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Bill Young
Bill Young
Kansas City, MO
(1337 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 09:23AM

Main British Car:
'73 MG Midget V6 , '59 MGA I6 2.8 GM, 4.0 Jeep

authors avatar
PMH "Poor Man's Healey"
Posted by: Bill Young
Date: January 02, 2009 04:46PM

Owner: Bill Young
City: Kansas City, Missouri
Car Model: 1959 MGA
Engine: 1987 Jeep 4.0 inline 6


Engine: Home made intake manifold mounting three side draught Mikuni Weber DCOE carbs. Earlier electronic igniton and distributor from AMC Eagle fitted to eliminate computer controls. Jeep aluminum valve cover will have Healey style "quick fill" oil cap added. Dip stick replaced with modified MG T series dip stick with MG octagon on handle. Oil cooler and remote filter. Harmonic damper replaced with earlier AMC unit to mound V belt drive for water pump and alternator eliminating the serpentine belt arrangement for more vintage look.

Cooling: Triumph TR4 radiator with Bosch electric fan. Fan thermostat mounted in modified thermostat housing along with sending unit for original dual temp/ oil pressure gauge.

Exhaust: Modifed Jeep header, split into two three cylinder configuration. Dual pipes to continue to rear of car using chambered muffler pipes underneath the cockpit to reduce noise and gain ground clearance.

Transmission: Manual 5 speed from Jeep Commanche 2WD pickup. Shortened shift lever with home made aluminum shift knob.

Rear Axle: MGB tube type, planning on modifying by inserting Chevy 7.5" 10 bolt center carrier in MG axle tubes to get more suitable gear ratios.

Front Susp.: MGA lever action shocks and lower A arms with MGB kingpins and spindles. Urethane bushings throughout.
Steering rack from MGA connected to modified early MGB steering shaft. Steering wheel is cut down early MGB "Banjo" type with leather cover. Use of MGB column will allow use of MGB turn signal switch and horn, removing these functions from the original dash mounted MGA items.

Rear Susp.: MGA leaf springs mounting MGB axle. Urethane bushings in rear spring shackles and axle pads.

Brakes: MGA master cylinder remouted to clear intake. Brake and clutch cylinders reversed because of reverse mounting of master cylinder. Bracket for pedals and throttle pedal fabricated.
Front discs, stock MGB.
Rear brakes, stock MGB
Wheels/Tires: 72 spoke wires from TR6 with Firestone tires for present. Plan on Vredstein 185-75 R 15 Sprint Classics on finished car.

Body Mods: Front and rear bumper mounts filled, modifed front valence, divided into three parts and each attached to the fenders or body. Fender welt lines will continue vertically to bottom of body without any horizontal welt line in front. Bumper recess in front filled with hand formed panels. Plan to create opening in center valence for oil cooler air entrance and possibly driving lights. Rear bumper mount holes filled and liscense plate mounted on hand fabricated plate bracket attached to an Austin Healey Sprite rear liscense lamp and plinth mounted to the MG body. Considering opening up the rear of the cockpit so that the sight line from the side would follow the pinch and rise at the body waist and rear fender.
Aston style quick fill fuel cap to be mounted in original position.

Interior: Not done at this time, but plan on stock seats with original type upholstery. Dash will retain original look with addition of MGB electric gauges in place of the cable drive tach on the MGA which was incompatable with the new engine.


Electrical: Modified stock harness with additional fuses. Using turn signal switch and horn switch from MGB as well as dimmer control. Modifications as needed to use alternator instead of generator and regulator and electronic ignition from AMC.
Engilne.JPG
Radiator and Fan.JPG
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Chassis,goal post.JPG
Chassis, front.JPG
DSCF0402.JPG
DSCF0032.JPG
DSCF0029.JPG



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/02/2009 04:48PM by Bill Young.


Moderator
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4576 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: PMH "Poor Man's Healey"
Posted by: Moderator
Date: August 02, 2010 11:53AM

1


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