MG Sports Cars

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

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danmas
Dan Masters
Alcoa, Tennessee
(578 posts)

Registered:
10/28/2007 12:11AM

Main British Car:
1974 MGBGT Ford 302

authors avatar
Rover V8 with Ford T5
Posted by: danmas
Date: August 30, 2010 01:16PM

I'm helping a friend install a Rover V8 into a '79 MGB using a Ford T5. Any tips/warnings/advice appreciated.

Thanks,

Dan


pspeaks
Paul Speaks
Dallas, Texas
(698 posts)

Registered:
07/20/2009 06:40PM

Main British Car:
1972 MGB-GT 1979 Ford 302

authors avatar
Re: Rover V8 with Ford T5
Posted by: pspeaks
Date: August 30, 2010 04:12PM

Dan, I recently installed a 5.0 with a Ford T-5 in my GT. I know the motors are different but found the T-5 to be a very good fit with no real issues. I did have to cut a square relief hole in the upper forward transmission tunnel but I guess that depends on how low you can get the motor. In a past post I was not in favor of internal hydraulic throughout bearings, Carl didn’t agree, and in retrospect I think he was right and I was wrong, I’ve gained a lot of respect for his opinion; a lot of people use them with success. I used an external cylinder and though I shortened the throughout arm, it made clearance on the left side tight but acceptable without cutting. You know more than I do about modifications, but as I just did it, I thought I’d add my thoughts.


"P"


jimbb88
Jim Stuart
Maryland, USA
(47 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 07:43PM

Main British Car:
1966 MGB V8 conversion Rover 4.0 fuel injected

Re: Rover V8 with Ford T5
Posted by: jimbb88
Date: September 03, 2010 08:30PM

I have done several conversions with McLeod hydraulic throw out bearings without any problems. Note that the instructions say you need a "stop" Those who do not use a stop are the ones with failed bearings removing the transmission and hoping McLeod will rebuild their bearing very soon.

Without a stop, you can overextend the bearing, then it will not retract and it will leak all the fluid on your driveway. Installed with a stop, you should have 100,000's of happy miles.


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4511 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

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Re: Rover V8 with Ford T5
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: September 03, 2010 09:59PM

You weren't wrong, Paul. Your way works, too. As we've seen over & over, here, there's many ways to skin a cat. Some quite elaborate.

No "stop" on my car, Jim. I checked mine (in 2001), following your sage advice. It does not over extend. I didn't buy McLeod's spacer. Didn't want to wait on the shipping, so I went to the hardware store & bought 4 BIG washers. Used 3 of them. That 4th one might have caused me to need that "stop". :)


bplus
Tracy Moore
Jacksonville, Fl
(40 posts)

Registered:
11/24/2008 06:36PM

Main British Car:
71' MGB GT 350 Chevrolet

Re: Rover V8 with Ford T5
Posted by: bplus
Date: September 04, 2010 08:06PM

Isn't the Ford T-5 input shaft longer than the GM version? As I remember
the fix was either to cut the end of the shaft or install a spacer plate between
the engine and trans. Hmmm, yes yes Les Gonda's race car might be worth
looking at. For my two cents, I like the camaro version gear ratios better.


mgb260
Jim Nichols
Sequim,WA
(2461 posts)

Registered:
02/29/2008 08:29PM

Main British Car:
1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8

Re: Rover V8 with Ford T5
Posted by: mgb260
Date: September 04, 2010 08:14PM

94 and newer V8 and the V6 Mustang input shaft is longer.They have 3.35 first and .68 OD ratios..



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/06/2010 11:03PM by mgb260.


danmas
Dan Masters
Alcoa, Tennessee
(578 posts)

Registered:
10/28/2007 12:11AM

Main British Car:
1974 MGBGT Ford 302

authors avatar
Re: Rover V8 with Ford T5
Posted by: danmas
Date: September 06, 2010 08:33PM

Thanks for the tips. We're using a D&D bell-housing, Ted Lathrop is machining an adapter plate for the T5, and we're using an HTOB with a pedal stop. How does the location of the Ford T5 rear mounting plate match up with the location of a GM T5 used with a Rover V8? We haven't gotten the parts yet, so we can't check it yet.



mgb260
Jim Nichols
Sequim,WA
(2461 posts)

Registered:
02/29/2008 08:29PM

Main British Car:
1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8

Re: Rover V8 with Ford T5
Posted by: mgb260
Date: September 06, 2010 11:01PM

94 and newer or V6 Mustang needs an adapter aprox. 7/8"- 1" thick.(longer input shaft). D&D sell the thick spacer for older Ford pattern bell to newer trans; that would be about the right thickness for the newer trans. 93 and older Ford V8 use a thinner adapter plate(close to same as Chevy input length.). I think Bill Guzman sells them. Hope this helps.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/06/2010 11:04PM by mgb260.


nobogez07
Doug Brown
Webster, South Dakota
(58 posts)

Registered:
12/11/2012 05:38PM

Main British Car:
1971 Mk II MGB coupe 1992 302 Ford H.O. EFI

Re: Rover V8 with Ford T5
Posted by: nobogez07
Date: December 13, 2012 03:48PM

I'm just getting ready to assemble my Ford T-5 (1992 Mustang - rebuilt) to the motor and would like to usw a HTOB. McLeod's from previous posts appear to work well (with the right spacer inserted) but has anyone tried the BMC Ford HTOB and if so what was your opinion? Has it been successful?


britcars
Phil Ossinger
New Brunswick, Canada
(346 posts)

Registered:
02/02/2009 07:58PM

Main British Car:
1977 MGB Roadster, Rover 3.5 ADVENTURE BEFORE DEMENTIA!

authors avatar
Re: Rover V8 with Ford T5
Posted by: britcars
Date: December 13, 2012 04:23PM

Clutch Peddle Stop.1 (600 x 450).jpg

Dan, here's my version of a peddle stop. It's simply a piece of pipe with a grove cut out to allow it to slip over the clutch peddle rod and a similar piece welded on the end of the pipe, held in place with a metal tab. Shown trial fitted before paint!


donfaber
Don Faber
Terra Alta WV
(111 posts)

Registered:
10/31/2007 10:53PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB 3.9L Rover V8

authors avatar
Re: Rover V8 with Ford T5
Posted by: donfaber
Date: December 13, 2012 05:48PM

Uhh - Been running a McLeod HTOB in a 79B with 3.9L V8 and Camaro NWC T5 since 2003, without a "stop" on the clutch pedal. I'm guessing the stop goes at the "floor end" of the pedal to stop extension of HTOB too far? HTOB disengages clutch "fairly quickly" as you push pedal down compared to other clutches.


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