There were factory mgbgt’s not mgb’s with v8’s, made by British Leyland
these were using the body style of 1977 and later, which has extra room in
the engine compartment. They also had a special radiator, steering rack,
transmission with OD, and a different rear end ratio.
In the UK there was a gentleman named Costello that sold re-manufactured new
mgb’s with that motor but BL put him out of business, today the Costello
mgb’s are pretty rare. BL said that there was too much longitudinal flex to
put this in a mgb. Later they stopped production in favor of Triumph which
was the ‘shape of things to come’, which was a total failure. Not that many
made it to the US.
There are some factory TR-8’s with the same motor. Since the TR suspension
is a lot more modern and it is easier to just bolt in other suspension
parts, this is actually a pretty nice combination. Every time I would look
at the leaf spring rear end and the kingpins I would just shudder and wonder
why. leaf springs that was it, I needed heavier leaf springs.
I’ve done this and it was sort of fun, kind of. A fully intact non-molested
mgb however is worth something, a modified one has little resale appeal
unless you find someone with more money than sense, I donated mine, I just
had to stop the endless expense, not unlike my xj6.
there is an mgb list, and several shops nationwide which will sell you a
complete kit to do this. But this is more work than lumping a xj6. Earlier
mgb’s require modifying the firewall fairly extensively, and or possible
removing the heater core. you will need a new oil filter pedestal, alt,
brackets, a very very low height carburetor, most use a carter afb.
fully finished examples that I’ve seen had replacement disc brakes in back,
stiffer springs, oil coolers, etc. The stock rover v8 engine was originally
a Buick design that was sold to the UK. The pomeys beefed it up somewhat so
the parts don’t exactly interchange. many people use modified engines from
'63 Buicks which are similar to the one you have. The motor doesn’t have a
lot of HP in either case, it has a lot more torque to be sure.
yes it comes back to me, you have to have a custom clutch hydraulic clutch
cylinder setup/belhousing. But you can buy this stuff already made/machined.
The old transmission and rear end/driveshaft have to go. the existing ratio
is way off for what you get with the most common replacement manual
transmissions. you can use the rover trans if you cut down the shifter, and
modify the rear tailhousing. I used a GM 5 speed. mine would overheat a lot
as cooling is a big problem, noise inside is another. It is a little heavier
than the 4 cyl motor and this does change the handling. There were other
things that I have successfully forgotten, something about getting enough
fuel to it. I don’t want to remember anymore.
Best of luck, it just takes lots of money and time. I think lumping my xj6
was much easier.
I can’t remember the mgb list address, but if you search for v8 mgb you’ll
find it.
Diane Stowe----- Original Message -----
From: “cleghorn” cleghorn@xtra.co.nz
To: “Bruce G Gibbins” gibbins@xtra.co.nz; lumps@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Friday, May 04, 2001 7:34 PM
Subject: Re: [Lumps!] Lump an MGB?/ Lumps Digest / 2001 V1 #58
My understanding of the MGBGT V8 was that is was a Rover 3500 V8 engine!
Regards John (Clegs)
1989 XJ-S V12
-----Original Message-----
From: Bruce G Gibbins gibbins@xtra.co.nz
To: lumps@jag-lovers.org lumps@jag-lovers.org
Date: Saturday, 5 May 2001 12:14
Subject: [Lumps!] Lump an MGB?/ Lumps Digest / 2001 V1 #58
Tell me more, Albert.
I have a Rover V8 sitting in my parts car needing a home and prices of
most
MGB’s and MGBGT’s around here have fallen like a stone. There was a
factory
MGB V8 made in limited quantities with a special aircleaner set up these
cars are now collectors items so it has been done before. However, I am
interested in lumping an MGB with my spare Rover V8 do you have any
experience doing this that you can pass on. Are there any books available
on
this subject?
Cheers
Bruce Gibbins
Daimler XJ - 283 TH350
Rover P6B Edelbrock 500cfm carb and manifold, cam & big valve heads
Doug,
The MG turned out to be an MGB-GT, which is a
perfect car to “Lump” with a Rover or GM 3.5 litre V-8 Voila! An
MGB-GT
V-8.
Albert Escalante