MG Sports Cars

engine swaps and other performance upgrades, plus "factory" and Costello V8s

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Airwreckc
Eric Cumming
RTP, North Carolina
(246 posts)

Registered:
05/28/2020 10:10AM

Main British Car:
1972 MGB-GT (working on a Sebring project) Buick 300-4 V8

Ford 8" to MGB and back again
Posted by: Airwreckc
Date: May 28, 2020 12:55PM

Hello everyone. I am about to start a long-delayed project to put a V8 into an MGB-GT ('72). Years ago I bought a Rover 3.5 V8 and a narrowed Ford 8" (which was apparently converted to have the MGB outer hub splines). I've since decided I'd like to have 5 bolt wheels and I'm planning a different (more powerful) engine--a modified Buick 300 V8. I have a picture of the outer end of the axle. Does anyone know if it's just replacing the axle with the 28 spline Ford axle to accomplish what I want, or is there more to the job? I haven't been able to find a picture of an unmodified Ford 8" to compare the bearing retainer to mine, nor do I know if the bearing size is the same. By the way, I'd like to use a pair of the stronger Chromoly axles, which I figure should be strong enough for my light car and the still relatively narrow 195/60x16 tires I hope to run. Thanks much.
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mgb260
Jim Nichols
Sequim,WA
(2459 posts)

Registered:
02/29/2008 08:29PM

Main British Car:
1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8

Re: Ford 8" to MGB and back again
Posted by: mgb260
Date: May 28, 2020 05:11PM

Eric, MGB housing end and bearing. You would have to cut them off and use 8" ends and custom shortened axles. I'd use it as is. If you want 5 lugs find wire wheel hubs, cut the splined area off and redrill to 5 lug.


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4511 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Ford 8" to MGB and back again
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: May 29, 2020 03:45PM

I'd run it. Want me to come get it?


mgb260
Jim Nichols
Sequim,WA
(2459 posts)

Registered:
02/29/2008 08:29PM

Main British Car:
1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8

Re: Ford 8" to MGB and back again
Posted by: mgb260
Date: May 29, 2020 05:24PM

Glenn Towery used to build those. Carl, Is he close to you? I don't see a location on his info.


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4511 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Ford 8" to MGB and back again
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: May 29, 2020 05:39PM

Nope. Towery is in Delaware.


mgb260
Jim Nichols
Sequim,WA
(2459 posts)

Registered:
02/29/2008 08:29PM

Main British Car:
1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8

Re: Ford 8" to MGB and back again
Posted by: mgb260
Date: May 29, 2020 05:50PM

Carl, I meant is Eric close to you.


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4511 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Ford 8" to MGB and back again
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: May 30, 2020 11:00AM

No clue.



mgb260
Jim Nichols
Sequim,WA
(2459 posts)

Registered:
02/29/2008 08:29PM

Main British Car:
1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8

Re: Ford 8" to MGB and back again
Posted by: mgb260
Date: June 05, 2020 04:11PM

Eric, I sent you some PM's.


Brittsonly
Dean Hickenlooper

(3 posts)

Registered:
04/01/2016 08:17AM

Main British Car:


Re: Ford 8" to MGB and back again
Posted by: Brittsonly
Date: September 06, 2020 10:32PM

I yes you could use a 28 spline axle but with the narrowed rear end you would need to have the axle shortened and re splined.


302GT
Larry Shimp

(240 posts)

Registered:
11/17/2007 01:13PM

Main British Car:
1968 MGB GT Ford 302 crate engine

authors avatar
Re: Ford 8" to MGB and back again
Posted by: 302GT
Date: September 12, 2020 11:30AM

4 lug wheels are fine, my MGB has about 330 hp and 315 torque at the wheels and I never had a problem with 4 lug wheels.


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4511 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Ford 8" to MGB and back again
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: September 13, 2020 11:02AM

Over the years, the V8 Miatas have shown that the 4 lugs hold up just fine.


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