Bodywork, Paint, Interior, Trim, & Wiring

discussions about bodywork, paint, interiors, trim, audio, electrical components, wiring, etc.

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NCtim
Tim Shumbera
Western North Carolina
(239 posts)

Registered:
01/19/2012 04:35PM

Main British Car:
1980 Body Shell
Posted by: NCtim
Date: July 16, 2014 12:02PM

Hey there,

I've been studying the journals and build pages and I have a question that I'm sure is answered somewhere here. I just picked up a pristine 1980 MGB except that it had an engine fire and has been parked out of the weather for a number of years. I know this shell is the one that's easiest to use because it was designed to accept the Rover V8. Can I just transfer my chrome bumper parts to this car, crossmember, springs, steering rack, etc instead of buying all the lowering stuff?

Thanks,
Tim


Moderator
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4595 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: 1980 Body Shell
Posted by: Moderator
Date: July 16, 2014 12:16PM

The forward leafspring mounts on the rubber-bumper bodyshells are at a different height (i.e. the bolts are lower compared to the floorpan), but that shouldn't be too hard to fix and while you're at it you'll want to reinforce them too.


NCtim
Tim Shumbera
Western North Carolina
(239 posts)

Registered:
01/19/2012 04:35PM

Main British Car:
Re: 1980 Body Shell
Posted by: NCtim
Date: July 16, 2014 04:40PM

Thanks, Curtis. So my '73 crossmember, suspension, and steering should mount right up? I'd fix the rear spring mounts when I do the reinforcement mods.

Tim
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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: 1980 Body Shell
Posted by: rficalora
Date: July 16, 2014 07:07PM

You should also modify where the bump stops for the rear axle are. On the RB cars there is an extra plate there holding the bump stops about an inch below the frame rail. Remove that plate or you will lose an inch of compression travel. While you are at it, you could remove the bump stop buldge to make room for wider tires


BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6507 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

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

authors avatar
Re: 1980 Body Shell
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: July 17, 2014 01:09AM

You'll need to do something about the length of the steering shaft to fit the early crossmember. That's the only real issue in the front I think. Drilling the upper holes in the front mounts for the rear leaf springs in the right place is going to be very difficult. Having a new main leaf with an inverted loop made up is probably going to be easier.

Jim


NCtim
Tim Shumbera
Western North Carolina
(239 posts)

Registered:
01/19/2012 04:35PM

Main British Car:
Re: 1980 Body Shell
Posted by: NCtim
Date: July 17, 2014 07:58AM

Thanks, Rick and Jim. I wasn't aware of the bump stop issue but getting rid of the bump stop bulge on the inner fender is a great idea.


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4559 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: 1980 Body Shell
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: July 17, 2014 10:11AM

Study this thread:

[www.mgexp.com]



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