Marina / Ital engines - Which ones/

[jbe]

Hi
Just a quickie
I'm now looking to stick with the BMC engine.
I know the A-series fits from a Marina or Ital, what about E and O series.
Does the gearbox and running gear work straight out of the E and O series as well.
Any help will be great as I'm finding it hard to find out exactly whats required.
Also if anyone know of a mechanic that would be inrested in doing the work in the Essex/Kent area.
Thanks
Jim

[Peetee]

The larger Marina engine probably do fit but the problem with fitting larger cast iron block engines is the detrimental effect on handling. Apart from needing uprated torsion bars and shocks the extra weight forward of the front axle makes for bad handling in anything other than a straight line.

[Kevin]

Does the gearbox and running gear work straight out of the E and O series as well

No and I assume you meant `B` series not `E` series

Get a copy of Owen Burtons book Marina to Minor it explains the main differences and what is required for Midget,Marina and Ital engines its sold by the Bath Minor Center

Mike Whitby in Sidcup would probably do the work for you, he normally has ads in the spares pages. and there is also a specialist in Deptford, if you look in Minor Matters most of the specialists are listed.

[rayofleamington]

The K series is a far better option. Same weight as A-series and available from 1.4 to 1.8. The smaller engines from later Metros and bigger from other Rovers (approx 80 to 165 bhp covering most variants).

[Cam]

The E series is transverse I think (4 and 6 cylinder versions), and the O series is too heavy (like the B series).

The Marina/Ital 1275 is the best bet. Can be tuned to 120odd BHP if the need arises.

It all depends on what you want to achieve.

Is it more power? if so what sort of power? torque or high reving BHP? Or do you just want easier less strained cruising.

If you figure out what you want then the engine pretty much selects itself.

I would be very wary about using the big block BMC engines though as they are VERY heavy and need a lot of work to fit. They are also not that powerful either and the A-series can be made to perform as well (if not better) but is a LOT easier to fit and looks original too!

If you want loads of power and more modern technology then as Ray says, the K-series is the way to go. They usually mate to a Ford 5-speed gearbox. And if you are going much about 70-80 BHP then you will need to think about changing the rear axle too to something that can handle the power. Also you will need uprated brakes/suspension/dampers to cope with the increased speed as well.

[rayofleamington]

There were a few 1800 conversions done in the 80's - they were commonly referred to as death traps due to the heavy engine.
If it's done right (eg with the engine moved further to the rear, bulkhead modifications and decent front suspension) any heavy engine can be used.

So fully agree with Cam that the 1275/1300 A-series can be used unless you really need something serious, and it's not rocket science. The Fiat twin cams are still commonly used although they are getting harder to find so prices can get silly. The K-series conversion the Fiat or K-series are far from cheap / simple options.

[les]

I sometimes wonder how far I would modify a Minor before I went out and bought myself a car that fitted the bill. Don't get me wrong I have an Ital engine to fit later, so I've started on the road, but think I would stop before the Minor became likely to be unreliable, and say what you like, the more there is the more can/will go wrong. There are probably many reasons to own a Minor; my reason is that when things do need doing, everything can be done logically and at home, where you are in control, and it's stress free. The 'modern car ' I have is too much, and every thing is packed tight, and expensive, and to be honest I'm reluctant to do much on it, and worry if I hear the slightest noise, I still rate it, but you get my drift! I'd go round the world the Minor, with no worries. Well, ok with better seats!

[rayofleamington]

Fully agree with you Les. My 2-door is 100% standard at the moment except for additional rubber matts...
Oh and a lipseal convertion on the gearbox input shaft if I'm being pedantic.

Apart from the seat's (back ache on anything more than a 3 hour journey) it is great just how it is.

I would love to have a high speed cruising Minor to replace the need for a Eurobox, but as you say - there is a pay-off and adding a eurobox engine and other complexities will add eurobox (lack of) reliabiity / simplicity / fun!
Therefore a good compromise seems to be a standard Minor and a powerful one as well

[racer]

Didnt the 'b' series into minor need a special rad to allow the water pump nose to fit thro' it?.......or spacing out of the front panel 2or3 inches?---if you didn't set the eng back? I n retrospect ,a lethal overdose of weight ---but "back in the good ol' days " it was considered about the only way to go , I recall?

[Cam]

Therefore a good compromise seems to be a standard Minor and a powerful one as well

and say what you like, the more there is the more can/will go wrong. There are probably many reasons to own a Minor; my reason is that when things do need doing, everything can be done logically and at home, where you are in control, and it's stress free. The 'modern car ' I have is too much, and every thing is packed tight, and expensive, and to be honest I'm reluctant to do much on it, and worry if I hear the slightest noise

Agreed chaps. I have to say with all the problems I have encountered with my 'conversion' I sometimes wonder if it had been better to stick with the original setup. But I wanted a Minor as an easy cruising daily driver. Since the 'conversion' and all the problems I have HAD to buy a eurobox (well Rover) because the Minor was too unreliable. Hopefully when I have ironed out all the problems with mine it should be OK.

BUT I have to point out one VERY important fact: The problems with mine have been caused by people (suppliers) providing incorrect advice and bad parts.

[MrA.Series]

Did anyone see the episode of Heartbeat where they put a huge Jag' engine in the front of a 1000? With a wooden front-end made up to house the thing. Totally unrealistic but dead funny.

[Cam]

I bet there was so much overhang that the rear wheels were off the ground!!

It's a bit like that episode of Thunder Races on Discovery where they put a Rover V8 in a Nissan Micra. That was the episode that John (Innovator) was in. What a complete mess that was! Still it was funny to watch.

[Peetee]

Big engines in little cars don't always work. Last weeks 'Monster Garage' was a case in point. They fitted a Big block Yank engine to a milk float and ran it up the 1/4 mile at Santa Pod. even with Nitrous injection the thing didn't manage 18 seconds.
I've run a 18 in a 1300 Polo!

[Matt]

I didn't see the end of that... I was expecting it to do something erratic and dangerous

[Cam]

Damn missed that. I wanted to see it too!

Ah well.

How on earth did it only manage 18 seconds?? was it firing on 2 cylinders??

I did 20.4 seconds at Santa Pod in a pretty standard Mini 1000.

[Peetee]

didn't see the end of that... I was expecting it to do something erratic and dangerous

Well it did on the first run - practically a 360 - fortunately it was a solo run. The guy was an experienced drag racer and it showed when the vehicle lost it as he avoided injury or collision that would have been a certainty for a rookie.

[rayofleamington]

I did 20.4 seconds at Santa Pod in a pretty standard Mini 1000.

What would your 4 door do?

[jbe]

[quote="Cam"]The E series is transverse I think (4 and 6 cylinder versions), and the O series is too heavy (like the B series).

The Marina/Ital 1275 is the best bet. Can be tuned to 120odd BHP if the need arises.

It all depends on what you want to achieve.

Is it more power? if so what sort of power? torque or high reving BHP? Or do you just want easier less strained cruising.

If you figure out what you want then the engine pretty much selects itself.

quote]
Thanks for advise guy's.
I think I'm going to go with the 1275n marina/ital conversion. The twin Cam and Rover was going to cost to much as I'm not able to do the work myself.
I'm going to get the book have a read up and get an old marina/ital and strip it. I understand you can take the brakes and shocks aswell

[salty_monk]

Certainly the brakes with a couple of minor mods... not sure about the shocks..

[Kevin]

shocks aswell

On the Marina they used lever arms on the front and only the later Itals used teles on the front so the answer is no