MGB & GT Forum
MGB Engine repair or replace?
Posted by snookn42
snookn42
Robert Pelot
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Topic Creator (OP)
Jan 16, 2017 07:09 PM
Joined 7 years ago
84 Posts
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First, thanks to everyone for the help the last few days diagnosing my issues. I am trying to weigh the options, to get my self back on the road ASAP, as I am now addicted to driving this car.
I can take A) the whole car in to get fixed.
B) Remove the engine and take it in
C) Buy a new engine
This engine either has 80 or 180k miles. I do not know which. So there is that. It needs the rod bearing replaced at a bare minimum.
My father has a 1500 engine from an early 60s MGA that has been sitting in the garage for 40 years, as well as the transmission. He said it ran great then, and thats why he kept it. The body of the car deteriorated and he wanted to keep the engine.
So that presents another option. Clean this engine up that has low miles but sat for ever in the garage throw it in the B. Can this be done? Or.. I can sell the transmission and the engine to pay for the repairs?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2017-01-16 07:15 PM by snookn42.
I can take A) the whole car in to get fixed.
B) Remove the engine and take it in
C) Buy a new engine
This engine either has 80 or 180k miles. I do not know which. So there is that. It needs the rod bearing replaced at a bare minimum.
My father has a 1500 engine from an early 60s MGA that has been sitting in the garage for 40 years, as well as the transmission. He said it ran great then, and thats why he kept it. The body of the car deteriorated and he wanted to keep the engine.
So that presents another option. Clean this engine up that has low miles but sat for ever in the garage throw it in the B. Can this be done? Or.. I can sell the transmission and the engine to pay for the repairs?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2017-01-16 07:15 PM by snookn42.
Charley38
Charley Robinson
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Jan 16, 2017 07:41 PM
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Jan 16, 2017 07:45 PM
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Jan 16, 2017 08:04 PM
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snookn42
Robert Pelot
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Topic Creator (OP)
Jan 16, 2017 08:05 PM
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Jan 16, 2017 08:14 PM
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thehoupts
Jim Houpt
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Jan 16, 2017 08:24 PM
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Jan 16, 2017 08:42 PM
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Robert
If the current engine is bad as you say, then do s small teardown by taking the head and the pan off as Denton mentioned. If the engine is not worth fixing, the head is most likely still good and so you did not waste your time. If the engine looks to be rebuildable, then you are all the wiser.
I would not put the 1500 CC engine into the B. Maybe you could swap the A engine for a decent B engine.
David
74 Damask Red BGT
Davesmg@outlook.com
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2017-01-16 08:42 PM by dawvid.
If the current engine is bad as you say, then do s small teardown by taking the head and the pan off as Denton mentioned. If the engine is not worth fixing, the head is most likely still good and so you did not waste your time. If the engine looks to be rebuildable, then you are all the wiser.
I would not put the 1500 CC engine into the B. Maybe you could swap the A engine for a decent B engine.
David
74 Damask Red BGT
Davesmg@outlook.com
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2017-01-16 08:42 PM by dawvid.
Jan 16, 2017 08:51 PM
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My vote is as others have said, don't give up on the original engine until you know whats up inside. They are pretty robust engines and if you have the right head etc you can get it all rebuilt and have something that will bolt right in without modification to the original spot.
Unless there's a hole in the side of the block or the crank is scored beyond repair you can probably use all your parts except the bad rod, just find a machine shop and ask some questions, it might surprise you.
Kind Regards
MarkV
Unless there's a hole in the side of the block or the crank is scored beyond repair you can probably use all your parts except the bad rod, just find a machine shop and ask some questions, it might surprise you.
Kind Regards
MarkV
Rick Fawthrop
Richard Fawthrop
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Jan 16, 2017 09:04 PM
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Perdido
Rut Rutledge
Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
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1960 Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite "Scarlet"
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Jan 16, 2017 09:08 PM
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Robert,
Great driving season in your neck of the woods this time of year and I would be anxious to get back on the road as well. As far as a rebuilt short block is concerned you can post in the BST forum and probably do as well as any place out there. We have some talented people on this forum and you can get what you need rebuilt properly...there might even be a forum member down there who can do the same. Pull your engine and remove all of the ancillary parts in preparation for the new short block and while your at it drop the head off at the machine shop.
Good luck, Rut
1960 Bugeye,1275, 5 speed
1970 MGB, Pale Primrose
1967 Triumph TR4a
1966 Triumph TR4a
When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down 'happy'. They told me I didn't understand the assignment, and I told them they didn't understand life. John Lennon
Great driving season in your neck of the woods this time of year and I would be anxious to get back on the road as well. As far as a rebuilt short block is concerned you can post in the BST forum and probably do as well as any place out there. We have some talented people on this forum and you can get what you need rebuilt properly...there might even be a forum member down there who can do the same. Pull your engine and remove all of the ancillary parts in preparation for the new short block and while your at it drop the head off at the machine shop.
Good luck, Rut
1960 Bugeye,1275, 5 speed
1970 MGB, Pale Primrose
1967 Triumph TR4a
1966 Triumph TR4a
When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down 'happy'. They told me I didn't understand the assignment, and I told them they didn't understand life. John Lennon
snookn42
Robert Pelot
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Topic Creator (OP)
Jan 16, 2017 09:51 PM
Joined 7 years ago
84 Posts
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thanks yall. there was no hole punched in the head, and im hoping that there is nothing wrong with it. And no I doubt the damage is catastrophic. Im just tryin not to spend a bunch of money... my first child will be born any day!
im going to start working on it this weekend. how do you guys pull the engine? ive seen engine pullers for 150 , or just use the rafters?
once I get the engine out is that the hard part?
im going to start working on it this weekend. how do you guys pull the engine? ive seen engine pullers for 150 , or just use the rafters?
once I get the engine out is that the hard part?
Jan 16, 2017 10:03 PM
Joined 9 years ago
1,026 Posts
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Here's a little tip, you can either rent a engine crane or if you have a harbor freight near you purchase an engine crane on your credit card and return it for a full refund within 90 days. That should give you plenty of time to pull the motor, inspect and repair and return it back into the car.
jb
Too soon we get old, too late we get smart!
jb
Too soon we get old, too late we get smart!
dipstick
Kenny Snyder (RIP)
La Center, WA, USA
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1941 Ford N-Series
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Jan 16, 2017 11:55 PM
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Jan 17, 2017 12:08 AM
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Robert,
Clear out your garage, put car inside, jack very high, prep car (hood, radiator, intake/exhaust manifold, wiring, driveshaft, tranny, etc), use strong engine crane (Not Rafters).
See posts on engine pulling for where to connect lifting chains. Pull engine & tranny as one.
Once on floor, remove oil pan and cylinder head.
Determine which replacement parts you need (in block).
Decide how thorough you want to rebuild (only broken parts, or all piston rings and crankshaft bearings, etc)
Now is good time to r&r clutch and throw out bearing (unless you know that was done recently)
How about upgrading your original cast iron cylinder head/valves for unleaded gas ??
Lots to consider while it's disassembled and accessible.
John
Clear out your garage, put car inside, jack very high, prep car (hood, radiator, intake/exhaust manifold, wiring, driveshaft, tranny, etc), use strong engine crane (Not Rafters).
See posts on engine pulling for where to connect lifting chains. Pull engine & tranny as one.
Once on floor, remove oil pan and cylinder head.
Determine which replacement parts you need (in block).
Decide how thorough you want to rebuild (only broken parts, or all piston rings and crankshaft bearings, etc)
Now is good time to r&r clutch and throw out bearing (unless you know that was done recently)
How about upgrading your original cast iron cylinder head/valves for unleaded gas ??
Lots to consider while it's disassembled and accessible.
John
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