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Ivan Collins' 1973 MGB GT Ford 347 V8 Conversion

Ivan Collins · 1973 MGB GT

MG MGB

BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports carsas published in BritishV8 Magazine, Volume XX Issue 2, December 2012

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 1973 MGB GT rebuilt around a stroked Ford 347 V8

Ivan Collins turned his first car, a rusty, previously wrecked 1973 MGB GT, into a V8-powered project built from age 15 to 27. He fabricated his own chassis stiffening, roll cage, bodywork, and a custom 3-link rear suspension analysed in SolidWorks, pairing it all with a stroked Ford 302. The write-up is worth reading for his candid list of mistakes and fixes along the way.

Specs

As stated in the original write-up.

Engine
Ford 302 V8 stroked to 347cid with FordStrokers kit, AFR 185cc heads, ~10.5:1 compression
Camshaft
Comp Cams XE274HR
Induction
Edelbrock RPM intake manifold, Holley 650cfm carburetor with mechanical secondaries
Ignition
Pro Billet mechanical-advance distributor, MSD 6AL ignition box
Cooling
Howe aluminum 19x19x3 radiator, Flex-a-lite 118 2500cfm electric fan, Ford Explorer timing cover and water pump, oil cooler
Exhaust
Handmade 4-into-1 headers with 1.5 inch primaries, 2.5 inch dual exhaust, FlowMaster 44 muffler
Gearbox
Ford T5 five speed from a 1987 Mustang GT, Zoom Kevlar clutch, RAM hydraulic throw-out bearing
Driveshaft
Custom 2 inch, 0.120 inch wall driveshaft
Rear axle
Narrowed Ford 8 inch axle (1966 Fairlane) with 3.8:1 gears and limited slip differential
Front suspension
Fast Cars coilover suspension with 7/8 inch adjustable anti-roll bar
Rear suspension
Custom adjustable 3-link with adjustable Panhard rod, Gaz single adjustable coilover shocks, Eibach 200lb springs
Brakes
Dual Tilton Series 75 0.75 inch bore master cylinders with bias bar; Wilwood front master cylinders and vented/drilled rotors; 2003 Mustang Cobra rear calipers with vented/drilled/scalloped rotors and Wilwood aluminum top hats
Wheels
Konig Runaway 17x8 aluminum wheels
Tyres
Nitto NT555, 225/40R17 front and 255/40R17 rear
Electrical
Denso alternator, Summit Racing wiring harness and fuse block
Fuel system
Summit Racing 15-gallon aluminum fuel cell, Summit Racing 14psi fuel pump, Holley adjustable fuel pressure regulator with tank bypass line
Body
Sebring front valance, handmade fender flares, shaved side markers/reverse lights/fuel filler, smoothed rear valence, fabricated aluminum rear spoiler, custom 16-gage steel firewall, firewall-area frame reinforcement with 1/8 inch plate
Interior
Grant steering wheel on quick release hub, custom aluminum dashboard in black crinkle paint, AutoMeter Sport Comp gauges, Kirkey aluminum seats, RCi 5-point harnesses, custom 1.75 inch OD roll cage, Lizard Skin thermal/acoustic insulation
Completed
July 16, 2011

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 9

Fuel & Ignition 9

Cooling 5

  • Howe aluminum 19x19x3 Chevy-style radiatorHowe

    Main engine cooling radiator

    In the shops
    Aluminum Radiator ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $355.00 USD
    Aluminum Radiator ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $358.50 USD
    Aluminum Radiator ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $364.00 USD
  • Flex-a-lite 118 2500cfm electric fanFlex-a-lite

    Electric cooling fan on an adjustable thermostatic switch

  • Ford Explorer timing cover and water pumpFord

    Donor parts used for the front cooling/accessory setup

    In the shops
    Morgan/Lotus/Ford 100E Fuel Pump ↗Sports & Classics· $89.95 USD
    Ford Explorer ST U625 AWD/RWD BC Racing Coilovers ↗Paramount Performance· $1,176.20 USD
  • Oil cooler

    Mounted in the front valence for engine oil cooling

  • Custom serpentine belt setup

    Accessory drive system, later stiffened after it threw a belt

    In the shops
    Serpentine Belt ↗Motorsport Auto (The Z Store)· $49.87 USD
    Serpentine Belt ↗Motorsport Auto (The Z Store)· $45.58 USD
    Serpentine Belt Tensioner ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $222.91 USD

Gearbox & Drivetrain 5

Suspension & Steering 5

Brakes 5

Wheels & Tyres 2

  • Konig Runaway 17x8 aluminum wheelsKonig

    Road wheels fitted all round

  • Nitto NT555 tyresNitto

    225/40R17 front and 255/40R17 rear tyres fitted

Body & Trim 6

Interior 7

Electrical 2

Photos

40 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.

Ivan Collins' 1973 MGB GT with Ford 347cid 302 V8 EnginePhoto: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Roller 302, stroked to 347 cubic inches with a FordStrokers kit.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Proform super-light aluminum air cleaner. Mr Gasket air filter.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Master cylinder enclosure and access cover.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Tilton Series 75 master cylinders with remote reservoirs.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Pro Billet distributor (mechanical advance only). MSD 6AL ignition controller.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Handmade 4-into-1 headers with 1.5 inch primaries.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Edelbrock RPM intake manifold. Holley 650cfm carburetor with mechanical secondaries.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Howe aluminum 19x19x3 Chevy-style radiator. Flex-a-lite 118 2500cfm electric fan.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Holley adjustable fuel pressure regulator. Denso alternator.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
An aluminum cover keeps the MSD ignition box a little cooler, drier, and cleaner.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Comp Cams XE274HR camshaft.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Probe forged flat top pistons are part of the stroker kit.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
AFR 185cc aluminum cylinder heads (58cc combustion chambers).Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
AFR upgraded valve springs. 7/16 inch valvetrain studs.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Scorpion 1.6:1 roller rockers.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
FlowMaster 44 muffler.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Summit Racing 15-gallon aluminum fuel cell.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
FlowMaster muffler and Summit Racing fuel cell viewed from below.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Fast Cars Inc. coilover front suspension with 7/8 inch anti-roll bar.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Ivan designed and analyzed his custom 3-link rear suspension in SolidWorks.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Ford 8 inch rear axle with 3-link suspension components and Wilwood disc brake kit.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
The SolidWorks model showed a very big difference in strength.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Anti-squat and roll center height...Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Ivan designed the brake caliper mounts, and had them made by Brisco in Swannanoa, NC.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Gaz single adjustable coilover shock absorbers. Eibach 200# rear springs.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Grant steering wheel mounted on a quick release hub.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
AutoMeter Sport Comp gauges.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Custom aluminum dashboard, painted with black crinkle paint.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Summit Racing wiring harness and fuse block.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Tilton 600 Series brake and clutch pedal assembly.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Kirkey aluminum seats.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Racer's Choice Inc. (RCi) 5-point, latch and link safety harnesses.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Ivan applied Lizard Skin spray-in thermal and acoustic insulation.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Lizard Skin is a rubbery paint with a generous quantity of glass microspheres suspended in it.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Lizard Skin seals tight gaps well and looks clean when painted over.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Replacing rocker panels, rear dog-leg panels, sections of the floorboard.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Custom 16-gage steel firewall.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
I made a wire frame mock-up first.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Wire frame skinned with poster board.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars

How it was done

A first car, badly battered

Ivan bought the MGB GT for a dollar at 15 and drove it stock through high school and a year of college. It had been wrecked before and was rusty. Before any V8 work could start he spent months replacing rocker panels, rear dog-leg panels and floor sections, and built a rig to straighten the bent chassis.

Building the stroked V8

He built a Ford 302 stroked to 347 cubic inches using a FordStrokers kit, Probe flat top pistons and AFR aluminum heads for about 10.5:1 compression. A Comp Cams XE274HR camshaft, Scorpion roller rockers, Edelbrock intake and a Holley 650cfm carburetor completed the top end, fired by a Pro Billet distributor and MSD 6AL box.

Cooling and driveline

Cooling relies on a Howe aluminum radiator, a Flex-a-lite electric fan and a Ford Explorer timing cover and water pump, plus an oil cooler. Power goes through a Ford T5 five-speed from a Mustang GT with a Zoom clutch and RAM hydraulic throw-out bearing, into a custom driveshaft and a narrowed Ford 8 inch axle with limited slip.

Suspension engineered from scratch

Up front he fitted Fast Cars coilovers with an anti-roll bar. At the rear he designed and analysed a custom adjustable 3-link suspension in SolidWorks, refining the Panhard bar thickness after modelling showed a stronger option, and had his own brake caliper mounts laser cut.

Brakes, wheels and interior

Braking combines dual Tilton master cylinders with a bias bar, Wilwood front rotors and 2003 Mustang Cobra rear calipers. Inside, he built an aluminum dashboard, fitted AutoMeter gauges, Kirkey seats, RCi harnesses and a custom roll cage, and sprayed Lizard Skin insulation throughout.

Bodywork and finishing

Ivan hand-formed fender flares from wire-frame and poster board templates before cutting steel, built his own firewall and rear spoiler, and shaved various trim details. He admits the bodywork and paint were rushed at the end of the project and he was not fully happy with the door fit and prep.

Lessons from the road

Since completion he has fixed a thrown serpentine belt that caused overheating, repeated clutch throw-out bearing failures, and a fragile speedometer drive clip. He plans a tighter, better-designed version on a future MGB V8 build, including an external clutch slave and larger fender flares.

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 ↗

Worth knowing

  • Stiffen and align the serpentine belt drive carefully, or it can throw a belt and cause overheating.
  • Fit oil pressure and water temperature warning lights so problems are caught early.
  • Use an external clutch slave cylinder rather than a hydraulic throw-out bearing to avoid repeated failures.
  • Secure the speedometer drive gear retaining clip well, as it can fall out or break and kill the speedo reading.
  • Route exhaust with oval tubing in tight areas to gain ground clearance.
  • Do not rush bodywork and paint at the end of a build, as fit and prep will suffer.

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