Morris Minor Owners Club

I have a plan to convert my Minor to use 2ltr Fiat power, in a few years time (once I can afford the insurance). I know there are more practical power plants to use around now, but the reason why I want to go with a Fiat swap is that I have ALL of the bits needed. I have the engine, gearbox, a suitable radiator, a suitable fan, carbs, manifolds, suitable braking and suspension equipment (yet to fit) and a marina axle. Limited funds (I will just have finished university by the time I plan to fit the engine) will mean that the Fiat twin cam route is the ONLY choice practical for me, simply as I have all the bits already.

I know that Julian's red twin cam moggy uses a marina axle; I saw it in minor monthly. However, I would like to know if there have ever been reliability issues with these axles when used with power loadings such as that the Fiat engine would place on it. I know that the marina axle is a triumph design, but don't know about what diff ratios were used, or whether there were any strength differences between axles in the range.

For example, the axle I have is from a 1300 Ital. Would this be suitable? I'm guessing it would have a lower ratio diff in it than one from a larger engined marina, but I would prefer as low a ratio as possible anyway.

Once I have my Fiat engine in the minor, I will run it like this for a few years until I have enough money for a more special engine swap. This is another reason for the fiat swap, as the limited amount of body chopping (front x-member only) means I can return the body to original very easily, ready for a more insane swap.

Cheers in advance!

Wait for Jonothan (JLH Minors) and Innovator (Beardmore Brothers) - both are past masters of the swap, and both will be happy to help/advise

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The Ital/Marina axle is fine to use. I had one in my van fitted with a 135bhp injected 2.0L Fiat motor. I was running a 3.65 diff or 3.7 which allowed me to pull off in 2nd gear and then change straight into 5th at around 45-50mph. I was running 13" Dolly sprint wheels with 185/70/13 rubber.
Opinions vary as to peak power abilities of the Marina axle, but it should be good for 160bhp and around 150-160ftlbs of torque.
Go for triangulated radius arms to locate the axle, and have bespoke cables made for the handbrake, don't be tempted to swap the backplates over and use the minor cables.
LSD's are still available.

Told you he'd be along ;)
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Thanks Jon. I would leave the engine standard, for reliability. I will be using the car everyday, so reliability is a big concern.

I also have an escort axle, but would rather not use this, as my father uses one on his Fiat engined Minor, and has to use wider rear wings (bought from Jon, I think?) to cover the wheels. I'd rather keep the car standard visually.

The Marina and Escort axles are both 54", or have I got that wrong.
We use the Escort axle with std wings on trav's and saloons even with 15"x6 rims and 205 section tyres. You need an offset of 18mm to achieve this which does limit wheel choice, but Peugeot 1.9 205 rims fit straight on, although we re bore for sleeved nuts. Peugeot 307 and 405 steels also fit giving an almost std look.

It must be a different axle then. An atlas, perhaps? I know little about ford hardware. I know he uses lotus Cortina wheels, which look fairly standard.

What are the LSDs fitted too, and what ratios are they avaliable in Jonathon? Might be useful for getting out of the field at the national this year! ;) (not that im pessamistic or anything....)

The Lsd is fitted to the crown wheel and pinion inside the diff casing. There are two types of LSD a plate system or ATB (torque bias system) I would favour the latter from Quaiffe. The LSD will fit any crown wheel and pinion that you have as they replace the planet gears..