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James Marsilia's 1952 MG TD with Chrysler 392cid Hemi V8

James Marsilia · 1952 MG TD

MG T-Type (TA to TF)

BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports carsBritishV8 Magazine, Volume XXI Issue 2, December 2013

Read the full write-up at BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars ↗

Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars

A 1952 MG TD rebuilt around a Chrysler 392 Hemi V8

James Marsilia bought this MG TD around 1978 when it already carried a Chevrolet small block and Oldsmobile axle, then rebuilt it around a Chrysler 392cid hemi V8 from a 1957 Chrysler 300 with a TorqueFlite automatic and a narrowed Chrysler rear end. The car gained widened rear fenders, a reinforced frame, and a hand-built oak dashboard, giving it a distinctive street/strip character.

Specs

As stated in the original write-up.

Engine
Chrysler 392cid "hemi" V8, from a 1957 Chrysler 300, with two four-barrel carburetors
Ignition
Hi-Temp Super Stock Copper Core 8mm spark plug wires
Cooling
Custom "NASCAR core" radiator
Exhaust
Custom fabricated 2 inch pipes, powdercoated, no muffler
Transmission
Chrysler TorqueFlite A727 short-tailshaft 3-speed automatic
Rear end
Narrowed Chrysler 8.75 inch axle
Front suspension
Stock, fitted with heavier duty springs
Rear suspension
Stock, supplemented by air shocks
Brakes
Stock MG TD front brakes; Chrysler rear drum brakes
Wheels
Center Line aluminum wheels, 15 inch front and 17 inch rear
Tyres
Goodyear radial tires
Chassis
Stock MG frame reinforced with an "X" brace in the middle
Body
Original MG TD body, with rear fenders cut lengthways and widened about 2 inches
Interior
Custom solid oak dashboard; 1960s Volkswagen steering column
Weight
Approximately 2400 pounds

Parts used

Parts named as used in the original write-up, grouped the way the Parts page groups them. Where one of the shops we index lists the same thing for this car, it is shown underneath with a link to the shop.

Engine 1

  • Chrysler 392cid hemi V8Chrysler

    Sourced from a 1957 Chrysler 300 and installed as the car's engine

Fuel & Ignition 2

  • Two four-barrel carburetors

    Fitted to the 392 hemi for induction

  • Hi-Temp Super Stock Copper Core 8mm spark plug wires

    Used for the ignition system on the hemi engine

    In the shops
    Spark Plug Cap ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $10.75 USD
    NGK Spark Plug ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $3.29 USD
    Core Plug (Block) ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $2.05 USD

Cooling 1

Gearbox & Drivetrain 2

Suspension & Steering 3

Brakes 1

Wheels & Tyres 2

Body & Trim 2

  • Eagle hood ornament

    Fitted to the front of the car

  • Skull tail lights

    Fitted as custom tail light units

Interior 1

  • Custom solid oak dashboard

    Built to replace the original plywood dashboard

Other 1

  • Custom fabricated 2 inch exhaust pipes

    Powdercoated pipes built with no muffler

Photos

10 pictures collected from the write-up, in the order they were posted, shown from BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars. A picture opens larger here, with the way through to the page it is on.

James Marsilia's 1952 MG TD with Chrysler 392cid Hemi V8Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Valve cover was signed by drag racing icon Big Daddy Don Garlits in 2001.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
In process.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Eagle hood ornament.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
outside St. Mary's Children's HospitalPhoto: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Skull tail lights.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
As purchased about in about 1978, with Chevy small block engine and Oldsmobile axle.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Small block Chevrolet V8 engine.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Flat plywood dashboard.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Donate Now!Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars

How it was done

Starting condition

James Marsilia acquired the MG TD around 1978. At that time it already had a Chevrolet small block V8 and an Oldsmobile rear axle fitted, along with a plain flat plywood dashboard.

Mechanical work

The car was rebuilt around a Chrysler 392cid hemi V8 sourced from a 1957 Chrysler 300, fitted with two four-barrel carburetors and Hi-Temp spark plug wires. A Chrysler TorqueFlite A727 automatic transmission and a narrowed Chrysler 8.75 inch axle replaced the earlier drivetrain. The frame was reinforced with an X brace, front springs were upgraded, and rear air shocks were added. A custom NASCAR-style radiator and fabricated 2 inch exhaust were also built for the car.

Body and trim

The original body was kept, but the rear fenders were cut lengthways and widened about 2 inches to suit the wider rear track. Inside, a custom solid oak dashboard replaced the earlier plywood panel, and a 1960s Volkswagen steering column was fitted. The car also carries an Eagle hood ornament and skull tail lights, and a valve cover signed by drag racer Big Daddy Don Garlits in 2001.

Performance

Marsilia described the car as breaking the rear tires loose under power before accelerating hard, noting the weight transfer onto the rear wheels under power braking.

A summary in our own words. The full account, with all its detail, is in the original write-up: read it at BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars ↗

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