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Continued From Preceding Page tO ol and adding a water injection system. The latter is to reduce nitric oxide ("the only polutant possible with hydrogen") and flashback. or pre-ignjtion. Hydrogen is stored in two tanks. where
Engineering changes are limited on the 1977 MGB, but British Leyland claims they are productive changes.
Almost unrecognizeable under the extra plumbing is a 440cid Chrysler engine, power source for the hydrogen powered bus displayed at Energy Fair 76 .
it is chemcially bonded with irontitanium particles, forming metal hydrides. When the hydrides are heated with engine exhaust, the hydrogen frees itself in gaseous form. There is enough hydro gen in the tanks for about four hours of operation and they can be brought up to an 80(>0 "recharge" in 10-to-15 minutes. Billings engineers note that the increased tuel efficiency of hydrogen largely makes up for the heavier tanks used.
engineer Ed Davis, once solar plants are in operation, the cost will be even less. Billings researchers caution that "it will be years before an adequate distribution and generation system will be available, making possible the conversion of private automobiles" to the use of hydrogen. But, they add, the important thing is that " an alternative is on the way: ' And that was pretty much the theme of Energy Fai:r '76.
British Leyland Motors claims improvements in performance, economy and noise levels in the 1977 MGB, all from a singie engineering change: a pair of thermostatically-controlled electric cooling fans in place of the single fan driven by belt from the engine. According to the company, the change eliminates power drain-off from the engine, and because the fans operate only at controlled engine temperature, warm-up from cold is quicker. This is the source of the improvements in the car's performance and economy. Also new in the 1977 MGB are front and rear anti-roll bars, said by British Leyland to improve roll stiffness giving more precise handling. A smaller steering wheel has .been fitted, and the steering
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ratio has been changed from 2.93 turns lock-to-lock to 3.57 turns. MGBs equipped with the optional overdrive-suggested price, $240-now have the operating switch mounted in the knob on the shift lever. Previously it was located on the steering column. Power for the car comes from the 4cylinder 1798cc ohv engine, the standard powerplant since the MGB was introduced more than a decade ago. The EPA estimates for the car are 17.6mpg i.n the city and 28.9mpg on the highway. With the overdrive, the highway figure is increased to 33.7mpg. Cars meeting California specifications were rated at 18.4mpg city, 28.9 highway and 32.8mpg highway with overdrive.
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