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MGB 4 Cylinder replacement

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chucknorris255

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So I know everyone has a different opinion about this, and I have read lots of posts and even more posts but still havent found an answer. I was wanting to put a reliable 4 cylinder in my 73 mgb this Spring with minimum effort. What is the easiest conversion.

Thanks!!
John
 
Hello John. The original is as reliable as any, another plus is it fits the hole already.
 
Well John, here's the engine in my 72. It's an 1800 totally rebuilt and in stock configuration. It runs like a dream and gets 30 MPG in overdrive. I personally wouldn't think of replacing it with any other make. The 1800 series is about the toughest 4 cyl engine you'll find anywhere. Also, it is extremely reliable when properly maintained, which takes hardly any effort to do. And, I wouldn't think of replacing those "Hap Waldrop" rebuilt SUs with anything else. JMHO. PJ

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<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Minimum Effort! [/QUOTE]
Rebuild whats there already. Anything else is gonna take Maximum effort and a lot more $ to do it up right with another manufacturer power plant and make it look nice and be fully functional.
Besides some of us cringe at the thoughts of another BUTCHERED LBC!
Ask any hot rodder BIG motor means broken drivetrain parts. Which means more $ to beef drive train up.
Once thats done then there is suspension issues. AND .... the list goes on from here.
Probably NOT what you want to hear but .... My Nickles worth anyway.
Kerry
 
What everyone here has said is true. The original engine in the MGB is dang reliable. The only catch is the state of the engine and electrics when you got the car. Once you put everything right it's just as reliable as a new car, and it starts easier/faster. My '76 would literally start just by bumping the ignition key (i.e. the engine started running on the 1st compression cycle). I've never seen a ~NEW~ car start that quickly; every ~new~ car I've been in with all their electronic this and computer controlled that has needed at a minimum 2 compression cycles (more commonly it's 4 cycles though) to get started.

In just my humble opinion, about the only thing you can do to a MGB engine to make it 'more reliable' than it already is, is to switch from a points ignition to a points-less electronic ignition. Even that isn't really making it 'more reliable', it just takes 1 item away from the quarterly PM.

The MGB bottom end is bullet proof. If you want more power to go with the reliability, you can have the cylinder head worked over to give you 25-30% more power with a free flowing exhaust, and STILL have a super reliable engine.
 
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