The MGB GT V8 , a car to love or hate - Ok I agree - I love it

[@brucewilson1958]

Man, a real shop, real tools, and real knowledge! Firing in all cylinders! Bravo.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thank you

[@burbt6069]

I run a panel & paint shop in the UK for many years and have worked on dozens of BGT’s. I’ve owned a 1969 BGT, my mum had a brand new one in 74-5 with plastic bumpers and they are as you say ‘A love or hate car’. That’s because they’re so temperamental, they rusted like no other car, were built by a company that was always on strike and didn’t seem to care about the product.- British Leyland. But they had a great appeal, were fun to drive and great to show off in. Driving my mums when I was 18 was great fun. I did my body shop apprenticeship at a Leyland Dealers and to be honest their cars were not great quality and not rust proofed, which meant they corroded from day one on British roads. But the MGBGT V8 was something special and were cherished by their owners. And the way that Rover V8 was shoehorned into that tiny engine bay was something to behold. ❤️ I had the chance of test driving a 2 year old MGBGT V8 that was for sale and I loved it but the asking price was just too much for me at the age of 19. I had a beautiful signal red Triumph 2.5 PI at the time and was willing to part exchange that but couldn’t find the extra two hundred pounds required to buy the V8. It was in the rare Citroen Yellow colour with green tinted windows too and it still hurts that I couldn’t buy it way back then. So I know what you are playing with there and love what you are doing to it. All that new uprated suspension will really make a massive difference to how it handles. Well done doing it properly! That body kit looks great on the car too. Have fun with it, drive it as hard as you dare and Good luck with your racing.👍

[@D3Sshooter]

Thank you for the great write-up and thanks

[@paddyglenny]

A beautiful car! My compliments. I'm 65 and the MGB GT 1800 was my first ever car. It was a rusted out British Racing Green that badly needed new rings and valve guide oil seals registration number ESB163D. 1966, she had overdrive too. A beautiful car.....😊

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments, and you are a young man

[@mechanknuckle]

Excellent shooting and editing. Many people don't know that doing a voiceover after editing a full video is often the best way to create a video package.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thank you, we try

[@crystalriver926]

Had an MGB in high school and it's good to know the 'MG experience' remains consistent regardless of time or location - it's just not a piece of equipment that was ever put together very well and no amount of tinkering can change it's basic nature, which is essentially to never run fully right. Still, a beautiful car and exhilarating to drive in those few moments when it all comes together...

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments

[@daveshongkongchinachannel]

What a stunning example you have created. I love the sympathetic approach where you make subtle but very effective improvements without taking away any of the key elements that make it a classic.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thank you, that is what I always try

[@simonpaine2347]

Excellent job. Back in 1972 my mother had an MGC. My parents would regularly take off for weekends, so I would occasionally take off in the MGC! Thankfully I never got caught, either by the police or by my parents!

[@finlayfraser9952]

That is a tremendous sound for a RoverV8, just singing!

[@D3Sshooter]

thanks

[@RichardFerrier-qb9be]

Good to see a true master of the trade! Thank you for posting.

[@John-q1h3o]

Thanks for this, I so wanted a V8 but could never afford it, what joy to watch with all the mods you put on, excellent.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments

[@jimo680]

Beautiful. A work of art. Thanks so much for sharing your expertise!

[@D3Sshooter]

My pleasure

[@rabaham]

I have many classic cars, Mercedes, Volvo, Buick, thunderbird and more. but my MG MGB is special. I have to get going and rebuild the front end. Hard to steer. Great work and nice relaxing video. Thank you

[@stuartstevens472]

Hello, I really enjoy your videos and pace. Great to see the details and your thorough systematic logical approach.I have an MG RV8 set up for tarmac with a 5 litre Rover with aftermarket heads. I too had troubles with the same Lucas dizzy and rotor Cap and Module! changed to a bosch hall effect distributor top grafted to lucas base, remote mount bosch module on a big 4mm thick heat sink, MSD blaster coil with ECU.Have a merry christmas!

[@WakeUp-p6h]

Phenomenal car! Can't beat an old MG for styling and handling..

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments

[@BigHeinen]

Many people don't know that the engine in the 'OEM stock' MGB-GT V8 was a factory option from 1973 to 1976 which was the Land Rover 3.5L originally sourced from Buick as the 215ci V8. Land Rover then bought the rights to produce that V8 engine from Buick (GM). The MGB GT V8 was never exported to the United States.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comment

[@darundale]

Was that not aluminum that 215ci? I ask because in 65' or 66' (don't remember) I was given a Skylark running a aluminum block powerplant. Anyway the BGT with any engine option was a great looking and fun auto. This w one is beautiful

[@denissaunders9544]

I believe the altered, all aluminium, Buick lump was first installed in the Rover 3.5 coup car of 1967 - 1973, - as well as every other car that customisers got their hands on! [For better or worse].

[@06barcafan10]

I took my drivers test in dad’s 71 B…..loved that car….when I wasn’t fixing some problem with the Lucas electronics…..

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments

[@badgermtn]

Very nice! Brings back memories...I owned a 1973 MGB for 18 years as my daily driver. The only modifications I did to it was putting on a Weber DGV 32/36, headers, tube shock conversion, and electronic ignition. Often thought about doing a V8 engine swap...I think the typical engine would have been a Buick aluminum 218 c.i. or something like that. Its been almost 30 years gone now.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thank you and yes that Buick would have worked

[@54mgtf22]

Great job Steve. Another MG. Cool 😎

[@D3Sshooter]

Thnaks

[@TheDaf95xf]

Good evening Steve 😊 you’re my favourite Belgium 🇧🇪 working on classic British 🇬🇧 cars 👍🏻 It makes me proud watching you cheers Stevie 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks... and yes UK cars are my favoriet since I was a kid

[@frankirvine316]

Great Job,I like the GT and having the 8 cylinder really makes the car boogie✅ Your attention to details is perfect 👌 Best Regards Francis

[@audiophil4946]

Beautiful B GT V8! I have a 72 BGT that I drive daily in the summer and love it. I also have a 4.0 Rover V8 that I hope to swap into the B someday. You have given me a little more inspiration! Thanks

[@D3Sshooter]

Right on!

[@esr243]

Excellent test drives on the typical Belgian concrete tracks straight through farmlands in the middle of the Haspengouw (in Flemish) or Hesbaye (in French). Great car and a video well produced. Inspiring

[@scottheadz]

Currently restoring my MG without a garage, one day i aspire to work as meticulously as you, great vid again.

[@Alan-J-Mock]

Excellent and what a mechanic!!!

[@jatco84]

Wow.. what a wild transformation. Soo cool and so intense. I had a '71 MGBGT, stock, in my youth...with the 'odd' 2-6V batteries under the back 'seat'. It was a fun car, but the twin Webber Carbs did not like the damp weather. Threw in an Abarth exhaust and had a great time with the car. Wished I could've saved it...!! Excellent work on that V8 conversion.!!

[@D3Sshooter]

Thank you for the comments, indeed 2*6Volt ...

[@brycekeck6663]

Hey Steve, I found your channel from your MGA videos as I am currently restoring an MGA racecar of my own. Your videos are fantastic and really enjoyable to watch. Many thanks from Nebraska, US

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks, and that is so nice to hear that you are restoring a MGA race car... just a shame we are so far appart.. else we could race against each other in our MGA . What engine do you have in it ?

[@brycekeck6663]

@@D3Sshooter right now it has the 1500 engine but the dream is to aquire a twin-cam. Otherwise I am considering an MGB engine. The car raced in SCCA back in the day but I would like to keep it road-legal but stay true to its racing history.

[@D3Sshooter]

@@brycekeck6663 A Twin Cam would be very nice... a B engine can be very well tuned. I have one tuned at 180 Hp

[@davidmotoman4956]

A great video. Good to see you take so much pride in Your Work. MG V8 Orsome :) Dave Australia

[@bendarat]

First of all, I’m jealous. Especially as I’m working through my BGT project. I just want to say, I’m so glad to have stumbled on your channel a few months ago. Love your content, thanks for sharing with us.

[@D3Sshooter]

My pleasure and enjoy your GT.. they are great cars

[@aedwards4496]

Fantastic video, that MGB is a whole lot better than the crap one I had in the 70's

[@hanspeterbleuer8159]

Very lovely job! Like the hands of this guy, worker hands.

[@hankcuccina5260]

They are capable hands.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thank you very much!

[@steve5825]

Great video, superb work, beautiful car.

[@davidstuart4915]

impressive work and love the flared arches :)

[@telecomwiz2004]

This is fantastic content--all of it. IDK how I'm only now finding this channel.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thank you

[@davidgerrard8661]

I have a very similar 3.9 gtv8. Not quite as well finished as yours but Great fun to drive. I really like your channel

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks , and enjoy your V8

[@bartiger245]

thank you for your videos, i quite enjoyed watching them.

[@D3Sshooter]

My pleasure

[@ronkluwe4875]

Another great video Steve. A couple of comments based on my ownership of a highly modified MGB I rebuilt from the ground up. 1) Check urethane bushings about every 1,000 miles or so. I installed a top-of-the-line name brand polyurethane bushing set in my MGB when I did the original rebuild and after about 4,000 miles I noticed the front steering was a bit wobbly. I jacked up the car and when I inspected the front A arm bushings, they were almost totally disintegrated. I have replaced all the bushings with a different brand and check them at least once a year. 2) I agree with the electronic distributor. Modern day condensers are crap and don't last for long, if they work at all. Going with an electronic distributor cleared up all my engine problems (nothing ruins your day, as you noted, by being sidelined due to ignition issues).

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments and indeed, watch out for poor brands . the 123 ignition type is in it.

[@allosaurusfragilis7782]

I had a damask red mgbgtv8 . A lovely car. Only 140 hp, which by todays standards seems low but by todays standards, the mg was tiny. Overdrive was available in 2 3 and 4 ...a potential 7 gears available. Did about 30 mpg and handled surprisingly well, especially through sweeping s bends where that torque could give you a lovely surge. Everybody loved it. I should have kept it longer than i did. I think i needed the money. Oh well , i had a great 3 years with it.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments, and yes that is how it goes sometimes... we sell

[@allosaurusfragilis7782]

​@@D3Sshooter this video would have been very valuable to us back then...but it was about 40 years ago lol

[@General813]

Hello Steve, that was a nice job, great video👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks

[@user-ts1fp4nm9y]

What a fine machine!! Luckily a competent mechanic ( yourself)got the car. Great job!!!

[@D3Sshooter]

thanks

[@brucefraser5363]

I don’t care if it’s on the road or sitting in the living room . Just pull up a chair and enjoy its beauty!

[@D3Sshooter]

so true... txs

[@robinfoster7597]

What a lovely MGB! You've done a great job and love the spec. Liked and subscribed. :)

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks Robin

[@davidleleux4948]

Maybe the one I most loved of all your cars, sad she is sold. Beautifull.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thank you

[@soroyoayres5357]

Wonderful illustration and installation

[@D3Sshooter]

Thank you

[@hankcuccina5260]

I really enjoyed this video, great editing.

[@D3Sshooter]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bobbyduke777]

a brilliant stab at a factory race car. I love it, Small, light, and powerful.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks

[@warrenwalker8170]

nicely done. and. great color

[@mikehanks1399]

You have some impressive skills. Thoroughly enjoyed your video.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thank you. We try

[@MagicAyrtonforever]

Proper engineer 🙂 Great stuff! I hope you cleaned that copper slip off the surface of the pads though! @ 10:17

[@D3Sshooter]

Thank you

[@vicomtedelomagne]

Beautiful job. Well done.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks

[@peekaboo4390]

.. I love it too.. excellent video.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Tracertme]

Great video and car, I subscribed ✅👍1️⃣

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the sub!

[@bshnabel]

Good job as usual 👍

[@D3Sshooter]

Thank you

[@franciscomontesdeoca5316]

Super job,nice car.

[@redtale6527]

I used to race against an MGC with a 4.4L Leyland P76 engine. All the good gear plus a Ford Falcon GT 9-inch diff with discs. The difference I've found between split urethane bushes and normal bushes is the urethane bushes rotate on the steel bushes instead of deflecting and wear out a lot faster. They might still look good on the outside, but the ID is worn.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for that info

[@vicbanks9079]

Wow you're an amazing font of knowledge! If you ever come Stateside I've got a '66 AH 3000 that needs your wizardry!! Thx

[@D3Sshooter]

Maybe one day!, Thanks for the comments

[@vicbanks9079]

@@D3Sshooter Ready when you are! Have you done any AH restorations (Weber carbs, etc)?? thx

[@D3Sshooter]

@@vicbanks9079 Lots of weber work, and tuning of them.. check my playlist on weber

[@T0mmyTune]

If the pick-up in the bottom of the distributor is/was a good piece, you could have used an ignition module out of a V8 Corvette or any mid to late 1980's GM car, 4/6/8 cylinder to fire that ignition coil. I have done that on Fords many times; not wanting to deal with their proprietary modules and module boxes. Its really simple and easy. Then you can mount that module wherever you like and they don't suffer fatigue from heat as easy as many other brands. Otherwise, thank you for the trip down the rabbit hole of cars! lotsa work done well!

[@D3Sshooter]

Indeed, I had been looking at other modules, as al they are , are electronic switches. the pick-up was ok... So , i did at the end install a 123 dissy. Thanks for the comments

[@T0mmyTune]

@@D3Sshooter Yessir I saw that and if you're good with that, then all the better. For myself, I had done almost the exact same, ie; electronic all in one., yet had trouble almost out the gate with one of those. I ended up having to walk. Walking from a break down gives a man time to think. haha! I Then I went in the direction that I posted about and boom, that's what I've done since on several cars/Trucks. This discourse may inform others that like you said, The pick-up is nothing but an electronic switch. Hall effect, right? Like a light switch on a wall, On/off/on/off, etc. Still, that is but one small aspect of this total rebuild you accomplished. That sir, was a ton of work!

[@D3Sshooter]

@@T0mmyTune Indeed Tommy...

[@RandomGuyDan]

Beautiful car. One small quibble, the front suspension isn't coil over, it's just coil spring and tube shock vs the stock setup of coil spring and lever shock. I don't know that it is really a major improvement over stock coil. All the MGB racers I know run heavy duty stock style lever shocks front and rear.

[@fatroberto3012]

My father in law had one. He only kept it for a year. His wife hated the hard suspension. It's amazing how much room there is in the engine bay, even with a great lump like that in it, when you haven't got all the plastic garbage modern car makers are forced to fit.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments, indeed today we have so much garbage in the engine bay... In this car we had to cut part of the inner fender away yo get the exhaust fitted. They are not to bad , in terms of comfort.. of course not the same as todays cars

[@ricklarner9263]

Great redo on this BGT!!

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks

[@XA351GT]

I learned the hard way on a car I had that continued to eat ignition modules that the stator was the actual problem once I changed that I never had another problem with the module.

[@mgbchuck6527]

I'm a BIG FAN of MGBV8s (mine's a '64, NO MG under the body, custom full chassis, coilovers all around with tubular A-arms/4-link rear, avatar is my 400+hp SBC, 4-speed trans., complete rewire) have put 20K miles on it, love it. Little British cars with American V8s ROCK!

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments

[@TX200AA]

Great job. 15 seconds in to the video you can see the original rev counter, which says 4 cylinder, negative earth. From that I am wondering if this was an ordinary MGB GT to which a previous owner had fitted a V8?.

[@WilliamKiene]

It takes a very special kind of mechanic to sort all these things. Most older cars and modified cars have many things wrong with them.

[@D3Sshooter]

Indeed

[@johnsholian4318]

Great car! My GT only has half the cylinders as yours but still a blast to drive. Curious as to you torquing the suspension nuts before the car was sitting on all fours. I was under the impression that that’s a no-no.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments, all those were changed , including anti tramp bars. I should have that included in the video. In terms of weight, that V8 is about the same at the normal B engine.

[@jaguarmgbgt2551]

I'm envious. 👍

[@pancudowny]

Just gotta say: For a Buick-design engine of a given displacement, one could do a lot better--in terms of fully-assembled weight, efficiency, reliability, and performance/power--by going with one of a later design... and a couple less cylinders. And, while you're at it: Installing GM electricals as well.😉

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments

[@andyrybka]

HI , OLD SCHOOL MECHANIC , NO WORK DONE WITHOUT GREASE👍😆🤠

[@D3Sshooter]

You bet

[@HamishRacing]

Just can’t beat a v8 in a smaller car. You will enjoy that one !!!

[@D3Sshooter]

Indeed, txs

[@tasospsy]

Thanks for sharing once again! This heavy paint that you used on the cross member, didn't cover the inner threads in the holes?

[@D3Sshooter]

no, it did not

[@OwhyeeVdub]

Looks like it is a blast to own

[@D3Sshooter]

indeed

[@loremipsumuser]

Great work and content! Do you face any particular challenges to pass the technical control in Belgium? I'm thinking of doing the same, but I sense it may be tricky even with the Oldtimer plates. Thanks for sharing this video!

[@stuwhite2337]

Looks lovely Steve. What's it like to drive with the big wheels and tyres? My B has 185/70/14 and even with the castor reduced its still heavy at parking speeds

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks, that works out ok/ of course it is a bit harder on the steering for parking..

[@brillobox1964]

Incredible video. Thanks so much! Can you do my MGBGT factory v8?

[@D3Sshooter]

Sure, but you might want to keep it street legal

[@duncangrainge]

Hi Steve lovely car. The rev counter says four cylinder? Guess it’s a conversation or did Abingdon only make a rev counter with 4 cylinders written on it? Excellent video as usual Steve. Thank you for your content. 👍

[@D3Sshooter]

Indeed, when i got the car it was the wrong Tacho, I did swap it to an 8 Cyl, tacho, as this is a conversion the previous owner did adjust the 4 Cyl tacho but that does not work.

[@duncangrainge]

@ hi Steve. That make sense. Watching the video again I did hear you mention it was a conversion so sorry for wasting your time but it looks a good solid car. You must get a bit of a buzz on those tiny roads through the fields. I’d love to bring my mini over there but it might need more ramp time than Road time after the drive there lol. Thank you for making these videos 👍

[@D3Sshooter]

@@duncangrainge No problem mate.... yes those roads are fun...You will notice further down in the video the V8 tacho... Regards Steve

[@paullundgren6319]

Brilliant, as always! I’m trying to watch the original videos of the project, but can’t find it?

[@D3Sshooter]

Have look here Paul. kzbin.info/aero/PL_IgguanvXEa41ghblYQSv8LUIrMkMktS&si=1d08Nzy9HsoOhiVj

[@pieterjanssens2273]

Very nice 🎉

[@D3Sshooter]

TXS

[@adampabian9704]

Please sir I have a scratch on my tailpipe ! One thinks you don’t know when to stop !! ❤😂

[@D3Sshooter]

😅

[@NickHellings-zq8xt]

Very nice indeed.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thank you kindly

[@antonyetheridge1050]

great video thank you

[@D3Sshooter]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@dannewitt1312]

Nice..... very nice. One question, how did you get it registered here in Belgium? I did'nt think V8 swapped cars were allowed in Belgium.

[@davelinkson1]

Great car! Good work.. recall seeing it a few years back, thought you had sold it?😊

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks

[@MrHandyDad]

No doubt one of Pininfarina's best work...

[@D3Sshooter]

indeed

[@kathysarmcandy1992]

Steve, would you be willing to reinvestigate how to data log with an AFR for carbs. I've watched your video numerous times in your Mini set up, but I'm not a well versed in computers. Could you dumb it down a bit? Systems have changed. New versions. Little to find on the web for Afr to carb logging. It's all OBD.

[@D3Sshooter]

Sure, if you send me mail... i will do a separate video on that... its very easy

[@jagco2594]

Wow nice. Can you take a look at truck I'm working front end sways side to side a little of bumps. it's plymouth arrow truck with chevy 358 motor.

[@nathanchristopher6121]

I can't believe you didn't check all this before you bought it.

[@D3Sshooter]

When you buy a car, the check does not always give you the full picture. You get an idea of the car, a test ride does not last an hour under heavy load etc.... and of course you negociate on the price, listing the issues you spotted.. As long as you know what the issues could be and what they cost to fix... Note that the car also had a CT done.

[@kathysarmcandy1992]

Is that a Rover V8? I've got a vintage Buick 215 in the corner for a project some day.

[@D3Sshooter]

Yes , it is fitted afterwards.

[@m.b.smoshitoa8325]

Aowa this car we worked on it and is not long. And on almost everything.

[@Freebird67]

The 500 Edelbrock is to big I took mine off and put a Holley 390 on with secondary and jets runs better and response is great

[@D3Sshooter]

OKe, I had no issues

[@ReubenSound]

What about a Gilbern Invader next? 😉

[@D3Sshooter]

That is up next 😀

[@johndiaz7240]

👍👍👍

[@D3Sshooter]

thanks

[@martinvanderwiele5464]

How is the balance of the car with that big v8 in front?

[@D3Sshooter]

Its about the same , the B and V are about the same weight

[@martinvanderwiele5464]

@D3Sshooter thnks mate!

[@erichlausch9886]

🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥

[@D3Sshooter]

TXS

[@redbarchetta8782]

I've gotten a new rotor for my MGB which had a gap between the cap contact and rotor of over a 1/4 inch. Simple fix that took me a week to figure out. QA is questionable these days.

[@D3Sshooter]

Indeed.....

[@jameskingstoncatch22]

Wow!

[@soroyoayres5357]

Who made the engine that the m g b v 8 uses?

[@philipethier9136]

Rover made the engines, using subcontractors like GKN. The basic desgen is of course General Motors in the USA.

[@joereedmusic9853]

What engine does it have?

[@D3Sshooter]

4.2 rover

[@joereedmusic9853]

Thank you.

[@tangoone6312]

✅

[@w41duvernay]

What V8 is this using? A Ford v8 from a swap?

[@johnhetherington8830]

LEAF SPRINGS?

[@D3Sshooter]

yep that is what they have in the back

[@lawrencehansen8731]

What year????

[@D3Sshooter]

1976