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New guy on the block [longish post]

rficalora

Freshman Member
Offline
Hi all,

I'm new to this forum, but registered, so figured I'd introduce myself...

I’m a 41yr old IT manager. I’ve owned two MG’s – a red ‘76B that I bought & restored (refurbished is more fair as it wasn’t in that bad of shape to start with) in High School. I later sold it to pay for a British Racing Green ’67 with a 5-main engine & overdrive transmission that I bought while in Ft. Lauderdale on spring break. I bought both cars while living in Virginia. While in college I worked a deal with the owner of a small, one man British car repair shop where I could use his shop to work on my car & in return he’d call when he needed a second set of hands & I’d help out. I wasn’t paid monetarily, but I was paid way more than the money in terms of knowledge & experience. I ultimately sold the ’67 in Texas after about a year of driving back & forth to work in a starched shirt & tie in the Texas heat with no AC – I couldn’t afford two cars & needed AC. That was about 15yrs ago & I sold it for $750 & had to throw in a spare (non-OD) transmission to get the guy to take it! I could kick myself now.

Haven't had an MG since, but am getting ready to get one & do a V8 swap. I know some of you might not like that idea, but it's something I've wanted to do for a long time & I think my kids will learn a lot in the process.

My V8 plan is to do a

· Ford 302/T5 – something at or about 300Hp so nothing outrageous

· Not sure about rear end – I’d like to keep the MG rear end for cost reasons, but not sure it’ll handle the torque; if not, I'll likely go with a narrowed S-10 or Ford 9".

· Want the engine bay to look pristine – no stray wires, reasonable amount of chrome – you know, something to be proud of

· Will be a daily driven car & still live in Texas, so must have AC [I’ve only seen pictures of one 302 with AC so far]. Plan to use VintageAir unless i find a better/more cost effective solution.

· Plan to start with a rubber bumper car & convert to chrome bumper (based on what I’ve read this will enable me to not have to modify the firewall to make room for the motor)

· Plan to use a ’67 or earlier metal dash (if I can find one for a reasonable price)

· Want to keep the cockpit looking vintage, but tastefully integrate more modern seats, gauges, power windows/locks, good stereo/cd player – maybe even put a GPS in where the speaker grill in the console would normally be --- what I’m thinking is an MGB equivalent of the R5 at www.retrovette.com – take a look, it’s awesome if you like old vettes – price is outrageous, but car is awesome.

That's the game plan. Right now I'm searching for a rust free car with a blown or missing engine, trans, etc.

If you happen to know of one in the Houston/TX area, let me know. And, if any of you have done a swap like this and want to share info, let me know that too.

Rob
 
Later cars lend themselves better to conversions like this. Not only that but you will get far less flak for cutting up a late car than you would for cutting up a MK I car. The later dash can be made to look pretty good in metal also and has more room on it for additional gauges or accessories. There are a few photos of later dash mods HERE. Good luck with the project and welcome to the forum!
 
Thanks Steve.

I like a few of the dashes in those pictures... the first two are my favorites of course, but Paul S's looks good too. Is that a '77-80 dash with a Moss or VB wood kit? It looks sharp.
 
I'm not sure exactly what it is. I've never seen a wood kit for a padded dash before. The rest were achieved by simply removing the padding and painting the metal beneath. Leaves lots of room for custom work, too. I was planning to do the same thing when I was in the market for a CGT.
 
Hi, Rob, and welcome to the Forum.

One of our members, Tony Barnhill, is in the process of converting a B, using a Rover V/8. Check out his progress here:

https://www.theautoist.com/poorb.htm

I just picked up a TR8 that has the same basic engine, with less displacement, and it is a gas to drive.

Keep us posted on your progress.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif Mickey
 
Converting a late car to an earlier metal dash isn't a bolt in swap at all. In order to make a dash like the ones on Steve's site, you'll have to use a pillow dash and strip it down. Paul S's dash looks like a 77-80 dash. The dash on a 72/73 to 76 is the exact same looking really but has a different swich hole and the guages are a smaller size.
 
If you're going to do a 302/5.0L,T5, there are
a couple of issues I can help with. Yes the engine
fits, but the oil filter doesn't, exhaust manifolds
don't fit, headers are going to cost about $1500.
I'm reasonably certian that Stans Headers have a
pattern for them, google for his site...
The oil filter problem requires a plate made up with
two holes, one centered, the other drilled and tapped
for a -12 hydraulic right angle fitting, then a couple
hoses to a remote filter mount, which doesn't fit in
the engine compartment. Put it in the drivers side
wheel house. You'll also need as big a radiator as can
be fit. It's not the easiest swap out there, but can be
done if thought out...
 
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