Jim Stuart's 1966 MGB with Rover 4.0L EFI V8

Jim Stuart's 1966 MGB with Rover 4.0L EFI V8

as published in British V8 Newsletter, Volume XV Issue 1, April 2007

Owner: Jim Stuart
City: Montgomery Village, MD
Model: 1966 MGB roadster
Engine: Rover V8
Conversion performed by: Owner

Note: This car was first converted to Buick 215 power with Edelbrock 500CFM carburetor. In this form, it was "completed" in about 2001. Later, it was upgraded to Rover hot-wire EFI, and then the engine was replaced with a 4.0L Rover.
Cam: Slightly lumpy.
Cooling: D&D copper/brass radiator.
Exhaust: Dual exhaust with mufflers and resonators. The gas tank was centered to facilitate symmetrical construction.
Transmission: Chevy T-5, with 0.63:1 5th gear. Custom driveshaft.
Clutch: McLeod HTOB, Chevy (Goodwrench) S-10 clutch.
Rear axle: Ford 8" / MGB hybrid axle with positraction and 3.55:1 gears. (Note: I originally fitted a 3.07:1 MGC differential.)
Front susp.: Rebuilt stock MGB, with polyurethane bushings, and M&G aftermarket sway bars.
Rear susp.: Rebuilt stock MGB.
Brakes: Stock.
Wheels/Tires: Factory 15" steel wheels (1966 vintage by 6" wide. Very hard to find!) Original hub caps.
Electrical: I completed a major rewire of the entire car. There are now 22 circuits, and all feature printed wires for easy troubleshooting and future modifications.
Other: Air conditioning. Color-matched hard top.
Comments: Like most conversions, this was and is an evolving project. I started with a pretty clean 1978 body, and decided to back date it to a 1966 with a metal dash, 2 wipers, 1966 interior/door handles, and A/C hidden in the dash using the original heater controls. This was, of course, mega times more work than anticipated. I took the car in the original mechanical form to the V8 meet in Sebring with the hood in primer, paint & pinstripes per the original car owner, the interior mostly done. It was several years later that the car was finally painted, then more time went by and I got bored and changed over to hot-wire Rover fuel injection. A bit more time went by and a rebuilt 4.0 Rover came along.

Rover EFI

MGB engine compartment

"How It Was Done"

Tunnel Mods to Clear the T5 Transmission   more tunnel modifications
Tunnel Mods to Clear the T5 Transmission

Passenger-Side Footbox Bulkhead and the AC Evaporator Housing   Passenger Bulkhead / AC Evaporator Housing
Passenger-Side Footbox Bulkhead and the AC Evaporator Housing

Passenger Side MGB Motor Mount   Driver Side MGB Motor Mounts
MGB Motor Mounts (late model style)

Modifications to the Motor Mount Adaptors for More Set-Back
Modifications to the Motor Mount Adaptors for More Set-Back

Rear Crossmember with adapter for T5 slanted mounting   Transmission Crossmember and adapter for T5
Rear Crossmember (modified with adapter for the T5's slanted mounting)

Mods to the Steering-Rack Mounts (to clear serpentine-belt and front cover)   Steering-Rack Mounts, Modified
Mods to the Steering-Rack Mounts (to clear serpentine-belt and front cover)

just about ready for the paint shop

Trial fitting of the engine   Setting Up the Throttle Cable
Trial Fitting of the Engine, and Setting Up the Throttle Cable

Setting Up The Electric Choke  
Setting Up The Electric Choke, and Modified Dropped-Base Air Cleaner

RV8-style Headers   Serpentine-Belt Assembly
Trial-Fitting RV8-style Headers and Serpentine-Belt Assembly

centered fuel tank for duel exhaust   adaptor for a chrome bumper (this was originally a rubber-bumper body)
At Right, an Adaptor for a Chrome Bumper (this was originally a rubber-bumper body)

The Oil Filter Clears The Rack!   Alternator Mounting
The Oil Filter Clears The Rack!

MGB Engine Bay

Removeable Slam Panel - Out   Removeable Slam Panel - Out
Jim Pioneered the "Removeable Slam Panel" Trick

Electric Cooling Fan

Firewall modifications for A/C   Bulkhead modifications for A/C
Firewall and Bulkhead Modifications for A/C

air conditioning evaporator   heater fittings
Trial Installation of the Evaporator/Heater Core and Fan Assemblies

squirrel-cage fan   heater fittings
Close-up Photos of the HVAC Fan and the Heater Fittings

HVAC hoses   This will confuse people! A Smith's Badge
Hose Connections and Finishing Touches on the HVAC

Heater Control Valve   Solenoid Valve
Heater Controls/Valves in the Engine Compartment

I'm guessing that's a big fuse for the blower motor   Sanden Compressor
Sanden Air Conditioning Compressor

Compressor Hose Connections   AC Condensor
Compressor Hose Connections, and Packaging of the A/C Condensor

Shifter Welded to an Offset Spacer to Align with Hole in Tranny Tunnel   Shifter is Aligned with Original Hole in Tranny Tunnel
Shifter Welded to an Offset Spacer to Align with Hole in Tranny Tunnel

Pedal-Stop   To Prevent Hyperextension of the Hydraulic Throw-Out Bearing
Pedal-Stop to Prevent Hyperextension of the Hydraulic Throw-Out Bearing

Early MGB Doors

Battery Disconnect Switch Connections   Battery Disconnect Switch Handle
EVERY MGB-V8 should have a battery disconnect switch! (Jim prefers to switch the "Ground" side)

Now An Early/Steel Dashboard is Going In   Notice how Jim has added A/C vents
Installation of an Early-Style (steel) Dashboard... but with A/C Vents Added

Finishing Up The MGB Steel Dash Conversion   MGB Steel Dash Conversion
Photos Interior6 and Interior7

Insulating the Pedal Box and Tranny Tunnel   Insulating the Footwells and Floorboards
It Would be Folly to Install A/C Without Addressing MGB Insulation Issues

Installation of MGB Carpeting

Jim Made Room on top the tunnel for a cup-holder   Mazda Miata Seats
Mazda Miata Seats and Customized Center Console/Armrest

Finished Paint Job   Finished Engine Compartment
Finished MGB V8 Conversion Making Its Debut


Engine Compartment Close-Up

Rover Mass Air Flow Sensor   Rover EFI Plenum Housing and Throttle Body
Carburetors are Okay... But Next Jim Converted This Car To Rover EFI!

PCV - positive crankcase ventilation   Rover EFI induction tract
Detailed Photos of Rover Electronic Fuel Injection System Induction Tract

v8 developments valve cover

v8 developments logo

smiths fuel consumption (manifold vacuum) gage

roll hoop and third brake lamp

power antenna

photographed at British V8 2007 (1)

photographed at British V8 2007 (2)

MGB Factory Hard-Top

MGB Disc/Steel Wheels

MGB HardTop... Sure Looks FAST, Doesn't It!


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