Morris Minor Owners Club

I have obtained a really horrid Marina but the engine, box, clutch etc are fine and it runs. My 1098 moggie is already salivating! I have read some conflicting advice on the conversion and I have not worked on her other than serviving for more than 20 years. Specifically, I wondered if any of you experts knew the answers:

Does the engine mounting plate come off the 1098 engine with the timing cover and is that all that is needed?
The engine breather is very different and looks as if it might be a tight fit. Can the 1098 one be swapped over?
Is it true I need a spacer for the starter motor? I intend to use the Marina gearbox. Where would be the best source?
What is the best plan for the clutch? What would you chaps do? Can I convert to use the bar clutch mechanism; is there any point, or is there a smart way to fit the master cylinder?
Is the Marina gearbox able to fitted without any modifications, my Moggie box is on its last legs - and can I use the existing prop?
I intended to swap the diff unit. Is that a straight swap? I assumed it is a 3.9 on the Marina, but I have been told it is a 4.1 which seems to make little sense. Am I missing something in thinking the Marina would be bound to give more relaxed cruising, especially with 14" wheels than the current 1098 setup? I just guessed that the lighter weight of the Moggie would more or less balance the higher ratio brought about by bigger wheels.

What else have I not thought of ?????

Many thanks

The engine can be used in your car relatively easily - yes - swap the front plate - sort out the breather. The gearbox 'can' be used but someone else will need to explain how. The diff won't fit Minor axle - you can use the whole axle (which will give better rear brakes) but the wheel PCD is the 3.75 for the rear wheels. Prop shaft you would need to sort out of course......... The front discs can be used - although not a straight swop by any means - in fact - quite a palavar - certainly not one I would be taking on! But would give you 3.75 front hubs to match the rears. The torsion bars can be used to stiffen the front suspension - not a straight swop - but not a huge upset either I believe.

if fitting the rear axle, you will need to change the axle mounts as they are not in the correct place.. do not just cut into them with an angle grinder like the cowboy that modified my car did!

the front brake conversion is not difficult, and will as roy says give the same pcd as the rear.

as for the torsion bars, i do not believe the adaptors are available any more and to be worth while the torsion bars need to come off a van / pick up not a car.

if you go with the marina pcd mgf wheels fit with a couple of wheel spacers up front...