Anybody look at MGB brake calipers as an option?

[Hydro1]

First time poster here. Love the information here. I recently got a 1968 that needs the brakes redone (calipers badly pitted and would need sleeved) Been reading about the popular Volvo swap but not decided. I walked by by sons MGB project the other day and picked up one of his calipers. It is a pretty close match. I mocked one up tonight and with some minor mods to the caliper bracket I think it will bolt on. Here is my take:
The good:
The same 2 1/8” piston size as original.
Readily available at about 70 for a NEW unit.
Looks like 14” wheels will clear
Hose should be easy to adapt
Rotor should not need to be turned to a smaller diameter like the Volvo swap requires.
The bad:
The rotor on the Datsun is thicker than the MGB when new. My rotors are about .400 and they clear just fine. New Datsun rotors may be too thick.
Before I dive into this I thought I would see if anyone has looked at this as an option or sees any reason it may not work? I can get some pictures later if there is interest.
Thanks
Darren

[ppeters914]

My rotors are about .400

Hope you noticed in your reading that your rotors need to be replaced. From the TechWiki:
New: 0.433
Minimum: 0.409

Cheers,

[JT68]

As I recall the mg rotors are a smaller diameter, so you might need to turn the OD to get the pads fully placed on the rotor, and the mounting for the calipers is a smaller dimension and/or bolts, but just going from distant memory, so you could certainly check.

We looked at these decades ago and ended up using 240z front calipers instead.(also requires a new bracket or modification).

[Hydro1]

I have seen conflicting numbers on minimum rotor thickness. I read somewhere it was .375?

[ppeters914]

I have seen conflicting numbers on minimum rotor thickness. I read somewhere it was .375?

Hmmm....good point. I just checked a used set of stock rotors, but couldn't find anything stamped on them. A new set of DBA rotors has MIN TH 9.4MM stamped on the edge, which equals 0.370

I'm surprised nothing is mentioned in Sheeler's book.

Oh, well....I went to Wilwood calipers and vented rotors.

[Hydro1]

After some better mock up the Mgb calipers would require either different brackets or at least trimming of the rotor OD. It would be better to machine a new mounting bracket as I’m not comfortable with modifying the existing brackets. The new holes would be very close to the edge of the existing brackets to work properly. Probably just going the Volvo route.

[JT68]

That sounds familiar.

[datsun1500]

After some better mock up the Mgb calipers would require either different brackets or at least trimming of the rotor OD. It would be better to machine a new mounting bracket as I’m not comfortable with modifying the existing brackets. The new holes would be very close to the edge of the existing brackets to work properly. Probably just going the Volvo route.

Wouldn’t sleeving be easier and cheaper than Volvo swap? There’s a few places that do it

[spl310]

Why not buy the aftermarket set that Moss sells: https://mossmotors.com/8777-3-front-bra ... TAl1Tbl2-c

[Hydro1]

Well dang it!! If I had seen the moss kit I would have went that route! That makes it affordable... I may send back some of the parts I ordered for the volvo swap. I had figured 600-800 to get mine sleeved/rebuilt and new lines. The volvo was going to be less than 500.....But the Moss kit changes all of that.

[JT68]

We just did another set of calipers with the moss cylinders. The fit was decent. The “Cobalt” brand use different pads than standard roadster, but they also fit the roadster caliper ok. Other brands of Jag cylinders use the oem roadster style pads so it is something to be aware of.

Regardless, here are stainless brake lines that fit (the Nissan lines don’t match the jag cylinders and jag lines don't clear the calipers):

https://www.datsunrestorationproducts.c ... ine-set-ss (all 4 lines)

We definitely prefer this kit over the Volvo stuff.