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MG MGB Technical - IT'S TIME

My 1979 mgb roadster is due for an engine rebuild. I do not have the facilities nor the tools and equipment here to do this.

The engine is the 1800 low compression with a Weber Downdraft carb and a Peco header. It does have the electronic Lucas ignition. Engine# 18v883ae L038414. All the pollution "stuff" is off. The engine uses a qt. of oil about every 750 and the oil does not stay clean long after being changed. The car has apprx. 96k miles on it. Yes, the clutch will be replaced at this time along with all the other fluids.

My questions and request for advice are:

Who is a reputable British Car technician here in the Nothern Westchester,NY, Danbury-Richfield, CT area.

What suggestions would one follow to "improve" perfromance of the 1800 low compression engine. My ideas run to a performance cam and lifter replacement. Also an exhaust kit.

Open to ideas all on a "reasonable budget"

Thanx to all in advance.

cheers

Gary
gnhansen

Gary, If you do not intend to do some head modifications a switch to dual SU's with K & N filters and a mild road cam like the Piper 270 will help.
FWIW, Clifton
Clifton Gordon

Gary-
It all depends on how much you're willing to spend. What's your budget for modifications?
Steve S.

Gary, give Dennis a shout as he may be able to help you. His e-mail is dncullig@us.ibm.com and his tele is 845 691 2392. He's a member of the Brits of the Hudson, Ltd.

I've met him many times and he's a nice guy and always helpful.
Mike MaGee

Gary: good performance mods are 1) bore out to 1860cc 2) use high comp pistons but no more than 9:1 3) A performance camshaft like a Piper BP270 or an Elgin, check their websites 4)your Weber will work fine but will need rejetting for best power 5) lighten the flywheel by 5 or 6 lbs. 6) for the biggest boost have your cylinder head modified by Mike & Sean Brown or send it to Peter Burgess in England. Have the engine internals balanced. This won't add to power but will make your performance engine last longer. Most of these mods will cost little more than a standard rebuild except for the cyl head but this is the most important one.

Above all get Peter Burgess book "How to Power Tune MGB 4 Cylinder Engines"
Terry

The biggest performance gain you will get is from having Peter Burgess style head modifications done. Even if you can't afford to send it to him, have someone do the head work. I had mine done locally for $325 plus the cost of Peter's book, at the same time as the rebuild. DO NOT skip this step. It is every bit, if not more important than the cam!!!

My luck with the Weber downdraft was poor also. My worn out SUs performed better than a new Weber setup. Sell your Weber and get a pair of SUs either new or from University Motors. You will also get a HUGE performance gain from this. No, its not cheap, but you can always add it later = after the engine is back in the car.
Just my two cents.

You might want to consider buying a rebuilt motor from England too. It'll probably cost less and you'll have the engine sooner by shipping one in from overseas.
Jeff Schlemmer

I don't know if you have this product where you are but NULON "for worn motors" is good. I've used it in a couple of cars. It is a teflon additive you put in your oil It's about ten dollars Australian a bottle, there's also a more expensive package/treatment for about 50, but I've no experience with with this latter.
The cheaper variety is no perminant fix but it will increase you compression, reduce oil use etc while you look around for a rebuild place.
You can get it at auto stores and Kmart etc.
Be a bit wary of some products which are esentially just ethylene glycol, and of questionable effectivness (I think).
It's the TEFLON component you're looking for.
Peter

Regarding PTFE-bearing oil additives:

http://www.vtr.org/maintain/oil-additives.html

BTW, I don't think that you will see the name "Teflon" on any oil additives. DuPont, which owns the name, is adamant that PTFE has no advantage in automotive engines and will not allow the use of the name.
Paul Noble

Gary-

You could try the CT MG Club Dave 860-267-1432 Pres.
Sam

Try John Esposito at Quantum Mechanics in Monroe CT
203-459-9612. He does excellent work and is very helpful for advice and parts, both used and new.

Jim
Jim McHugh

This thread was discussed between 04/01/2004 and 06/01/2004

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