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Wanted: MGB 1800 Engine
Mal - 23/4/11 at 12:28 PM

I have just purchased a 1956 MG ZA Magnette, classic car.
These cars are fitted with 1500 B-series engines and, as you might expect the engine in a car that is 55 years old, is in need of a rebuild.
I want to do what other owners of these cars have done to improve performance and fit an MGB engine coupled to a Ford type 9 gearbox.
So please contact me if you have, or know of, a complete 1.8 B-engine in either good condition or rebuildable form.

Cheers,

Mal

MakeEverything - 23/4/11 at 01:08 PM

I saw an awesome Magnette Hotrod once, it had a small block chevy in it, was de-handled, roof chop etc.

Like this but in purple.

Mal - 23/4/11 at 01:43 PM

And I thought I was diverting from standard too much with a B- engine and Ford gearbox!

rusty nuts - 23/4/11 at 05:22 PM

Zetec it

r1_pete - 23/4/11 at 05:39 PM

quote:
Originally posted by rusty nuts
Zetec it


+1, worked great in my MGB

Mal - 23/4/11 at 08:21 PM

I've thought about a Zetec. A brand new one can be bought for around £700 still, but I want to retain some of the period character of the car, an oil leak onto the garage floor for example.

Simon - 23/4/11 at 09:21 PM

Couldn't you just paint some oil stains on the floor

I'd go K series, to keep it in the family so to speak.

ATB

Simon

stan160 - 24/4/11 at 08:50 PM

mal phone dave at mech spech 01777 818283 he deals in all things mgb and i am sure he,ll be able to help. mention me the pub landlord .if youre going to stoneleigh i could help out with delivery, best wishes stan:

britishtrident - 24/4/11 at 09:15 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Mal
I have just purchased a 1956 MG ZA Magnette, classic car.
These cars are fitted with 1500 B-series engines and, as you might expect the engine in a car that is 55 years old, is in need of a rebuild.
I want to do what other owners of these cars have done to improve performance and fit an MGB engine coupled to a Ford type 9 gearbox.
So please contact me if you have, or know of, a complete 1.8 B-engine in either good condition or rebuildable form.

Cheers,

Mal


1956 will be one of the very last ZA you should have room for the overdrive box that usually comes with the the MGB engine --- much nicer box than the type 9.

The changes between the ZA and ZB were more extensive than meets the eye, make sure you have a banjo style axle not the older split casing style used on Wolseley 4/44 and MG YB.

rusty nuts - 24/4/11 at 09:26 PM

Standard type 9 may not have ideal ratios but is a much better box than anything BMC/Austin/Rover BLMC in all of their various guises ever produced

MakeEverything - 24/4/11 at 09:38 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Mal
I've thought about a Zetec. A brand new one can be bought for around £700 still, but I want to retain some of the period character of the car, an oil leak onto the garage floor for example.


Any one of us here can help you with an oil leak if thats all you want.....

Mal - 24/4/11 at 10:35 PM

I think the MGB gearbox with overdrive gearbox is too big to conveniently fit into the tunnel space.