Steve Engelman's 1968 MGB with Ford 302 V8 Engine
Owner: Steve EngelmanCity: Hudson, Ohio
Model: 1968 MG MGB
Engine: Ford 302 V8
Conversion by: owner
How It Was Done
| Engine: | Ford 302, bored 0.040" over.
Engine block prepared by Greg's Engine of Coplay, Ohio.
AFR aluminum cylinder heads.
351W camshaft.
Solid lifters.
Ford Racing valve covers.
Edelbrock Performer intake manifold.
Edelbrock 1405 (600 cfm) carburetor, with manual choke.
Edelbrock air cleaner.
Mechanical fuel pump.
CVF Racing aluminum pulleys.
MSD distributor.
MSD Blaster 2 ignition coil.
MSD Digital 6AL ignition box.
|
| Cooling: | aluminum "Ford Mustang" pattern radiator.
Electric fan, pulling.
Shorty Ford water pump.
Remote oil filter, located under the driver side front fender.
|
| Exhaust: | Fast Cars through the inner fender headers.
2.5" exhaust with cross over.
Flowmaster 44 mufflers, 18" long by 4" diameter.
Chrome tips.
|
| Transmission: | Borg-Warner World Class T5 5-speed, from a Mustang.
Heavy duty 10.5" clutch and pressure plate.
157 28.2 steel flywheel. |
| Rear End: | Ford 8" axle.
3.25:1 ring and pinion set.
Auburn limited slip differential.
Currie Alumin-8 carrier.
31-spline axles.
|
| Front Suspension: | Fast Cars Inc., with mounts for small block Ford.
Front anti-sway bar.
|
| Rear Suspension: | leaf springs.
Adjustable shock absorbers.
Fab-tek traction bars.
|
| Brakes: | (master) Wilwood aluminum tandem. Proportioning valve. (front) Wilwood 4-pot calipers. Vented rotors. (rear) Wilwood 4-pot calipers. Cross-drilled rotors. |
| Wheels/Tires: | Crager wheels and BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires
(front: 15x7 and 205/60/15. / rear: 15x8 and 235/60/15.)
|
| Body: | aluminum hood, with scoop added.
Sebring style front and rear valances.
Dodge Omni fender flares.
Candy apple red paint over silver base coat.
Centered fuel tank.
|
| Interior: | Suffolk leather replacement seats and interior panels.
1979 MGB dashboard.
14" leather steering wheel.
Hurst shorty style gear shifter.
|
| Instruments: | VDO Vision Chrome tachometer, speedometer, voltmeter, fuel level,
water temperature, and oil pressure gauges.
|
| Electrical: | 12V battery located behind passenger seat.
Delco Remy alternator.
Advance Auto Wire wire harness.
Headlights with integrated turn signals.
LED bulbs at the rear.
|
| Completed: | July 6, 2016.
|
| Steve's Comments: | This was a personal challenge project to complete the entire car by myself, including
design, spec and build. The project took three years and I completed all the work by
myself in my home garage. I already had basic skills, since working on cars from age 17,
but had to challenge myself to take on new ones like welding, bodywork, painting, etc.
The biggest challenge and most fun was designing a car that met my vision of what I wanted. Once I figured out what I wanted it to be, I spent a lot of time studying how to do it before I tackled the actual work. I took my time and once I was confident that I knew what I was going to do, I dove in and did the work. There were many problems along the way. The most challenging were with engine fitment. I must have pulled the engine ten times before I finally got it just the way I wanted it, with enough clearance and optimal spacing for headers, steering column, brake and clutch masters, etc. My paint is not perfect but it's pretty good for a first effort. Most of the issues are in the clear coat. I may take it to a paint shop and have them re-spray the clear. I spent a lot more on the car than I ever imagined I would. At the end of the day I'm very happy with the result, and extremely gratified to have done all of it myself. I am glad I did it, but I would advise anyone undertaking a similar project to be honest with themself up front about the investment. If you want it right, be prepared to spend a lot. |
Engine Installation
Ford 302, bored 0.040" over.
Edelbrock Performer intake manifold, model 1405 (600 cfm) carburetor, and air cleaner.
MSD distributor.
MSD Blaster 2 ignition coil and Digital 6AL ignition box.
Rockers.
AFR aluminum cylinder heads.
Fast Cars through the inner fender headers.
Borg-Warner World Class T5 5-speed, from a Mustang.
Engine Installation (In Process)
Engine mounted on Steve's home-made test stand.
Mechanical fuel pump.
"I must have pulled the engine ten times before I finally got it just the way I wanted it..."
Ford Racing valve covers.
Temporary oil filter location. (It was later moved underneath the fender.)
This earlier photo shows a taller distributor.
Aluminum "Ford Mustang" pattern radiator.
Electric fan, pulling.
Front Suspension
Fast Cars Inc. front suspension, with optional mounts for small block Ford engine.
Double steering universal joint.
Steering shaft support bearing.
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Rear Suspension
Centered fuel tank, with exhaust pipes on either side.
Ford 8" axle with lightweight Currie Alumin-8 carrier. Wilwood disc brakes.
Fitting Fab-tek traction bars.
Interior
VDO Vision Chrome gauges, mounted in a 1979 MGB instrument panel.
Suffolk leather replacement seats and interior panels are distributed by Victoria British.
12V battery inside a marine battery box, mounted behind the passenger seat.
Sound deadening mastic.
Advance Auto Wire kit, early in the installation process.
Bodywork (In Process)
Steve's MGB, mounted on a rotisserie.
Installation of Dodge Omni fender flares.
Bolting on a Sebring style front valance.
Finesse with body filler.
Nice and smooth, under a fresh coat of primer.
Engine bay, with firewall and footboxes reshaped for engine clearance.
Radiator shelf trimmed back to make room for Mustang size radiator.
Sebring style rear valance.
Front turn signal holes filled in.
Hood pins are a very good idea on any MGB. Especially ones with aluminum bonnets.
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Exterior
Candy apple red paint over silver base coat.
Side marker lights removed.
Sebring style front and rear valance kits.
Aluminum hood, with scoop added.
Headlights with integrated turn signals.
Crager wheels and BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires.
Photos by Steve Engelman for BritishV8.org.
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