Morris Minor Owners Club

Well my mind has been wandering again to possible engine trasplants. I want something different, something reliable, something that runs on carbs and something that wont need and entirely new chassis( so no big yank V8's). Saw this
http://www.minormania.com/feature.php?i ... &ord=1#pic

What do you guys think? Looks fairly compact and tidy with quite a lot of tuning possibilities. How reliable are they? I see that the manifold has been cut and lengthened but is there anything else major that needs doing? Even better, has anyone else got any sensible alternate engine transplants that meet at least a few of my requirements?
Cheers

Ahh, looks like heathy's old one....

http://www.mmoc.org.uk/index.php?name=P ... ic&t=26737

Thanks for that link PSL. That is a great help.

I want something different, something reliable, something that runs on carbs and something that wont need and entirely new chassis

why not a Bored out 1275 (1340ish) with a 7 port head?

The thing is, I kind of wanted people to look under the bonnet and not see an A-series engine.

Toyota 4ages
These are good value for good power and reliable if kept std
They fit in without cutting and aren't heavy

Try one of these

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yes alright jonathon. I saw it going round the track at the national and was very impressed. Bit out of my price range but does look different under the bonnet.
The 4age is a very good idea. I think a bit of reading up is in order. Can this run on carbs?

Here's an idea how about an update on the Fiat conversion.

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1.8l about 130bhp standard
Will somehow need converting to rwd & possible thermostat clearance issues but could probably be overcome

ratrodmog wrote: yes alright jonathon. I saw it going round the track at the national and was very impressed. Bit out of my price range but does look different under the bonnet.
The 4age is a very good idea. I think a bit of reading up is in order. Can this run on carbs?

Yes it can run on carbs , or keep the throttle bodies and run omex etc

If you want lots of go the 4agze? supercharged as standard 170+bhp and shed loads of torque

The 5 speed , all ally , gbox is nice as well , I believe it fits with a bit of relieving of the top of the bellhousing to clear the rack

Happy Christmas

ratrodmog wrote:Well my mind has been wandering again to possible engine trasplants. I want something different, something reliable, something that runs on carbs and something that wont need and entirely new chassis( so no big yank V8's). Saw this
http://www.minormania.com/feature.php?i ... &ord=1#pic

What do you guys think? Looks fairly compact and tidy with quite a lot of tuning possibilities. How reliable are they? I see that the manifold has been cut and lengthened but is there anything else major that needs doing? Even better, has anyone else got any sensible alternate engine transplants that meet at least a few of my requirements?
Cheers

Thats indeed my old pickup!

Weird how my old cars are coming back to life after a few years away at the moment!

Was a great little conversion. Fairly straightforwards too. PM me if you want any details or help!

The 1600 I had fitted was perky enough, the only problem I had was with the exhaust manifold. I ran a single carb on it, but briefly had twin Webber 45's! Althought they were a pain in the NON SWEARWORD SLANG FOR BACKSIDE getting balanced, jetted and tuned!

Be interesting to see what you decide to go for. Have you considered sticking with the A series and Force feeding it. Ive run a 1380 with turbo for a bit, and boy, was that a flyer!!

Mogwai wrote:Here's an idea how about an update on the Fiat conversion.

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1.8l about 130bhp standard
Will somehow need converting to rwd & possible thermostat clearance issues but could probably be overcome

Fiat Coupe 2.0 16V or 16V turbo might be a better bet, the Barchetta engine has variable intake timing but the variator tends to keep failing. I used to have a Barchetta and they're great but still wider than a Minor if you're thinking of dropping in the front clip as FWD.

Hi Heathy, I think I might go for the crossflow because(correct me if i'm wrong) but the 1.6 can be tuned fairly cheaply and reliably and it mates straight up to the Ford Type 9 gearbox so won't need all the conversion bits like the A-series does. With the manifold is there a minor specific one or did you just cut and shape it? Do you have a list of all the parts you used i.e. radiator, carb ect. I will be starting from scratch with this as I will tare mine apart first as I want it to be decent and not 'rat look' anymore.

Oh and what about engine mounts and crossmembers for the gearbox and front. Sorry for all the q's dude, you'll have to come down and help when it gets underway, i'll supply beers.

dp wrote:

Mogwai wrote:Here's an idea how about an update on the Fiat conversion.

<br><br>

1.8l about 130bhp standard
Will somehow need converting to rwd & possible thermostat clearance issues but could probably be overcome

Fiat Coupe 2.0 16V or 16V turbo might be a better bet, the Barchetta engine has variable intake timing but the variator tends to keep failing. I used to have a Barchetta and they're great but still wider than a Minor if you're thinking of dropping in the front clip as FWD.

do not tempt me i have a barchetta sitting on my drive!

or can anyone else help with the x-flow. Is the power and reliability from a 1600 any better than from a tuned 1275?

Probably not much difference from a well tweaked 1275, but tweak a 1600 x flow and watch it go.
If I recall, some were tweaked to around 190bhp (Agra engineering many years ago for formula ford I think).
I don't think the swap is difficult, just remove minor running gear, then line up Ford engine/box and fab mounts. There will be plenty radiators that would suit - probably the one from a Mk2 escort would - but just measure space you have between front of engine and front panel - all sounds easy, but if you have reasonable skills is doable.

Pete

The 1600 kent engine in the Formula Fords were restricted to 1600cc and a single downdraft twin twin choke carb, so definately not 190 bhp!.

As usual there is a loty of BS about the power figures of crossflows as well as other engines, a 190 bhp crossflow will not be 1600cc (stretched to 1800 probably) and would need some very expensive internals (steel crank & rods forged pistons etc) to even approach that figure and with a power band that would be hopeless on the road, to the point that it would be much cheaper to fit a 2 litre Zetec!

More realistic power would be around 140 bhp (1600cc) with a decent head, twin 40 DCOEs etc for the road with a little bit more if it was taken out to 1700cc.

Just my thoughts though!

Martin

I'll be popping in to Agra engineering with my V8 heads, so I'll ask what power they used to get out a crossflow. I'm obviously mistaken about formula Ford, but John Fyda (owner) used to race single seaters with this engine.

Pete

Here's a pic for you of our customers X flow, some goodies added to produce a good 140bhp on a Type 9 box. I'll PM you re the fitting kit for this once I have okay'd it with the owner

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