Dolomite 1850 engine

Post by **pfgiz** » Sun May 10, 2009 10:03 pm

I'm sure I've read somewhere about fitting the 1850 engine, with OD gearbox, from a Triumph in a Minor. Can anyone verify this? I would like to know how in-depth it is as I seem to remember it being described as quite straight forward.

Many thanks.....

Post by **8009STEVE** » Sun May 10, 2009 10:29 pm

With a grinder and a welder, anything is possible

Post by **pfgiz** » Sun May 10, 2009 10:36 pm

8009STEVE wrote:With a grinder and a welder, anything is possible

lol, says the man with a twin axle diesel traveller.....

I seem to recall it was a direct drop, just changes to the mounts and the gear-lever hole. May be a bit of a shorten to the prop and rear axle, or a slight flaring on the rear wings.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun May 10, 2009 11:39 pm

Well - it's quite a big engine (same as my TR7 engine - except it's 2 litre) - and quite heavy. It also has it's 'quirks' and problems - wouldn't be my first choice for an alternative engine !

Post by **pfgiz** » Mon May 11, 2009 7:30 am

I've lived with an 1850 before and although I had issues with the car I had none with the engine. I've had a look around and maybe the main issue I'll have is finding the 'donor' car as most have now been saved in some way or another.
Perhaps my best bet would be to go down a tuned 1300 A series route. Are there any guidelines about taking the blocks out of 'modern' users of this engine, Metro's Maestro’s etc, and converting them to rear wheel drive? Is this the major job it sounds in my head?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon May 11, 2009 7:34 am

Not easily possible to convert an East West engine for use in Minor - the Maestro engine 'can' be used - but an expensive kit is required. Marina/Ital engine is what you want! There are plenty of 1850 Dolomite/TR7 engines on ebay - just search!

Mon May 11, 2009 12:25 pm

The triumph O/D box can be made to mate up with the Ital/Marina 1300 engine provided you do not get a dolly sprint O/D box which has a different bellhousing. You need to swap the internal gears from the marina output shaft on to the output shaft of the Triumph.. simple and straight forward if you like playing with gearboxes

Post by **pfgiz** » Mon May 11, 2009 1:39 pm

Thanks....
Never done it but not put off.... Cool... So I'm not thinking...

1300 for a Marina / Ital
Triumph Dolly OD box (from a 1500 or 1850)
Shortened Prop (to compensate for the OD)

Which Back Axle... would a standard 1098 one do or should I be looking at the Dolly or Marina ones????

If I get my shopping list right my Traveller will not be the same when she gets back on the road...

Mon May 11, 2009 7:54 pm

Personaly I would go down the marina / ital back axle route but many people are happy to keep the minor rear axle.

The prop shaft is no shorter for the O/D box when compared to the overall length of the standard ital / marina box.

You will need the bellhousing from the marina / ital.

If you want some advice on doing this let me know and I am happy to write to you at length..

Post by **purplebargeken** » Tue May 12, 2009 10:12 pm

The 1850 isn't a bad engine, better for reliability than the Sprint one IMHO. Carb mounts can leak as they are rubber. The TDC do ali oneswhich are mucho better.

OD boxes are sought after and a bit pricey, cos we all want one for our 1300 and 1500 Dollies.

Ken

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue May 12, 2009 10:20 pm

The Sprint engines are only less reliable because they get hammered! TR7/1850 engine is fine - as long as it doesn't run short of water (due to poor water pump seal design) or overheat for some other reason. Once it has overheated - there may be trouble ahead! It's also not unknown for them to drop the timing chain! Happened to me with my 1850 SAAB - fortunately without any damage.

Post by **purplebargeken** » Wed May 13, 2009 8:40 pm

I had a old 1972 (IIRC) chrome bumpered Saab 99 with the 1850 engine. It cooked it's headgasket a week after I sold it. Phew!

It's the only chrome bumpered 99 that I have seen, outside of an old black and white swedish detective flick I saw on UK TV in the 1980's.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed May 13, 2009 9:43 pm

I thought the chrome bumper 99s had the even earlier 1709 cc version of that engine ??? Mine was a 73 - rubber bumpers. My mate had a very similar 72 version - his DID blow the gasket, and what a struggle we had - in freezing weather - to get that head off and fit a new gasket. He (wisely) sold it soon after!
http://www.saabmuseum.com/99/index.html

Post by **purplebargeken** » Fri May 15, 2009 1:47 pm

You're right it did have the 1709cc engine. Lovely car to drive. Would love to have it still. It was the saab version of BRG with a tan interior.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri May 15, 2009 7:35 pm

My SAAB was yellow - loved it!