How do I fit a 1275cc engine?.

Post by **sponehonda** » Sun Apr 20, 2003 5:30 pm

Hi All, the restoration of my 1964 2dr, is almost most finished. I have a 1275cc Marina/Ital, engine which I would like to fit, and I have a couple of questions re: the transplant.

# 1, should I use the 1275cc g/box?, or is the 1098 one ok?.

# 2, what? if any, extra parts do I need for this transplant?

# 3, should I use the 1275cc axle?, or is the 1098 one ok?.

# 4, I was considering, trying to fit the pedal box, discs, calipers & servo from the Marina/Ital aswell, is this a big job?, and also what extra parts are needed for this job?.

Thank you in anticipation.

Sam.

Post by **Cam** » Sun Apr 20, 2003 5:41 pm

#1, the 1275 box is a better bet, as the 1098 one is a bit weak anyway, but if you can get hold of one, why not fit the Sierra 5-speed while you are at it! Depending on the 'box you choose, you may need to convert to a hydraulic clutch.

#2, depends which gearbox you opt for, otherwise not much. if you use the Minor engine frontplate then you can keep the front mounting towers, but if you use the marina front plate you will need shorter towers available from most Minor places.

#3, the 1098 axle will be able to handle the power output from a STANDARD 1275, but if you start tuning it over about 70BHP the axle will give up. Don't change to the 1275 unless you have to, as it is a pain.

#4, don't bother with the pedal box as the original setup is fine and you will be making yourself work, however, the discs and calipers can be adapted fairly easily and some Minor places do a conversion kit.

Post by **sponehonda** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 4:46 pm

Hi Cam, thanks for your reply. by the sound of it you have saved me a lot of heartache. To be honest I was going to transfer all the running gear from the Marina to the moggy ( I have a complete 1.3 coupe), I was led to beleive, that everything was a straight swap!!!., and as I am fairly new to Minors & changing parts around, I took their word, (silly me). If I did decide to change the rear axle, what axle would you say is the best to fit?. Would you fit Marina or Sierra discs & calipers?. Re; Sierra g/box, does it matter what year of car this comes from?. Sorry for all the questions guys, but as I have said, i am a NOVICE @ this sort of thing, and not at all sure what to do for the best. Many thanks. Sam.

Post by **Cam** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 11:03 pm

Best rear axle to fit is the MK2 Escort, as it will handle 170BHP, so you should have no problems with reliability! Most axles that you fit will need different spring perches welded on, so being as the Escort one is virtually identical in width and will handle a lot more power, it seems to be a good choice.

Marina discs are cheaper, but Sierra vented discs are much better, I have tried to fade mine and I can't!!!

The Sierra box you need is the Type-9 which should be fitted to any 5-speed Sierra up to 2.8 litre. The most common donar seems to be the 1.6 5-speed. I don't think the year matters, but '82 - '93 rings a bell (so long as it is the 5-speed).

Post by **h_____** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 9:29 am

You need to be a little bit carefull here. There are several different variations of the type 9 sierra g'box. They differ very slightly in ratios, and in the drive for the speedo. The change in ratios coupled with the diff that you use and the size of the wheels/tyres will have a dramatic affect on how the car performs. If you talk to people who have done this conversion, they probably vary in how effective they think the conversion is, I would put this down to the fact that few people consider the impact gearing has on how the final car will perform.

If you go the sierra route, make sure you buy from someone who knows the difference, and what they are selling you. If you stick with the marina/ital box, find out the ratios and calculate what diff you need. This is important. It will also depend on what sort of driving you want to do. Do you want a car that will scream to 60 or a car that will cruise on the motorway at 80 happily?

Post by **Cam** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 10:32 am

My ratios are:

1st: 3.65
2nd: 1.97
3rd: 1.37
4th: 1
5th: 0.82

Which is the standard setup for the Sierra, so if you were to order a new or recon box and specified the standard ratios - that's what you would get!

My rear axle ratio is 4.44:1 which gives good acceleration, and will happily cruise at 70 MPH at 3770 RPM in 5th.

the 4.44:1s are a bit difficult to get hold of, but I tried a 3.9:1 and it was OK but lacked a bit of acceleration, but the cruising RPMs were lower.

To be honest, I think that 3770 RPM at 70 MPH is fine and I am quite happy with my gearing setup.

My wheels and tyres are:
14" 185/60

Post by **les** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 10:09 pm

Whilst on the subject, anyone know if the Escort Mexico axle is the same as the normal Escort axle? I'm relying on you Cam!

Post by **Cam** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 10:47 pm

There are two main types of Escort axle, the Salisbury and the Timken.

The Timken is the simpler and earlier of the two and will stand approx 170 BHP with the correct halfshafts (RS2000), the Salisbury axle is more complex and will take approx 230 BHP +.

I would ASSUME that the Mexico (mk1) axle is of the Timken type and so should be similar if not the same as the 'normal' mk2 axle.

However! I have heard that the mk1 axles don't whine as much as the mk2 ones, so there may be a difference. I can't say for sure, as I have not had much to do with the mk1s.

The same amount of work is involved whichever type you are planning to fit to the Minor, and all types can be adapted.

Post by **sponehonda** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 2:21 am

Cam, your knowledge is invaluable!!!. Thanks (once again) Sam.