How to: 1275 Marina engine + Sierra Gearbox?

[Davros]

Thats why anyone does things for the trill of the challange. Whilst i'm not trying to re-invent the wheel they do say that if you invent a better mousetrap the world will beat a path to your door.
Thanks for the input about the welding all things wil be considered.
Alignment will e maintained by bolting an old backplate to the bell housing with aspigot that will reach the gearbox plate.Bolting everything togeather will keep it aligned.
i'm not sure about hydraulic's for the clutch. I'm thinking of making a mechanical linkage.

[Rich_T]

Thats why anyone does things for the trill of the challange.

I agree with davros on this, quite often half the fun is in the challenge of doing something and getting it to work. As I mentioned earlier I did this adaptation myself years ago and if I were to repeat it now would probably do the same again.
Rich

[jonathon]

I too agree with Davros, which is why I said so in my post, but the initial exercise here , from reading the first post ,was to do this for less than the £350 bell housing.Unless you can buy 1/2" alloy plate, get an engineer to machine and face off the plate and cut and face the bell housing, then properly align and jig the two and tig weld without distortion, possibly reface the gearbox side of the welded plate etc etc you will soon be up to the £350. As I said its a great exercise to do, and I would not discourage folk from doing it their way, but it may well prove as expensive as buying the good value cast item from the specialist suppliers.
One thing I would advise against on this project is the use of the minor release arm. In using this the B'ham kit needs the removal of the input sleeve, as this is a larger o/d than the i/d of the clutch release bearing, this has the effect of allowing the bearing and arm to rattle like mad at low rpm, as the release bearing has no close guide on which to travel. I'd look into using the original Ford arm and bearing, along with the Ford Capri 1.6 clutch from a x flow.

[Davros]

get an engineer to machine and face off the plate and cut and face the bell housing

I do have a slight advantage working for an engineering firm and I think anyone tackling this job from scratch would have an engineering background.
If I didn’t have access to machines at work I would look to a local collage with a machine shop. Some run night courses allowing people to use the machines (assuming they have had experience) or talk to the technication in charge who usually are more than happy to help.
The local model-engineering club is another source for machining work. You would be surprised at the amount (and type) of machines in private hands.

[Davros]

Well its been a while since i raised this subject. Got delayed in the winter due to cold weather and i am now trying to get the car ready for the Standford hall rally.
Engine and Gearbox connected and in car. Clutch sorted. I'm now at the stage when i can put all the bits back on the engine and try and start it . I had the 1275 engine rebuilt by a local engine firm so i want to have all the cooling etc connected before i run it.
Speedo cable done . Interior to be sorted and since the car has been stood for nearly a year i guess the brakes will require freeing.
total cost so far £ 16 for clutchplate £ 15 for bits of metal for brackets

Look forward to seeing peaple at Standford

[bmcecosse]

Very cost effective then - any chance of some pictures and maybe a write-up of how you did the job ?

[Davros]

I've been taking pictures as i've gone along. When i have time i will do a write up for either the website or the magazine.

[bmcecosse]

Website please!! Or of course - both.