MGA w/Ford 289 v8

Good morning all-
I was looking through the local listings while in vacation in Scottsdale, AZ, and came across an MGA with a Ford 289 V8 installed. I went to see the car but it looks like the PO cut out three sides of the curved chassis rails in order to clear the exhaust headers. Is this usual on an MGA v8 conversion, or is it that the Ford v8 does not fit an MGA at all, and the PO has just cut away too much of the chassis rail walls resulting in an unsafe condition?
Thanks, Lee B.

It's not unusual for an MGA to have what is often refered to as the "goal post" assembly cut away for engine clearance with almost any V8 conversion. There just isn't room otherwise. That does significantly reduce the strength of the frame and it's resistance to twisting forces. A well done conversion can retain most of the strength in that area and it's not too difficult to reinforce on an older conversion if you're willing to remove the body to gain access. The best I've seen done is by John Mangles of St. Louis. He modified the goal post area but kept all the strength and he did it in a way that almost isn't noticed. http://www.britishv8.org/MG/JohnMangles.htm More construction detail shots are available on his web site http://www.themgdoc.com/ Lyle Jacobson also did a nice job, but set the engine back a bit further than John did so had to modify the center portion of the goal post. http://www.britishv8.org/MG/LyleJacobson.htm Both of these were converted using the Buick/Rover V8 but similar problems occur using both Ford and Chevy V8s as well.

That's why I went for a turbo I4.

Would the engine fit without messing with the frame if "RV8 style" headers were used?

Peter, I don't think any V8 would clear. The problem area seems to be in the area of the front support members. As you can see on both of the cars I linked to the builders had to remove material from these to clear the exhaust even with custom made headers, it's just that close. If you move the engine rearwards to clear those supports you then have to cut into the firewall and cross member so either way some modifications to the frame structure are necessary. About the only engines that might clear are V6s because they are shorter and narrower in the 60 degree form and inline 4s. Inline 6's are too long and require cutting the firewall area as I did on my project.