Thread: Project $ 3 K Is Underway

Tweet

Hi Tom, Welcome to the group, and thanks for doing your intro on this thread. Sounds like you will be doing one a lot like my own Dodge, Fantastic, we'll have a lot to talk about for sure.

Even though the T is done I figured I'd keep this thread going for a while to incorporate some of the other things going on in our shop. Your nice words were certainly appreciated.

Post us some pictures of your build when you can.

Don

I have loved the handling and driveablility of British sports cars since I owned an MGA many years ago. What I never loved about these cars though, was the abomnable lack of reliability. It seemed that I spent more time with the engine torn down doing valves, bearings or other sundry repairs than I did driving. With a 4.33/1 rear end, the engine would buz at over 4000 rpm when cruising on the highway.
When I got a chance to pick up a 58 roadster, I decided that I would try to remedy that reliability problem by installing a 2.8 Ltr. Ford V-6 engine with a Mustang 5-speed transmission. This engine actually weighs about 30 lbs less than the 4 it will replace and, with the 5-speed, should be able to cruise without tearing itself apart. Also, the 2.8 is not an overly tourquey engine so should be OK with the stock rear end if I am reasonably careful. (I am using the stock MGA rear end because this car has wire-wheels and I really don't want to change that unless it is absolutely necessary.)
I'm not looking for a dragster here, just a pleasant to drive, reliable cruiser so modifications to the engine will be minimal; headers, 350 Holley carb and probably a cam if I can find one that will improve power at higher revs without a major increase in low end tourque.

That is a swap that makes sense in one of these. How about some pictures as you go? BTW, those rear ends are a little stronger than we think. I did round off some axle ends with the 289 in it (I was buying a few at a time from the junkyard at $10 a pop) but even those would hold up for a while and I did lots of smokey burnouts with it, since I was 18 at the time.


Don

At this point, Don, I'm really at the "gathering parts" stage but I will definitely post some pictures when I get to the "build" stage. That's good news about the rear ends. I have been a bit worried about putting any real tourque through them since the original engine was a rather anemic 1500cc's. My intention was to limit low end power to save it, but if it can handle a 289 with burnouts even for a short time it might hold up better than I thought.