So the block testing looks good now
I have some Chevy rods on their way from the USA, I have a crank being offset ground the same as the old one. When the Rods arrive they can be machined to match my old rods. Then I can get the block back together, and that will be the point at which the Rover V8 goes up for sale as complete blown Drag Race engine
I was going to put it back in the MGB and bed it in with some test runs, but that will just waste time as I want to move on with the SBC build now. I figured that anyone who was buying my engine for drag racing would want to tear it down for inspection and a freshen up anyway. So I will save them the trouble and let them buy it as a fresh build that needs assembly. That way the new owner will be able to see whats inside before final assembly


The shopping list is growing and next week I shuold be ordering some of the big items for the SBC. A forged 383 crank and forged rods. I wont order the pistons until the SBC block has been gone over and a bore size and compression ratio decided upon. My friend with the digger is doing some sums for me while he is off work awaiting his surgery. I want around 700hp on the carb (s) only. But the internals must be capable of handling 900-1000hp with nitrous for short bursts on track.
As there will be no blower I want a dual quad tunnel ram inlet with two Holley 600 double pumpers fitted with a street scoop (bug catcher ) on top.
I already have a new MSD Digital 7 ign system on the shelf.

I'm hoping that the car will end up in the 8's with no nitrous. I dont think its a big ask as the old Rover was 9.6 seconds time after time with 600hp. I'm hoping the extra 100hp will offset the weight of the SBC engine and keep me on my old numbers or slightly better.
I have been reading so much on the SBC since Christmas. I dont need to waste time doing any R&D / development on the SBC because its all been done before by you guys over there for years. Unlike over here with the Rover where there are lots of experts but most of them are all into higher rpm circuit engines. And the sheer cost of Rover V8 performance parts over here now is becoming prohibitive. Hell! A set of stock OEM Rover V8 rockers are $78.00 each. So over $1200.00 for a set of OEM stock rockers in the UK?? The Rover engines are still fairly plentiful, but their second hand prices are creeping up.

Its a no brainer now to be honest. The MGB project was originally built to accept a SBC engine as it developed. Hence the Chevy pattern TH350 and the rear end upgrades etc. Now I just need to see how I can obtain parts from your side of the pond while keeping shipping costs and import duties at a sensible level.

So this is the end of the Rover V8 era for my MGB. But the start of an exciting new Chevy era for the MGB

AND I CANT WAIT TO SHAKE IT DOWN

Thats the Drag Racing bit over...

Now onto the other love of my life. My Grand Daughter Faith !
This little lady is growing up so fast its frightening.
She is 17 months old now. Where did that go ?? She is very vocal and has learnt lots of words and responses. Her latest words are NO and STOP. When she say's NO she shakes her head and looks away. When she says STOP she holds up a hand like a traffic officer. She got that from watching us talk to the dogs
She knows what a CAR is and she insists on going out at weekends in her Bug so she can drive it in the park. We took her to a photgrapher to get some 2015 pictures done with her mum. These are a few of my fave proofs from last week









Pel