MG Sports Cars

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

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Robert J
Robert Janca
Oakland, CA
(53 posts)

Registered:
10/21/2011 06:31PM

Main British Car:
1975 MGB Ford 331 Stroker

Too Much Fun - Bought a Rover V8 MGB, Building a 302 MGB
Posted by: Robert J
Date: February 08, 2012 01:30PM

Hello All;

I am currently collecting all the shiny bits needed to install a 302/T-5 combo in my MGB project;

[forum.britishv8.org]

Meanwhile back at the ranch, an MGB with a Rover V8 came up for sale on Craigslist locally. I couldn't resist the urge! I bought it to drive while I build my car. Wow, it is far more fun that I even imagined from reading all of your posts.

Maybe I am just not that finicky, but this car is an absolute blast to drive! It has a newish 1996 Rover block that has been balanced, and blueprinted with a good cam and smaller valve heads. What beautiful music this one makes!

I'll post some pictures of it as soon as the sun comes back out. It looks like a bit of a rat rod with flat black paint and flames, but that engine, oh my! The builder had the car for over 15 years; with a Buick V8 in it most of the time. He home-built some neat panard bars that mount under the leaf springs and added wide 16" mag wheels as well as other goodies.

Mind you, I am still completely focused on building the car that I have in mind, so this one will come up for sale in the near future to keep my mind on my build. I am truly enjoying the experience in the meantime. This car is showing me a lot about what I want to do with my car so it will save some trial and error later. I am also making some repairs and modifications to this car since the previous owner was starting to let some things go...new slave cylinders, alternator rebuild etcetera. Good times!


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
Re: Too Much Fun - Bought a Rover V8 MGB, Building a 302 MGB
Posted by: Bill Young
Date: February 08, 2012 01:39PM

That's great Robert, kind of like having your cake and eating it too! Looking forward to the photos. I know that you didn't build it , but it would still be make a good how it was done article for Curtis, others could learn from it just like you are.


Moderator
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4577 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Too Much Fun - Bought a Rover V8 MGB, Building a 302 MGB
Posted by: Moderator
Date: February 08, 2012 02:22PM

+1


BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6470 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

Main British Car:
1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS

authors avatar
Re: Too Much Fun - Bought a Rover V8 MGB, Building a 302 MGB
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: February 08, 2012 05:43PM

It's the best of both worlds. Going from the stock engine to a Rover is such a rush anyway as you've discovered, and by the time you have your other car built you'll be used to the Rover and it will be an easy transition to more power. Hard to beat that.

Jim


rficalora
Rob Ficalora
Willis, TX
(2764 posts)

Registered:
10/24/2007 02:46PM

Main British Car:
'76 MGB w/CB front, Sebring rear, early metal dash Ford 302

authors avatar
Re: Too Much Fun - Bought a Rover V8 MGB, Building a 302 MGB
Posted by: rficalora
Date: February 08, 2012 11:37PM

+2 on the how it was done. Can't wait to see the pics. Enjoy driving it!


Robert J
Robert Janca
Oakland, CA
(53 posts)

Registered:
10/21/2011 06:31PM

Main British Car:
1975 MGB Ford 331 Stroker

Re: Too Much Fun - Bought a Rover V8 MGB, Building a 302 MGB
Posted by: Robert J
Date: February 09, 2012 04:12PM

Here are a few pictures of it. More details to come. Wow, a build thread of my own already. Somehow I don't feel worthy since I am still building my car... but as a tribute to the builder it would be good practice.
frntrt.jpg
hood.jpg
engine.jpg
dash.jpg


Robert J
Robert Janca
Oakland, CA
(53 posts)

Registered:
10/21/2011 06:31PM

Main British Car:
1975 MGB Ford 331 Stroker

Re: Too Much Fun - Bought a Rover V8 MGB, Building a 302 MGB
Posted by: Robert J
Date: February 09, 2012 04:12PM

trunk.jpg



deltadave
dave plumley
unionville TN
(69 posts)

Registered:
10/24/2010 08:21PM

Main British Car:
1953 MG TD Chevy 350

authors avatar
Re: Too Much Fun - Bought a Rover V8 MGB, Building a 302 MGB
Posted by: deltadave
Date: February 09, 2012 09:04PM

My MG is a TD, but it's amazing to drive an MG and not have to wait for the engine to build RPM's. The thing doesn't smoke too.


rficalora
Rob Ficalora
Willis, TX
(2764 posts)

Registered:
10/24/2007 02:46PM

Main British Car:
'76 MGB w/CB front, Sebring rear, early metal dash Ford 302

authors avatar
Re: Too Much Fun - Bought a Rover V8 MGB, Building a 302 MGB
Posted by: rficalora
Date: February 09, 2012 09:45PM

I don't remember where or when, but I've seen pics of that car before. Looks like a lot of fun!


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