MGB + M42 = Win

[BrewCity11]

Gonna be hard for me to explain it, but what if you just took the plug out, weld in a threaded shaft cut to 45 degrees on the top to sit flush with the angled part of the pan and have the drain plug exactly where it is, just vertical now instead? Might still be able to keep the head of the bolt flush with the bottom of the pan/trans.

[DTM190]

If you move the plug to one side would that allow you to have enough clearance? A great idea putting it where you did. Ive had too many plugs catch so always try to keep them out of the way and avoid the bottom at cost, like on this one for my graphite E30



Excellent work mate, love checking your updates

[AndrewBird]

Realized I made a bit of a mistake when designing the pan.



But it can be fixed. Basically just going to re-attach the piece I cut out to make the diagonal part and then just put the drain plug in the very bottom of the pan. I originally didn't want to do this for fear of catching it on things, but the crossmember is going to hang down farther and is in front of it, so I"m not worried.

Worked on chopping the intake manifold down tonight as well.











Should work perfectly to build the rest of the manifold off of. Might bite the bullet and get a spool gun for my welder so I can weld aluminum. I'd probably spend close to what that would cost on having someone else weld it, so...

[BrooklynMW]

You are my hero. If I ever finish my e30, I'm going to put an m42 into my dad's '77 Midget. It's been sitting in a garage for 20 years and needs to be loved.

[AndrewBird]

Oil pan is done!







The drain plug sits just above the bottom of the pan.


Here you can see the oil pump pickup and the strainer I used.


The coupler is a silicone exhaust coupler off of an RC car. I might switch it to a piece of hydraulic hose though as it isn't as stiff as I'd like it to be and I think the strainer might rattle against the bottom of the pan. It only sits 1/8" or so off the bottom, so...

Just need to add a dipstick tube and it will be done. Going to use the stock dipstick and tube and either cut the dip stick or the tube down so that it reads correctly.

[riverdale21]

Just not worth the time.

Agreed, this is a pretty unique swap. I don't think the demand for a kit like this exists.

Hats off to you, sir. This is a great build.

[AndrewBird]

Yes but how long have you been left without lights or turn signals? I was incredibly close to getting a Tr6 for my first car, but I heard the horror stories of Lucas "The Prince of Darkness".

Never once had an electrical issue. EVER. Just like any car, if you maintain them, they are reliable. Do nothing to them, and they will fall apart.

You wouldn't charge 10k on one kit, you'd market it well and sell 20 of them for 900 each. And start with making 5, by the time those sold you'd be in the black with your own car and work by that time. After prototype, all this would be fixture/jig production.

Just not worth the time.

[Farbin Kaiber]

You wouldn't charge 10k on one kit, you'd market it well and sell 20 of them for 900 each. And start with making 5, by the time those sold you'd be in the black with your own car and work by that time. After prototype, all this would be fixture/jig production.

[Jalves619]

Yes but how long have you been left without lights or turn signals? I was incredibly close to getting a Tr6 for my first car, but I heard the horror stories of Lucas "The Prince of Darkness".

[jakeb]

Actually, it took all of about 10 minutes. lol Angle grinder and a flap disk make quick work of it. It took a lot longer to fit the plate to the rest of the oil pan and get it held in place perfectly.

+10000 for a flap disk. They sure are the way to go!!

[AndrewBird]

Have you mentioned if you're going to have some sort of a skid plate for that at all? I assume you would; wouldn't take much to dent and put a hole in that.

*edit, ok maybe not a hole, but you never know. Welding/grind job looks great.

It's 18ga steel, not cast aluminum. It's a LOT stronger then it looks. Not to mention the subframe will be underneath and in front of the pan to protect it. The "sump" part is at the back, not the front like stock.

And hell no I'm not making kits. I would have to charge 10 grand just for the amount of time I've put into everything. lol

Also, my MG NEVER once broke down on me. My 88 Jetta? 7 times in less then a year. So, British>German in terms of reliability IMO. The pure simplicity of everything helps with that.

[MikeDE]

I am incredibly impressed with your fab skills, really wish I had time, money and a welder.

^This, but add skills to the list.

Nice work.

[Farbin Kaiber]

So, are you planning to make those mounts and oil pan setup as a kit for people who are smart enough to put reliable German power into sexy little British vehicles?

[BrewCity11]

Have you mentioned if you're going to have some sort of a skid plate for that at all? I assume you would; wouldn't take much to dent and put a hole in that.

*edit, ok maybe not a hole, but you never know. Welding/grind job looks great.

[metalsoul]

BRo I am so stoked for this project!! I LOVE MGB GT's and have wanted to pick one up for a while now!! Keep up the great work!