BritishV8 Forum

hi i have just got a mgb gt costello conversion reconditioned gearbox with overdrive does this fit straight on to the sd1 v8 3.5 engine see photo many thanks       it has the bell housing chopped for starter if kevins about can u look

Diane,

I'm not very familiar with using the MGB gearbox as most people don't use them because they aren't really strong enough for even the standard 137 BHP V8 in the factory cars.

I'll try and find a pic of the rover bolt pattern to see if it matches your pics.

Do read that Roger Parker article before making any decisions as it will help you avoid costly mistakes.

Kevin.

Diane,

Picture of the Rover V8/ Buick215  bellhousing bolt pattern.


Not sure thats a match so you may need an adaptor plate.

Dave Vale could tell you as he's familiarr with both LT77 and MGB gearboxes.

Kevin.

Diane,

When you get around to it you will probably need an SD1 flywheel with (matching clutch for LT77) and a P6 crank pulley, I have a these spare so let me know if interested.

Kevin.

thanx very much kevin im definetly interested let me know a price plz kevin thanx again your a star

Diane
You will need the costello adaptor plate to fit this to a V8. This can be made from 6mm steel plate. Basically just a plate cut to fit the V8 with bolt holes to mount the gearbox onto.

You will also need to grind off the starter motor housing from the V8 block quite accurately, as the starter motor bolts to the adaptor plate on the costello and not the bell housing. Hence the cutout in the bellhousing to accomodate the extra depth of the starter nose so the cogs on the starter and the ring gear will mesh.

The gearbox you have purchased is a stock 1800 box with a V8 overdrive unit fitted. This will make 1st gear almost redundant most of the time. Unless of course you want to get away from the traffic lights at warp speed

If you do not have a V8 ready for the conversion. I actually have an original Costello V8 block with the starter housing mod the garage, as well as a pair of heads to match the block.

I'm near Milton keynes if you are interested in either buying the Costello block or having a Costello V8 engine built.

Regards
Perry

You may also need one of these

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/V8-Costello-Steering-Conversion-Kit_W0QQitemZ180435877292QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item2a02d0fdac

Perry,

Diane has a late Rubber bumper car so steering mods not required.

Kevin.

OK Kev!

I've got some pics somewhere of the Costello rebuilt I did earlier this year. There should be a pic of the crank adaptor.
I'll look shortly.

Perry

Heres the pics I took of the flywheel on the Costello.
I dont know how this centre piece varies from an SD1 as I've never had one apart?

They fixed the 4 flat top bolts in with a really strong glue. Took me 6 hours to get the flywheel off ;(

Hope the pics are some help
Perry