New to the family

[MGLondonRoadste]

I just acquired a Chevy engine based MG TD replica.  I have no idea who made the body.  With a new job, I won’t have the time to retrieve this one in person, so it will have to be shipped.  Here’s the seller’s write up on it: 
This is a fiberglass body on a purpose built square tube chassis. The
front end is an independent unit from GM and has disc brakes and rack
and pinion steering. The rear suspension is an independent unit from a
Nissan 260Z. The engine is a fresh 8-cylinder Chev. 283 that has been bored .060
over, high performance (camel hump) heads, Summit performance hydraulic
cam, aluminum intake, Edelbrock carb, chrome headers, with a fresh GM
turbo 400 trans.behind it. This car weighs only 2200 lbs

Now I won’t have to dream about beefing up my London Roadster too much.

[Paul Mossberg]

Wow!

I cannot wait to see pics of this one and to hear about your first drive!

Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

If you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)

[MGLondonRoadste]

I can get high revs, up to 9,000 rpm in my Honda S2000, need to high rev the VW engine in my London Roadster to keep the engine cooling working, and now a hot rod MG TD which I hope has a bit of torque that my two existing roadsters lack.

20 years of driving the mini-vans and Ford Taurus company car are finally getting rewarded. 

The new baby needs some cosmetic work, like new carpet and stereo sound speakers, but like my other roadsters, I’m happy to listen to the engine and road noise with the wind in my hair.

It will be a few weeks until I can clear full payment and shipping of the new addition. Yeah, another older guy with a red car.  This one should hop down the penny lane pretty quickly.  Needs a top, too.

[ray10]

So now we know where that little red  Beauty went to? just be carefull lot of power for a little car.Enjoy

TDREPLICA Map

http://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=7f9174ad614e43b680deba085b0abf48

[edward ericson]

I’m very interested to learn about the Z-car IRS setup. I have a little fantasy about putting a Quad-4 in one of these and thought that rear might match up nicely.

Re the 283: apropos of nothing in particular, I would think about pulling those 461x/462 “camel hump” heads, & sell ’em to someone with a 327/350 or stroker (and some cash!) Replace with a set of smaller valve “power pack” heads–or maybe a set of newer 305 H.O.s.

Went round and round with this back in the ’80s. All the guys with short stroke engines were trying to make power with big heads, and they’d over-cam them and rev those babies halfway to Pluto to do it, which sounded badass, but they’d still lose. Those little 1.72-in intakes and 1.5-in exhausts are what you want–with the tiny little 58 cc combustion chamber. That’s how you make usable torque with a 283. I’ve had those little heads practically thrown at me, whereas the “camels” were selling for big bux.

Here’s a great primer on the so-called “fuelie” heads. Note the offhand diss of the earlier PPs.

Here’s a typical local ad for camels in MD–$1,000 and no rocker studs.

Here’s a typical ad for the early 283 heads–$40.

Here’s a thread where someone remembers a nice article Car Craft did back in the day. They built a 283 in Chevelle–weighs almost twice what your car weighs. They took the camel humps off, installed the PPs and a smaller cam, and the car went faster.

The 305 HOs have slightly larger intake valves that the PP heads (1.84-in), the same combustion chamber (58-60cc), and flow a little better, and no one wants them. They’re basically free. Look for casting number —416 or —601.

All that said, even with the big heads that little mouse is going to roar. Be careful, and do post pictures! I’m sure we’re all a little jealous.

[MGLondonRoadste]

I’ve never had a hot rod engine before and am a newbie with the Chevy engine. I’m a pure beginner in the learning mode and couldn’t tell you the difference between a camel head or power pack heads.  I have never worked on an engine like this ever before.  I’ll gladly read what I can from the primer you posted.  Thank you very much.

[Scott A Chynoweth]

Just run it and hang on.make changes later.Your going to have over 300 horse in a plastic car that weighs maybe 2000 pounds with a small block.

[Dan Rosa]

 You will be the rocket man ,good luck ,and hold on, my father had 283 in a 59 Chevy and he had it for 12 years there only car at that time , he sold the car it had over 100 K a lot of miles in 1970 the guy who bought it drove it to work also ,,,the car rotted away before the engine,, and was running when junked GREAT engines    Dan

[MGLondonRoadste]

Supposedly, the engine and transmission were taken apart by the last owner and found to be in excellent condition.  No leaks reported any where.

I wonder what would be involved in changing the automatic transmission to a standard.

[MGLondonRoadste]

I will need to select an auto transport company soon.  Does anyone one have any recommendations or warnings from previous experience?

[Larry Murphy]

 If I am thinking correctly, the flywheel housing on the 283 is somewhat wider than the 2.3 Ford or 1.6 Chev. There is barely enough room for the clutch,brake and accelarator pedals with the small engines so with the V-8 there will be even less space available.. You probably will need to keep both hands on the steering wheel just to hang on with the power that 283 will produce!!!

[edward ericson]

If you want to go to a standard trans, there are two sizes of Chevy bell housings. The smaller one limits you to a 10.4-inch clutch disc, but it’s probably the one to use in a car as narrow as a TD and it should hold fine as long as you don’t go crazy and run steam roller slicks out back. The smaller bell housings also fit on the inline sixes, and you can steal the flywheel off those too–they will bolt up to any early small block. Should be easy junkyard finds–again, no one wants the small stuff. 

[edward ericson]

Where’s the car going, to and from? Speedster guy Alan Merklin transports cars for a living on the east coast. He might know someone out your way.

[MGLondonRoadste]

The car is located in Bonanza, Oregon and needs to be delivered to me in Phoenix, AZ.  I appreciate the help and advice.

[edward ericson]

I emailed Alan. Will advise.

BTW, that 283 is going to scream just the way it is, and the automatic will probably be just the ticket–both for foot room and shifting ease. Old Buzz is right: leave it alone for the foreseeable. And hang on.

I like building them in my mind….

[edward ericson]

Alan:

 Tell him that McNutt Transport is a reputable shipper I
recommend them

 

http://mcnutttransport.com/home/

 

[MGLondonRoadste]

Thanks go to all my “Dads” out here.  I’ve dreamed about the MG line since long before I could drive, but never mastered enough mechanical skills to feel comfortable with a real MG and all its historical breakdowns.  I’ve also build a bunch of model roadster and hot rod kits when I was a kid, never thinking that I would own a real one some day.  I feel like a kid again, but with a little wisdom from the aging I’ve done so far. 

I laughed a bit at the “young” gal who during the last group road trip, said she was old (only 38), as I’m in almost mid 50s, but the gent next to me had the last laugh, as he could call me young, as he was most likely in his 70’s or better, but still driving and keeping up with the young one, down to their 20’s.

I know enough that if I get caught exceeding the speed limit, it’s my own fault, but now I have a red car to attract attention, and maybe a motor loud enough to turn a head.  I need a bigger garage.

[MGLondonRoadste]

Here’s an estimate on mileage and cost.  Should I insist on an enclosed trailer since it has no top at this time?  Too bad that I can’t get three days off to drive this myself.  I’d rather take more time, drive a few more miles, and come down the Oregon and California coast some day.
1099 Miles, Total Rate: $958.00.

MGLondonRoadste40799.9281944444

[ray10]

ouch!!!! maybe  a little to much power. just some thing to consider 

TDREPLICA Map

http://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=7f9174ad614e43b680deba085b0abf48

[MGLondonRoadste]

and no airbags or shoulder harnesses as part of the seat belt, either. Power with caution will be my motto.

[Peter C. King]

Has anyone engineered a roll bar that mirrors the highest top bow?

[edward ericson]

Another Speedster-recommended shipper out west:
“VLS LLC/The Car Carriers”

[MGLondonRoadste]

I just looked up VLS LLC online and wow, they have a number of bad reviews, damaged cars and non delivery claims.  A few good reviews, but not enough to sooth the bad ones.

Thanks, anyway.

[edward ericson]

Yeah, saw those. The speedster guy who praised them said he had a good experience & they were low bid. But I don’t know if I’d use them with that many bad reviews.

[MGLondonRoadste]

I wonder if I should be spending a few more hundred for an enclosed carrier, as opposed to an open carrier.  There’s about a $400 to $500 dollar difference, but this car has no top to enclose it for the journey. 

[Author]

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