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MG MGB Technical - Reconditioned 18GG engine?

Mid 1994, my 1972 Roadster had its 18V engine replaced with an 18GG unit, at least that's what the engine number plate says. The unit actually has the bucket cam followers used in the later 18V. Is this normal for reconditioned engines? Perhaps the earlier type were/are NLA?
The 18GG unit also has a blanking plate on its left side to cover a 1 & 1/8" hole. Clausager discusses this as an addition to the 18V to cover the position of a mechanical fuel pump used on Sherpas etc. Does he mean the hole was only on blocks used for 18V and later, and therefore I may have some form of basterdised engine (or one with an incorrect number?), or did the hole exist on 18GG units and I am just getting myself confused?
Richard Coombs

If you have the later cam followers, I would think that you have an 18V with a different number fitted.
Dave O'Neill

Richard,
Don't be to confused or concerned. Not too long ago, I acquired a 1966 'B body shell (partially restored). It came with its original 18GB engine block and OD transmission. PO told me, both engine and transmission had been rebuilt shortly before he started the restoration. To confirm, I tore into both. Took transmission up to one of John Twist's transmission rebuild seminars and confirmed its status - it had been totally rebuilt with new (or like new) parts, by a experienced technician. The engine, in contrast, had been refurbished ("rebuilt") on the cheap. Except for new crank (slab) and cam (stock), everything else inside the block were used 18V parts. 18V parts are fine. In fact, I'm rebuilding this 18GB engine with 18V style (press fit), shallow dish pistons (10 over) and rods. Other parts, though, will be 18GB spec (e.g., rocker assembly, lifters, push rods, timing chain and gears, etc.). For the most part, all 5-main engine parts are interchangeable. However, one must style match pistons to rods, head to deck and pistons, rocker assembly to head, and lifters to push rods.

"... may have some form of basterdised engine ..."

Perhaps a little strong. You might want to call it - updated (except for engine number).
Steve Buchina

Steve,

Just asking, why are you going to use old-style tappets and pushrods? The 18V style are significantly lighter, especially if you use uprated tubular rods.

When I rebuilt my 18GK engine I used the hardness/dimension inspected 18V tappets and tubular pushrods.

Paul K

Richard,
I've a block in the corner of my garage which has an 18GG plate on it (consistent with the age of the car), valve cutouts (like a 18V) and a space for a mechanical fuel pump. I've got an 18V block out of a RB car fitted now, and that has a space for a mechanical pump too. Pushrods and tappets are interchangeable as a set, fit just the same. If it's a 'recon' engine then it's almost certainly bastardised.
Neil
Neil Lock

Richard,

i once had the 18GB1567 engine in my car, many years ago and it also was prepared for a mecanical fuel pump. As the 18GB was the first five bearing B-series engine, i think there is everything O.K. with your 18GG block.

Camfollowers of the 18V can only be recomendet in any B-series engine, as they save a lot of oscillating wight and they are most often used when an engine is rebuilt. It is just the better solution.
An other point of interest are the timing chain and spockets. Here the early double row version has it's marits compared with that single row version of the 18V that also had a different (wrong) timing to meet exhaust gas regulations.

According to technical development, there are other items of the later B-series internals better be used than the original ones of the production run.

Payon does extremely good gasket sets that are not that more expensive than the very cheap works quality. County brand pistons are very fine, have very good rings and seem to be at least of the quality of Hypolite at a better price.

Even the late crank gasket of the 18V used in the Sherpa van is a much better solution than the one Abingdon was forced to use in penny pitching calculations.

Richard, don't worry, your lovely MG-B will not look differnt with these engine internals and Abingdon would have used them too if they would have been alowed to do so.

Ralph

Ralph

Gents,
Many thanks for your comments and sorry to be so late with a response.
I shall continue with the engine 'as is' but, now, with the added confidence that there is nothing particularly strange about the build. It always ran well, so best left alone whilst I concentrate on the bodywork!
Regards
Richard
Richard Coombs

This thread was discussed between 02/02/2007 and 12/02/2007

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