For those that have been reading this blog you know that the engine I’m installing in my 1967 MGB GT is not the original one. The engine I built for the car is approximately a 1971 18V engine with the newer fully synchronized transmission. This should be a peppy engine with many improvements including high compression pistons and the popular big valve head that was available for a few years.
The newer transmission is larger than the older 3 synchro trans and many reports indicate that the transmission tunnel in the older cars sometimes has to be modified for this newer transmission. I was expecting installing the engine to be an in and out affair with some minor bodywork required.
Well, was I ever in for a surprise. The engine dropped in with room to spare. My thought of spending hours swearing and bleeding never came to fruition. I guess the odd job does go smoothly, perhaps all of 10 minutes in this case.
There are still a few nit-picky items to change with the switch to a newer transmission however. Primarily the fact that the shift lever is 3 inches further back than before and a new transmission cover will need to be fabricated. That’s what fibreglass moulds are for.
