MG Sports Cars

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

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Anonymous User


( posts)

Registered:
12/31/1969 07:00PM

Main British Car:


Mk2 MGB firewall and steering rack -- advanced questions!
Posted by: Anonymous User
Date: October 19, 2015 07:37PM

Hi All,

I'm finding the limits of the Internet on this one:

I have a 73 B with a 20-year-old BMH bodyshell, restored to stock config in mid 1990s. I don't have a 77-80 B nearby for reference.

I plan to install a Rover 4.6 with a GM T5 transmission, likely with a D&D bellhousing. I

I'm comfortable making minor mods to the firewall, but I'd rather not re-work the steering column.

Given the sheetmetal I have, and the engine and transmission I want, is there any set of aftermarket products that I could buy to avoid reworking the sheetmetal affecting the steering geometry?

It seems like RV8 headers eliminate some clearance issues, and I'm wondering if the Lathrop/FastCars front end might be a total solution?

I'd rather spend $$$$ on a new, better subframe than spend $$$ to re-work the steering.

Thanks to all!


BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6468 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

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

authors avatar
Re: Mk2 MGB firewall and steering rack -- advanced questions!
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: October 20, 2015 09:45AM

Is your Heritage bodyshell based on the late model (RB) specs? If so the Rover should drop right in.

Jim


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4511 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Mk2 MGB firewall and steering rack -- advanced questions!
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: October 20, 2015 11:22AM

Quote:
I have a 73 B with a 20-year-old BMH bodyshell, restored to stock config in mid 1990s.

Doubt it, Jim.


Anonymous User


( posts)

Registered:
12/31/1969 07:00PM

Main British Car:


Re: Mk2 MGB firewall and steering rack -- advanced questions!
Posted by: Anonymous User
Date: October 20, 2015 05:00PM

It's definitely not the 77-80 engine compartment. The radiator mount is too far back.

Other than a parts combo, is there a way to mount the Rover v8 such that it doesn't interfere with the steering u-joint on an early 70s B?

I've seen one reference suggesting that if the headers pass through the wings (rv8 style), then the only potential interference point is the rear-most exhaust collector, closest to the steering column. I've seen some conversion photos on this website showing the steering u-joint running veeerry close to the exhaust collectors, but I can't tell if that's with or without reworking the steering column sheetmetal mounts.

I was wondering if the Fastcars steering rack may involve a different set of U joints or shafts, of if there was some other mechanical solution to the interference problem.

Bottom line, is there any way to put a Rover v8 into my car without changing the steering column?


BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6468 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

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

authors avatar
Re: Mk2 MGB firewall and steering rack -- advanced questions!
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: October 20, 2015 06:04PM

You can use the late u-joint and lengthen the rack pinion to move the joint back towards the firewall an inch or so, sometimes that is enough.

Jim


NCtim
Tim Shumbera
Western North Carolina
(239 posts)

Registered:
01/19/2012 04:35PM

Main British Car:


Re: Mk2 MGB firewall and steering rack -- advanced questions!
Posted by: NCtim
Date: October 23, 2015 03:54PM

Jim, what does it entail lengthig the rack pinion?

Tim


BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6468 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

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

authors avatar
Re: Mk2 MGB firewall and steering rack -- advanced questions!
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: October 24, 2015 12:27AM

Usually a spare pinion shaft. Cut the shafts to the desired lengths. With a lathe, bevel the ends of both pieces and drill for a close fit on a 5/16" dowel pin, press the pieces together and weld, correcting for warpage. Straighten, and then trim the weld down to the original shaft size so it will fit back through the bore in the housing. That is the procedure, though variations exist of course.

Jim



DiDueColpi
Fred Key
West coast - Canada
(1365 posts)

Registered:
05/14/2010 03:06AM

Main British Car:
I really thought that I'd be an action figure by now!

authors avatar
Re: Mk2 MGB firewall and steering rack -- advanced questions!
Posted by: DiDueColpi
Date: October 24, 2015 01:57AM

While I have absolutely no issues with a properly done job.
And I am eminently confident in Jim's abilities (as well as my own)
Any DOT inspection of a steering component that has been modified or repaired by welding will result in a fail.
This also applies to modifications by heating and bending.
What that means to us is a huge liability issue if a failure occurs that results in an injury.
So if you modify a steering part, for gods sake make it look stock. And use the best welder / fabricator that you can find.
Forgiveness over permission doesn't apply here.
But we're going to do it anyway so be smart and CYA.

Live like you mean it
Fred


BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6468 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

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

authors avatar
Re: Mk2 MGB firewall and steering rack -- advanced questions!
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: October 24, 2015 11:13AM

What Fred said.

Jim


NCtim
Tim Shumbera
Western North Carolina
(239 posts)

Registered:
01/19/2012 04:35PM

Main British Car:


Re: Mk2 MGB firewall and steering rack -- advanced questions!
Posted by: NCtim
Date: October 25, 2015 02:18PM

So guys,

I have a 1980 rust-free rolling chassis (whole car minus engine) and a rust-free 1973 driver. I want to use the CB so I don't have to do all the body mods to make it a CB and all the suspension shenanigans to lower it. Can't I just cut the firewall out of the RB, weld it into the CB and use the rack and steering column from the RB? Realising that I have to mod the radiator area anyhow. Am I way off? Rover 4.0L engine.

Tim


mgb260
Jim Nichols
Sequim,WA
(2461 posts)

Registered:
02/29/2008 08:29PM

Main British Car:
1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8

Re: Mk2 MGB firewall and steering rack -- advanced questions!
Posted by: mgb260
Date: October 25, 2015 04:11PM

Tim, You don't need the whole firewall. Just the footbox corners on each side of heater shelf including steering cone.


NCtim
Tim Shumbera
Western North Carolina
(239 posts)

Registered:
01/19/2012 04:35PM

Main British Car:


Re: Mk2 MGB firewall and steering rack -- advanced questions!
Posted by: NCtim
Date: October 25, 2015 04:31PM

Okay Jim,

Just thought it would be easier to cut along the creases. What about the steering? Should I post a new topic?

Tim


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