Water neck for Rover v8

[donfaber]

Just had distributor rebuilt for my rover v8 (Delco- Remy ) - can't set dizzy at  recommended timing (18 deg BTDC) location because current water neck is too big. Is there a "standard" water neck for this manifold? are water necks basically one size fits all (at least to bolt onto the manifold)?

[Spitfire 350]

Can you pull the distributor and advance the shaft one tooth as you put it back in?

[donfaber]

I believe so ....I did mount the dizzy right on TDC with #1 cylinder, so I'd prefer to maintain that position. Thanks for the suggestion!

[donfaber]

Phil - have you (or anyone) ever repositioned a distributor due to space issues? Did it work?

[Moderator]

You could gain space, slightly increase power, and improve reliability by converting to crank fired ignition.

You'd probably install a cam position sensor where the distributor goes, but it would be smaller diameter and shorter. Then you'd also add a tone wheel, probably either at the fan pulley or at the flywheel. Example photos <a href="http://www.britishv8.org/mg/curtisjacobson.htm">here</a> and <a href="http://www.britishv8.org/Articles/MGB-V8-Supercharger.htm">here</a> (scroll way down).

I imagine that's also what Howard Fitzcharles did <a href="http://www.britishv8.org/MG/HowardFitzcharles.htm">here</a>, although there aren't nearly enough photos.

[donfaber]

Thanks, Curtis. Good to see your posts!

[MGBV8]

Pics might help.

IF you just need a bit more range from your distributor,  I would just clock it over one firing position.  I had to that on my 68 Camaro back in the 80s when I switched over to HEI.  Easy peasy.

I have the Edelbrock intake that I have not yet used & I do not plan to switch to crank fired ignition to use it.

Seems Jim Nichols mentioned many years ago there was difference between the Edelbrock & the Buick 215 manifold that needed a simple mod.  I will have to dig it out.

Found it.

From Jim Nichols:

There is a cooling mod recommended for the Performer intake. Right inside the thermostat hole you should drill a 1/4" hole to each side water passage. Prevents air pockets and aids circulation.

[mgb260]

Plus, Use a pan head allen bolt for the front intake manifold for clearance for the distributor. Smaller distributor fits better than large coil on cap HEI. D&D has a nice swivel thermostat housing and some have drilled out the bolt holes of the Ford thermostat housing. I'd cut down the center divider under the carb base a 1/2" too.

[donfaber]

Here's a pic of my dizzy (and vacuum advance) sitting right up against hose coming out of water housing, to radiator.


Is clocking over one firing position just moving the dizzy gear engagement one tooth? Is dizzy twisted the same amount in same direction to compensate? Thanks very much - Don

[mgb260]

Don, This is the one you need for the Edelbrock intake. I think it is for 215 Buick.

[Moderator]

Looks a bit congested there. Have you considered relocating the water port on your radiator?

[MGBV8]

I have one like Jim N. pictured on my 215.  Plan to reuse it on the Edelbrock.  Still not a lot of room, though.

[mstemp]

Looking at Don's photo, is the existing thermostat housing/water outlet not a swivel mount? Looks like D&D's version.

[donfaber]

1) I do currently have a swivel mount water neck. I've been looking for one like I saw in pic from Jim Nichols since last fall - any suggestions on where to find one would be  appreciated. I'll reach out to D&D too. I'll also look at a Ford unit to modify - thanks for all the help!
2) Curtis - suggesting my engine area is a "bit congested" is kind. I' hope to do some work in there after I get timing straightened out.

Don Faber

[MGBV8]

TA Performance still lists a thermostat housing for the Buick 215/300/340

http://www.taperformance.com/products.asp?cat=301

[donfaber]

Carl - TA Performance has the part, will ship to me tomorrow. Thanks!

[donfaber]

Carl - thanks for finding this Buick 215 Thermostat housing! I still need to clean things up, but there's alot more room for dizzy to turn! I did find TDC and reinstalled the rebuilt dizzy (from Jeff - Advanced Distributors), Good project.

[MGBV8]

Glad it worked out, Don.

It's what we do here.