Possible Parts purchase

Hi all, I wanted to run this by those who know and see if it may be worth it. I have been offered a parts lot of MG bits. The owner is a friend who used to race MGB's, but got out of it a few years back. Included are a mid 70's short block, close ratio transmission, twin SU carbs (I believe he said Volvo 1 3/4") with intake and exhaust manifolds, a few cams, crank (not sure of the specs), original seats that were removed for racing units, 3 rostyle rims, a set of steel racing wheels, and a few other boxes of bits (that's all I can recall seeing for now, but there were a bunch of things in his basement). He's asking $1000 for the lot. All I am really interested in are the carbs and manifolds, as I want to do a conversion from the single Stromberg. These parts have been sitting for a few years and are not perfect, but I am looking into it a bit more. He's not interested in selling things separate, just wants the space back for other projects.

Is there anything that I should look out for on these parts if I pursue it further?

Would the larger SU's work OK on the Small port head I have on the '80B? I'm thinking they may be too much carb.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Don't know the tech stuff (someone here surely does), but I'd offer a lot less $$.

x2, actually. Quick question: What's he mean by "close-ratio transmission"?

I'll take that CR transmission off of you, provide it's a 4 synchro and the price is right.:thumbsup:

Thanks for the comments. Not sure about the specifics on the close ratio trany. It looked like a standard MG housing to me (not that I'm an expert), but he said it was a MG close ratio unit for racing. I need to learn more before going through with it. Not that I would want a 4 speed close ratio box.

As far as MG's go, I am not super familiar with them beyond the basics. I inherited this one from my grandfather about 8 years ago and have put about 35k on it since. Haven't done much but replace a cracked windshield, had the zenith-stromberg rebuilt, radiator recore, stainless exhaust, and am now chasing an electrical draw after having 2 radios ripped out of it. Most of my experience with British vehicles is with bikes; my Norton Commando and an old BSA I am rebuilding. I love the MG and am pretty happy with it as is, but have started to get the bug for upgrading it a bit.

It appears to me that your 'friend' is pretty proud of his stuff. Since he was into racing, he probably bled /heammoraged
a ton of money for some of the stuff. Racers think nothing of burning cash for the possibility of an edge. He probably projects that image onto you. HOWEVER,

Unless you have big needs and solid plans for those things, the price is about 3 or 4 times too high.
Stuff sold in a lot is usually much cheaper than the prices of the idividual pieces (Not more expensive)
short block is a doorstop. 3 cents a pound
rostyle rims (light version of a short block) Worthless
close ratio tranny-ask someone who races= otherwise useless/worthless for the street
twin SU's or similar $100-$150
seats $100
Box of ill-assorted bits $10

For the sake of perspective, you can get a whole B in ratty condition for that lind of money. All but the tranny and wheels (if they're true and good) are worth maybe $250 if sold separately. Suggest he try ebay. (Screw a stranger.)

Hello Erich, I don't want to rain on the parade but I think that the carbs would be a bit large for your car, others will say not but that isn't a point I wish to argue. What I am getting at is that for $1K you could probably get a whole, as new, working setup from Jimmy Hilton or Joe Curto here on the forum. They would set you up with carbs that are not in need of repair or questionable at best. I'd turn your friends offer down unless he comes WAY down on the cost, and even then you most likely would have to perform some sort of R/R on them. Most of the parts mentioned are virtually useless to you and you would have to cart them off and sell them etc, etc. You'll make the right choice I'm sure.
Cheers

Jim B.

The only thing in that parts heap that may be worth money is the CR tranny. The gear sets are NLA, so if its in servicable condition, its worth $500+. Call Jimmy Hilton about a set of carbs. He has hundreds in stock. It'll still be less than that tranny alone, and ready to install. Spend half of the the leftover money on a new exhaust system, and the rest wherever you like. At lest you know what you're getting that way.

Carefully inspect all machined surfaces of all parts.. IF pickeled with oil or grease inspect anyway..
Machine shop work required may make the investment "upside down "

A quick inspection inside the side cover for the tranny will tell you the answer on the gear box, if it is truely a CR/SC gearbox then it will have stright cut gear and not helicut (angled) cut gears, a SC/CR gearbox is not anything anyone would want to use on a stereet, car, straight cut gear whine like hell, racers done mind but it would drive most street car owners batty.

The Volvo HS6 carbs are too much carb for most street engine, if you really have hopped engine then maybe, but for almost all street application the HS4s do a better job. If the Volvo HS
have not been converted to MGB linklage, then you'll need a set of HS4 to rob all the need parts off of anyway to make work on the MGB.

I'd say give that contact to a MGB racer like John, and kepp looking for yourslef, chances are Jimmy Hilton can fix you with the carbs you need and already has the cores you need.

Erich, what do the steel wheels look like? They have a market and might be interesting. They and the tranny (if true) could be worth a good bit of the 1k but it does not sound like a deal for what you are looking for. Are the cams used cores or new ones? I remember in cruising Craigslist and ebay over the years that there was some one in NH between me and you geographically who seemed to have quite a bit of Volvo SUs for sale. Wonder if it might have been him.

Used Race Car Parts is another way of spelling "Junk". The only thing you can count on is that they were used hard.