Strange A-Series Head

Post by **Peetee** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 6:20 pm

Saw this in a Mini hill climb car a few weeks back. Aparently it was sourced from Holland.
The cylinder head is a real odd one. It is cross flow but the exhaust is still siamesed even though it has 4 inlet ports. Furthermore, the inlet casting is still visible on the exhaust side!! That would suggest that it started as a standard casting but how on earth would you reverse the inlets? - and the inlet side has an additional width of casting to space out the carbs.
It's just plain odd and I can't work it out.

Post by **PSL184** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 6:27 pm

I've seen crossflow heads on a B series before but not on an A series. No reason why the same mods couldn't be incorporated though I guess....

Post by **rayofleamington** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 7:05 pm

the only cross flow head I've seen on an A series was an Arden 8 port head (on a hill climber space frame car pretending to be a mini)

On tinternet I've seen BMW bike heads on a mini engine, but that's a different game requiring plugging and reworking the block for water and stud holes... so at some point it's much less of an A-series.

As for the 7 port head - that must be some rare beast!!
I've no real idea how that came about but if they managed to get a prototype aluminium A series head (apparently some were produced) they could have reworked it and TIG'd it about to add the other ports.

More things are possible with aluminium heads - a friend of mine is part way through making a 32 valve stag engine using Dolomite heads. The custom cams were relatively cheap compared to the quotes for the custom chain sprockets.... and nothing in comparison to the quotes he got for a gear-driven-Cam version (custom gears are darn expensive)
Fortunately he's a wizz on ProE so at least he can get it properly designed and only have to shell out on the metal bits.

Post by **jonathon** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 7:10 pm

Is it not just a 7 port head ?. A friend of mine manufacturers 7 port heads so might be able to glean some info for you

Post by **Robins** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 7:19 pm

OOOh that looks so nice

I want one.

Then I found the price

http://www.minisport.com/acatalog/Mini_ ... Heads.html

Post by **rayofleamington** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 7:30 pm

well you live and learn! I hadn't heard of 7 port heads on A series before.

For what you get, the ~£1500 sounds pretty reasonable!

Post by **jonathon** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 7:36 pm

I'll find the price from the manufacturer

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 8:02 pm

The advantage of the 7 port is that it uses the standard cam shaft and exhaust manifold. 8 Port is better - but special cam and exhaust required. I was involved in building one of the very first Arden 8 port engines many years ago - even with a 320/320 Super Sport cam fitted - it was fantastically tractable and revved to the moon!

Post by **IslipMinor** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 8:35 pm

Yes, it's a 7-port head, which are now supplied by Mini Sport - here's the link:

http://www.minisport.com/acatalog/7_Port.html

Prices range from £1,300 to >£1,800, depending on spec. Anyone know who's got one?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 9:22 pm

Of course - the BMW ohc head conversion is supposedly even better.

This conversion by Simon at Morspeed - on a 970 engine I sold to him!

Post by **jonathon** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 9:40 pm

Sam Anker (green custom Minor Pickup fame) had/has one of these fitted.

Post by **mike.perry** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:18 pm

Leyland Special Tuning used to make an 8 port A series head in both cast iron and alloy. Part nos. C- AEG 612 and C-AHT 346. They cost £180 and £230. These heads would take fuel injection, twin Weber carbs or four Amal carbs

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:24 pm

The cast iron heads are very rare! Only ever saw them on Works Rallycross cars at Oulton Park - not entirely sure they were actually ever available to the general public!
Their alloy head was the Arden one.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 11:29 pm

I did quite like my friend's Arden head - with the throttle slides lifted you could see straight to the head on the inlet valve...

Post by **wanderinstar** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 5:46 am

Minisport make there own heads. They are cast locally in West Yorkshire.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 10:29 am

Makes a change from China! You don't happen to cart them on your truck do you Ian ? Any chance one could 'fall off the lorry' ??

Post by **wanderinstar** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 6:45 pm

Hehe, wish I did. But it would still need machining.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 7:08 pm

I would manage - somehow!

Post by **Kevin** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 9:36 am

I spotted this one earlier this year

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 10:11 am

Very nice - no split circuit brakes (or servo) there. Dynamo drive looks interesting. And the throttle control looks beuatifully effective. I would wonder about air flow into these trumpets - so close to the front bar - I would twist them all round clockwise to let them breathe! And - it's got hydrolastic suspension - very rare these days .
Not understanding the large white pipe coming up between 1 and 2 intakes - any ideas Kevin ?