More on Performance-Building
Barry Barnes
IMPORTANT NOTE: The following article was written before I started my high-performance rebuild. The project has since been completed - click the MGB Rebuild Project History & Pictures link to see more. The engine includes the following:
Fuel & Carburetion - racing spec fuel filter, dual Weber DCOE 45 carbs, dual cold air intake system with undercar rams, UNI and K&N air filters;
Head & Cam - tri-alloy MSX cross-flow head (to relocate carbs from exhaust manifold & for added heat dissipation), heavy-duty valves & double-strength valve springs, MSX camshaft;
Engine Internals - ground & balanced crankshaft, all 190,000 psi racing spec engine internals, high-compression pistons;
Engine Externals - everything balanced, roller rockers, rocker oiling system, oil thermostat, relocated oil filter, oversize 19-row oil cooler;
Engine Cooling - finned tri-alloy valve cover (for added heat dissipation), oversize oil pump, oversize water pump, exhaust manifold cooling with under-car ram, extra thermostatically-activated fans for engine compartment cooling, extra hood and wheel well heat exhaust ports;
Exhaust - Monza header and flow-through exhaust system;
Other- overdrive transmission, braided hoses everywhere, and more...
Starting an Engine Rebuild: I'm just starting planning for an engine rebuild. I want to do most of the work myself, but the last engine I rebuilt was a 1949 flathead Ford V-8... in 1958, no less! Naturally, I have some trepidation about undertaking this all by myself.
Minimizing the Risks: To control the amount of damage I might do, I want some "expert help." Normally, I take my MGB's to John's British Cars, whom I trust and respect. However, in addition to the $2,500 to $3,000 of special parts and outside work (block boring and work, cylinder balancing, special camshaft grinding, ported cylindar heads, ported intake manifold, carb re-work, etc., etc.), John usually takes about 25 to 30 hours of labor to rebuild an engine. While it will probably take me three to five times that much (I don't know just exactly where to kick the wall), still, at $80/hour, that's another $2,000 to 2,400 - and I wanted to build the engine myself. John will work with people like me, allocating space in the shop, showing how to do an operation (i.e. the first piston), doing a QA function on the work, showing another operation, etc. This can reduce the labor bill to about 10 - 15% of what he would charge to do the job, give ME the chance to learn and build my own engine, and result in a high quality assurance function, thus minimizing risks.
A Detailed Study of Performance Enhancement: I am in the process of building a multi-page "primer" on performance-building an engine, dealing with each major component and how it affects your engine's incremental performance.
Submit YOUR Information: You are invited to share any info or experiences you've had on engine rebuilding and performance modifications. We can make this section benefit all of us as we keep these aging beauties running... and somewhat up to date - without sacrificing their originality. More later...
Barry Barness - April 2006 & February 2009
| 
