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Bryant Ercanbrack's 1964 MGB with Ford 289 V8

Bryant Ercanbrack · 1964 MGB

MG MGB

BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports carsBritishV8 Magazine, Volume XVII Issue 1, July 2009

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 1964 MGB rebuilt around a Ford 289 V8

Bryant Ercanbrack bought this MGB V8 conversion already completed but rough, then spent several months in 2008 sorting out mechanical faults and freshening the car cosmetically. The write-up is a useful record of what a used V8 conversion often needs: drivetrain repair, rewiring, and a full interior and trim refresh.

Specs

As stated in the original write-up.

Engine
Ford 289 V8 with 4-barrel Edelbrock intake manifold and carburetor
Ignition
Mallory ignition, cap and rotor
Cooling
Ford Mustang/Falcon radiator with electric fan
Exhaust
Custom headers to side pipes
Transmission
4 speed manual
Rear Axle
Not specified by owner
Front Suspension
Stock
Rear Suspension
Stock
Brakes
Updated to later-model MGB dual circuit brake system
Wheels/Tires
Aluminum slot wheels
Body
Fiberglass fender flares front and rear, fiberglass hood scoop
Interior
Equuis gauges, Painless Wiring T-bucket wiring harness

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 2

  • Ford 289 V8 engineFord

    Base engine for the conversion

  • Custom headers

    Routed to side pipes for the V8 exhaust

Fuel & Ignition 2

Cooling 2

Gearbox & Drivetrain 2

Brakes 1

Wheels & Tyres 1

  • Aluminum slot wheels

    Fitted to the car

Body & Trim 6

Interior 2

  • Equuis gaugesEquuis

    New gauges installed in the dashboard

  • Carpets and upholstery

    Completely redone during the interior refresh

    In the shops
    Upholstery and Carpet Spray Adhesive ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $31.75 USD

Electrical 3

Other 1

  • Side pipes

    Exhaust exit fed by the custom headers

Photos

6 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.

Bryant Ercanbrack's 1964 MGB with Ford 289 V8Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Ford 289 V8 enginePhoto: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
seatsPhoto: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
dashboardPhoto: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
hoodPhoto: 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

Buying a finished but rough conversion

Ercanbrack purchased this MGB with its Ford 289 V8 conversion already done in June 2008. The car was complete but in rough condition mechanically and cosmetically, setting up several months of repair and refurbishment work that he finished by September 2008.

Sorting the drivetrain

He pulled the engine and transmission to replace a stripped ring gear, and also fitted a new starter motor. These repairs addressed underlying mechanical faults left over from the car's prior build or use.

Rewiring and instruments

The car was rewired using a Painless Wiring T-bucket harness, and new Equuis gauges were installed, bringing the electrical system and instrumentation up to a reliable standard.

Interior refresh

Ercanbrack completely redid the interior carpets and upholstery, and installed a new radio and speakers, improving both comfort and usability of the cabin.

Cosmetic and body work

He painted the exterior, replaced the hood and latches (removing a previous MGC-replica hood with a forward-facing scoop), fitted a new grille and badges, chrome plated the roll hoop, and added chrome covers over the mufflers.

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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Bryant Ercanbrack's 1964 MGB with Ford 289 V8 | Restomod Life