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Tigerbill
Bill McGarry

(2 posts)

Registered:
05/27/2014 06:16PM

Main British Car:


Re: Sunbeam Ghost from 35 years ago. I need my head examined
Posted by: Tigerbill
Date: May 27, 2014 06:40PM

Hi All
I'm building a Tiger clone restomod based on a 67 alpine. So far I've fabricated the new firewall, trans tunnel for mustang t5, fabbed exhaust pass thru x 2, modified the cross member alba Tiger to position a Mustang 2 steering rack, planning on adapting Wilwood 2 inch drop spindles and ford discs and callipers
Found Tiger headers, engine mounts and I'm using Dan Walters Torque arm to control the Jeep DJ5 rear axle. Looking for any clues on adapting Disc brakes to the DJ5 (Dana 3.73 LSD). The VW flares look great! Any idea where I can find them in Steel?


mgb260
Jim Nichols
Sequim,WA
(2459 posts)

Registered:
02/29/2008 08:29PM

Main British Car:
1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8

Re: Sunbeam Ghost from 35 years ago. I need my head examined
Posted by: mgb260
Date: May 27, 2014 08:01PM

Hi Bill, Those flares are steel. Junkyard, off early VW Rabbit fenders. How did you like the Cobra type wheels? You can adapt the 2000 Ford Contour SVT rear disk brake to the Dana 44 with a custom caliper bracket. Checkout this link for cheap VW rabbit fender wheel arch patch panels at $27 each, you would need 2 LH and 2 RH:

[www.rustrepair.com]



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 05/27/2014 08:22PM by mgb260.


Tigerbill
Bill McGarry

(2 posts)

Registered:
05/27/2014 06:16PM

Main British Car:


Re: Sunbeam Ghost from 35 years ago. I need my head examined
Posted by: Tigerbill
Date: May 27, 2014 08:26PM

A Big Thank you Jim, I had been digging around the web without luck...you've saved me more frustration !
Yes, I love the wheels!!


nakedhacienda
john scherff

(54 posts)

Registered:
05/11/2014 11:34AM

Main British Car:


Re: Sunbeam Ghost from 35 years ago. I need my head examined
Posted by: nakedhacienda
Date: June 01, 2014 10:41PM

Help Folks, I have racheted my plans down to something reasonable (I HOPE). I have found a 63 Sunbeam and a 67 MBG rear end to replace the 60s mustand axle that I have that is NOT shortened and has 5 lugs. My question is. Is the MGB rear end the same? The sunbeam one is a solid 6 hour drive ONE WAY and the MGB is right next door. My concern is that they may not be able to take the 289 or 302 that I stick in it. If someone that knows would give me some direction, I would really appreciate it! THANKS!

JohnS


mgb260
Jim Nichols
Sequim,WA
(2459 posts)

Registered:
02/29/2008 08:29PM

Main British Car:
1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8

Re: Sunbeam Ghost from 35 years ago. I need my head examined
Posted by: mgb260
Date: June 02, 2014 09:28AM

John, The Alpine rear would never live behind a V8. The 67 and newer MGB rear will. It was used when they put a Rover V8 in the MGB. It actually is a delivery truck rear originally. There are quite a few MGB V8's running around with the stock axle. It is 3.91 ratio and works good with the 2.95 first gear T5. There is a anti-clunk mod that replaces the side gear and pinion washers. The wire wheel version is about the same width as the original Sunbeam axle. The bolt pattern on the hub is 4 x 4.5 so you would have to use an adapter or redrill the hub between to the Sunbeam pattern of 4 x 4.25. The wire heel hub would also need the center spindle machined off. The leaf spring is 1 3/4" wide on the MGB axle instead of 2" like the Sunbeam. The spacing of the axle spring brackets would have to be the same as the Sunbeam also.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/02/2014 10:06AM by mgb260.


nakedhacienda
john scherff

(54 posts)

Registered:
05/11/2014 11:34AM

Main British Car:


Re: Sunbeam Ghost from 35 years ago. I need my head examined
Posted by: nakedhacienda
Date: June 02, 2014 07:55PM

Thanks for the swift reply, I was thinking today about it all and wondering if I am not going about it all wrong, it HAS a Mustang rearend (5 Lug) that is a bit wider than the original and the Front end, it also has a bit of a scary steering gear arangement, cut bent and welded to get around the 289, sooooo what do you guys think of me Keeping the existing rear end and replacing the frankenstein front end with say a Mustang II front end, I either have to fix BOTH or the Front end, I started thinking maybe I make the Front Track match or exceed the existing rear end. Would save a lot of time. Your thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks in advance...

JohnS


mgb260
Jim Nichols
Sequim,WA
(2459 posts)

Registered:
02/29/2008 08:29PM

Main British Car:
1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8

Re: Sunbeam Ghost from 35 years ago. I need my head examined
Posted by: mgb260
Date: June 03, 2014 08:58AM

John, The Mustang rear and 5 lugs are fine but, the idea of the flares are to get wider tires with stock length axle. You would have to narrow the Mustang rear. The Sunbeam stock axle is about 50" wide and the Mustang is about 56". Are you sure it is an 8" (no rear cover) or a 7.5 or 8.8 newer Mustang rear(bolt on rear cover)? You can use MGB steering arms and rack and pinion on the Alpine crossmember similar to what the Tiger did. Here is another thread with a picture and Ford Ranger 5 lug hub/rotor.

[forum.britishv8.org]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/03/2014 08:59AM by mgb260.



nakedhacienda
john scherff

(54 posts)

Registered:
05/11/2014 11:34AM

Main British Car:


Re: Sunbeam Ghost from 35 years ago. I need my head examined
Posted by: nakedhacienda
Date: June 03, 2014 09:15PM

I will crawl under and see, but it was put in in the Mid 70s and reportedly (from the previous owner) is from the Mustang that the 289 came from along with the Auto Transmission. It has 5 Lugs and the wheels are put up Dished in to get them in the wheel well. I put a tape measure on it and believe it to be a 56" Track width (center of tire). I'm thinking why shorten it? I couldn't widen the front end to sometjhing equal or maybe 1" wider? opposed to replacing the rearend that is in it? Not trying to be obtuse but would you illuminate the drawbacks? Thanks for all the INFO!

JohnS


mgb260
Jim Nichols
Sequim,WA
(2459 posts)

Registered:
02/29/2008 08:29PM

Main British Car:
1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8

Re: Sunbeam Ghost from 35 years ago. I need my head examined
Posted by: mgb260
Date: June 04, 2014 09:06AM

John, You can use adapters in front that widen the track like the rear. 2" thick, two piece that go from 4x4.25(108) to 5x4.5. Then you would need positive 41mm offset wheels(FWD)like these to bring the tires back in. Wouldn't look too bad, painted silver with knockoff center caps. 205-50-15 tires. Still would have to trim the fender lip and bottom of front valance. You would still need to go to rack and pinion steering. Read all those other threads for more ideas.

[prowheeladapters.com]

[www.ebay.com]



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 06/06/2014 08:58AM by mgb260.


nakedhacienda
john scherff

(54 posts)

Registered:
05/11/2014 11:34AM

Main British Car:


Re: Sunbeam Ghost from 35 years ago. I need my head examined
Posted by: nakedhacienda
Date: June 05, 2014 12:30AM

Thank you for all the info! Here are some Pics, perhaps the Restoration/Rebuilt will not be so bad, maybe something I can actually get done! I spoke with a guy at a Transmission Place, He said 1 K for a T5 Manual rebuilt and he could install it for that..Doesn't sound too bad, he suggested I sell the 289 and opt for a 302 with the 4Brl Holley I have, reasoning is the 289 is desirable for the restoration market and I'm not restoring this to factory so the 302 maybe a better buy for me. Sounds reasonable. What do you guys think? Here are some Pics as well. Thanks in advance for the opinions and/or direction.. Any Help in Identifying the Rear End and what perhaps my options are would be greatly appreciatted!




johnS



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/05/2014 12:46AM by nakedhacienda.
RearEnd1.jpg
RearTire.jpg


nakedhacienda
john scherff

(54 posts)

Registered:
05/11/2014 11:34AM

Main British Car:


Re: Sunbeam Ghost from 35 years ago. I need my head examined
Posted by: nakedhacienda
Date: June 05, 2014 12:44AM

Here is the Front End.. and the Only End I got to see for over 35 Years..
SunbeamFront3.JPG
RearEnd7.JPG


mgb260
Jim Nichols
Sequim,WA
(2459 posts)

Registered:
02/29/2008 08:29PM

Main British Car:
1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8

Re: Sunbeam Ghost from 35 years ago. I need my head examined
Posted by: mgb260
Date: June 05, 2014 09:52AM

John, Definitely an 8" rear. Those rear wheels look kind of scary. On the front of the differential there may be a tag saying the ratio and if limited slip. 2.7something was common with the automatics. the Tiger had 2.88 rear. You may be lucky and have the 3.0,3.25 or 3.50. Show us some more pictures. I'd like to see the engine compartment. Body looks pretty straight. Factory hardtop too. Not much difference between the 289 and 302 value wise. There are millions of each out there. When they started calling it a 5.0 in the late 80's they lightened the block up considerably. Even so, they still take 700 HP before the block splits in the valley. I personally like the older motors.


nakedhacienda
john scherff

(54 posts)

Registered:
05/11/2014 11:34AM

Main British Car:


Re: Sunbeam Ghost from 35 years ago. I need my head examined
Posted by: nakedhacienda
Date: June 05, 2014 03:13PM

The rear wheels are really scary! The front end is too! The original Alpine steering gear is there, and someone cut and bent the offside steering arm and welded it back. It is due for an upgrade, so I guess I am headed toward thinking of a donor Mustand 2 and cutting it down, the engine well is pretty unchanged, the Transmission tunnel is FRANKENSTEIN. I will be cutting that out and replacing it with something a little more appropriate, with the engine, I didn't think of the Transmission as being that much larger.. I know I can get a T5 for 1000. I'll send some more pics.

Thanks for the info


mgb260
Jim Nichols
Sequim,WA
(2459 posts)

Registered:
02/29/2008 08:29PM

Main British Car:
1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8

Re: Sunbeam Ghost from 35 years ago. I need my head examined
Posted by: mgb260
Date: June 05, 2014 03:59PM

Mustang II won't fit, You just need to pull the crossmember and adapt the MGB steering arms and rack. Chuck on the SAOAC forum has went to the Mustang II spindles on his cars with the stock crossmember. There are two aftermarket solutions, though expensive. I have a few ideas on a custom front suspension but plan on modifying the stock one first to use as a template for dimensions. Dale's Restoration has one. Here is a picture showing stock compared to Toysjunkie front suspension.

New%20Comparison%20Top%205.jpg

Tiger with RHD Miata Power rack


miata power steering on tiger.jpg


Article on MGB steering arms and Midget rack, MGB RB would be better for rack,not as twitchy or hard to steer. The longer arms eliminate the bend in tie rods also.

[www.tigersunited.com]



A better idea for transmission tunnel on the Grassroots Challenge car and stock Tiger tunnel grafted on

DSCI0041.jpg

attachment8ET3RNEG.jpg



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 06/05/2014 04:23PM by mgb260.


mgb260
Jim Nichols
Sequim,WA
(2459 posts)

Registered:
02/29/2008 08:29PM

Main British Car:
1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8

Re: Sunbeam Ghost from 35 years ago. I need my head examined
Posted by: mgb260
Date: June 05, 2014 07:27PM

John to give an idea on what the steel wheels can look like. David Townsend at Plan B can reproduce the Dunlop decals.

469991-1000-0.jpg

[planbillustration.com]



nakedhacienda
john scherff

(54 posts)

Registered:
05/11/2014 11:34AM

Main British Car:


Re: Sunbeam Ghost from 35 years ago. I need my head examined
Posted by: nakedhacienda
Date: June 05, 2014 09:34PM

I like those Wheels! I can't afford the expensive aftermarket front end. Perhaps I will go the MGB route, I have a guy that has a 67 MGB as a possible source for the rear end and I could pull the front end for parts, maybe that is how I should go. Thanks again for the direction and the posts. I am a bit overwhelmed.lol


JohnS


nakedhacienda
john scherff

(54 posts)

Registered:
05/11/2014 11:34AM

Main British Car:


Re: Sunbeam Ghost from 35 years ago. I need my head examined
Posted by: nakedhacienda
Date: June 06, 2014 06:16PM

I have found a 60s MGB no engine and body rusted, the owner is willing to part it out, so I am planning on buying the rearend, steering gear and anything else I might use, maybe the pedal assembly and master cylinder would be good, any ideas? The only down side is, it is set up with wire wheels, I guess even if it wasn't I would need to replace the hub to match the sunbeam. I will look around the forums, someone else must have already been down this road....

Thanks for all the info folks


JohnS


mgb260
Jim Nichols
Sequim,WA
(2459 posts)

Registered:
02/29/2008 08:29PM

Main British Car:
1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8

Re: Sunbeam Ghost from 35 years ago. I need my head examined
Posted by: mgb260
Date: June 06, 2014 06:44PM

John, It has to be the 67 and newer rear with rear cover. The earlier banjo type where the diff pulls out the front like the 8"Ford won't be strong enough. The wire wheel axle is the one you want. Right width and the hubs can be machined and redrilled to Alpine pattern. For the steering all you need is the rack and both steering arms(they unbolt). Usually when putting a V8 in a Alpine they bolt up the brake master where the clutch master was. For the clutch they cut out the section where the brake master was and move it over for the clutch. Check out my threads on the 2000 Contour SVT rotor. The 7/8" 280Z master would be about right for disks in front and drum rear. 78 Dodge Challenger master for 4 wheel discs. Nissan V6 twin piston front calipers. PM me for more info.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/08/2014 03:42AM by mgb260.


nakedhacienda
john scherff

(54 posts)

Registered:
05/11/2014 11:34AM

Main British Car:


Re: Sunbeam Ghost from 35 years ago. I need my head examined
Posted by: nakedhacienda
Date: June 06, 2014 07:55PM

Thanks again for all the info.. I will make sure it is a 67 or later, and get the R&P steering gear. I think since I will be redoing the hub I may as well go for the 4 wheel disk brakes.


nakedhacienda
john scherff

(54 posts)

Registered:
05/11/2014 11:34AM

Main British Car:


Re: Sunbeam Ghost from 35 years ago. I need my head examined
Posted by: nakedhacienda
Date: June 10, 2014 03:14PM

Hey I really like the look of that Dunlop Steel Knock off, and the MG rear end I am looking at putting in my Sunbeam is set up for WireWheels, I was wondering if I shouldn't keep the Splines and convert the Front to MG Splines and just buy MG Wheels. Thanks in advance for your collective thoughts and opinions.
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