1978 MG MGB

Convertible

6 - Cyl.

Manual

GHN5UG397367 G

Gasoline

This is a 1978 MGB with a Fuel Injected GM 4.3L V6 engine and A Borg Warner T5 transmission. This project is 95% complete and needs someone who can finish it up and drive it. Here is the history: I bought this car in college and loved everything about it except its underpowered engine, grinding transmission and difficult steering. So I pulled it out and laboriously modified it to accept a fuel injected 4.3L V6, fully synchronized 5 speed T5 Borg Warner transmission and power steering. I was about 95% finished when my daughter was born. Now she is 5 and has a little brother and little sister and I have realized that I won’t have the time to finish this for a long time. The engine needs to be repaired. The engine was in great shape when I pulled it from the GMC Jimmy. I started it and drove it around before pulling it out. It started easy, ran smooth and had great power. When I finished wiring the engine up, before I put coolant in the engine, I started it up to test the wiring, but only let in run for about 15 seconds. Well I am afraid this was too long because when I finished the radiator and filled the system with coolant, some coolant started draining into the #5 cylinder. I think I either warped or cracked the driver side head. I drained all the fluids, pulled the plugs and purged out the coolant with oil and gasoline by cranking the engine over. Best case scenario, the heads will need to be rebuilt. Worst case scenario it will need a rebuilt engine. I think it most likely will just require a head. Below I describe the work that has been completed on the engine/trans conversion and what tasks remain to be completed: Cooling: The radiator is out of a CJ5 jeep, I built custom mounts for the radiator including a brace/guard that mounts to the bottom of the frame rails and runs beneath the radiator to protect and mount it. The radiator is cooled by a Derale electric fan sized to supply all the cooling needed (no mechanical fan required). The electric fan is controlled by a Derale fan controller with adjustable on/off temperatures. Drive train: The transmission is a T5 Borg Warner 5-speed, fully synchronized. They put these transmissions in everything from S-10 trucks to Camaros. The transmission received new oil seals and I installed a new flywheel, pilot bearing, clutch disk, pressure plate and throw-out bearing before mating it to the engine. I had a custom driveline built and balanced by Six States. The rear axle is stock, and should be more than strong enough as long as you don’t try pulling out old tree stumps with it. The clutch is actuated by a Wilwood hydraulic slave cylinder. The clutch master cylinder needs to be replaced before the clutch can be bled. They are $100 at mossmotors.com. Fuel: I had the stock MGB fuel tank modified to accept the OEM fuel pump made for the engine (using an OEM pump in the tank is better than an aftermarket in-line fuel pump because it is quieter and ensures the pressure is correct). Suspension: The front suspension has been completely rebuilt. There are new bearings in the king pins, and all new polyurethane bushings/pads front and rear. The front coil springs are slightly heavier to handle the extra weight of the engine and designed for a 2.5 inch drop. The rear is lowered with 2.5” aluminum lowering blocks. Exhaust: I had all the components for custom headers build from stainless steel, which I will include with the car. One of the headers is almost complete, just needs one more piece welded in to it. The other header needs to be welded together still. The exhaust will exit through holes in the fenders and travel straight down just behind the front suspension. From there you can choose to have it go straight back and jog outward for side pipes or tie together and go out the back. You will have to find a welder with TIG skills to finish the headers and then have a muffler shop build the rest of the exhaust. Tires: The tires are shot and will need to be replaced before driving. Coachwork: The seats were professionally re-upholstered. The carpet is in good shape and there are new rubber floor mats. The soft top is in pretty good shape but has a few small rips in it on the front corners. I bought aftermarket gas strut kits for the hood and trunk. The headlights are aftermarket halogen lamps with clear reflectors. There is a roll bar loop behind the driver’s seat. The driver’s side is equipped with a 3-point seat belt. I have another loop and 3-point seat belt for the passenger side which I will include, but it needs to be welded together. The body has original paint on it except in a couple spots where it was touched up, and the blue stripes. As such there are a number of scratches and dings in the paint, but the car has never been in an accident of any kind. Engine: As described above, the driver’s side cylinder head is most likely cracked or warped and will need to be replaced. The engine received new platinum plugs and silicone plug wires. The throttle body and injectors were rebuilt. The oil pan gasket was replaced with the OEM silicone gasket from GM. I will include the service manual that has the MG’s normal wiring diagram, full wiring diagrams for the engine, and notes indicating any modifications that have been made to marry them together. The wiring is finished and works great so you shouldn’t have to touch it. Summary of what still needs to be done to get her on the road: - Finish building the headers. - Have the rest of the exhaust system built. - Make a mount for the power steering pump, including a belt tensioner. - Fix or replace the damaged cylinder head. - Replace tires. - Replace clutch master cylinder and bleed. Well that’s it. This car has been my baby for years, but I need to focus my time on my kids, so she needs to find a good home. I will be happy to help arrange shipping to anywhere in the lower 48 states, but the cost of shipping will be on the buyer. Feel free to ask any questions you would like.p.s. I don't know if the odometer shows the correct mileage. 31k miles seems low to me for a 1978 car.