Question from an ignoramus!

Post by **Ondergard** » Thu May 21, 2009 12:15 am

I know that people put Morris Marina or Ital engines into Minors - apparently they are just improved versions of the A Series engine (A+?) - and I have heard of people putting Fiat 2 litre engines in as well... but is it possible to put the 1600 engine of a 1971 Morris Oxford into a Minor? And, if possible, is it desirable?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu May 21, 2009 12:30 am

Should be easy - the Wolseley 1500 and Riley 1.5 were the SAME basic chassis as the Minor - and they had the B series engine (1500 version) - so the 1600 Austin/Morris or the 1800 MGB engine should be an easy fit. Problem is - they are not all that much more powerful than a decent 1275 - and will certainly use more fuel !

Oh dear - post # 14000. I really must find something useful to do with my time !

Post by **davidmiles** » Thu May 21, 2009 12:56 am

oh come on BMC what would we all do without your knowledgable input, roll on to your 15000 post.

Post by **mike.perry** » Thu May 21, 2009 9:31 am

There is an article in "Morris Minor 1948 - 1970", Brooklands Books, of an A40 1200 B series engine fitted to a Series II. A fair amount of chopping around was necessary to fit the engine and weight distribution was another problem.

Post by **plastic_orange** » Thu May 21, 2009 3:01 pm

MGB engine is the only one I'd consider out of the B series range, and even then it has only 95bhp (easily tuned though). Weight is the main consideration as it sits pretty far forward in a Minor. There are plenty modern engines that are more suitable - 25 years ago - yes, but today unless it's free, then don't bother.

Pete

Post by **Ondergard** » Thu May 21, 2009 4:43 pm

plastic_orange wrote:MGB engine is the only one I'd consider out of the B series range, and even then it has only 95bhp (easily tuned though). Weight is the main consideration as it sits pretty far forward in a Minor. There are plenty modern engines that are more suitable - 25 years ago - yes, but today unless it's free, then don't bother.

I wasn't going to do it to Betsy - I just wondered because I saw a Morris Oxford's Engine Bay in one for sale, and the engine didn't look that much different to a Series A in the pictures, but it was described as (roughly) a 1500 cc.

To be honest, I wouldn't contemplate doing major alterations like engine changes - especially swopping to engines for which the minor wasn't designed - because I don't have any expertise at all. It's going to be one great big learning curve for me, owning Betsy.

Actually, it's going to be a great big learning curve for me driving her from Uttoxeter to Dolgellau next week, and then on to Pembrokeshire next day!

Post by **ASL642** » Thu May 21, 2009 4:55 pm

Don't worry about it - these little cars do it in their stride. Just take your time and enjoy the scenery! Take a few spares and a few spanners/screwdrivers for your own peace of mind. We did 200 miles down to Dover and another 250 in France all in one day and Vikki never missed a beat. If you are new to Minors I'd say the best thing you can do is get in the car and use it almost entirely for a week - really get to know it. The most important thing is to enjoy the car - and don't forget to wave back at passers by!

Post by **Ondergard** » Thu May 21, 2009 5:21 pm

I have owned one before - but I was nineteen, and the car had an Austin-Healey Sprite engine in it, nicely tuned by my brother-in-law so that I could do 70mph down the Epping New Road...

I've changed a clutch in that minor - but under instruction from a friend who knew what to do (unlike me)...

I'm fifty-two now, and I do not have the confidence of a nineteen year old to be able to fiddle with something about which I know nothing... and I (literally) don't have the tools anymore!!

I don't care, though... I own a morris again!! Yee-hah!

Post by **ASL642** » Thu May 21, 2009 6:28 pm

Well you've certainly got the right attitude

!! Once a car is nicely tuned and set up it should do 65/70mph without any trouble.