MM sidevalve and Ford origins

[RobThomas]

I've heard reference to the MM engine being a copy/rip-off of a Ford motor. If so, does anyone know if the manifold bolt pattern and port position matches any Ford engines? If so, would any of the Aquaplane parts be adaptable?

Thanks

[mike.perry]

The port spacings are the same on the Morris 918 and Ford 1172 engines at 6.5 in c/l between inlet ports. The only difference is that the Ford ports are all circular and the Morris inlets are square. I have exhaust maniflod gaskets for both and they are the same size.
Aquaplane equipment has been used on Morris engines also Derrington has been used on both.
Useful books are Tuning Side Valve Fords by Bill Cooper and Supertune your Ford 100E

[ian.mcdougall]

So can you use the twin inlet manifold with adaption to the ports at block side to make them square on the side valve

[mike.perry]

Anything is possible with a bit of machine work

[ian.mcdougall]

Would it possibly improve the output of the engine combined with a 4 branch manifold

[mike.perry]

A 4 branch exhaust would improve the performance, anything else would be a bonus. You would have to test different inlets and carbs to find the best setup.

[Kevin]

The port spacings are the same on the Morris 918 and Ford 1172 engines at 6.5 in c/l between inlet ports. The only difference is that the Ford ports are all circular and the Morris inlets are square. I have exhaust maniflod gaskets for both and they are the same size.
Aquaplane equipment has been used on Morris engines also Derrington has been used on both.
Useful books are Tuning Side Valve Fords by Bill Cooper and Supertune your Ford 100E

Mike I know that both Aquaplane & Derrington produced equipment for both engines so are you saying that identical parts from the companies will fit both engines, the main reason for asking is that I recently came across an ohv valve conversion for the Ford engine that I had not heard of before.

[mike.perry]

I think that Alta also made heads for Fords