b series engine

[morrisminormad]

hi all,
ive just been thinking about what engine i could put in my traveller as an up garde. At the moment it has the standard 1098 fitted bu it is just to slow. I had thought about the z-tech option but thats to common for me so i had the idea of putting the b series enging in it out of the mgb. So i was just wondering if it would be a stright upgarde or would i have to do some modifications if so what modifications would they be?

many thanks.

[chrisryder]

it's been done before, but it's not all that common.

The B series is a lot heavier than the A series, and the bulkhead in the minor means that the engine would have to be quite far forward. that much weight, that far forward, won't do your handling much good.

there's no 'conversion kit' so you'd have to fabricate a lot of stuff, and the B series being so much longer you'll need to notch the bulkhead and/or have a very thin rad.

The B series isn't a great powerhouse, and isn't as reliable as an A series, if you're going to the effort of making an engine fit, go for a better one!

I believe 'Plastic Orange' on here had a B series in one of his minors many moons ago.

[bmcecosse]

The B series is every bit as reliable as an A series.....they both developed from the same source engine. But as said - it's heavy and a bit longer, and the low mounted Minor steering rack forces it forward. The Wolseley 1500 uses the Minor floorpan - and has the B series engine of course. But the steering is higher mounted to allow the larger B engine and box to sit in nicely. Frankly - a 1275 A series transplant is by far the most practical way to go. And fairly easily will give a reliable 90 bhp.

[plastic_orange]

There is a chap on the 'other side' doing an MGB conversion just now. If suspension and brakes are suitably uprated you won't have any major handling issues, and a standard MGB engine will push you along a bit quicker than even a tweaked A series.

Pete

[tomas.geoghegan]

I think A 1275 Engine with a five speed box would be good!
Tomas

[C6Dave]

B series engine was used in the Morris Oxford so maybe some parts for the conversion could come from a donor car?

Or swop the Minor for this very nice Oxford with the 1622cc Morris B series already fitted: http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C294496

[plastic_orange]

MGB engine (only B series to consider) and associated parts are the easiest to source. A tuner near to me is very successful in building race winning B series motors - up to 170 bhp.

Pete

[morrisminormad]

Oh I didn't think that it would be that hard to do. Dose anyone know wear I could get a tuned 1275 out of the Marina if si what sort of price would I be looking at also would I be able to purchase a conversion kit for it

Many thanks for the advice guys

[bmcecosse]

Just search ebay for a 1275 engine - NOT a MIni engine though! There is no 'conversion kit' as such as far as i know...... Bull Motif will sell you a reconditioned 1275 engine - and I'm sure if asked they could make it 'bolt in' to replace a 1098 engine.