Mgf donor car: building an MG Allegro VVC!

[edk83]

Allys seats yet to be picked up



The dash is going to be this Acewell, maybe a couple of 52mm gauges in the center console too as it does everything exect Oil pressure.



I'll lock the heater on hot and only have it on the windscreen I think, thats all I ever have it on!
Headunit will mount in the center console which will be same style as the seats.

[Rob Bell]

That floor looks amazing!

Are those Kirky seats?

[edk83]

Aye not bad for 36 years old, the mgf I broke up was much worse!

The seats are made by these guys
http://www.jaf-fabrication.co.uk/bucket-seats

The ones I'm getting are second hand but unused he says - saved over £100 though.

Will have to see if my bum fits in them! If not I will have to sell one and get one made, I do like the larger one they make too!

Trimmed all the extra brackets off the subframe, needs some welding and taking back to bare metal next.

[Rob Bell]

That looks very cool. The website doesn't quote weights - how much do they weigh?

[edk83]

No idea, must be light though, will see when I get them!

[Rob Bell]

Look forward to seeing them in the car!

What's the direction of travel for this Allegro build Ed? Track day car? Hill climb special? Fast road car?

[edk83]

Planning on a summer fun / weekend road car, odd track day - not sure how fast it will be!

I love the stripped out look, seeing the workings of things - also keeping the weight down = free speed!

Had to cut into the steering rack mount section but that will get remade, rear of the subframe now fits!



Started cleaning up the subframe today, got rid of all the bits of brackets where the front arb used to be - thats something else I have to sort down the line.







I found that one of the mg tf top arms has slight play, have seen the rebuilt kits on ebay, wondering if I should do both or just the one.
The other side is alright, silly me took the nuts off the engine side of the frame and now the pivot shaft just spins with the rear nut on. Have done some reading and does the shaft only come out the direction of the engine?

[edk83]

Top arms are off, 3 out of the 4 bearings are knackered, one side was totally dry!

Will weld a nut in them and bash them out!

[Rob Bell]

Replace both: if one has gone, the other will follow on shortly.

Why not mount the steering rack to the subframe, as found on the MGF? I'd be worried that the lower mounted steering rack is going to adversely affect the bump-steer characteristics of the suspension. Plus, the Subframe is a nice, stiff and strong structure to which to mount the steering rack, plus it means that you can remove the old mounting completely to get the best position for the subframe in the car.

[edk83]

I have thought about it and it may still get mounted that way. Thought about spinning the U clamps round and bolting it to the back of the frame, might do that. Also thought about using an mgf rack but the box is in a different place so would need to cut a new hole in the bulkhead, also would need to cut and shut the column, don't fancy that.

Plus I have already trimmed the subframe so the Allegro rack box fits Mounting solution still to be decided!

[edk83]

Frame fits!

Just a small amount of welding to do now lol!

[Rob Bell]

Good job! How is the front of the subframe sitting behind the front valance?

[edk83]

The front of the frame is sitting flush to the bottom of the front valence, sits slightly back and doesn't stick out. Had to trim the bottom edge of the panel a bit for the engine and gearbox arms.

The good news is that the alternator and mgf engine mount all fit and don't touch the headlight, manifold should clear too with very minimal trimming!

Glad the mgf mount fits as the rover 100 one doesn't look as strong.

The gearbox arm was rotten underneath but that is getting repaired, the ali engine arm is getting shot blasted this week.

The frame is getting welded up this week too, modded it for the steering rack to fit and cut a lot of extra metal off it. Also making up some extra bracing for it and it needs the rear engine steady bracket welding on, my TF frame was a front so doesn't have it at the moment. Cut the whole corner off the rear frame from my mgf to get it!

Will probably make up a chin apron cover type thing - only needs to be slightly larger than a standard Allegro one that covers where the front tie rods used to bolt up. Mine was missing due to it having a repair on the front panel at some point. It's nice and strong there where the tie rod mounts used to be too so perfect place to have brackets for the front of the frame.

[Rob Bell]

I hope you don't have to extend the valance apron too much - it would be great that the car looks "more or less" standard as possible. I am not sure that an Allegro with a big front spoiler would look right. Unless you are into early 80s retro

[edk83]

Shouldnt have to be too big, not much bigger than the factory one, it'll all be under the bumper etc so might not be so noticeable. Hoping to stay clear of any major body mods or bolt on arch extensions, might have a mesh grill maybe some spot lights but its more about practicallity, aggro headlights are like candles.

[edk83]

Allegros do look good with the right body mods! May have to flare the arches a little bit!

[edk83]

Always wanted some stupid colour wheels, may have to go gulf orange and blue colour scheme.

[edk83]

Couple more bits back today, rebuilt engine mount subframe arm.



Bottom of the gearbox arm was totally rotten so that got repaired.



Bearings and top ball joints pulled, they were a huge pain and had to be heated a lot!



Inner roller bearings pulled from the top arms, ordered some new ones.



Scrap pile is growing!

[edk83]

New top arm bearings It's good to actually put something together for once.



Threaded bar to push them in.



Can anyone tell me why the thrust washer has this off centre groove?

[diesel destroyer]

Loving the build so far..

Have you considered the VibraTechnics fast road engine mount set?