Marina engines... interchangability

Post by **Matt** » Wed May 09, 2007 10:57 pm

So 1.3 Marina engines seem to be somewhat lacking in avaliability at the moment. Will a gearbox from a 1.3 bolt on to one of the larger engines?

Post by **Packedup** » Wed May 09, 2007 11:05 pm

Assuming this is to drop one in a Minor, why would you want to?

The B series is heavy (so will really need suspension work too) and not that powerful, the O series (Ital) isn't greatly better, and by the time you've found an Ital O or Marina B you might as well find a Montego/ Maestro 2l O (pref EFi) and stick the Rover 5 speed box on the back of it.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu May 10, 2007 7:31 am

Rover 5 speed box and 2 litre engine from TR 7 could be fitted - and they seem to sell for peanuts on ebay! If you are lucky enough to live near one for collection.

Post by **bigginger** » Thu May 10, 2007 1:13 pm

But, to get back to the actual question, I doubt that the 'boxes are interchangable, but don't know for sure. Somebody must know though...

Post by **Packedup** » Thu May 10, 2007 2:13 pm

Well the 1.3 uses the "Triumph" box, doesn't it? Which, in a Triumph also handles the 1850, so might well have been used for the Marina 1800 (I'm not all that up on Marinas, could be cause of the mysterious lack of them...).

I still reckon it's about as dynamically sensible to drop a B in as to stick a Maxi engine in a Mini - It can and has been done, but it's a dafter idea than Gredo shooting first (obscure reference ;) ) IMO

Going TR7 2l or Dolomite 1850 however might be an interesting project. For a list of engine weights (a bit UScentric but has some common UK lumps) see http://www.team.net/sol/tech/engine.html

Post by **LukeBoorman** » Fri May 11, 2007 2:48 pm

I think the 1.8s and 1.3s had the same gearbox casings etc, just the bigger engined one is supposed to be stronger and has slightly different ratios.

I'm using a marina 1.8 / Ital 1.7 gbox on my 1.3 marina engine. Although I'm using the 1.3 bellhousing, you might need the B series Bellhousing (probably different). So it should all fit backwards?!?

The only differences between the two gearboxes was the larger splines on the input shaft (same length and fitted the spigot bearing), so i just got a 1.8 clutch plate (same diameter as 1.3) and it all works....

Now going for cross-flow with 5 speed tho.... So in a few months (all going well) my engine will be available....

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri May 11, 2007 6:29 pm

The triumph engine is crossflow - and overhead cam ! But the standard Minor gearbox will NOT fit anything other than A series engines. Be they 803 up to 1380 !!

Post by **Packedup** » Fri May 11, 2007 6:52 pm

bmcecosse wrote:The triumph engine is crossflow - and overhead cam !

The 1300/1500 engines aren't, and I'm sure they use the "Marina/ Triumph" box.

I reckon a Triumph slant 4 might not be all that bad in a Minor (slanty studs and slightly fragile cooling aside). Though they're still not light which would mean extra cost doing soething to the suspension (and brakes!).

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat May 12, 2007 8:42 am

Aye - well I was referring to the TR7 /Dolly engine which I had suggested earlier. Having just bought a TR7 - and following the parts on ebay - complete units with Rover 5 speed box can be bought for £20 or so!!