Morris Minor Owners Club

I know what the immediate reaction to this thread will be - forget and source a 1275 unit with autobox out of a Marina.
Well I've already got a low mileage (40,000 genuine) unit out of a HLS Dolomite sitting in the garage and it's got me thinking.
Everybody will say something like "the crank bearings are weak" etc but auto's don't suffer the same so mine is a viable option for a transplant.
I should add I have a bad left leg so intend fitting an auto during restoration anyway.

I understand it's not a simple conversions but has anyone fitted such a Triumph engine ?

What other engine / autobox conversions, other than Datsun & Marina / Ital, have people done ?

Thanks.

Paul Humphries.

COOOOL! an auto in a minor!
just brilliant

paulhumphries wrote: Everybody will say something like "the crank bearings are weak" etc but auto's don't suffer the same so mine is a viable option for a transplant.

The crank bearings are weak. I've got an auto 1500, and the original engine was rubbish, the replacement had bottom end knock, and the engine about to go in needed new bearings when I got it too.

The auto means there's less wear on the thrusts, and with the Minor being quite light the bottom end shouldn't be under so much pressure maybe, but still, it's not a robust engine IMO. Sticking a 1275 on the auto box would be far better I reckon, though Marinas are on the very rare side so finding the bits might be a lot harder.

What other engine / autobox conversions, other than Datsun & Marina / Ital, have people done ?

Not much help but Rover V8 comes to mind.

Kevin wrote:

What other engine / autobox conversions, other than Datsun & Marina / Ital, have people done ?

Not much help but Rover V8 comes to mind.

I used to have a car called a Salamander. Factory built two seater body on Reliant Kitten chassis with 1.1 Ford Kent engine and autobox.
Despite such a lightweight car the engine wan't big enough for the autobox and I believe later versions had the 1.3 Kent engine instead out of the MKII Escort.

Paul Humphries.

Packedup wrote:

paulhumphries wrote: Everybody will say something like "the crank bearings are weak" etc but auto's don't suffer the same so mine is a viable option for a transplant.

The auto means there's less wear on the thrusts, and with the Minor being quite light the bottom end shouldn't be under so much pressure maybe, but still, it's not a robust engine IMO. Sticking a 1275 on the auto box would be far better I reckon, though Marinas are on the very rare side so finding the bits might be a lot harder.

As the day has gone on I've already decided that maybe the Triumph engine isn't such a good idea after all despite already having it .
I've got someone interested in buying the engine but am going to keep the autobox as it's a BW65 and thus, with Ital bellhousing, will fit behind an A Series.
There again I've also got a spare Volvo P1800 / 122 "S" spec engine sitting in the corner too as well as a couple of big diesels !)

Paul Humphries.

Good luck finding the bellhousing! I wanted one a while ago, never found even so much as a hint of one around

But IMO the Triumph engine really is heavier (for no more power than a 1275 A series either) and weaker than the A, so wouldn't be my first choice for an auto conversion.

However, the 1300 engine might not be such a bad idea. Still obese, but generally kinder to the bottom end, and can make as much hp (though with less torque). But you haven't already got one of those, so not much help really!

Packedup wrote:Good luck finding the bellhousing! I wanted one a while ago, never found even so much as a hint of one around

But IMO the Triumph engine really is heavier (for no more power than a 1275 A series either) and weaker than the A, so wouldn't be my first choice for an auto conversion.

However, the 1300 engine might not be such a bad idea. Still obese, but generally kinder to the bottom end, and can make as much hp (though with less torque). But you haven't already got one of those, so not much help really!

Actually a Triumph 1300 engine might be worth considering too - especailly as the autobox will bolt straight to it.
I'm a member of the TSSC so can always place a wanted advert but like Morris 1000's "word of mouth" is often easiest way of sourcing items.

Paul Humphries.

I've got one that needs to go (was going to replace a 1500 but never happened) but it's a long way from you here in Dorset!

I don't know if the 1300 or 1500 is the more common engine, given the 1500 likes to self destruct but the 1300 was only fitted to some Heralds, some Spits and the Dolomite. Still, most people seem to drop a 1500 in in place of the 1300 usually, so you shouldn't have too hard a job finding one if you decide to try it. You'll need the flex plate, starter and engine plate from the 1500 auto so don't sell them with the engine jsut in case!

The Marina option is by far the better one IMO, the problem purely down to parts availability though