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Rover Conversion 1973 or 1978???

Posted by Be Coming

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Rover Conversion 1973 or 1978??? #1
Be Coming Kelvin Dodd So. Calif., USA 1957 MG MGA 1957 MG MGA Coupe 1958 MG Magnette 1959 MG MGA 1962 Morgan 4 Seater → more	Posted: November 04, 2011 01:28PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 4,654

Ok, I admit it, I have too many projects.

I could reduce my projects by one if instead of building up a 1978 chassis for my Rover V8, I build up a 1973 chassis that I was originally planning on restoring.

I've got all the bits to convert the '73 to late engine compartment. If I used the '73 chassis, I'd probably go with the 77-80 dash thus taking the car one step farther away from original.

The question is, will the powers of the universe frown at hacking up a restorable 1973 car, when there is a stripped 1978 shell ready to be used?

Am I faced with karmic catastrophe by even considering such a plan?

For extra credit, compare and contrast converting an early shell to accept the Rover V8 to the body and suspension modifications required to a 1978 shell for the early suspension height and chrome bumpers.

Kelvin.

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Re: Rover Conversion 1973 or 1978??? #2
Steve Mc Steve Mcnary USA	Posted: November 04, 2011 01:50PM Registered: 9 years ago Posts: 259

Kelvin,

I converted my '73 to Rover V8 using an SD1 donor car, so you know what my vote will be. The firewall conversion and radiator mounting was easy. The steering column/rack/front crossmember work was a little less straight forward. I'm not sure it's more work than dropping a Rover motor in a later car and then doing the chrome bumper/suspension conversion. I did the '73 because that's what I had.

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Re: Rover Conversion 1973 or 1978??? #3
cgill Chris Gill Salmon Arm, British Columbia, Canada 1971 MG MGB GT 1979 MG MGB "BOPR V8 Conversion"	Posted: November 04, 2011 02:22PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 2,832

Kelvin,

I just finished a 215 install on a 1979. All in all the conversion was fairly straightforward with no problems associated with the steering rack/front cross member, etc. but as Steve says, you will be spending time converting it to chrome bumpers if that is the route you want to go. I found that part quite easy as long as you have some welding and body work skills.

You will LOVE the power...although now I'm looking at ways to get even more power. eye popping smiley

My other obsession...photography!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/77646803@N00/

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Re: Rover Conversion 1973 or 1978??? #4
Be Coming Kelvin Dodd So. Calif., USA 1957 MG MGA 1957 MG MGA Coupe 1958 MG Magnette 1959 MG MGA 1962 Morgan 4 Seater → more	Posted: November 04, 2011 03:26PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 4,654

Just a brief clarification.

I'm somewhat familiar with the process to do both conversions. My first install was a Ford 2.8 V6 into a 1969 GT, which required most of the 215 sheet metal and cross member changes.

I'm interested in owner's views of the process and karmic impact for each path.

It honestly had not occurred to me to build one car, rather than two up till this point.

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Re: Rover Conversion 1973 or 1978??? #5
tdecell Trey Decell Clinton, Mississippi, USA 1974 MG MGB 1974 MG MGB GT	Posted: November 04, 2011 04:53PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 1,656

I'd go with the 73, the mods are not that hard for someone such as yourself (having done swaps before). I don't think that you using a 73 body for a conversion will throw the MG gods out of whack too bad. I was planning on putting the Rover V8 in my 73 till the 74.5 GT literally fell into my lap. Now I'll have two....possibly the start of something?

Blog-
www.tdecell.blogspot.com

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/04/2011 04:57PM by tdecell.

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Re: Rover Conversion 1973 or 1978??? #6
V8MGBV8 Carl Floyd Kinggsport, TN, USA	Posted: November 04, 2011 05:53PM Registered: 8 years ago Posts: 2,463

In reply to a post by Be Coming
I'm interested in owner's views of the process and karmic impact for each path.

If you really want karmic impact, head over to main MGB board, ask them, then brace yourself for the impact. grinning smiley

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Re: Rover Conversion 1973 or 1978??? #7
Simon Austin Surrey, BC, Canada 1977 MG MGB V8 Conversion 1994 MG RV8	Posted: November 04, 2011 07:19PM Registered: 8 years ago Posts: 8,217

As the saying goes "It's your car...do as you wish to it".

The easiest route is to use the late shell and keep the RB's....but that's not the point, is it? winking smiley

Either way you go, you're in for some body work and mods. I used a late shell with CB conversion planned as I felt I'd get a better rust-free body and it seemed easier to do the CB conversion than engine bay and tunnel mods (if required) on a CB car.

'73 shells aren't rare so no one will really care if you use one or not. Besides, if they do, see my first sentence.

One way to decide is to list the amount of work required to get each shell to the state where they're ready to accept the engine and gearbox. Are both shells in equal structural condition or does one need the usual B rust repairs?

If I ever did it again, I'd use a late shell, convert the bumpers and drop the suspension. If done right, one has to look close to see a late shell isn't actually an original CB car. I think I accomplished that with my car.

"Speed costs........how fast you want to spend?"

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Re: Rover Conversion 1973 or 1978??? #8
avbates Tony Bates San Jose area, California, USA	Posted: November 04, 2011 08:35PM Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 280

CA smog says do the 73

Regards
Tony Bates
1974 MGB V8 vert (Rover 4.2L) - not running

2010 Viper ACR Vooodoo #11 of 31
2009 Mini Cooper S - John Cooper Works
2008 Range Rover Sport HSE
2005 Subaru WRX

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Re: Rover Conversion 1973 or 1978??? #9
bleteaches6 lee orphan Sumner, WA, USA 1956 MG MGA 1500 1979 MG MGB Limited Edition (LE) 1979 MG Midget 1500	Posted: November 04, 2011 08:47PM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 6,954

In reply to a post by avbates CA smog says do the 73

Good point

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Re: Rover Conversion 1973 or 1978??? #10
Simon Austin Surrey, BC, Canada 1977 MG MGB V8 Conversion 1994 MG RV8	Posted: November 04, 2011 09:38PM Registered: 8 years ago Posts: 8,217

Oh yeah...there is that.

"Speed costs........how fast you want to spend?"

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Re: Rover Conversion 1973 or 1978??? #11
Jim Blackwood * BlownMGB-V8 Gunpowder Rd., USA	Posted: November 04, 2011 11:20PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 2,238

In a purely metaphysical sense, the '73, being closer both in time and in change to Cecil's work, would seem the most likely choice. There is however the undeniable fact that the later car's engine bay was modified for greater performance and is therefore at least arguably, in a pure performance sense more in keeping with the roots of the car. I think it likely this is counterbalanced however by the raised ride height as nothing says sports car (NOT!) like an underpowered wallowing cow.

I would have to give the nod to the '73, but would simply have to do something more fitting with the dashboard.

JB

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Re: Rover Conversion 1973 or 1978??? #12
BMC Brian Mc Cullough Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA 1959 Austin A40 Farina 1959 Austin-Healey Frogeye (Bugeye) 1961 Austin-Healey Sprite MkII "Green Sprite" 1969 MG MGC GT "CGT" 1979 MG MGB → more	Posted: November 05, 2011 03:52PM Registered: 13 years ago Posts: 4,343

Painting either one means swapping engine bay mods for body mods. We know your not going for a stock appearance so both are going to have outer bodywork anyways.
-So far later car.

California- earlier car.

Suspension- your going to build both anyways. My 1980 drives great with simple lowering blocks and Moss lowering springs, nothing fancy although someday I may do better, it really does drive and handle Great.
Early or late- it doesn't matter too much here.

Wiring- if your going for the late dash, you need the wiring from the late car to simplify this. Later harnesses with a separate dash harness are much easier to work with even though they have more and better stuff than the mid-year dashboards. Your speaking about the late model dashboard.
Late model car.

The late model car is worth nothing- especially in California as a bone stock car. Do what you want with your car but the later car is worth far more converted as possible.

Later car is slightly safer and has a few minor items on it that you may or may not replace making it a better choice. Most of these are superficial.

I would say late model but this is based on the thought you will find things to modify on both cars outer sheetmetalwork.

-BMC.

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BMC British Automobile – Minneapolis, MN USA BMC British Automobile is a Restoration and Repair shop north of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Our time is spent solely on British vehicles and British Conversions. MG and Austin are our specialties.

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Re: Rover Conversion 1973 or 1978??? #13
kerbau53 Geoff Morton Naples, Florida, USA 1978 MG MGB V8 Conversion "The Wreck"	Posted: November 05, 2011 05:54PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 1,059

I'd personally feel a tad guilty about using a CB car. Took a while but I was able to find an RB to modify.

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Re: Rover Conversion 1973 or 1978??? #14
Edd Weninger Overgaard AZ or H. Bch. CA, USA	Posted: November 06, 2011 12:39PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 576

Use the '77 tub for ease of motor mounting.

Use the '73 front crossmember for lowering and whatever brackets, etc. for the chrome bumpers.

A couple of lowering blocks and re-drilled spring shackle mounting for the rear.

VIN and such from the '73. Throw or give the '73 away. Two projects done!

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Re: Rover Conversion 1973 or 1978??? #15
Be Coming Kelvin Dodd So. Calif., USA 1957 MG MGA 1957 MG MGA Coupe 1958 MG Magnette 1959 MG MGA 1962 Morgan 4 Seater → more	Posted: November 07, 2011 02:23PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 4,654

Oh you guys are heartless. smiling smiley

"Throw or give the '73 away. Two projects done!"

Sanity prevailed in a phone call from Glen Towery. After talking with him, I realized that you can never have too many MGBs, so I'll go back to plan A and build them both. hot smiley

Hopefully, this weekend I'll get the 78 out of storage and ready for the sheet metal work. It will have to be a back burner project until I get a couple of other vehicles finished up.

The only big decision now is whether to keep the rubber bumper cross member and fit shortened vertical links, or swap in a chrome bumper x member. The motor has the shorter TR8/SD1 oil pan, so pan clearance isn't an issue. I'm leaning towards keeping it simple and going with the late setup with standard links and playing with spring rates and heights. I don't need to get the car all the way down to chrome height, as I've got a Falcon MGB GT V8 twin box stock exhaust going under the car and am getting crotchety in my old age. On the back, I'll rework the rear mountings and bump stops to chrome bumper spec, but may leave the front mounting as per the MGB GT V8.

Thanks for the feedback, it's gotten me excited about moving forward with the project again.

Kelvin.

ps. The '78 chassis was fitted with a replacement California VIN plate with matching 1965 title by the Highway Patrol. Long story.

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Re: Rover Conversion 1973 or 1978??? #16
V8MGBV8 Carl Floyd Kinggsport, TN, USA	Posted: November 07, 2011 03:31PM Registered: 8 years ago Posts: 2,463

In reply to a post by Be Coming
...or swap in a chrome bumper x member. The motor has the shorter TR8/SD1 oil pan, so pan clearance isn't an issue.

That's non-issue anyway.

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Re: Rover Conversion 1973 or 1978??? #17
Edd Weninger Overgaard AZ or H. Bch. CA, USA	Posted: November 08, 2011 01:00PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 576

"....ps. The '78 chassis was fitted with a replacement California VIN plate with matching 1965 title by the Highway Patrol. Long story...."

...must be a good one. Anyone else besides me like to hear it?

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