Nukem Caleb Newcome Connecticut (18 posts) Registered: 05/01/2019 07:00PM Main British Car: 1974 MGB GT Ford 302 |
MGB GT V8 Conversion
Hi folks. I've got a V8 conversion in the works; nothing that hasn't been done before but I thought I should make a thread to get some input from the community here.
The donor car is a chrome bumper 1974 MGB GT that I got at auction for a little bit of nothing. Power will be from a Ford 302 from an 85 mustang running a Holley carb mated to a T5 from the same Mustang. Funny enough both were pulled from an unfinished MGB V8 conversion. I wasn't thrilled about the limits on photo uploads here so I put together a quick little web site to log the build and some of my other projects. [calebnewcome.myportfolio.com] I've been pretty well blown away by the work here and I'm hoping some of that can rub off on me. |
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 |
Re: MGB GT V8 Conversion
Well Duke, early '74 still has the low ride height so there's that, which is pretty cool. You may have to do a few mods in the engine bay to get it to fit but those aren't bad.
Jim |
Jim Stabe Jim Stabe San Diego, Ca (829 posts) Registered: 02/28/2009 10:01AM Main British Car: 1966 MGB Roadster 350 LT1 Chevy |
Re: MGB GT V8 Conversion
The Project Journals section has a much greater capability to upload photos. You might want to check it out.
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Nukem Caleb Newcome Connecticut (18 posts) Registered: 05/01/2019 07:00PM Main British Car: 1974 MGB GT Ford 302 |
Re: MGB GT V8 Conversion
Thanks Jim and Jim.
I'm excited to figure the firewall modifications out and play with my new MIG. I might give the project journal section another look, but I definitely wanted to have something here as well. |
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Nukem Caleb Newcome Connecticut (18 posts) Registered: 05/01/2019 07:00PM Main British Car: 1974 MGB GT Ford 302 |
Re: MGB GT V8 Conversion
Hah, that internet handle has been with me for a while. I guess I thought I was clever 10 years ago.
Any advice on extracting a stuck crossmember "bolt". One of the four which secure the subframe to the chassis is pretty well locked in there. The other three dropped out without too much effort. One took some heat and a BFH while the other two dropped out without any fuss. |
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 |
Re: MGB GT V8 Conversion
Hi Caleb, and welcome!
I can already tell you'll have a great time with your priject. One suggestion... looks like you're using sanding disks to remove paint. Paint strip discs will get the paint but leave the metal. Here's an example [www.amazon.com] |
Nukem Caleb Newcome Connecticut (18 posts) Registered: 05/01/2019 07:00PM Main British Car: 1974 MGB GT Ford 302 |
Re: MGB GT V8 Conversion
Yeah, I grabbed a couple to try a couple of days back, one for my big grinder and one for my die grinder. Of course, I managed to get the wrong arbor size.
Mostly been cleaning up surface rust so far with the flap disks. I'll definitely grab some more paint removal disks though, I'm liking the little one for my die grinder. Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/18/2019 09:00PM by Nukem. |
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 |
Re: MGB GT V8 Conversion
Quote: You can get bags of 50 pretty cheap on Amazon or eBay. |
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 |
Re: MGB GT V8 Conversion
Try removing the nut from the bottom to get the crossmember out, then you can heat the bottom of the tube and should be able to drive the stud out.
Jim |
Nukem Caleb Newcome Connecticut (18 posts) Registered: 05/01/2019 07:00PM Main British Car: 1974 MGB GT Ford 302 |
Re: MGB GT V8 Conversion
Does anyone know where I might be able to dig up some additional build pictures from Scott Wooley's build? I'm planning on mounting my motor pretty far back similar to Scott's car, and some additional reference material would be great to have.
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billymgb1000 bill gaulin harrisville R.I. (74 posts) Registered: 11/30/2012 12:31AM Main British Car: 1974 MGB V8 LS1 5.3 |
Re: MGB GT V8 Conversion
Hello Caleb, Did you check out scotts how it was done journal. If you have maybe you can try to contact him directly. good luck.
Bill G |
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Nukem Caleb Newcome Connecticut (18 posts) Registered: 05/01/2019 07:00PM Main British Car: 1974 MGB GT Ford 302 |
Re: MGB GT V8 Conversion
If you mean what is in the photo gallery section then yes.
[www.britishv8.org] I just took a quick look at your build Bill, and the firewall modifications you did look pretty close to what I'm looking to do actually. I'm going to take a closer look now. Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/29/2019 09:45AM by MGBV8. |
Nukem Caleb Newcome Connecticut (18 posts) Registered: 05/01/2019 07:00PM Main British Car: 1974 MGB GT Ford 302 |
Re: MGB GT V8 Conversion
Been a little bit quiet but I've been slowly getting some stuff done, like my first real bit of metalwork on my front crossmember.
I've started reading through Scott Cotsanzo's build, getting some good ideas regarding firewall and steering column modifications for the engine set back I want to achieve. Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/15/2020 11:53AM by Nukem. |
Nukem Caleb Newcome Connecticut (18 posts) Registered: 05/01/2019 07:00PM Main British Car: 1974 MGB GT Ford 302 |
Re: MGB GT V8 Conversion
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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 |
Re: MGB GT V8 Conversion
I see you bought into the idea that you had to set the engine back. Too bad. Might want to look at weight and balance figures from the meet reports.
Jim |