MGB Engine Swap #1

We had replaced the head gasket in the '73 MGB Engine and tuned it up before the 2012 season's first race at NJMP, and it was now so powerful that the internal steel could not withstand it's mighty 68 horsepower. Also, we probably over-revved, starved bearing number 3 of oil and threw the rod. It's an MGB thing.

May, 2012:

So, time to steal the wife's engine out of the 1978 convertible MGB:

"To B or not to be a B, that is the question..."... "Oh shut up and take the damn engine out already!"

 Goldie, on a weight loss program:

"Yes, we know your hood's off, stop winking at us."

Engine swap in progress; we had debated swapping in the wet/dry vac (pictured) for the increased horsepower, but decided the Lucas Alternator would not handle the load, so we ended up swapping in the 1978 engine anyway. Of course, I didn't bother to rebuild the engine or even check the compression on it, 'cause I'm an idiot, but hey it's important to Keep The Mystery in every endeavor!

MGB engine swap without a supply of Guinness on hand? Gormless indeed.

Turns out the engine mounts changed between 1973 and 1978; which meant the front plate had to be swapped as well and the timing cover messed with (or possibly we just messed with that to check the chain tensioner while the engine was out). We installed a new clutch while we were in there.

She runs just fine, after a few hundred re-wirings to get the different alternator & distributor working. There is a little box bolted to the inside fender that goes with the newer distributors. How can you tell if an English car is running? Because it's leaking:

She's not leaking, she'd marking her territory.

The daughter & friends had dressed up The Short Bus To Adventure for their Prom party, and being out of time before the Summit Point race due to the late engine swap we made the executive-non-decision of using it as it. Plus, it was sparkly, like a Lucas electrical system on a foggy day. The lights on ceiling phase in & out between colors, which can get annoying when your damn car blows up again and you retreat to the couch only to have the ceiling look like it's 'on fire' and remind you of your woes... but that's another story.

The Short Bus To Adventure - voted prettiest tow vehicle at the Prom