Morris Minor Owners Club

My wife has a 58 Minor 1000 and we're going to swap in a bigger motor (probably a Toyo 4A-GE). A guy near me has a '70 MGB rear and from what I've read, it will be stout enough, but will it fit. I have to let him know today or he's putting it on eBay.

He says:
The inboard distance of the rear end-- inside of each backing plate is about 45". The outboard dimention-- drum surface to drum surface is about 51". Final drive ratio is 3.909:1 - hope this helps--

If I measures the Minor rear it is about 53 inches from drum face to drum face and about 48" from backing plate to backing plate. Is that too much of a difference? Would I be better off finding a Celica or similar rear? I'm not exactly sure what will fit or how easy it will be to find here in the States.

Thanks!

MGB rear is a relatively common swap - will certainly take a fair bit of power. It's really only an inch narrower per side going by your dimensions - just fit wider wheels.

Pete

But it will not take Minor wheels - need to use the MGB 4.5" PCD wheels. Plenty strong though!

As long as I can find steel wheels that will accept hubcaps, I can make the wheels match all the way around! Of course, I'd prefer matching PCD wheels. Can the fronts be converted to 4.5, say, during a disk brake conversion?

I'm pretty sure they can be. I'll ask tomorrow and come back on it, if it doesn't get answered before then ;)

given the MGB axle is actually narrower, you could get PCD converters made up?

*if* you can find them marina commericals used 4.5" PCD wheels and the disks are a fairly easy fit...

Some Hyundai/Honda/Mitsies etc cars used 114.3mm wheels (metric equivilant) so you might be able to sort a disc conversion using them?

I'm sure there is a way - grab the bits anyway!

Matt wrote:*if* you can find them marina commericals used 4.5" PCD wheels and the disks are a fairly easy fit...

Big Triumphs (2000, 2500 & Stag) also used 4.5" PCD.
It's a very long time since I had my 10 cwt Marina pick-ups but cann't remember the wheels having lugs for hub caps.
Early MGB wheels had hubcaps.

Paul Humphries

Honestly, I never even heard of a Marina until I started reading this board.

I just found an '86 Toyota Corolla gts trueno. I think I read that Corolla rear ends fit in Minors. Which would be a better option, t he MGB or the Corolla?

You will always find spares for an MGB, not so sure about toyota parts.

Pete

bigginger wrote:I'm pretty sure they can be. I'll ask tomorrow and come back on it, if it doesn't get answered before then ;)

PM sent

First it was the Ital and Marina now its the MGB

Is there no end to the appetite for the Morris to consume other classics?

4.5" PCD is good! get some marina hubs on the from with that pattern aswell and run some mags off an older toyota or nissan RWD, theres plenty to choose from over here and you can put 185 tyres on them.

morrys handle exceptionally well for the technology when given some good rubber

Is there no end to the appetite for the Morris to consume other classics?

Don't forget the Fiat twin cams and the V8's fitted to some.

First it was the Ital and Marina now its the MGB

Is there no end to the appetite for the Morris to consume other classics?

My car has mgb discs, mgb rear end, mgb master cylinder, and has previously had mgb seats, and an mgb radiator.

Dont worry i only take from the ugly rubber bumpered 'Bs

hello as i understand the rubber bumpers were put on to comply with american regulations, i have an MGB/GT i am not to keen on the rubber but it came at the right price. but should i decide to keep it i will convert to chrome. i understand that is possible,,grandad

Yeah you can convert back to chrome bumpers but i hear its a somewhat involved process.

i understand that is possible,,

Probably best to contact the MG owners club message board as there are bound to be some on there that have carried it out and can give you a rough idea of costs if you do go ahead.