Need Help On Deciding Whether To Buy Engine And Transmission

I know these pictures are terrible but I need your help. One of my friends here ( but not near the location of the engine ) has told me about this one complete with transmisson. I've talked to the seller he says it has less that 20K miles on it since being rebuilt. Reason for selling is he is installing a V8 in the car. He says it is a 77 but I thought the fans were suppose to be in front of the radiator. Anyway the beginning price for engine, transmission, radiator, etc., and him having it start and run on the floor before purchase is $200.00 and a few hours trip for the hubby and I.

Here are the pictures he sent me. Said they were taken before the engine was pulled and he had a bunch of dust floating around which is why the pictures are bad.


Your turn :)

Looks like the fans are in front on the 2nd picture. They must have added another fan for good luck.

Alloy valve cover too!

If it has OD, buy it immediately.

Like Michael said - if it has O/D it is a bargain, if it doesn't, then I wouldn't go over $100.

Naomi, it once had A/C which is why there is an extra fan. My LE is set up the same way

If you dont want it maybe Jeff Coe does he is looking for engine. Where is it.

Limey, wont go over a hundred! whew...you are a thrifty shopper.

I think I owe you a $19.00 refund.

C'mon guys. A running engine with 20k on it and a tranny is certainly worth more than $100.

Oh, add in a 6 to 7 hour round trip in the hubby's truck which gets at best maybe 15 MPG. Maybe even a stay over at some motel if we stay there too long getting it all loaded. Still a deal? :)

If you look at the trip and over nighter as a partial adventure the whole thing is well worth it.

Mike

Wellll...... blast from the past -- Hello Chuck - how goes it?

Naomi - If the head is any good you have almost covered your cost right there. I would try to bargain down to $150.00 just to test his pricing resolve.

I've never seen a thermostat housing like that one.

Sounds like it would be fun, stay overnight, dinner, MG parts, Dennis70

Like he said, if the head isn't cracked, go for it and enjoy the ride. Also, it never hurts to offer less. By the way, is that an alloy valve cover?

That radiator hose is worth $200.00 alone. :)

dennis70 Wrote:

Last question: Is there any possibility it could be a Midget engine? The reason I ask is the guy doesn't know anything about MGs other than this one was drove into his shop and he pulled the engine, did some welding, put a V8 in the car, and painted it. When I asked him on the phone if it have overdive he didn't know and when I asked what carb it had on it he had to walk over to the motor and then said over the phone "it says Zenith something". He did say that he could start it up on the floor to show that it runs fine.

Your turn again :)

Could you even get a V8 in a Midget engine bay? Has it been done? Is the person that did it still alive?

Definitely a B engine. Just look at the pictures of it and you can tell.

jdeluke137 Wrote:

I have a motor and transmission that you can have for $100 and I am in Winston. Tranny is a 4 synchro and motor was running when removed from a '75 with 90k miles.

There is not a radiator or a dizzy, but it's close and already out of the car.

Of course I don't know what you need or what shape you want it in. PM if interested.

Naomi Wrote:

Mac, good luck finding someone who will let you tear apart their engine to see if has any wear on it before you hand them the cash. It is a used engine, so just be conscious of that. It isn't a big deal. I've given them away before. $100 to $200 sounds about right for that one. If you need it, then go for it, pay the price, and be happy. If you don't need it, then why would you consider driving 2 or 3 hours just to have it sit around and collect dust?

lbcnut Wrote:

I don't doubt it is an MGB. The midget has a very different heater box arrangement,
among many other things.

The guy wants it gone. To him 200 bucks is fair. To some one who has the time and knows MG's the engine/trans combo is worth much more in parts. The exh/int manifold for instance, if not cracked I sell them to a shop for $150.00 and they get $200+ for them when they install them on customers cars. Heads/ working carbs,polution stuff,good used starters,dists,etc. Forum members here know where the rescources are.Not every one does.Its supply and demand, and quite fair. So yes Naomi, if it is as represented, its a very good deal.

wyatt Wrote:

Eric, can I apply it to one of your rebuilt engines?

wyatt Wrote:

OK Limey,then its settled,.. I'll leave the key under the mat and a coin drop box outside the door. With a sign..."picked fresh today".