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 |
Re: Help with fitting a small block Chevy
As far as I know nobody is making and selling the SBC/MGB conversion parts. Which is surprising really, as that swap does have a long history. As with all popular conversions though, the sticking point is the headers. It's my feeling that anyone who started making those would have an almost instant market.
Jim |
MGBV8 Carl Floyd Kingsport, TN (4511 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 11:32PM Main British Car: 1979 MGB Buick 215 |
Re: Help with fitting a small block Chevy
What is the intended use for the MG, Adrian? Cruiser, drag racing? Hope it is not autocross or road course track days.
Looks like a great engine that belongs back in an early Camaro, Nova, or Vega. It is wide & heavy & not a great fit in a B. It has been done a number of times over the years. Since it is not a popular swap, you will have to fab your own mounts & possibly the headers. Prepare to do some fenderwell & firewall surgery. A set of Rams Horn exhaust manifolds may fit. [www.jegs.com] Also, I counted 8 SBC MGB conversions here: [www.britishv8.org] |
mgb260 Jim Nichols Sequim,WA (2461 posts) Registered: 02/29/2008 08:29PM Main British Car: 1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8 |
Re: Help with fitting a small block Chevy
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Re: Help with fitting a small block Chevy
Thanks for the reply
I will look into those engine mounts, those are the ones i have seen being used before and yes removing the heater shelf is an idea I have been thinking about doing also.. Not really worried about the weight of the engine to be honest it's lighter than an MGC engine and not much more than an original 4 pot... those aluminium heads and intake remove a huge amount of weight Also not really interested in American cars that's way I sold the Camaro, they don't really do anything for me Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/24/2018 05:49PM by Adrian Harrison. |
MGBV8 Carl Floyd Kingsport, TN (4511 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 11:32PM Main British Car: 1979 MGB Buick 215 |
Re: Help with fitting a small block Chevy
If it was a First Gen Camaro, bite your tongue! Any of the rest, yeah, me either.
Those heads save you about 50 lbs. Intake? I thought any self-respecting SBC wore an aluminum intake. ;) Mine wears a Victor Jr. |
Re: Help with fitting a small block Chevy
It's got an aluminium intake :) and first gen Camaro yes I'll take that one back lol
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GTplus Tracy Moore Jacksonville, Fl (18 posts) Registered: 05/22/2011 05:37PM Main British Car: '71 MGB GT, '77 MGB chrevrolet 350, LT1 350 in the MGB |
Re: Help with fitting a small block Chevy
I'm out on the road for business right, but I'll be happy to send you pictures of both my '71 GT and my '77 MGB both have sbc engines and T-5s in them. MGB has custom large tube headers, GT has block huggers. Both engines sit back in the bay with the heater shelf removed.
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MGBV8 Carl Floyd Kingsport, TN (4511 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 11:32PM Main British Car: 1979 MGB Buick 215 |
Re: Help with fitting a small block Chevy
I saw the aluminum intake, Adrian. I do think you are underestimating the weight difference between your engine & the stock 4 cylinder.
"it's lighter than an MGC engine and not much more than an original 4 pot... those aluminium heads and intake remove a huge amount of weight " |
GTplus Tracy Moore Jacksonville, Fl (18 posts) Registered: 05/22/2011 05:37PM Main British Car: '71 MGB GT, '77 MGB chrevrolet 350, LT1 350 in the MGB |
Re: Help with fitting a small block Chevy
For your engine mount you'll find that the "horse shoe" engine mount on the front of early 50s GMC/Chevy pickup trucks with the 235 straight six in them will bolt right up to your small block, makes for an easy mounting system to the front cross member.
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Re: Help with fitting a small block Chevy
Ok thanks for the information much appreciated
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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 |
Re: Help with fitting a small block Chevy
Only problem with that is the absence of any torque control.
Jim |
MGBV8 Carl Floyd Kingsport, TN (4511 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 11:32PM Main British Car: 1979 MGB Buick 215 |
Re: Help with fitting a small block Chevy
Doesn't look like my 8" harmonic balancer would clear that mount.
I bet it wouldn't take you 5 minutes to come up with a torque strap of some sort, Jim. |
mgb260 Jim Nichols Sequim,WA (2461 posts) Registered: 02/29/2008 08:29PM Main British Car: 1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8 |
Re: Help with fitting a small block Chevy
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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 |
Re: Help with fitting a small block Chevy
Sure, but there's no room for them and nothing very solid to attach them to since you are supporting the full weight of both the engine and the transmission at that point. Certainly no way to sneak exhaust tubes past them.
Much better to run the front saddle across to the frame rails, and I've seen those mounts for the SBC. They used to be very common. Jim |
Re: Help with fitting a small block Chevy
Jim I was also thinking that myself
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