16 replies to this topic

[JJLYNCH]

Hey fellas (and ladies!),

I'm new to these forums, and i'm from New Zealand. Just bought myself a 1973 morris clubman, no rust, solid body, engine runs well but blows a ton of smoke. I was planning on getting the piston rings replaced, but down the track I wanted to put in a more powerful engine.

Ideally i would want a 1275GT engine, but they're difficult to come across. I have found a 1300cc engine from a morris minor instead, so I'm just wondering if it will just plonk straight in, or will the engine bay need to be modified?

Greatly appreciate any help or advice,

Cheers,
Josh

[taffy1967]

A Morris Minor engine doesn't sit on top of the sump/gearbox though does it and with the gears sharing the same engine oil?

Edited by taffy1967, 04 December 2009 - 12:52 AM.

[JJLYNCH]

A Morris Minor engine doesn't sit on top of the sump/gearbox though does it and with the gears sharing the same engine oil?

I actually have no idea haha, I'm a newbie to the mechanical world. My father, and father in law are though.

Just wondering how much work will be involved?

[taffy1967]

No idea, but I know the Morris Minor gearbox set up was different to the Minis.

The wonder of the Mini was that the engine was fitted transversely (East/West) and it sat on it's gearbox and shared the same oil.

I'm sure you'll get a definite answer in the morning as it's past 1am here and so most people are in bed.

[dklawson]

There have been a number of similar threads on this subject. (You may wish to use the search feature at the top, right corner of the page to hunt a few down). As Taffy said, the Minor has an inline engine and gearbox as opposed to the Mini's over/under arrangement. As such, the crank in the Minor and that of the Mini are quite different and not interchangeable. It's the largest of the components that would have to change or be modified.

I have heard of people making the necessary conversion steps but I think it's fair to say that they took on this project just to see if it could be done, not because it was easy or economical. In short, anything is possible with time and money but I think you will have a much easier time finding and fitting a transverse 1100 or 1300 engine.

[Aria Aradhea]

I don't think a Morris Minor have a 1300cc engine...? The largest engine for Minors are the 1098cc A-series, isn't it? Are you sure it's from a Minor and not a Mini instead?

[Guess-Works.com]

There have been a number of similar threads on this subject. (You may wish to use the search feature at the top, right corner of the page to hunt a few down). As Taffy said, the Minor has an inline engine and gearbox as opposed to the Mini's over/under arrangement. As such, the crank in the Minor and that of the Mini are quite different and not interchangeable. It's the largest of the components that would have to change or be modified.

I have heard of people making the necessary conversion steps but I think it's fair to say that they took on this project just to see if it could be done, not because it was easy or economical. In short, anything is possible with time and money but I think you will have a much easier time finding and fitting a transverse 1100 or 1300 engine.

Watch out you'll have the midridge2 terminology police out again !!! ( even though he's wrong )

There will be some conversion necessary to take the inline ( or vertical ) arrangement of the A series to change to the transverse ( Horizontal ) configuration, but I don't believe it's that difficult, and I've also heard of metro engines being converted to work in Minors and A35's

The other thing is, are you sure it's a minor engine ( as in rwd ) and not the engine out of a morris 1300 ( ADO16 - Austin America ) which is a transverse engine and will pretty much go straight in ( the gearbox is slightly different but will fit )

[JJLYNCH]

Ok, turns out it is a morris 1300 engine.

I have a couple of options at the moment. I could get the 1300, or I could get a 1275GT engine (although this would cost quite a bit more). What are the advantages of getting the GT engine over the 1300? I've heard they sound fantastic, but other than that I really don't have a clue.

Cheers for the replies!!

[taffy1967]

Ok, turns out it is a morris 1300 engine.

I have a couple of options at the moment. I could get the 1300, or I could get a 1275GT engine (although this would cost quite a bit more). What are the advantages of getting the GT engine over the 1300? I've heard they sound fantastic, but other than that I really don't have a clue.

Cheers for the replies!!

I believe the Morris 1300GT engine and the Mini 1275GT engine are near identical. But the 1275GT gearbox ratio's changed over the years and were originally close ratio I think?

So I'd say the 1275GT engine would have more performance than a standard Morris 1300 engine, but both are capable of being tuned/modified anyway?

[Sherlock]

Ok, turns out it is a morris 1300 engine.

I have a couple of options at the moment. I could get the 1300, or I could get a 1275GT engine (although this would cost quite a bit more). What are the advantages of getting the GT engine over the 1300? I've heard they sound fantastic, but other than that I really don't have a clue.

Cheers for the replies!!

There's no real difference between the 1300 & the 1275GT, the best engine of that type was the 1300GT with it's twin carburettors & curiously shaped LCB exhaust manifold. The 1300 will have a 3.9:1 or 4.1:1 differential ratio, not the best if you run 10" wheels. The other main differences are the engine mountings, the one at the clutch end on the 1300 is thicker than Mini & at the radiator end, the 1300 has two mounts on an extended front plate, so you would need the bracket from your Mini engine. The front plate can be left as it doesn't get in the way of anything.

Edited by Sherlock, 04 December 2009 - 11:56 PM.

[Zac]

G'Day JJLYNCH. Where about in NZ are you? I'm also an NZer, doing up a clubman.

this thread may be of some help to you:

http://www.oldschool...c...f=17&t=8219

Best of luck .

[midridge2]

so a mini engine is not a inline engine fitted transversley. lol

[JJLYNCH]

Hey Zac, I'm in CHCH, also doing up a clubby!! 1973 morris clubman.

The engine i'm considering buying is:

http://www.trademe.c...px?id=256736654

Thanks for the advice Sherlock, I'm planning on putting twin carbs on it anyway

[Chrome_GT]

http://www.theminifo...showtopic=48452

http://www.oldschool...light=1971 mini <- slightly more info

^Above is a link to my thread. I installed a morris 1300 engine into my 1971 mini 1000. It was pretty easy. Read through the thread for all the info. Good luck - fire any questions you have at me. It has been a couple years now but i may be able to remember something

[level7]

Hey fellas (and ladies!),

I'm new to these forums, and i'm from New Zealand. Just bought myself a 1973 morris clubman, no rust, solid body, engine runs well but blows a ton of smoke. I was planning on getting the piston rings replaced, but down the track I wanted to put in a more powerful engine.

Ideally i would want a 1275GT engine, but they're difficult to come across. I have found a 1300cc engine from a morris minor instead, so I'm just wondering if it will just plonk straight in, or will the engine bay need to be modified?

Greatly appreciate any help or advice,

Cheers,
Josh

Hi Josh where in NZ are you? I know where there are about 5 1275 mini motors here in Chch otherwise I may be able to put you in contact with someone in the north island whom has a few motors