The competition rusts worse than our cars....

As some may know I have an MGB project car into which Im currently transplanting an engine & gearbox from a 1.8 Mk2.5 Mazda MX5. 

MX5s are popular for engine swaps, particularly the Mk to Mk2.5 with the Mazda engine which is easier to work around than the later Mk3s with their Duratec engines. They dont have massive bhp, but simple  rwd mecchanicals. . My donor car had only done 67,000 miles, looked shiny and ran like a Swiss watch but it was only ever worth breaking due to the serious amount of rot in the sills, rails.&  inner wings, inner and outer rear arches to name but a few.  This isnt untypical which is why so many end up being used as running gear donors for engine swaps and kit cars etc. 

 

As it's going to be weighed in after Ive removed anything that can be used or sold I decided to cut a section of the front off to make it easier removing the engine and gearbox.  I expected this might reveal a bit of untdyness due to the bits of rot I could see elsewhere under the car. But  just look at the state of these rails, disintegrated . And that was quite thick steel.

So when you are unhappy about your F or TF needing a small patch welding on the back of it;s sill, just be glad about the car you have as it's going to be entirely feasible for anyone with average DIY skills and access to a MIG welder to fix it. . 
 

Vow!!! 😳

I agree.
Most 2.5's suffer from chassis rail rot but I got lucky.
 
Not so much at the rear.
 

You will love that engine in your B..they are so driveable and have some grunt.
 

 I may be shot down in flames but having taken one apart now Im quite impressed by the engineering and quality of design. I could easily see myself having bought one if I hadnt have discovered MG TFs.   
I hope enough of them will be preserved as future classics.  A shame this one wasn't but then of course if it had been any better Id have been wracked with guilt cannibalising it for its running gear.   



Trial fitting the engine in the B's engine bay.  Plates have been made up and welded to the front crossmember now for the engine and the gearbox mounts made up from a combination of MX5 and MGB parts. Trying to make clearance for an alternator is the current challenge. 
 

Looking good!
You have got it as rearward as you can and that's a good thing for steering and handling response. It's not good when they are nose heavy.
Once it is bolted in you will want it finished!
Good luck.