Projects 1958 MG Magnette build

The last step was making a special pilot bushing. After that, we could do the first test-fit. By the way, the goal here was to make it look stock in the engine bay. It became clear that the tunnel would need to be relieved, so it was split down the middle and a 2" strip laid in. The shifter position is spot-on.

 

Great job on that trans! I was pretty proud of myself when I adapted a T-5 to a Y-block bell but that is some extensive work you've done there.

I'd like to add that you may have motivated me. I have a Spitfire donor car and have been meaning to install the disc brakes on my wifes Herald, just might move that project forward now. Again, Great job!

 

Aw leave him alone. its better than some of the street rod crap that shows up.

I would probably go the Tigre route if it were mine. But I did build a souped up Reilly once.

Looks like a baby Bently.

 

Well in a very prescriptive way its not a HAMB car but the work sure is. Thanks for posting such a well set out thread with so many pics.

 

What great work you are doing
I still have a soft spot for certain Pommy based cars.
Your gearbox conversion shows your great ability to design and manufacture to suit your needs.
In the late 70's i produced a conversion using Datsun 4 and 5 speeds behind all B series motors. And two other Gearbox conversions to suit the A series motors. Some of these were sold in America back then
Keep posting your build photos and all the details of what has been done

 

Sometimes you have to apply what is available to learn. My grandad always told me that an intellegent man could learn from an idiot.

Not to say that this fella is an idiot, but there is can be a lot of applied knowlege in this thread if someone is willing to learn.

 

I'm enjoying this thread.

Very jealous of the tools and equipment you have, not to mention the talent to use them!

The Tradition Police are doing their usual fine job. Like rust, they never sleep.

After all, this thread is taking up valuable bandwidth that could be used for another "me too" thread concerning such traditional subjects as Mustang II front ends, "laying frame" and tattooed skanks.

 

I'm digging the thread, too...a Magnette may not be a "trad" car in the strictest sense in the US (perhaps in the UK/AUS/NZ/ZA, it is), but the guy is doing several things here:

1) Actually BUILDING his own car, in nearly every respect!

2) Displaying his mad freakin' talents by showing us what he's doing and why.

3) He's doing some serious drivetrain mods on this that 97% of us probably can't do.

4) It's cool, old, unusual, and just plain neat!

Personally, I can not wait to see the finished car! Granted, I'd like to have seen that V-8 in the car, but...!

 

x2...

 

lets see...a father son project where parts are being machined, engines being rebuilt, welding , fabrication etc etc. Sure it might not be a traditional Hot Rod, but the kid was inspired by people on this board , and hopefully he can inspire someone else..... Keep up the good work and keep posting. There are lots of threads on here that are far less informative.

 

you should be fine, I had an 81 off topic Japanese car with only 60 horsepower and it did just fine with ratios very close to that. That Mg can't weigh much more, it also had an iron block 1500 and was roughly the same size. so the weights were probably pretty close. any idea what the stock horsepower and torque are on that? you have the option of headwork, with your skills you can eaisily fabricate headers, and improve the exaust some. it might be quicker then people think it is.

 

I modified the original trans mount by welding a plate on and cutting the front down to fit the contour of the T5. The rubber mount is from and MG-TD and fit damn near perfect.

I painted it all up and put it in for the final time. You can also see the toe boxes closed up for good before bolting on the lower tie-bar brackets.

 

Fan-frick'n-tastic man. Those welds on the bellhousing are unbelievable! Sure it isn't a 3W or a RPU, but the skills are top notch. Hell, I got a few ideas for my projects now (like turning my own bushings).

 

OK...

My thoughts on this...



To me personally, not a car I'd build, and not a Trad Hot Rod or Trad Custom.


But as a build, impressive enough to stay.

The rust repair applies to other peoples projects as well, and the 5speed conversion is Hot Rodding.


So I'm not Deleting this...


We know this Tread is here, we've read the responces ( both positive and negative ), there is no need for more Drama.

 

Subscribed, I appreciate the quality of the build and the write-up.

 

great car and great thread, here's some inspiration for you.http://www.mgcars.org.uk/news/news476.html
these cars have a lot vintage racing history, not everyone on this board is in the US and has acess to "traditional" sheet metal, they've even been raced in nascar in road course events

 

a tiger powered ZA/ZB would be uber cool.

don't mind curbspeed, he just needs to get laid.

 

I'm really enjoying this thread. My dad had a '62 MGA roadster when I was a kid, and I never forgave him for selling it.

I've never seen a Magnette before, and this one shaping up to be a very cool car. What are your plans for the exterior appearance? Mostly stock? Different color?

 

I like it! Not traditional by a long shot. but great stuff none the less. Matbe it shouyld be on a British forum though.

 

I have posted this on other British sites but the HAMB has way more creativity exhibited by it's members so I find myself checking in over here more often.

The exterior is essentially stock, but lowered as much as possible with cut coils and re-stacked leafs in the back. Here is the rear suspension being removed, and cleaning up the rear axle and brake components. On the leafs I pulled the 2nd longest out, and moved the 2 shortest to the top of the stack. This gives a 2-3" drop when all done.

 

The donor 4.30 ended up being a mess inside and needing a full rebuild. We ended up swapping the gears into the 4.55 case because tolerances were better. We also ended up needing to clean the mounting face of the ring because it was showing too much runout. The factory had a special jig for setting preload but a bar and weight gave us good results, it just took a few different shim configurations before getting it right.

 

I was concerned about the axle swaying in the back with one of the longest leafs pulled out, so we used some hard poly (95A) to really tighten up the rear shackles.

 

You're fine, dont worry about it.

An other Mod might decide different at some point, but like I said, I'm not Deleting this.


And who knows...

Maybe we'll get you to go over to the dark side, and put a vintage Shorrock or Wade blower on it...

 

Oh didn't I mention it's getting a Judson blower when I get my funds together?

 

Cool...

It looked like you were prepairing this car for some more power...

 

Well that makes all the difference. lol I'm not trying to be an ass, I like British cars and bikes too, if the Moderators are OK with it then I am also.

I have a whole photo catalog of my Triumph Herald build I might start a thread. Just kidding. You're cool.

 

I mocked up and made the rear exhaust. It runs over the rear axle, then swings back over to exit center. After that it came back down, I undercoated the rear floor area, and the rear suspension was put back in permanently.

 

Until I can scratch together the cash for the Judson, the original twin SU carbs will have to suffice. I was originally going to run this alloy valve cover, but it fouls on the air cleaner so it will have to run the stock steel cover.

 

Agreed. Rust resurrection is a traditional enough topic for me, plus we get a little knowledge about something different. On the other hand, maybe it should just be in the tech thread.

IF however, in the end we read through 'till it's done only to find it's got skinny 4" wide wheels with whitewalls and hubcaps on it we're probably all going to kick his ass.

 

Well it won't have hubcaps