79 B GT 1800 to 3500 V8

[jacobpalmer05]

Evening all,

About 6 months ago I purchased a rotten MGB GT 1979 with a view of semi restoring it and replacing the 1800 with a 3500 V8, is there anyone here that has done this? Anyone that has any words of warning?

[wildoliver]

Well firstly it will cost you as much to restore your rotten B as it will to buy a resto V8 and restore that, plus the genuine v8 will always be desirable.

What your proposing is expensive, a rotten B is not a cheap thing to restore (it's cheap compared to many other rotten cars mind) hence why most people won't bother to restore a low value car eg. rubber bumper GT as it costs the same to restore as a chrome bumper or v8 or C give or take a few quid. Yet at the end it's worth much less. Also worth noting any of the "desirable" cars listed above in resto state are not expensive to buy hence the common sense option.

However don't think I'm anti RB GT I'm not I've had loads and like them, indeed I prefer them as a daily driver to any of the valuable cars mentioned above.

Now you need to add on the cost of a v8 conversion, it's not just a case of sling an SD1 engine and box in there and it all bolts up easily, even if you can find a complete engine and box donor (or a genuine Bv8 box as an expensive but very easy albeit weak option) you will need to buy a lot of conversion parts that will really bump the price up.

I'd think long and hard. That's not to say it's a bad idea just make sure you go in with your eyes open, otherwise there is a real risk it will be on ebay in a couple of years as another failed project having broken the owners heart and put them off classics for life.

[jacobpalmer05]

Hi Oliver,

Thanks for coming back to me, whilst the car has some rust and does need some welding, the body work in general isn't too bad, the interior however was wrecked and has now been removed. It needs a new bonnet (Required for a V8 conversion anyways I believe? - Going for a fibreglass MGC) needs a new drivers side floor pan and some welding / fabricating on the rear leaf spring hanger, so with any luck the body work shouldn't cost too much! The reason I went for a RB was because apparently the modifications for the V8 are minimal due to the fact that they shared the same body as the factory V8.

My main concerns will be suspension, brakes, fuel pump, radiator etc as many sites list "v8" parts but I am dubious as to wether these are actually up to the job.

[na]

jacobpalmer05 said:

It needs a new bonnet (Required for a V8 conversion anyways I believe?

not necessarily

jacobpalmer05 said:

The reason I went for a RB was because apparently the modifications for the V8 are minimal due to the fact that they shared the same body as the factory V8.

less not necessarily minimal

jacobpalmer05 said:

My main concerns will be suspension, brakes,

brakes are always number one on any car anytime, for V8 cooling systems the rest is setting the car up for what it's got to cope with and what suits you

jacobpalmer05 said:

as many sites list "v8" parts but I am dubious as to wether these are actually up to the job.

sorry not with you there

as almost always I'm with WO, buying a good one that somone else has spent the time, effort and money on is less expensive and a lot less hassle

others like V8250 will be along to tell you about conversions but I'm sure they'd also say that doing the conversion is well within peoples skills (well outside mine to do more than change a set of plugs) but I'm also sure they'd agree that a smnall number of people would be able to make a good converted car without expence and hassle

good conversions are always nice to see and hear and even better if you cab own one

cheers

ETA: correct format

Edited by na on Tuesday 27th March 17:03

[v8250]

hello jacob, yes all easily do-able. only restriction being size of your bank balance. if you don't have this book yet do buy it 'how to give your mgb v8 power' by roger williams [speedpro series]. it covers all subject areas for a conversion. as your car is a '79 there are some things that are easier but you'll still need to take manifolds through inner wings to do a proper job - don't be tempted to use block huggers - they'll give you poor extraction and retain too much heat under bonnet. good luck with project...