Sorry, I know the conversation has moved past this point already, but I'm wondering why a Datsun J-series engine of 1800cc displacement, which is a direct copy of the BMC B-series motor of 1800 cc displacement, was ever put into this MGA in the first place!
What was the advantage? Same basic design, same limitations-- but much harder to find parts.
All I can think of is that "somehow" the J-series was viewed in such a way that it enabled a previous owner to increase the car's displacement. MGA's were never more than 1600cc stock (the earlier ones were 1500). But even there, I can't think of any reason why a J-series of 1800cc would have been the "go-to" motor instead of an MGB motor, which is also 1800cc. The MGB motor has LOTS of go-fast parts that are readily available-- and also has a 5-main design in all but the very earliest models!
Maybe the J-series was simply "handy" at the time, and more readily available than the MGB motor? If the swap took place in Mexico, and J-series motors were relatively plentiful there, I suppose that might be it.
But anyway, from this line of thinking, why not consider using the MGB ("original") version of the J-series 1800cc motor-- instead of this mysterious "race" version of the J-series that's been mentioned a couple of times. MGB parts are easy to get, with all sorts of aftermarket bits to get them running very, very well indeed.
Of course they're still OHV, and cast iron, and very limited in their potential compared to any of the modern motors that everyone has naturally been suggesting to Guido. I get it! But if (BIG "if"!) we really want to consider
all the options, maybe this is another one that at least merits a few moments' consideration.
(Full disclosure: I have an MGB-GT and, despite all of its numerous limitations,
love it!)


- 74 MGB-GT B-series 1800cc.jpg (150.81 KiB) Viewed 1586 times