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Peter, Thanks for the pointer, some useful information on there. I've been doing some reading up on the benefits of the 3.3:1 ratio for the rear axle versus the usual approach of 3.07:1, which did you choose when doing your conversion? am I right in thinking you went to Heathrow transmissions to get the work done? Do not know the exact ratio but i used the same ratio as the GT V8 and have no regrets. It does 120km-hr and the rev then is 2500 so very comfortable. Also the gears do not feel too short but that also depends on the amount of HP you get from the engine. I fitted a mild road cam with a wide torque band and kept the SUs. It more then 20 years ago now. We made an appintment with Heathrow transmissions, and around the appointment scheduled a holiday and made a very nice tour in the South of England. Delivered the car in the morning and went to London for some sightseeing and picked up the car in the afternoon. I can recommend Heathrow as i did not have any problems with the axle in the past 10 years: They are still in business as a friend of mine recently got a axle done Peter
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samta22
Club Retro Rides Member
Stuck in once more...
Posts: 1,276 
Club RR Member Number: 32
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Peter, Thanks for the pointer, some useful information on there. I've been doing some reading up on the benefits of the 3.3:1 ratio for the rear axle versus the usual approach of 3.07:1, which did you choose when doing your conversion? am I right in thinking you went to Heathrow transmissions to get the work done? Do not know the exact ratio but i used the same ratio as the GT V8 and have no regrets. It does 120km-hr and the rev then is 2500 so very comfortable. Also the gears do not feel too short but that also depends on the amount of HP you get from the engine. I fitted a mild road cam with a wide torque band and kept the SUs. It more then 20 years ago now. We made an appintment with Heathrow transmissions, and around the appointment scheduled a holiday and made a very nice tour in the South of England. Delivered the car in the morning and went to London for some sightseeing and picked up the car in the afternoon. I can recommend Heathrow as i did not have any problems with the axle in the past 10 years: They are still in business as a friend of mine recently got a axle done Peter
Many thanks Peter, much appreciated. It sounds like the 3.07 is the one to go for then which is what the V8s would have had as standard, the RV8s had a 3.31 similar to the MGC's, but finding a spare rear MGC axle or diff is rare. If and when they do come up (there is in fact one on ebay at present), they are very expensive - the seller wants close to £1k for it.... assuming it will need work on top of that it's just not worth it in my view. I've contacted Heathrow transmissions so will see what they say. They sell the CROWN wheel and pinion as a package, incidentally at half the price of Moss and a few other well known MG parts suppliers. Ideally I would like the machining done also so if I can drop my axle over to them and have it all done and refitted then even better. Rather handily they are also close by to another metal fabrication shop I've got my eye on for something else. |
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Last Edit: Aug 8, 2019 11:59:21 GMT by samta22
'37 Austin 7 '56 Austin A35 '58 Austin A35 '65 Triumph Herald 12/50 '69 MGB GT '74 MGB GT V8'73 TA22 Toyota Celica restoration'95 Mercedes SL320 '04 MGTF 135 'Cool Blue' (Mrs' Baby) '05 Land Rover Discovery 3 V8 '67 Abarth 595 (Mrs' runabout) '18 Disco V |
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Many thanks Peter, much appreciated. It sounds like the 3.07 is the one to go for then which is what the V8s would have had as standard, the RV8s had a 3.31 similar to the MGC's, but finding a spare rear MGC axle or diff is rare. If and when they do come up (there is in fact one on ebay at present), they are very expensive - the seller wants close to £1k for it.... assuming it will need work on top of that it's just not worth it in my view. I've contacted Heathrow transmissions so will see what they say. They sell the CROWN wheel and pinion as a package, incidentally at half the price of Moss and a few other well known MG parts suppliers. Ideally I would like the machining done also so if I can drop my axle over to them and have it all done and refitted then even better. Rather handily they are also close by to another metal fabrication shop I've got my eye on for something else. I do not think the MGC axle is worth it. It depends a bit on the engine output. If you stick to the 3,5-3,9 power or a bit higher then the V8 diff is very comfortable. I think there are plenty V8 conversions which kept the standard 4 cil diff. As said before, i did not have any problems with Heathrow transmission parts and work and my MGB v8 has done over 30.000km now . Their premises did not have much luxury 20 years ago so that may be the reason, they could keep the prices low.
I do not think they will machine the axle. As far as i know, the axle on my MGB has not been removed. My car is a rubber bumper. They may have used a kind of clamp to bend open the diff housing but i am not sure. Peter
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Darkspeed
Club Retro Rides Member
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Club RR Member Number: 39
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If this assists at all.   The torque spread from a 3.9 will turn either of those ratios in a lightish car like the B with ease - Just more opportunity to play tunes with the 3.3 and it will knock a bit off the 0-100mph time  3rd with the 3.3 looks on the money - also looking at the numbers 4th looks good for achieving the best tops speed - 4th with the 3.07 could be a bit high to pull at the top end. |
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Last Edit: Aug 8, 2019 12:50:55 GMT by Darkspeed
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samta22
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Some useful information thanks. Will see what they come back with re the enquiry I've sent and go from there.
As with everything else there are lots of options/decisions to make, engine drivetrain is a fairly important one however.
Now if I could only get through to a certain gearbox salesperson...
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'37 Austin 7 '56 Austin A35 '58 Austin A35 '65 Triumph Herald 12/50 '69 MGB GT '74 MGB GT V8'73 TA22 Toyota Celica restoration'95 Mercedes SL320 '04 MGTF 135 'Cool Blue' (Mrs' Baby) '05 Land Rover Discovery 3 V8 '67 Abarth 595 (Mrs' runabout) '18 Disco V |
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Darkspeed
Club Retro Rides Member
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Club RR Member Number: 39
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Forgot to say - The gear set info the ratios are for the R380 not MGB std 4 speed as that sheet says at the top.
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samta22
Club Retro Rides Member
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Aug 12, 2019 16:05:55 GMT
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Turned into a bit of an interesting weekend, with some but not a whole lot of MG progress, still it was fun... I got home friday night and awaiting me was one of those little brown envelopes those of us in the UK get from our friends in Swansea. As a bit of background, the car wasn't on their system and so it didn't get a reissued a V5 and subsequent V5C after the initial changes in 1983. So after sending in an application and then some back and forth with them the last few months answering lots of questions and sending lots of photos (thankfully I took lots of photos of the VIN location and registration plates on the car before it was stripped), I was able to show all the evidence they required - phew! Which meant this was what was waiting for me - quite a nice MG plate too.  There were then quite some antics on Saturday, which I won't go into but I'm sure they will appear elsewhere in time. Let's just say there were well-earned beers at the end and I slept damn well 😂 However as a side benefit to going where I was going, and being where I was (keeping up at the back?), I was able to take the recent bonnet acquisition to a man called metal mickey to do some stuff. Time will tell if it turns out quite as I planned. As I was out most of the day however, Sunday I was duly drafted into passenger/supportive husband duty, the reason? We were off to collect madam's latest purchase from a friend in the darkest depths of Essex.  In fairness it's a lovely trailer and tows really nicely... hence I'm already wondering how I can utilise it for automotive benefit - the '7 may fit in it but I'm not 100% sure. Worst case is that it becomes a mobile gin bar for the masses at future RR events  Trailer collected and with a bit of the day left after drop off, I decided to try and do some more on the V8, one of the future jobs will be to give it a damn good clean, but until then I took the headers and engine mounts off   I also attempted to unbolt the starter but it was having none of it, so I promptly gave up, soaked it in penetrating oil and decided to service and do an oil change on the discovery instead - much more straightforward and I felt that I'd actually achieved something from the day as well. Last job of the day was to play swaps with the gearboxes, clean one back into storage, dirty one back home for a similar treatment  |
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'37 Austin 7 '56 Austin A35 '58 Austin A35 '65 Triumph Herald 12/50 '69 MGB GT '74 MGB GT V8'73 TA22 Toyota Celica restoration'95 Mercedes SL320 '04 MGTF 135 'Cool Blue' (Mrs' Baby) '05 Land Rover Discovery 3 V8 '67 Abarth 595 (Mrs' runabout) '18 Disco V |
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jamesd1972
Club Retro Rides Member
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Aug 12, 2019 17:17:40 GMT
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Hows the back ? gearboxes don't look light ?
Nice horsebox, found ours a good general purpose hauler but had to go when it was banned from the tip (oh and no horses about).
James
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samta22
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Aug 12, 2019 18:39:00 GMT
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Hows the back ? gearboxes don't look light ? Nice horsebox, found ours a good general purpose hauler but had to go when it was banned from the tip (oh and no horses about). James Back is a lot better thanks, still feel it now and again but can lift again if I'm careful (and bend my knees! 😁) What makes you think there's a horse about now? Nope I've not figured that bit out either. 🤦♂️🙄🤣 |
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Last Edit: Aug 12, 2019 18:39:25 GMT by samta22
'37 Austin 7 '56 Austin A35 '58 Austin A35 '65 Triumph Herald 12/50 '69 MGB GT '74 MGB GT V8'73 TA22 Toyota Celica restoration'95 Mercedes SL320 '04 MGTF 135 'Cool Blue' (Mrs' Baby) '05 Land Rover Discovery 3 V8 '67 Abarth 595 (Mrs' runabout) '18 Disco V |
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Aug 12, 2019 22:08:06 GMT
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Fingers crossed for you Sam lets hope they are having a good day in Swansea when they sort out your V5
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scimjim
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 1,503
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Aug 12, 2019 23:40:08 GMT
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Top result on the V5C - is that an age related plate or the original one?
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samta22
Club Retro Rides Member
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Aug 13, 2019 11:09:52 GMT
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Top result on the V5C - is that an age related plate or the original one? Original one, part of the reason I wanted to keep it. Also means that all the projects have double-digit not triple-digit numbers on their plates... that bit pleases my OCD 😂😂 |
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'37 Austin 7 '56 Austin A35 '58 Austin A35 '65 Triumph Herald 12/50 '69 MGB GT '74 MGB GT V8'73 TA22 Toyota Celica restoration'95 Mercedes SL320 '04 MGTF 135 'Cool Blue' (Mrs' Baby) '05 Land Rover Discovery 3 V8 '67 Abarth 595 (Mrs' runabout) '18 Disco V |
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samta22
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Stuck in once more...
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Aug 13, 2019 11:12:19 GMT
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Fingers crossed for you Sam lets hope they are having a good day in Swansea when they sort out your V5 All sorted now thanks Pete. All prepped and ready for your rebuild? |
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'37 Austin 7 '56 Austin A35 '58 Austin A35 '65 Triumph Herald 12/50 '69 MGB GT '74 MGB GT V8'73 TA22 Toyota Celica restoration'95 Mercedes SL320 '04 MGTF 135 'Cool Blue' (Mrs' Baby) '05 Land Rover Discovery 3 V8 '67 Abarth 595 (Mrs' runabout) '18 Disco V |
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glenanderson
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,319
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Aug 13, 2019 17:49:47 GMT
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Top result on the V5C - is that an age related plate or the original one? Original one, part of the reason I wanted to keep it. Also means that all the projects have double-digit not triple-digit numbers on their plates... that bit pleases my OCD 😂😂 I do prefer a 6-figure plate. Ideally a dateless 3x3, but I can put up with a dated one if it’s short. 😃👍 |
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My worst worry about dying is my wife selling my stuff for what I told her it cost...
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samta22
Club Retro Rides Member
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Aug 13, 2019 21:16:33 GMT
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Original one, part of the reason I wanted to keep it. Also means that all the projects have double-digit not triple-digit numbers on their plates... that bit pleases my OCD 😂😂 I do prefer a 6-figure plate. Ideally a dateless 3x3, but I can put up with a dated one if it’s short. 😃👍 oh b*gger, you've just reminded me that the A35 is a 3+3... But it's OK as it contains both mine and the wife's initials 😂😂 The '7 is the same but doesn't count as it's not a project... Yet. 🙈 |
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'37 Austin 7 '56 Austin A35 '58 Austin A35 '65 Triumph Herald 12/50 '69 MGB GT '74 MGB GT V8'73 TA22 Toyota Celica restoration'95 Mercedes SL320 '04 MGTF 135 'Cool Blue' (Mrs' Baby) '05 Land Rover Discovery 3 V8 '67 Abarth 595 (Mrs' runabout) '18 Disco V |
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samta22
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So while several BNMAC members were not speaking to each other in a field in Worcestershire 😂, I managed to snag some time on getting a few more bits progressed for the MG over the weekend. First up was digging out the axle from the store for some slight amendments required for the V8, this will be going to heathrow transmissions for the CROWN wheel and pinion work  One side came apart fairly easily, the other was an absolute pig, got there in the end though with the FILs tractor sockets and a large bar  Next fight was the starter (yes still!), top bolt finally came loose, the other still remains firmly stuck in place and was not moving for anything. I've soaked it in penetrating oil and left it so will see if that does the trick. The centre was starting to round out and wasn't holding the allen key too well so if it doesn't go next time it'll be out with the welder.  I've a few days off next week for a few jobs but am hoping to sneak a day for a little road trip around heathrow, means I can pick up the bonnet I dropped off last week, pick up some new parts that I'm waiting on and drop the axle off too. Always helpful when all the places you need to visit are reasonably close together...  |
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'37 Austin 7 '56 Austin A35 '58 Austin A35 '65 Triumph Herald 12/50 '69 MGB GT '74 MGB GT V8'73 TA22 Toyota Celica restoration'95 Mercedes SL320 '04 MGTF 135 'Cool Blue' (Mrs' Baby) '05 Land Rover Discovery 3 V8 '67 Abarth 595 (Mrs' runabout) '18 Disco V |
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samta22
Club Retro Rides Member
Stuck in once more...
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Aug 20, 2019 15:55:20 GMT
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Remember these?  Well I finally had a stroke of luck today and managed to cajole a supplier to one of the more mainstream MGB tuners/builders into building me an upgraded set with a few additional features. Fingers crossed I should have some of these soon  I just need to make sure the dash/steering etc. all fits now 😂😂 Next weeks road trip also now sorted with one amendment as one of the suppliers has a 4-6 week lead time on some of the upgrade parts I'm after, so that's one less stop to make. |
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'37 Austin 7 '56 Austin A35 '58 Austin A35 '65 Triumph Herald 12/50 '69 MGB GT '74 MGB GT V8'73 TA22 Toyota Celica restoration'95 Mercedes SL320 '04 MGTF 135 'Cool Blue' (Mrs' Baby) '05 Land Rover Discovery 3 V8 '67 Abarth 595 (Mrs' runabout) '18 Disco V |
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,975
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Aug 20, 2019 16:38:38 GMT
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Damn I need a set of those  they look familiar though... LE50 gauges? |
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Darkspeed
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,867
Club RR Member Number: 39
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Aug 20, 2019 19:01:59 GMT
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One hell of a Rover V8 build to worry that Tacho - then again it would need to be to give the speedo something to do.
They really do look the part.
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Aug 20, 2019 19:08:50 GMT
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Snazzy.
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they look familiar though... LE50 gauges?