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Carstuff--Binabox's engine

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jaybird

jaybird

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Got a call from the guy that has her head, block and crank. Head's 30 over, block's 30 over. And he said it's an older head, so we aren't going to be able to put the bigger valves in it.
 
You think? Why?
 
more power! especially if you get one that's been ground and flowed per Peter Brugess book (Power Tuning MGB 4 cylinder engines). If I recall correctly, you can obtain as much as 30% more power from the engine just by tuning the head alone... and the bigger valves help in that matter... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
That's why we were going to bore it out a little and put the bigger valves in.

I really don't want to start searching for a different engine. I'd just as soon dump a V6 in it if I'm going to replace engines.
 
Just replace the head.......That's all you really want to do. The old block with a 30-over bore, as long as it is in good shape still, would be fine. Maybe Tony has something laying around?
 
New style head (used) not new engine.
 
don't need to get a whole different engine... just a head that'll let ya work with bigger valves... Peter Burgess sells "off the shelf" tuned heads online for the different MGB engines... (Peter Burgess Heads) prices are in pouds(?) but they still seem to be relatively affordable... only thing that has me worried is shipping... personally i'm still trying to find a source for "off the shelf" tuned heads in the US.
 
How do I know if it's been magnafluxed? I have another head here, but it's not going to work either.
 
Rob,

I don't know if they have any heads "off the shelf" but I hear the Browns do excellent head work. I've heard Carl Heidelman has been working with them on a power comparison for Classic Motorsports. Supposably, they are going to match a flowed head to a Moss Super Charger. I would love to see/hear the results.

https://www.flowspeed.com/
 
Janel - have that guy explain to you what he means by the "head's 30 over"....& then try to explain it to me!

I can understand the block's 30 over - that's good because its already been bored to take larger pistons

...but a head is either a head or not a head...the only thing you do to them is deck to make sure they're flat & install larger valves if necessary - possible port & polish or modify the combustion chamber...but "30 over" - gotta explain that one to me!

...now, tell me again why you need larger valves than what's in it already? Are you going racing? Or are you going Sunday driving? If you're gonna just get out & enjoy the road - forget all that speed crap! Beefing up a road engine will only cause problems down the road - pun intended!

& forget that Peter Burgess bull unless you're building a race engine - do you want Binabox to be reliable fun? Or do you want to always be fiddling with her to make her run?
 
Good point Tony. I don't know what 30 over on the head meant either.
 
I just wanted a little extra horsepower. I'm not racing her, but I'm not always out for a leisurely Sunday drive, either. And she needs to keep up with that MGA V8 on road trips! Oh wait, Emma kept up, so that's really not an issue.

This all started because the car club guys were telling Chuck to modify it a bit when he rebuilt it.

Let me go find the paper where I jotted down everything the guy on the phone told me. I don't know what 30 over means either.
 
See my PM & go buy a copy of the February 2003 Grassroots Motorsports magazine...there's an article on dyno-ing an MGB engine & how to get max power for minimum outlay...what you need is exactly what you have

30-over block with early head, ported, with double springs & good 3-angle vlave job
get a 45D distributor & put Crane electronics in it
get a Peco header & have local guy build aluminized exhaust behind it - with glass packs
your SU carbs with AAU needles

& possible a very mild cam

that's it - nothing more - de nada

&, unless you misunderstood, I'd question that engine guy a bit more closely!
 
I probably misunderstood, I don't talk wrenchspeak all that well.

Here it is (I did misunderstand)
I wrote it as he rattled it off, good luck deciphering.

Block .030 over
crank R&M .030 over
bearings
1 exhaust valve 16 keepers (I need to get these I guess)
head doesn't allow 4 seats
connecting rods?
balancer & rods

rods piston flywheel
 
Tony, except for the P&P job, that sounds like my engine! lol! I really want to get my head flowed someday. But I need to spend my pennies getting her back on the road.
 
OKAY, this is like talking to Keenan...hehehehe

lemme see if I can figure out what he said

Block .030 over....."so, you need 30 over rings"
crank R&M .030 over...."so you need 30 over bearings"
bearings
1 exhaust valve 16 keepers (I need to get these I guess) "head has 1 bad exhaust valve & you need all 16 keepers"
head doesn't allow 4 seats "have no idea what the heck he means there - all MG heads have the seats built into them..to install new ones, you cut the old ones out & heat press new hardened ones in"
connecting rods? - ?
balancer & rods "I'm thinking he wants your harmonic balancer & rods - why, I don't know unless he's going to balance ll the recripocating parts & that would answer the next item"

rods piston flywheel - "so he can balance everything that spins"

am I close?
 
Beats the chit outta me!
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif

I know I have to get a few things, and I don't know what he meant about the 4 seats, except that when we were talking about the bigger valves and that being an older head.

Dahubby will know what I mean, or better yet, he'll call the guy back. Probably safest!
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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