Darrell Levine's 1978 MGB with Buick 231cid V6 Engine
as published in BritishV8 Magazine, Volume XX Issue 1, July 2012
Owner: Darrell Levine
BritishV8 UserID: 2 putt
City: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Model: 1978 MGB
Engine: 1986 Buick 231cid V6
Conversion performed by: owner (see comments.)
"How It Was Done"
| Engine: | 1986 Buick 231cid V6.
Edelbrock Performer manifold.
Edelbrock 500cfm four barrel carburetor.
K&N air filter.
Delco-Remy HEI distributor. |
| Cooling: | stock late model MGB radiator. |
| Exhaust: | custom dual exhaust (around centered fuel tank). |
| Transmission: | stock MGB 4-speed with Laycock overdrive.
Custom aluminum adapter plate.
MGB slave cylinder and clutch disc.
GM pressure plate and throw-out bearing. |
| Rear Axle: | stock MGB, updated with 3.07:1 |
| Front Suspension: | stock MGB. |
| Rear Suspension: | stock MGB. |
| Brakes: | stock MGB. |
| Wheels/Tires: | stock Rostyle steel wheels. Goodyear Integrity tires. |
| Electrical: | Delco-Remy alternator.
Stock MGB instruments (tach modified.) |
| Completed: | spring 2011. |
| Comments: | This is my second V6-converted MGB. My earlier conversion was a red 1975 model MGB.
It was built up by Bob Zimmerman from Oak Bluff Manitoba, approximately 10 years ago.
Unfortunately, that car was struck in the rear and heavily damaged. After purchasing
the salvage title, I swapped over its powertrain to the newer bodyshell. As testament
to all the custom pieces that Bob originally fabricated, the swap was a breeze,
The Buick engine probably has more than 20k miles on it since it was originally rebuilt, and it's actually the second Buick 231 that has been mated to the MGB transmission! The earlier Buick 231 was from a 1979 model car. It was purchased from a junkyard, patched up, and used for six or seven years before a bearing started knocking. The newer engine is from 1986. The 1986 engine runs smoother, produces much better oil pressure, and revs more freely. If you're considering doing a 231 V6 engine swap, look for the later engines. You can identify them by their 20-bolt oilpans. (They went into production in 1984 or 1985.) |
1986 Buick 231cid V6.
Edelbrock Performer manifold. Edelbrock 500cfm four barrel carburetor.
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Delco-Remy HEI distributor.
Stock MGB 4-speed with Laycock overdrive. Custom aluminum transmission adapter plate.
Prep for engine installation started with replacing motor mounts.
The MGB fuel tank was moved to centerline to better accommodate dual exhaust.
