1275 engine + ford 5 speed

[246gts]

For those of you who have this set up already, what are the main components I need to source (apart from engine and box).
Are there any modifications to the car to accept this set up?
Is it worth the expense / hassle?

Thanks for your input
Dave

[GeorgeHurst]

Hi Dave,
You'll need a fitting kit for the box, which I think comprises of a bellhousing, new crossmember, and a modified prop to fit the box. Morris Minor Centre Birmingham and JLH do kits for these.
The engine should bolt right in place of the standard engine, I am also putting a 1275 in my Morris, but won't be fitting a 5 speed gearbox as similar effects can be achieved by fitting a 3.9 or 3.7 diff from a Midget (a straight swap for the standard diff). I would fit a 5 speed box, just for the 5th gear for motorways, but I think you are looking at about £400 for the fitting kit, where as a 3.7 diff can be bought for closer to £100.

HTH
George

[246gts]

Thanks for that George.
The reason I was asking was that I had responded to a for sale item on this board regarding a 1275 unit c/w 5 speed gearbox and fitting kit.

You may recall an ad where comment was made about vultures circling!!

Well today the vulture landed and I picked up these items.It seems to be all there but I wondered if anyone has a checklist. The main problem I see is the clutch actuation do I need a hydraulic master cylinder or can the standard Morris pedal be modified to suit.

I understand the conversion was the Owen Burton kit.

Any help will be gratefully received.

Thanks
Dave

[Simon P]

Hi Dave,
The 5/sp T9 conversion kit can be used with either the original clutch linkage or the hydraulic kit,

Your kit should contain the following parts,
Custom bell housing,
Gearbox cross member,
Bracket to mount the relay shaft to the side of gearbox,
Crankshaft adaptor / pilot bush,
Bracket to mount original minor clutch fork to the new bell housing,
Ford clutch plate / minor pressure plate and carbon release bearing,
Fiberglass g/box tunnel,
Custom prop shaft,
Hybrid speedo cable,
bag of nuts n' bolts and the destructions...

I've fitted a few of these over the years and found them to be a reasonably straight forward job, the captive nuts for the cross member bolts usually break free and can be a pain if you dont have any heat to hand, a good soaking with WD40 the night before is highly recommend but be careful if using heat afterwards! also check the pilot bush isn't to tight on the spigot shaft as i've had some issues with these siezing to the shaft and trying to spin in the crank adaptor instead,

I'm in the process of fitting one to my own car at the moment so if you need to know anything just shout...

[246gts]

Thanks Simon
You have a pm
Dave