fitting Marina engine, or Midget engine/gearbox?

Post by **moggylicious** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 12:51 pm

Hi, I'm having doubts what to do.

we have a 65 Moggy convertable, and the big ends have gone, it uses oil, and the gearbox is a bit so/so.

Now I have a few options, please advise:

- rebuild the moggy engine, and rebuild the gearbox( 1100 engine, 1000 gearbox)
- buy Midget engine and gearbox and fit that.
- buy Marina engine and make it work?

Is it hard to convert to Midget engine and gearbox, what parts have to be modified, I work with classic cars(mainly Minis), so that won't be a problem. I can also get the parts or the engine/gearbox pretty easely.

any ideas please?

Thanks, Oliver

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 1:04 pm

Welcome to the Forum!
Easiest conversion of all is to fit a complete Spridget A series (not the dreadful Triumph 1500 unit) engine + box combo. Just slight fiddle with the clutch linkage to connect it to the Minor lever system. Marina engine would really need a 1098 gearbox (ribbed case0 to be any good - and you have to use 1098 flywheel/clutch and redrill it to suit the Marina crank. You can of course rebuild your 1098 engine - or just pick-up another engine + box - there are always some available! You don't say where you are - perhaps you could add that to your profile ?

Post by **mike.perry** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 1:21 pm

Definately the easiest conversion is the 1275 Midget engine, with either the 1098 or 1275 box. The engine complete with flywheel and diaphram clutch assembly can be dropped straight in with a slight modification to the clutch linkage. No need to convert to hydraulic clutch. You may have to sort out the clearance between the fan blades and the timing chain breather pipe.
Then you upgrade the brakes.

Post by **moggylicious** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 1:29 pm

Hi guys, thanks for the welcome and quick replies

I think it is going to be a MG Midget engine/gearbox.

what about engine and gearbox mountings? any changes needed?

oh, and I live in the Netherlands

Post by **moggylicious** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 1:48 pm

Oh, and is there any difference between a Midget or a Sprite? any preferred year?

sorry for all these questions

Post by **Stig** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 2:13 pm

Sprite MkII, III, IV = Midget MkI, II, III etc. - just cosmetic differences.

You'll want something from 1967-1974 (ish) for the 1275 engine.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 4:05 pm

And they just drop straight in - same mountings. Pretty much same everything - just fit the Minor clutch lever system to the Spridget clutch arm. Some have found the action a wee bit 'sharp' - and there is a modification that extends the arm slightly to make the action more fluent - it's up to you if you find you need to do that.

Post by **mike.perry** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 5:54 pm

Modification to the clutch relay shaft is to extend the arm that connects to the clutch pedal by 1in and redrill the hole. This will restore the correct movement and load on the pedal. For added refinement you can fit a roller bearing thrust bearing.