spridget engine and gearbox

Post by **maroon** » Sat May 30, 2009 4:38 pm

hi i just brought a spridget engine and gearbox the engine is in bits and needs rebuilding it is surposed to be ok and just striped for examination
im just using the car for every day use (morris 1000 trav 69)
i have not picked up the engine yet i did not know whether to rebuild with
honed bores polished crank new rings /pistons &rings if it needs rebore
clean posible polish head use the twin su s whith it new plugs points ect and try to mate it up to my standed exaust as it has a manifold on it
or have the crank rods an pistons balanced 3 branch manifold mg metro carb and a road camshaft
also is there any think i should know about fitting the box or the engine
i think i have to cut off 1/2 the breather but thats all i know i would be glad to here from any one how has done thisor know any thing about it
cheers

Post by **rayofleamington** » Sat May 30, 2009 6:11 pm

I've run a 1275 with standard Minor exhaust and was impressed with how well it went. However there are larger exhausts readily available to suit the larger Marina Manifold - or to go for an LCB.
Personally I'd avoid the LCB unless you really want to go for more horsepower. With the Marina manifold you can use a 1.5" carb or upgrade to a different inlet to use a 1.75" (1.5 is plenty unless you want every extra HP). Twin carbs are rarely worth the effort.
The gearbox should be a straight swap.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat May 30, 2009 6:18 pm

Depends very much on the condition of the engine - but if 's just a quick refurbish it should easily slot into the Minor - the Spridget conversion is the easiest swap although you will need to fit a Minor clutch fork to use the standard clutch arrangement. The Spridget exhaust manifold is no use in a Minor - at a pinch you can use the Minor manifold ( cut it off the inlet) and exhaust system - with some power reduction - or invest in the larger bore system as mentioned earlier. If the car is for 'every day use' - I would keep it pretty much standard - it will have plenty of power for that. You will find it very undergeared - so a 3.7 diff and matching Speedo will be a high priority! And of course - the brakes will need some attention is =f you intend to use the extra power.

Post by **maroon** » Sat May 30, 2009 8:58 pm

iv got my eyes open for a diff at the right price and keep looking for wolesey 1500 back plate and drum but never see any of the brake parts on ebay are the available new any where

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun May 31, 2009 8:58 pm

Sadly - the 9" Wolseley brake drums and back plates are quite rare - I developed a technique of emailing every ebay seller who appeared to be 'breaking' a Wolseley 1500 - and it paid dividends!