metro MG engine transplant

Post by **Matt** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 8:32 pm

arn't metros transverse???

Post by **Peetee** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 8:52 pm

Metro engines are transverse. A very different layout where the gearbox and final drive are arranged in a way that is not compatible with a Minor. There has been much correspondance on the subject of Metro and Meastro engine transplants on this forum. As yet, I don't believe that anyone has come up with a cost effective solution to fitting either of them.
It would be better to source a used Marina/Ital or Midget/Sprite engine and have it reconditioned and adapted.

However, don't feel your money is wasted. You can easily use the seats and seatbelts in your minor, and contacting a Mini club could easily get you your £20 back (and some) for the engine and ancilliaries.

Post by **Kevin** » Fri Dec 05, 2003 12:29 am

would love to get the 1500cc engine with twin carbs on it

No you would not its a terrible engine the one you want is the 1275cc

Post by **Cam** » Fri Dec 05, 2003 9:45 am

Make sure it is the 1275 engine (1300) and not the 1700 or 1800 as the bigger ones won't physically fit without MAJOR surgery.

Post by **Cam** » Fri Dec 05, 2003 1:35 pm

Not sure on the brakes but I doubt it's a simple swap. You might have to buy some extra bits but I'm not sure. I have done the Sierra brake conversion but not the Marina / Ital one.

Post by **Alastair** » Fri Dec 05, 2003 7:05 pm

Grab that Ital while you can. They are geting very hard to find, even down here in Cornwall.The motor will transform your Minor. The brakes from the 1300 will fit quite easily provided you buy a new bearing kit and hydraulic pipes from one of the specialists.And you will have to have the spacing of the wheel nut studs altered if you ant to keep your Minor wheels. It would be worth checking out the head from that Metro to see if it is the big valve one (it should be), but make sure there are no cracks between the valves on the raised section in the combustion chamber.
I fitted the electronic ignition distributor from an MG Metro to my Ital-engined Mog the other day. It was the later type with theignition module attached to the body of the distributor and I had to take the module off and mount it nearby to enable me to rotate the distributor to get the timing, but it works a treat. (so far!)

Post by **turbominor** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 9:25 pm

mg metro lump is one of the best factory tuned a+ 1275 about and easy to fit to minor, just swap the crank and rear bearing cap for a ital one and get and easy 75bhp.

I fitted a ital crank to a metro turbo engine a few years a go and had it in my old minor

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 10:29 pm

ital crank to a metro turbo engine

would a Marina one work? (not that I'm gonna, but it made me wonder)

Post by **turbominor** » Thu Dec 11, 2003 10:06 am

Not sure to be honest, but i am sure the a and a+ crank is not interchangable, but cannot remember why, time for a flick throught the vizzard book

Post by **les** » Thu Dec 11, 2003 9:32 pm

Where are we now then, a transverse engine will fit if an Ital crank is fitted with its end cap? So it's that easy?

Post by **Cam** » Thu Dec 11, 2003 10:06 pm

I would imagine that Ital cranks are as difficult to find as the engines. In fact you would probably have to get an engine to get a crank so you might as well use the Ital engine complete!

Nice to hear that the cranks do fit though if you change the end cap as there are plenty of A+ transverse blocks about if you had bore problems

Post by **turbominor** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 7:07 am

The only hard part is finding an Ital crank but appart from that it is very easy, you will need to have an ital sump as well.

Post by **ianselva** » Mon Dec 22, 2003 11:40 am

No it's not that easy . The rear main bearing cap is line bored in situ when the block is made and they are not interchangeable ,unless you are very lucky. They may only be a few thou different from the original but this will be enough to wreck the bearings. You need to fit the bare cap to the block and check there is NO step at all between the bore of the cap and the bore of the block.