Ital Engines?

[Ondergard]

Does anyone know if the Morris Ital 1300 is the same engine as the Morris Marina 1275, and is it the same conversion to fit a Morris Minor?

[bmcecosse]

It's a later , supposedly 'improved' version of the same engine. Yes - it can be fitted to a Minor.

[Ondergard]

So if I got the offer of, say a 1973 Ital (with engine) for £200, and I wanted to do a conversion on Betsy, then it'd be worth considering?

[d_harris]

Definatly. Make sure you use the brakes too and offer up the remains to the Marina & Ital lot

[bmcecosse]

Well - only if the engine is in good condition - and you really WANT a 1275 engine, with associated poorer fuel consumption. Little else off that car is much use to you (battery/horn....) - I would say £100 is nearer the mark!

[ani]

pm charlie morris minor I think that's what he's doing

[bmcecosse]

The brakes are not a direct swap (neither is the engine !) - so don't count on them unless you either know what needs doing, or are willing to PAY to have them fitted!

[Longdog]

I would say go for a 1275, as for fuel consumption, mine is fast road engine that returned 40.5 mpg towing 4cwt trailer down to the Vendee.This is achieved with a 5 speed box and proper tuning.

[bmcecosse]

Oh yes - they can be economical with the correct gearing - but a small capacity engine will always give better economy overall. I'm still looking for an 848! Can't really bring myself to use an 803.

[mike.perry]

Wasn't the 848 used in the A35 as a disabled car?

[Pyoor_Kate]

Aye, the ital engine has a few tweaks over the marina engine. Being greedy I've two of them; one with a fast road cam in my car and one in the garage awaiting rebuilding as a spare...

[charlie_morris_minor]

I just need to correct Ani, I am doing a 2ltr fiat twin cam conversion, but i have already done an ital conversion in the past with an overdrive box from a Dolomite.

I did not notice there to be any significant difference in fuel economy between a 1300 A+ and the 1098 i think it depends on your driving style more than a bit greater engine capacity.

[ani]

Now I remember! I knew you said something about the Ital and now I remember my sharp intake of breath when you told me what you were putting into the traveller Memory is starting to fail - must be too long with head under a Minor bonnet

[charlie_morris_minor]

or you might have banged your head to often on the way out of it?

[MARKH]

or you might have banged your head to often on the way out of it?

Ouch!

[Mog-nuts]

So if I got the offer of, say a 1973 Ital (with engine) for £200, and I wanted to do a conversion on Betsy, then it'd be worth considering?

Surely this is a Marina. Correct me if i'm wrong but i thought Ital's
were only produced 1980/1984

[Ondergard]

So if I got the offer of, say a 1973 Ital (with engine) for £200, and I wanted to do a conversion on Betsy, then it'd be worth considering?

Surely this is a Marina. Correct me if i'm wrong but i thought Ital's
were only produced 1980/1984

I think 1983 was the year, not 1973. That was my unthinking mistake...

[bmcecosse]

848 in-line engine was certainly used in the last of the A35 vans - as ultimate economy device.

[honda90]

I've got an Ital A+ engine in both my Minors + 3.7 diff, economy just about the same. Look at my website for fitting A+ engine in my series II. I fitted a HIF44 Carb with standard exhaust to start off with, was a little down on power. Have now fitted a Maniflow exhaust, a bargain off ebay, with a BDL needle fitted to the carb, made a big difference to power. The exhaust is really suited to a tuned 1098 but does give a big increase to my standard 1275.

[captain_70s]

Would be a shame to break a solid Ital for an engine, a suprisingly rare car now. only something like 150 left.

Rotten cars can give good parts for Minors though, why use an Ital engine over a Marina's though? They seem to be easier to find.