53 replies to this topic

[Sprocket]

Unfortunetly there is not any other head that is workable. The reason this is, the A series bore spacing is very compact, infact, there is only 2.5mm between the bores on my 1400, that is waffer thin compared to the engine designs that utilise 16v heads.

but you just said 'Of course there are plenty of other 8 valve heads that fit some a direct fit and others that need extra work or special parts, to work.'

so which one is it? lol

I typed loads and spent ages only for the PC to crash and loose it all so i shall keep it short

Elder 8port, Arden 8port, Minisport 7port are the most common

[Sprocket]

so in theory if i took a head gasket to a scrapyard and put a head from any other car to it, as long as the valves were inline with the gasket it could potentially work?? time might be an issue if you have to unbolt 20 heads to check minds, but in theory would that be one way to check it its workable?

Same ground, going over.

[mic]

ah but these are all ones made specially for a mini, i meant off a non-mini to use

[miniboo]

see sprockets post above yours

[Sprocket]

again i am repeating my self.

This has already been done. there is no other engine that has smaller bores or similar bore spacing than the A series.

I have done what you suggest at a place i get my machining done and with bike engines.

this thread is now flogging a dead horse, sorry.

By all means do what you suggest. Im just trying to save ou the leg work, but you seem intent on proving that there is another viable option

This is 2/3 the way to a BMW conversion

Edited by Mini Sprocket, 08 July 2007 - 01:25 AM.

[mic]

im only askin!

Edited by mic, 08 July 2007 - 01:25 AM.

[miniboo]

and if you do find one that is viable you may well make some money.

have a look at ed4ran's thread on swift engines on a mini gearbox. that may be of some interest to you

[Silicon Skum]

I can only think of ONE other non-mini engine head that *MIGHT* fit - the Nissan "E" engine / possibly the later revised "A" engine both of which were derived from the BMC A-series engine under licence. Think the A engine was used in the Datsun (Nissan) Sunny and a few other cars in the late 60's to early 80's, so sourcing one to check should not be too hard (plenty of dead Datsuns in scrap yards).

I have NO proof these would / could fit, and I've never even seen an E series engine. Interestingly though, the Nissan A engine uses an aluminium head, so if it COULD be made to fit, this might have possible uses for weight saving. Don't know if there would be ANY improvement over the standard A-series head though.

I belive there WAS a ford engine block that was very similar to the A-series (I'm sure I remember recently reading about some guy fitting / attempting to fit a head for motor sport use to a mini engine, some time back in the 70's. sorry don't have any details.). I know there is another Ford engine that is a close fitment for the mini gearbox, if used with an adapter plate.

SS

[ed4ran]

never heard of an adapter plate that allows fitting of a ford engine to a mini gearbox, how ever there are the ford crossflow conversions which consisted of a modified mini gearbox and a crank adapter etc.

[Ethel]

It'd be a bit like looking for the Holy Grail, finding a stonking 16 valver that bolts straight into the Mini. I'd say your chances are as good as zero too, totally amazed that someone managed to find the Beamer bike swap

You'd have to one that matches the Mini's bore size and spacing, not easy as the A series has just 3 main bearings and the bores aren't even equally spaced. You'd also have to come close on head stud alignment or devise a vary large G clamp

If you can't control your curiosity finding a friendly motor factor who'll let you compare their entire head gasket stock side by side would be an easier start.


I think Ed has a better chance of mating an engine to the gearbox- the crank nose is pretty much bound to be shorter and boltable. so you just need a short enough crank throw.

[Big_Adam]

Ed,

the conversion is the in the vizard book "How to modify your mini".

[koss]

Was a lotus twin cam ever mated to a mini gear box? years ago or is my imagination?

As far as finding an alternative head I would be looking at bike engines as the bores are quite close.
And if anyone would know what fits what, or is even close, it would be a company like the head exchange.

[The Matt]

Was a lotus twin cam ever mated to a mini gear box? years ago or is my imagination?

As far as finding an alternative head I would be looking at bike engines as the bores are quite close.
And if anyone would know what fits what, or is even close, it would be a company like the head exchange.

Well, yeah, but the Lotus twin cam was basically a crossflow with a different head wasn't it?

It's the same idea as what Ed4ran is doing now in essence, mating a different engine with a mini gearbox. I like the idea myself!

In answer to the original question.......................hang on, what was the original question?

Nope, a K-series head dunna fit an A series block, shazzam! Thanks, bye.

[mic]

it doesnt even have to be a 16v or 8v head would it to benifit?

for arguments sake, lets say the 1300cc crossflow head did fit. if it was to be a straight foward bolt on job then although its not twin cam etc its gonna be a 7 port head straight away?

but as that isnt a straight forward fit im right in principal arnt i?

[mini93]

the ford cross flow isnt over head cam tho but if thats just an example u used a cross flow design was proved to work on the 7 port head