Riley 4/72 V8 conversion
Just bought a really nice Riley 4/72, with MGB engine and o/d box................however, it's crying out for some performance upgrades, and that's going to mean a V8. I'm also looking to change the entire front end [brakes / steering/suspension] possibly going to a narrowed Jag front clip. Engine possibly a Ford 302, with a Scimitar back axle, as they're about the same width, and should handle the power. Any comments or thoughts [has anyone done one before?] most welcome
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BlownMGB-V8 Jim Blackwood 9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042 (6508 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 12:59PM Main British Car: 1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS |
Re: Riley 4/72 V8 conversion
I'm not sure why you would want to go to something as heavy as a Jag front suspension, there have to be better choices out there. I scrapped out an XJ6 and didn't see anything in the front suspension I wanted to keep. But maybe the XK parts are lighter.
Jim |
roverman Art Gertz Winchester, CA. (3188 posts) Registered: 04/24/2009 11:02AM Main British Car: 74' Jensen Healy, 79 Huff. GT 1, 74 MGB Lotus 907,2L |
Re: Riley 4/72 V8 conversion
Colin, Welcome, if your in USA, you might consider Mustang II-aftermarket front suspension, including support cross member. All manor of widths available, spindles, A-arms and brake components. Because of high volume,(for aftermarket), prices are quite competitive=value. This topic is best discussed in "handling" section. Cheers, roverman.
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Moderator Curtis Jacobson Portland Oregon (4598 posts) Registered: 10/12/2007 02:16AM Main British Car: 71 MGBGT, Buick 215 |
Re: Riley 4/72 V8 conversion
Welcome to BritishV8, Colin!
I hope you'll post some photos. I'm keen to learn what a Riley 4/72 looks like. |
Re: Riley 4/72 V8 conversion
It's actually longer than a P6, and although in production at the same time, at least a decade behind in terms of engineering, hence the need for mechanical upgrades
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Graham B Graham Bingham Draycott, Derbyshire, UK (63 posts) Registered: 09/19/2008 08:26AM Main British Car: 1974 Triumph Spitfire Rover 3.5litre V8 |
Re: Riley 4/72 V8 conversion
Colin,
From the photo I take it you are in the UK. In which case you may have seen the recent episode of Wheeler Dealers where Ed China worked on a Ford Pop hot rod. He swapped the front subframe and suspension for a narrowed Jag unit. I think he said it was from an XK. From what bit you saw on the program it looked quite simple to narrow the unit and he said it was relatively inexpensive to buy (?£200). Cheers Graham |