803 cc from an Austin A30?

[psjorge]

Hi guys,

I have an early Series II ('54) that originaly had the A-series 803cc engine. I write had because it now has a later 948cc unit along with its corresponding gearbox. I know that the earlier 803cc unit as well as its gearbox is subject to a lot of criticism but i would like to keep the car as original as possible.

Having made this introducation I found an Austin A30 that could be used as engine/gearbox donner. Is the swap a straightfareward thing or any ajustments need to be done?

Thanks,
Pedro

[bmcecosse]

The A 30 may have had hydraulic clutch operation - but otherwise it's a fine swap - although I think you will be shocked how slow it is.......... It will have the mechanical fuel pump too - just remove it if you don't want it and probably a ghastly down-draught carb which should be thrown away........

[ampwhu]

straight swap. rod operated clutch.

i own an A30 and i buy all my parts from minor suppliers as they are cheaper and better service. hence why i am on here!

[bmcecosse]

Aaah good - rod clutch - straight swap then!

[ampwhu]

but then again, i asked the question previously about fitting a 948 box to the A30. i was informed that you could retain the long gearstick and use a 948 box with no modifaction!

[psjorge]

Hi guys,

First of all, thank you all for your replies! Secondly, let me tell you that my car is stil on its restoration final stages and it was bought as a complete reck! All this to say that I've never driven it... hence I shall not notice the difference in performance! Everything has two sides, right?

As a matter of principle, I personaly like to maintain and restore cars to as close to their original condition as possible (not having anything against who ever likes to have modifications or upgrades, mind you!), therefore my quest for a 803cc engine and gearbox, though their poorer performance...

However, I'm not totaly radical about this and externaly both the 803cc and 948cc engines are quite similar (I think that the only difference is the oil filter and the fact that the 948cc has the number 948 casted on the left hand side of the block...). On the other hand, the gearbox does convey a few very visible changes due to its different cover and gear lever. This also means that one must use a later style hand break lever as the earlier one is too long and colides with the gearlever due to its more backwards position on 948 boxes...

The fact that the auxiliers may differ (A30 from an early Series II) is not a major problem as I have a H1 carburetor (hard to find these days, it seems...) and the rest is either the same or easily available.

In conclusion, it's just an unbolt and bolting again thing, right?

Regards,
Pedro

[bmcecosse]

Right!!

[psjorge]

Hi guys,

Here I am again with my transplant intentions still not very clear!

I've done some research and found out that although the engine on both the Austin A30 and Series II Minors is the same, their power output is not! The Austin had an honest 28bhp at 4400rpm, providing 40lb ft of torque at 2200rpm but the Morris had a staggering 30bhp at 4800rpm, providing the same 40lb ft of torque but at 2400rpm. After further digging I found out that though the block and head were the same, the auxiliary bits were not:

-Austin:

Zenith carburettor, 26 VME type (Zenith ref.c1511)
Lucas 25D4 distribuitor


- Minor
SU H1 carburettor

Can I take it that this performance (I know, the word is an overstatement... ) difference is due to this fact?

Are the other auxiliaries also different or are they exactly the same?

Thanks,
Pedro

[forbesg]

Hi guys,

Here I am again with my transplant intentions still not very clear!

I've done some research and found out that although the engine on both the Austin A30 and Series II Minors is the same,

I think you will find the water pump is different. One has a longer reach than the other. It could me out, many moons ago.

[bmcecosse]

I did say earlier that the Austin unit had the ghastly downdraught carb which you should throw away! The power loss is entirely due to that useless carb and it's hopeless inlet manifold. Dizzy will be the same.

[psjorge]

So what you guys are saying is keep the engine and replace the carburettor, distributor and inlet manifold for the "correct" ones (original Minor items)?

[bmcecosse]

Yes - although dizzy should be the same - use the best one you have.

[psjorge]

Sorry, bmcecosse, my mistake! I misread your comment and thought that the distributor was different...

I spoke on the phone with a bloke that has a spare engine and gearbox (he has a whole "spare" care, to be honest!) but haven't actually visited him. I'll let you know more as things develop.

Thanks,
Pedro