Project Build - '73 MGB GT
Discussion
Hi All,
This is copied and pasted across from my blog I've just started a project and would love some opinion and input. 17 photos over on the blog as well as the couple I've put here:
http://www.performancecarblog.co.uk/project-mgb-gt...
For a long time I've wanted a project vehicle. I have contemplated buying an slightly worse for wear Supra or BMW 8 Series and even thought about building a Cobra from scratch (one of the great shapes of all time after all). When I really thought about all of it though, it wasn't necessarily the end result or a particular car I was looking for. I just wanted to exercise my passion for building something and making my own mark.
So I did what any self respecting project hunter may well of done, and ebayed cars £1000 or below and a theme started to emerge. There seemed to be a lot of MGBs. Many of them looking like a right bag of rats. A little research later and the general consensus if that an MGB is a great first classic / project car to get your teeth into due to it's simplicity and popularity.
I went on a little trip south down to Northampton to see a red MGB that had some rust issues, but a lot of repair panels and had been dry stored for 25 years. I didn't like that one (too much rust!) but in the same garage was what used to be a purple MGB GT. The paint was not in good shape compared to the red one, but the car itself felt a lot more solid. All the common areas that could be accessed seemed solid like the sills, floors and boot. All possible issues on MGBs - the dry storage must of helped! The next weekend I was back down with the trailer (after 25 years running was not a good idea) to haul her back north after exchanged £750 English pounds. A lot of parts came with like trim and so on the only major missing point is the driver's door.
As a man of only beginner knowledge of mechanics, I thought that even though I have different plans engine wise (see later) I would try and get her started through a few simple steps like changing oil, plugs, hand cranking and so on. One oil filter replaced and oil drained later and I tried to hand crank the engine. Nothing. Not a single bit of movement.
So I thought I would take a peak under the rocker cover. Off it came and there was a valve stuck down and a lever arm seesawing like a wrong 'un. A bit of penetration fluid later and a short wait and a strong tap with a rubber hammer saw the valve come back up to normal position. In the mean time, I stripped out a load of interior (including the passenger seat) and hoovered the inside too (there was a fair amount of mice droppings).
Alas, the engine still won't crank. So instead of wasting time on it when the plans are different, I'll be disconnecting it and the gearbox and hauling it's ass out next.
Recently I've been doing quite a bit of research as I believe any good project requires only two thinking to succeed - great planning and consistent action. So here's a list in no particular order about my thoughts so far. Less of a plan, more of a brain dump to make into a plan:
This is copied and pasted across from my blog I've just started a project and would love some opinion and input. 17 photos over on the blog as well as the couple I've put here:
http://www.performancecarblog.co.uk/project-mgb-gt...
For a long time I've wanted a project vehicle. I have contemplated buying an slightly worse for wear Supra or BMW 8 Series and even thought about building a Cobra from scratch (one of the great shapes of all time after all). When I really thought about all of it though, it wasn't necessarily the end result or a particular car I was looking for. I just wanted to exercise my passion for building something and making my own mark.
Finding a project
So I did what any self respecting project hunter may well of done, and ebayed cars £1000 or below and a theme started to emerge. There seemed to be a lot of MGBs. Many of them looking like a right bag of rats. A little research later and the general consensus if that an MGB is a great first classic / project car to get your teeth into due to it's simplicity and popularity.
I went on a little trip south down to Northampton to see a red MGB that had some rust issues, but a lot of repair panels and had been dry stored for 25 years. I didn't like that one (too much rust!) but in the same garage was what used to be a purple MGB GT. The paint was not in good shape compared to the red one, but the car itself felt a lot more solid. All the common areas that could be accessed seemed solid like the sills, floors and boot. All possible issues on MGBs - the dry storage must of helped! The next weekend I was back down with the trailer (after 25 years running was not a good idea) to haul her back north after exchanged £750 English pounds. A lot of parts came with like trim and so on the only major missing point is the driver's door.
First steps
As a man of only beginner knowledge of mechanics, I thought that even though I have different plans engine wise (see later) I would try and get her started through a few simple steps like changing oil, plugs, hand cranking and so on. One oil filter replaced and oil drained later and I tried to hand crank the engine. Nothing. Not a single bit of movement.
So I thought I would take a peak under the rocker cover. Off it came and there was a valve stuck down and a lever arm seesawing like a wrong 'un. A bit of penetration fluid later and a short wait and a strong tap with a rubber hammer saw the valve come back up to normal position. In the mean time, I stripped out a load of interior (including the passenger seat) and hoovered the inside too (there was a fair amount of mice droppings).
Alas, the engine still won't crank. So instead of wasting time on it when the plans are different, I'll be disconnecting it and the gearbox and hauling it's ass out next.
So what are the plans?
Recently I've been doing quite a bit of research as I believe any good project requires only two thinking to succeed - great planning and consistent action. So here's a list in no particular order about my thoughts so far. Less of a plan, more of a brain dump to make into a plan:
- A good (probably Rover?) V8 engine, preferrably carb feed for that older feel
- Want a great manual gearbox (my old S2000 was beautiful)
- Sebring arches (although not sure on rears) and maybe some spats to fill out rear
- Retrimmed / sumptious interior (thick carpet, lather, nice dials etc)
- Possibly side exit exhausts or at least dual rear pipes
- A decent set of in car entertainment (speakers, head unit etc)
- A decent set of wheels. Fan of the wire wheels or more probably Superlites.
- Bigger tyres than standard due to V8 and needing a bit more grip
- Unsure what do with Chrome bumpers - really like the cleanliness of the Sebring look
Sky's the limit with these. I did one nigh on 30 years ago as a young kid. Great learning curve. Mine was a roadster though so EVEN MORE RUST!
Internet helps as there'll be people all over the world who have put different lumps in - the Rover shoe horns in but as others have said, maybe something a bit more off the wall?!
Ithink you need to have that finished car in your mind's eye BEFORE you start - not necessarily colour but style - arches, bumpers/no bumpers etc. I found it helped me to have a goal and a look in mind. SO I'd get that sorted. A lot of restos on here inc some Sebring ones so do a search - please keep us informed with text and pics.
Internet helps as there'll be people all over the world who have put different lumps in - the Rover shoe horns in but as others have said, maybe something a bit more off the wall?!
Ithink you need to have that finished car in your mind's eye BEFORE you start - not necessarily colour but style - arches, bumpers/no bumpers etc. I found it helped me to have a goal and a look in mind. SO I'd get that sorted. A lot of restos on here inc some Sebring ones so do a search - please keep us informed with text and pics.
rsmithinfo said:
Dave where does that engine come from, the 2.2 BMC? I've always wanted that V8 burble...
Burg - interesting thoughts but I'm a petrol man!
It comes out of the Princess and the Landcrab - so it'll be not particularly easy to find, and probably rubbish. My main thinking behind it is that the Sebring cars with the big arches were actually MGCs and so had straight sixes. Burg - interesting thoughts but I'm a petrol man!
If you want to go V8, I think the Lexus V8 would be a good candidate - bombproof and makes a lot more power than the rover lump.
Edited by davepoth on Saturday 1st December 23:29
davepoth said:
It comes out of the Princess - so it'll be not particularly easy to find, and probably rubbish. My main thinking behind it is that the Sebring cars with the big arches were actually MGCs and so had straight sixes.
If you want to go V8, I think the Lexus V8 would be a good candidate - bombproof and makes a lot more power than the rover lump.
Lexus could be good - do you know what engine code? Can't imagine we;re talking an LS barge engine? Any idea on gear boxes for it?If you want to go V8, I think the Lexus V8 would be a good candidate - bombproof and makes a lot more power than the rover lump.
uk66fastback said:
Sky's the limit with these. I did one nigh on 30 years ago as a young kid. Great learning curve. Mine was a roadster though so EVEN MORE RUST! Internet helps as there'll be people all over the world who have put different lumps in - the Rover shoe horns in but as others have said, maybe something a bit more off the wall?!
Ithink you need to have that finished car in your mind's eye BEFORE you start - not necessarily colour but style - arches, bumpers/no bumpers etc. I found it helped me to have a goal and a look in mind. SO I'd get that sorted. A lot of restos on here inc some Sebring ones so do a search - please keep us informed with text and pics.
I agree am gathering inspiration will post a few pics in a bit. I want to sketch or get someone to sketch the final result out as a guide.Ithink you need to have that finished car in your mind's eye BEFORE you start - not necessarily colour but style - arches, bumpers/no bumpers etc. I found it helped me to have a goal and a look in mind. SO I'd get that sorted. A lot of restos on here inc some Sebring ones so do a search - please keep us informed with text and pics.
The Lexus V8 is a Toyota 1UZ
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_UZ_engine
Someone else may correct me but the gearbox is usually a W58 I think
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_W_transmission
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_UZ_engine
Someone else may correct me but the gearbox is usually a W58 I think
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_W_transmission
You'd need to measure up the 1UZ-FE Lexus engine, a fair bit bigger than a Rover. Pick up this months PPC magazine, there's a B featured with a 2.9 Cossie fitted.
Good luck with the project!
edit: Couple of leftfield ideas, have a look at some of the yank engines, Some of the Chevys are very small, powerful and super reliable. Also consider dumping in a forced induction MX-5 unit. You could pick one up for peanuts and get that super sweet 5 speed box at the same time!
Good luck with the project!
edit: Couple of leftfield ideas, have a look at some of the yank engines, Some of the Chevys are very small, powerful and super reliable. Also consider dumping in a forced induction MX-5 unit. You could pick one up for peanuts and get that super sweet 5 speed box at the same time!
Edited by v8will on Sunday 2nd December 08:37
Good choice for a first project Rob. I've been lucky enough to have both TVR Griffith 4.3 pre-cat and a Honda S2000 and in a BGT I think I'd put an S2000 engine, gearbox and the electric steering rack. It goes against the views so far but I'd stick with the Rostyle wheels as well and have them banded to something like 61/2 or 7J.
If you do go down the Rover V8 route however, the TVR worked engines are so much better than the stock offering but be careful of heat build up, the factory de-tuned the engine as a cheap way of dealing with it.
Whatever you do good luck and we will definitely need updates and pictures.
Chadspeed
If you do go down the Rover V8 route however, the TVR worked engines are so much better than the stock offering but be careful of heat build up, the factory de-tuned the engine as a cheap way of dealing with it.
Whatever you do good luck and we will definitely need updates and pictures.
Chadspeed
Thanks all some really interesting views there.
From what I know the Rover V8 needs engine bay modification to fit, so if the Lexus is even bigger (even if it is lighter) that could be an interesting challenge. A Chevy V8 yes could be an option as I hear they are small and compact but they also get used a lot of these kind of transplants (for good reason I guess). Can't say a TVR engine doesn't tempt me either, always waned a Tuscan
I always wanted a V8 and the burble that brings but I can't day I'm not tempted by an S2000 engine and gearbox because I love it so much. Would be a really manic MGB as well lets face it. But then I'll still be hankering after that V8 burble...lots of decisions.
I wasn't after masses of power (i.e. don't need anything around or over 300 bhp I wouldn't say) as the chassis isn't going to be able to take advantage of that anyway - correct?
Chad speed final thing your masser thread has been an inspiration too
From what I know the Rover V8 needs engine bay modification to fit, so if the Lexus is even bigger (even if it is lighter) that could be an interesting challenge. A Chevy V8 yes could be an option as I hear they are small and compact but they also get used a lot of these kind of transplants (for good reason I guess). Can't say a TVR engine doesn't tempt me either, always waned a Tuscan
I always wanted a V8 and the burble that brings but I can't day I'm not tempted by an S2000 engine and gearbox because I love it so much. Would be a really manic MGB as well lets face it. But then I'll still be hankering after that V8 burble...lots of decisions.
I wasn't after masses of power (i.e. don't need anything around or over 300 bhp I wouldn't say) as the chassis isn't going to be able to take advantage of that anyway - correct?
Chad speed final thing your masser thread has been an inspiration too
Here's what needs to be changed for a Rover v8.
http://www.mgcars.org.uk/v8conv/v8conv1.html#Conv1
Quite minor in comparison to most engine swaps really.
Power is a good question. The 3.5 Rover V8 only puts out around 160bhp in the 'B using the rather restrictive intake needed to fit under the bonnet - you'll need to spend a lot of cash to hit 300hp. But before that you'll want to look at everything else on the car - brakes, transmission, rear axle, and suspension.
TBH if you can get the engine to turn over (diesel in the bores, leave it for the weekend, then get a breaker bar on the crank pulley) it'll likely run (after a fashion). I'd be inclined to leave it in place, smoke around a bit in it while you upgrade everything else, and then pull it out once you've got the chassis to a point to take the extra power.
http://www.mgcars.org.uk/v8conv/v8conv1.html#Conv1
Quite minor in comparison to most engine swaps really.
Power is a good question. The 3.5 Rover V8 only puts out around 160bhp in the 'B using the rather restrictive intake needed to fit under the bonnet - you'll need to spend a lot of cash to hit 300hp. But before that you'll want to look at everything else on the car - brakes, transmission, rear axle, and suspension.
TBH if you can get the engine to turn over (diesel in the bores, leave it for the weekend, then get a breaker bar on the crank pulley) it'll likely run (after a fashion). I'd be inclined to leave it in place, smoke around a bit in it while you upgrade everything else, and then pull it out once you've got the chassis to a point to take the extra power.
rsmithinfo said:
Why would you stick with those wheels? Like the style?
I do like the style and they are so evocative of the time, one day owners will be looking to replace their wires for the original Rostyles if the car came with them originally. Remember when Wolfrace were all the rage?Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff