Rich G
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Feb 16, 2013 21:19:30 GMT
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On the back of possibly getting a new job where I can work from home (saving a good £200 in petrol bills every month), I’ve been musing about making some improvements to my 1960 Wolseley 1500. Not looking to turn the thing into a racer but would like it to be able to cruise happily at 75-ish on the motorway. I guess the obvious route would be either to tune the existing motor (MGB cam, head and carbs – effectively MGA spec) or drop in an 1800 MGB engine; in both cases backed by an overdrive box. Not over keen on twin carbs though, would a single side-draught Weber work as well? But then the idea of swapping in a K-series or T-series with RWD box also appeals (especially as I used to own a 220GSi Rover). Which would you use and with which box? I know there will be a shedload of electrics needed (car needs a re-wire anyway) and some extra fuel plumbing. Any advice, experiences welcome…
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Onne
Part of things
Posts: 822
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Feb 16, 2013 21:28:59 GMT
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Zetec with type 9 box perhaps?
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1990 Mercedes W126 300SE 1997 Mercedes W140 S320L
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Feb 16, 2013 22:08:11 GMT
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
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Feb 16, 2013 22:32:10 GMT
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I guess the B series engine in good condition would give a reasonable upgrade over the 1500cc B and I've seen intake manifolds to link them up to a sidedraught weber carb appear now and then on ebay. I'm currently looking at the viability of sticking an M or T series engine in my MGB, the gearbox from the MGB or the LT77 from an SD1 can be used i believe, or an R380 which i believe is an uprated LT77? Or you could look into the O series engine if you want something with performance inbetween the 1800 B and the M/T
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Rich G
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Feb 16, 2013 22:38:57 GMT
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Thanks EB - some interesting reading there! ;D
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Rich G
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Feb 16, 2013 22:43:53 GMT
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Been following your thread too Adam - one of the things that kicked off my thoughts - that and a I guy I work with who's just put a blower and injection on his 1600 X-flow engined Mk1 Escort (wiil try and get pics of that if he brings the car in next week).
I'm assuming an LT77 / R380 boxes are 5-speeds?
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adam73bgt
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Feb 16, 2013 22:54:01 GMT
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Erm id assume they're 5 speed boxes, but ive not looked into them much as ive pretty much resolved to stick with the 4spd o/d box ive already got
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stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member
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Feb 16, 2013 23:27:59 GMT
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I'd stick an MGB motor and o/d in, they sound old and it'll be fast enough. Modern engine will need much better brakes and possibly axle.
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Feb 17, 2013 10:06:10 GMT
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Hi been there done that used a mgb with overdrive the Wolseley is realy a morris minor and your problem will be getting a gearbox to fit and clear the sterring rack the trick is to cut a bit out of the top of the bellhousing this is what the morris minor boys do when thay fit a fiat twin cam in ask me how i know that one you will also have to move the gearbox mount back about 3 inch if you use the mbg overdrive box you also need to cut the top of the tunnel and lift it about 2 inch the mgb box is taller the hole job should take about 2 days maby 3 would I do it again yes come and have a look if you want
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Feb 17, 2013 12:13:48 GMT
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Fiat Twincam? The Wolseley/Riley may have more length in the engine bay than the Minor, and already has stiffer torsion bars and a higher mounted rack (which may clear the bellhousing more easily.)
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1953 Minor (Long term project) PT Cruiser
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Feb 17, 2013 13:52:24 GMT
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Late US-spec Bs used a Weber DGV 32/36 carb. No balancing, and once set up (would need to be rolling-roaded) it'll barely need touching. You could even put a DGAV on to give you an auto choke if you felt so inclined.
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adam73bgt
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Feb 17, 2013 18:38:08 GMT
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Late US-spec Bs used a Weber DGV 32/36 carb. No balancing, and once set up (would need to be rolling-roaded) it'll barely need touching. You could even put a DGAV on to give you an auto choke if you felt so inclined. I believe the late US MGB's had a single Zenith Stromberg carb rather than a Weber, they also had hardly any power but that was more down to emissions curse word like catalytic converters and such like
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Feb 17, 2013 19:42:10 GMT
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From a closer look it appears that the DGV is indeed a conversion. Still seems like a good option to me if you can get it set up right.
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
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Club RR Member Number: 170
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Feb 17, 2013 19:42:14 GMT
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Late US-spec Bs used a Weber DGV 32/36 carb. No balancing, and once set up (would need to be rolling-roaded) it'll barely need touching. You could even put a DGAV on to give you an auto choke if you felt so inclined. I thought you were a fan of twin carb setups James . The US spec MGBs came with the Zenith Stomberg CD150s IIRC complete with emmisions rubbish on them (air pump, gulp valve, catalytic converter etc.). That's before one considers how restrictive the manifolds were on those cars. The common mod over there is to go to the above setup that you have said, which seems to give a good combination of power and fuel economy . Saying that, twin SUs IME that are in good condition (although it seems they need to be refurbished correctly for that now (read no leaking spindles etc.) don't need that much faffing about, and can be quite a reliable setup with reasonable fuel economy. Even the DGAVs in the US circles fall slightly short on power compared to the twin SUs on 'Bs . Back on topic, I cannot comment about what swap is the best to do, but with my limited foresight I would be tempted to go with an 1800 MGB setup complete with OD and 'box or the Fiat Twin Cam setup on the basis that the car is very much like a Moggie Minor from what others have said.
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Rich G
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Feb 17, 2013 20:11:06 GMT
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Thanks for all the replys guys - like the idea of the Weber DGV as I do have some experience of them - James, did some digging and I would need one of these... www.webcon.co.uk/shop/shopexd.asp?id=10605. Hadn't thought about the Fiat Twin-Cam for the Wozza but quite intrigued now. Guy I work with rallys a Mirafiori - will have to have a serious chat with him next week... ;D
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Last Edit: Feb 17, 2013 20:12:28 GMT by Rich G
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Feb 17, 2013 20:27:34 GMT
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I thought you were a fan of twin carb setups James Indeed, I am - but he stated that he wasn't too keen on twins and while I'll quite happily defend my own choices I see little point in trying to change someone else's view. ;D
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Feb 17, 2013 20:37:05 GMT
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Aldon 1950 with LCB exhaust manifold and Weber 45, overdrive gearbox?
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Feb 17, 2013 21:12:42 GMT
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Daft suggestion, but what about a turbodiesel out a Montego/ Maestro?
I know of someone who did that with a Morris Minor van, and it didn't sound like complete hell to fit - And the power is reasonable enough, at the added joy of good economy. He did have to extend the front grille by an inch or so (and did a perfect job, you'd only know it wasn't meant to be like that if you put it alongside a standard car). I don't know what gearbox he used though.
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Feb 17, 2013 23:25:48 GMT
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Hi how about this the B is about 80 horses the standard A 1275 midget is about 55 and will tune very easy to 75 fit a type 9 5 speed on the end very easy fit or some work and about 110 from the fiat twin cam the easy one is the 1275 you should be abel to do the swap in a day
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Feb 18, 2013 10:30:03 GMT
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i'd drop in the rover M/T engine on the existing box. straight swap. keep it simple
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