Marina & Ital swap questions

Post by **Daniel1312** » Sun Mar 09, 2003 11:52 pm

2nd attempt!

Does anyone know if the later A+ (ribbed with fork type distributor clamp) 1.3 engine found its way into the last of the Marinas or did it just go in the Ital?

Also, anyone know if the engine backplate and bellhousing are different on the Marina to the Ital.

On the same theme are the flywheels on the Marina and Ital engines the same?

And, are the Marina & Ital gearboxes the same, especially the input shaft.

Many thanks

Post by **Cam** » Mon Mar 10, 2003 12:09 am

Daniel,

I believe that only the Ital was fitted with the A+, although knowing BL, at the changeover who knows??

With regard to the backplate, bellhousing, flywheel and gearboxes, I am not sure but I would say that they are very similar if not the same, as most spares tend to be listed as Marina / Ital.

You could always try the Marina owners club. Their message board is:

http://pub137.ezboard.com/fwebmaster58585frm1

What are you attempting, by the way??

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Mar 10, 2003 5:26 pm

Cam,
While on the subject of the A+, with yours what heater valve did you use or did you make something up, because I have a friend looking for an alternative to the Chevette option.

Post by **Cam** » Mon Mar 10, 2003 6:01 pm

I used the standard single take-off as can be seen in this poor quality photo:

Unfortunately this means that the heater is on permanently (!), but you can always shut the air intake off.

I always meant to find a solution to this problem, but other things got in the way......

p.s. I got the coupling from a mini specialist.

Post by **Daniel1312** » Mon Mar 10, 2003 7:43 pm

I have an A+ engine from an Ital and a bellhousing and box that was not attached to it. The bellhousing seemed to not quite line up with the engine backplate so I wondered if it was Marina or something else rather than Ital. Or if the A+ engine went in a very late Marina and the box is Ital? Or maybe it's me and it does line up after all.

I plan to turbocharge the engine (I have all the parts) and hang an overdrive gearbox on the back of the Marina/Ital bellhousing after swapping to the requsite longer input shaft.

Post by **Cam** » Mon Mar 10, 2003 10:02 pm

Is it just the dowl at the top that does not fit??

I had to enlarge the hole in my bell housing to suit, do all the other holes line up??

If you are turbocharging the engine then I presume you will be using the MG Metro turbo bits?? If so, what sort of boost are you planning on running??

The reason I ask is that the standard metro turbo produced about 94 BHP (If I remember correctly) and the marina / ital / moggy / midget gearboxes were always the weak link, so might not like having nearly 100 BHP shoved up them!! Also, you will have to uprate the clutch as the standard clutch should slip.

A more expensive but much better solution is to use the Sierra 5-speed gearbox + clutch (plus you get a 5th gear!!) no need for the overdrive.

Also, with this amount of power, you will have to change the rear axle as the standard one will only take about 70 BHP, and not much more even with hardened halfshafts.

p.s. what was the Chevette option??