Ford flathead V8 in Minor???

[kingzdjc]

Just wondering,

Is it possible to fit a ford flathead v8 in a Minor,
and if so, how would the minor need to be altered?

Thanks

[liammonty]

I'm sure it's possible if you've nothing better to do! With a weight of around 250 kg (one third of the weight of a minor) compared to around 100 kg for an A-series, I'd recommend several helium-filled balloons tied to the bonnet to counter the extra 150 kg of weight over the front wheels though. Handling will be fine if you do that.

[kingzdjc]

I'm sure it's possible if you've nothing better to do! With a weight of around 250 kg (one third of the weight of a minor) compared to around 100 kg for an A-series, I'd recommend several helium-filled balloons tied to the bonnet to counter the extra 150 kg of weight over the front wheels though. Handling will be fine if you do that.

Oh maybe not then!

[liammonty]

The Rover V8 is the only V8 I've heard of being fitted- as it's all ally it's relatively light. I think it still needs substantial mods just to get the engine in the car though, never mind brakes, suspension etc. I'm sure someone on here will have done it or know lots about it though.

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

There would be no point in that mod (Ford), and where did you find one of those engines?

You could tune a 1275 to give much better performance than an old clunker sidevalve v-8, which is even older than the earliest Minors.

[kingzdjc]

There would be no point in that mod (Ford), and where did you find one of those engines?

You can get a ford flathead v8 from the states, around $3500 Ive seen them for.

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

And you are thinking of fitting one? Certainly would be a unique conversion....

[kingzdjc]

And you are thinking of fitting one? Certainly would be a unique conversion....

Was tempted, but my Minor is in original condition, Im only the 2nd owner since 1955. I fear I may ruin it if I start to mess with it.

The thing is, it only has the 803 cc engine, which limits its ability in that it cant be taken on motorways (tried in once, never again!)

When Im going to the national this weekend, Ill have to take the A roads! Gonna take forever!

[MarkyB]

Gonna take forever!

Just enjoy the drive, the national isn't an appointment, it's a fun day out.
Relax and take in the scenery.

[kingzdjc]

There would be no point in that mod (Ford), and where did you find one of those engines?

You could tune a 1275 to give much better performance than an old clunker sidevalve v-8, which is even older than the earliest Minors.

An A-series 1275? Which one a standard or a turbo??? Also where would I find one of those, and how diificult(modifications) would need to made to the car?

Thanks

[bmcecosse]

Search the threads - answered many many times already.........

[kingzdjc]

Search the threads - answered many many times already.........

Not really. Did a search and it came up with MG 1275 and something about a backplate which I have no idea what it is. I also cant find an answer as to where to buy one of these engines, and what modifications need to be met.

[kingzdjc]

Search the threads - answered many many times already.........

Not really. Did a search and it came up with MG 1275 and something about a backplate which I have no idea what it is. I also cant find an answer as to where to buy one of these engines, and what modifications need to be met. I also cannot find out what the difference is between a 1275 and a one with a turbo

[bmcecosse]

On an 803 the FIRST job will be to sort out the brakes.............and the 1275 installation must have been discussed many hundreds of times.....it comes up over and over and over again.......

[mike.perry]

What is all the rubbish about not taking a Series 2 on the motorway? My Series MM is often used on the motorway. Just sit at a steady 55-60mph and go with the flow

[kingzdjc]

What is all the rubbish about not taking a Series 2 on the motorway? My Series MM is often used on the motorway. Just sit at a steady 55-60mph and go with the flow

What, with the original 803 cc engine??? Can you bear the noise, rattling etc??? Ive been told by a member in my club that it isnt advisable to go on the motorways???

Last time I went on the motorway, 50 was managable, 55 the noise was absoltuley horrendous, and 60 felt as though the engine was going to explode.

The top speed of a series 2 was 62 MPH i believe in 1955. After all those years, I wouldnt think it advisable to push such an old engine to extremes.

I have been told it is OK for short journeys to give it a blast on the motorway, but not for a 3 hour journey.

Its what quite a few people in the club have told me.

[plastic_orange]

When you arrive at the Nationals, speak to any of the dozens of 1275 Minor owners for advice - or go to speak to the Custom guys for their take on motorway cruising
Most folk will gladly give of their time to explain what you need to do, but unless you can do it yourself, it can get expensive.
As Roy says, the fitting of a 1275 has been discussed to death on all the Minor forums, but perhaps the search facility here isn't the most user friendly.
Fitting a flathead V8 to a Minor isn't worth contemplating.

Pete

[liammonty]

Mike- your MM has the advantage of having a crank stronger than solder, and main bearings large enough to see, unlike the 803. It's also got the 4.55 diff, not the hideous 5.375:1 that the SII is fitted with. A Series II will just sit with the lorries if you wear ear defenders, but any faster really is asking for trouble. You can probably imagine how I know. I've heard that the MM engine is far more durable and relatively torquey, but the Series II really is pathetic. It begins to slow in anticipation of hills! Definitely not a regular motorway car!

To the original poster, and without meaning to sound rude- if you have limited knowledge / experience, but want to make your car more useable as easily and cheaply as possible, consider getting hold of a 948cc engine and running gear (from an early Minor 1000). These are cheap (as most people want a 1098), and the cars with this engine had the same size brakes as your Series II, so no need to upgrade. I did this to my car, and it was super. Cruising at 60 - 65 mph no longer a problem, and the engine is much tougher too.

Of course, the easiest thing to do is just to change the car!

[kingzdjc]

Mike- your MM has the advantage of having a crank stronger than solder, and main bearings large enough to see, unlike the 803. It's also got the 4.55 diff, not the hideous 5.375:1 that the SII is fitted with. A Series II will just sit with the lorries if you wear ear defenders, but any faster really is asking for trouble. You can probably imagine how I know. I've heard that the MM engine is far more durable and relatively torquey, but the Series II really is pathetic. It begins to slow in anticipation of hills! Definitely not a regular motorway car!

To the original poster, and without meaning to sound rude- if you have limited knowledge / experience, but want to make your car more useable as easily and cheaply as possible, consider getting hold of a 948cc engine and running gear (from an early Minor 1000). These are cheap (as most people want a 1098), and the cars with this engine had the same size brakes as your Series II, so no need to upgrade. I did this to my car, and it was super. Cruising at 60 - 65 mph no longer a problem, and the engine is much tougher too.

Of course, the easiest thing to do is just to change the car!

Thanks so much for your advice, from someone who knows what travelling in a series 2 on a motorway is like!
Would never change the car, as I love it too much, but the 948cc sounds promising.

Where would I find a good 948 engine, and how much with the running gear would it cost???

Would the Minor still have only 4 gears with this engine?

What mods would need to be made to put in this engine, any engine bay alterations, suspension etc?

Thanks

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

What is all the rubbish about not taking a Series 2 on the motorway? My Series MM is often used on the motorway. Just sit at a steady 55-60mph and go with the flow

They are not motorway cruisers. As others have found, it is asking for trouble above 50. The sidevalve seems a tougher engine, which is understandable. On my dead 803, at 88k, the crank had already been ground down to 060 thou, so is scrap. Fortunately the replacement engine has a std crank, so, with 30-40k between regrinds (much, much less if flogged) is good for many a mile yet.

Bearings are white metal and crap. But I have never heard of an Austin crank breaking (that's a Jowett novelty).

Even the 1275 is only a 60-65 mile an hour cruiser (in transverse form at least).