out of a 350Z. We did the CV rear axle swap. Wilwood brakes. Gas shock conversion. All poly bushings.

The goal here was to greatly increase the HP, AND lose a bunch of weight. Another goal was to make the car look entirely stock. We're anticipating the car ending up around under 2000 pounds.

We anticipate being on the road by August. Right now we're doing engine bay cosmetics and reassembling.  MotoResto in Portland Maine has been doing the work. I attached a photo from a few hundred hours of work ago when we were still mocking up.

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Welcome to the forum Erik.
I have often thought that the K20 or K24 would be an excellent swap for any old British sportscar.
In my opinion going this route is quite easy with lots of upside without having to butcher the firewall and extensive frame modifications.
I put a 2003 GM 300 v6 in my 76 TR6 with a T5 transmission and a Nissan R200 diff.  Mine also is stock looking in the interior and exterior.
My car still sounds like a six.  The only downside of your swap is the sound of a 4 cylinder; but who cares when you can have 300hp!
Keep us posted with lots of photos.

Byron

hi everyone,
1971 TR6 owner here with a restoration or a resto-mod planned within the next 2 years.  It's all up in the air at the moment - rebuild the 2.5 6 pot lump, maybe cut the head and use a bumpy cam or maybe do an engine swap.

For swaps, I've entertained the idea of a Mopar 3.6L Pentastar.  There's a forum for Mopar enthusiasts that has used the Bell Housing from the A580 Mercedes Auto and a fabricated adapter plate to connect to a Tremec T5 manual - the transmission ends up canted 5 degrees off of vertical.

Or, a Ford 5.0 which would go nicely with a T5.

Or, maybe figure a means to adapt a T5 to the Triumph engine with a new fabricated Rear Engine Plate and a Bellhousing from a pre-93 Mustang 3.8L T5 Bellhousing.

Lots of peeps here have explored these options (except maybe for the Pentastar) so I'll be mainly going through a lot of forums and occasionally asking a few questions here and there.

Thanks in all your postings and the obvious enthusiasm for doing hot-rod LBCs

Matt,
Wrlcome to the insanity.  Check with Don Watson.  He's done the Ford swap.

Hi Everyone,
I used to autocross and open track my modified Triumph TR-6 in northern Illinois. Then I spent some years playing with Mustangs. Now I live in Key West, FL and recently purchased one of my dream cars. A Rotus Eight. It needs a bit of attention, as most old cars do, but I love it.
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Tom,
Welcome! That looks like a lot of fun!!
Phil

OK on Jim B's say so over on the MG Engine Swaps Forum, I've finally gotten around to joining here and putting a little $ in the pot.  I have a 60 Bugeye that my Dad bought in 1967.  I drove it my senior year of high school in '72 and have kept it ever since.  It now has a GM 3.4L V6 and drive train and chassis mods to handle that.
    So there's a story that could be told.  But not in the next few weeks though.  I'm currently converting it from the Holley 390 4bbl to Holley Sniper2 FI and I need to finish that and get some test driving in before the weather here in western NY goes bad.  A more lengthy post and/or photo submissions could be in November or so.  This is a pretty large site, so if someone has a suggestion on where/how I should start, let me know.
    FWIW, the street photo here is a current one from this past August.  And a piece of photo art, with yet another story behind that.
H

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Welcome, John!! Can't wait to hear your stories!

Scott

Excellent! That's an attractive car. I almost bought one when I was in my early 20's but ended up with a Landcruiser instead that someone had stuck a SBC in (badly I might add). Not sure which would have been the better life decision but that hardly matters now.

Start a thread in the forum of your choice and post away. Sounds like an interesting story.

Jim

QuoteI have a 60 Bugeye that my Dad bought in 1967. I drove it my senior year of high school in '72 and have kept it ever since. It now has a GM 3.4L V6 and drive train and chassis mods to handle that.
So there's a story that could be told. But not in the next few weeks though. I'm currently converting it from the Holley 390 4bbl to Holley Sniper2 FI and I need to finish that and get some test driving in before the weather here in western NY goes bad. A more lengthy post and/or photo submissions could be in November or so. This is a pretty large site, so if someone has a suggestion on where/how I should start, let me know.
FWIW, the street photo here is a current one from this past August. And a piece of photo art, with yet another story behind that.

The carb to EFI should be in engine, trans, drivetrain section.  The stories, post here in the BritishV8 Pub for all to enjoy.

Ive been reading and lurking for a while so its probably time i introduced myself. Im Chris from the UK and I have recently started a non V8 engine swap into a 1979 MGB GT.

Ok when I say non V8, no its not even a V6, just a 1.8 liter 4 pot Miata engine and 5 speed transmission going into it.
Despite my advanced age this my first proper engine swap into a production classic car and my criteria included using as much as I can from a single donor car which can stick around until its picked clean of anything useful and I have parted out all the less useful stuff.

Thats probably enough about that for now as 1. I will be starting a build journal and 2. not only is it a 4 pot, Miata/ MX5 swaps into a MGB have been done before so unlikely to break much new ground.

Ive fixed, modified and played with cars for decades though. Probably the most interesting thing was having built a replica AC Ace back in the day: This was based on a Hawk replica 289 Cobra chassis, ran a stage 2 modified Triumph TR6 straight six & OD gearbox, MGB rear axle and part MGB front suspension. It looked and drove well in BRG with spoke wheels. 
I often wished Id kept it but I needed the money towards a house at the time   

Love you AC Ace.

Good to see you here Chris, have you met Steve Pegrum? He lives at Brentwood and is currently rebuilding a Gilbern Invader with a Jaguar AJV6 engine and a Dutton.

Welcome to the forum!  I'm looking forward to your build thread!

Scott

Thanks guys.  No, Ive not made contact with Steve Pegrum as yet Philip. I'll look out for his build thread.

I have tried to get him to do a build journal here but he is too concerned that his paint job isn't up to scratch. His last email to me contained the following "Essex Kit and Classic Car Club) has a monthly (last sunday of the month) Breakfast meetup at a garden centre off the A127". I thought you might have met him there. You can see his YouTube videos if you search "Invader Garage".

I forgot that he also has a Sylvia Stylus (Lotus 7 clone)