17 replies to this topic

[skoughi]

I've managed to land myself with an old kit car, Magenta, for the 1275 engine and gearbox that it has. It has Metro subframes with completely collapsed suspension! I'm now toying with the stupid idea to rigg the damn thing up and get it back on the road. So my options are to repair the hydro suspension and use it as is or convert to dry, anyone have experience of this and what would be the best or cost effective or even least hassle choice?

[nicklouse]

Would not consider it at all. either fit the Hydro (look at MGF conversion kits) or go to a full coil design. look at the later Midas cars that people have done coil kits on. unfortunately most of these have been done as one offs by people who have the tools and ability to actually make them work.

[skoughi]

The coil overs would not be my choice, never had experience of them but going by everyone else's advice, including yours many times on here, I'm not gonna think about it! By dry I was really thinking about doughnuts. My thinking is by going down that route is that I could use hi lo's to make getting a good ride height easily. This maybe simply could not work in a metro subframe though? I noticed in another thread that there's a company doing refurb units so for hydro so will get a price from them for all four units and take it from there.

[Artstu]

Are you sure they're Metro? Magnetas were Austin 1100 based, also they did make a turret that allowed coil-springs to replace the hydrolastic displacers.

[nicklouse]

Are you sure they're Metro? Magnetas were Austin 1100 based, also they did make a turret that allowed coil-springs to replace the hydrolastic displacers.

you are correct i was just taking the words as written.

http://www.theminifo...a-1100-kit-car/

 

and

https://de.wikipedia...iki/Magna_Sport

Edited by nicklouse, 18 October 2018 - 04:51 PM.

[skoughi]

To be brutally honest I do not have a clue as to what the subframes actually are!! I just thought it was Metro subframes, I don't have the car at home yet so have only had a bit of a look at them the other evening when we were sussing out a plan on how to get the bloody thing off the ground, also it's worth repeating that I only wanted it for the engine. I simply thought they were Metro ones as 1100 ones would be simply ancient by now! The car itself must be very light so I'm thinking that coil overs would be quite hard, unless soft springs are used! Again no experience in this so advice and experience from you guys is much appreciated 

[Artstu]

so advice and experience from you guys is much appreciated 

 

We'll have to hang fire until we know what we're dealing with, so it could well be an A-Series with those rubber couplings on the driveshafts.

[skoughi]

Aye very true, hoping to get it home next week then will do some investigating. to be honest it's no the best looking thing but that's what's starting to appeal to me!

[Spider]

Noted we're not 100% sure what you have but I do recall there is a firm offering reconditioned Hydro Units for Metros. I'll see if I can find them.

[Artstu]

Think Larry's ahead of you  https://www.facebook...drosuspension//

[skoughi]

So I went back out the heap this evening after my mandolin lesson and had a better look. Artstu you were right it has the rubber coupling things on the driveshafts, also an 11 stud head and twin carbs and pressed rockers. Solid block. I read on another thread that the dizzy number could help identify what exactly the engine is but never thought to check that when I was there. The engine number is missing. Also there is no gear leaver in it and there didn't seem to be any rods to be seen through the hole in the floor so I'm assuming that it's a remote change. It's got a alternator fitted along with a sandwich housing under the thermostat. So it's maybe got a 1300gt engine? I didn't take a plug socket and a socket to fit on the pulley bolt with me so don't know as yet if it can turn over. I've also spoken with a mate who along with his father used to have the austin/leyland etc dealership up here in Shetland (still has tools and spares laying about) and has offered help with getting the suspension sorted. Looking forward to getting it home and seeing if it's ok on the inside!

[Artstu]

So it's maybe got a 1300gt engine? 

 

Got to be I reckon, I'm not sure how they compare to the Cooper S engine, the same perhaps anyone?

[skoughi]

Think they're maybe very slightly better than a GT engine but not as good as an S engine?! Won't be any use if it's seized! I'm interested in the gear set that may be in the gearbox, I'm hoping that it's the close ration set and that it's in good condition. If so then I may look at getting it fitted into a rod change box if that can be done? I did notice on the v5 that the owner showed me the other evening that it says that the engine is 1400cc?? Interested to see what I find once I get it home and get the head off. The fellow I mentioned that used to own the dealership said that he helped the previous owner tow it to where it's at now, he said that the suspension had collapsed then and that he pumped it up with an air compressor to get it back up so that they could tow it! I'm tempted to try that same!! Hopefully it should be the best thing I've ever gotten for free!

[Ethel]

I thought the  1300GT had the same engine as the last Mk3 S.

 

There should be no mistaking Metro Hydrogas for Hydrolastic units with a dirty great transfer hose sticking up in the middle.

[Spider]

The very very early 1300 GTs did have the same block as the Cooper s, but there was only something like 300 or 400 made like this. Off hand, these had a 12G Engine Number Prefix, but so did some of those which came after it, though, not many.

 

Frankly, the later, solid tappet chest blocks were better.