Reliant engine and gearbox

[cardiffrob]

Later USHM cranks with replaceable bearings will fit your UB engine, won't they? Another option is the Vedette engine from BMC that looks different to the A-series enough to be not recognised, yet this 950 mates to the 803 Minor gearbox and clutch (the short one from the A30?)

 

[frank horton]

out of interest when I lived in California I used to put 1500y Datsun engines and gearbox in MG, TD's etc....yep the original stuff was crxp.....ok in a museum....
in those days u could buy a new Datsun engine and gearbox in a box brand new...

 

[RWD3M]

@RWD3M if you do go the reliant route and need any help give me a shout,
I run one in my stockcar and have built a few.

Hi Woody,

That's much appreciated, cheers.

 

[RWD3M]

The vintage car rivet counting "enthusiasts" would say that it's a hotrod even if it has a 750cc Reliant motor fitted The 'A' series motor route would be better for this project I think. The weight of the 950/1098 engine & Box will be about the same as the Morris Eight boat anchor; the Reliant motor is really light and would require some work on the Morris' front suspension to get back to the stock ride height if it was installed instead.

Duly noted!

 

[RWD3M]

I would guess that the Reliant lump may be too pokey for the application? The 850 is 40BHP from the factory and tuneable to 60BHP quite easily. Would the diff take that alright?

Yeah, you're quite right, the stock axle is marginal with the 23.5 bhp of the original sidevalve engine!

So 40bhp is certainly more than it would want, however, choices are limited. An A series would be chucking out similar numbers and I certainly don't want to be tuning either of them. Have you ever done 40mph in a Morris 8? It's scary!!!

I haven't ruled out an axle swap either by the way.

 

[RWD3M]

Would a fiat twin cam not go in?

Oh you're hilarious!!!

Those twin cams of the 70's and 80's were fabulous though!

There is a chap in the Morris Register that has a Rover V8 powered Morris 8 and whilst it is quite obviously a bit of a hot rod, it is quite tastefully done.

 

[RWD3M]

Can't you just use an adaptor plate so you keep your own gearbox, and the correct ratios then you may be able to use a few different engines

Hmm... I hadn't thought of that.

 

[Rannsachair]

Later USHM cranks with replaceable bearings will fit your UB engine, won't they? Another option is the Vedette engine from BMC that looks different to the A-series enough to be not recognised, yet this 950 mates to the 803 Minor gearbox and clutch (the short one from the A30?)

I ran a Series 2 Morris 8 back in the 80's, I seem to recall being told that the later USHM engine and gearbox out the series E were a popular mod upping the power from 23.5 hp to 29hp using a crankshaft with shells and from a 3 speed gearbox to 4 speed with synchromesh in 2nd,3rd and 4th.

I am guessing USHM engines are rare now - I think I paid £5 for a 4 speed gearbox.....

 

[RWD3M]

Later USHM cranks with replaceable bearings will fit your UB engine, won't they? Another option is the Vedette engine from BMC that looks different to the A-series enough to be not recognised, yet this 950 mates to the 803 Minor gearbox and clutch (the short one from the A30?)

Hi Rob,

I have shell bearing big ends (they were converted a while back) but the mains are thick wall white metal and are only interchangeable if you change the block too. Good thinking though.

I'm intrigued by the pic you posted. I'm not familiar with this so will research at the weekend.

Thanks,

 

[RWD3M]

I ran a Series 2 Morris 8 back in the 80's, I seem to recall being told that the later USHM engine and gearbox out the series E were a popular mod upping the power from 23.5 hp to 29hp using a crankshaft with shells and from a 3 speed gearbox to 4 speed with synchromesh in 2nd,3rd and 4th.

I am guessing USHM engines are rare now - I think I paid £5 for a 4 speed gearbox.....

I swapped the box for a 4 speed a couple of years ago and the difference was like chalk and cheese. M8 engines are just rare full stop sadly.

 

[RWD3M]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254238744769?ul_noapp=true

At work at the mo where I can't access ebay. I will check this evening.

Thanks,

 

[Rannsachair]

I swapped the box for a 4 speed a couple of years ago and the difference was like chalk and cheese. M8 engines are just rare full stop sadly.

Possibly one for sale: http://classicvintagecarparts.co.uk...9-morris-8-series-e-4-door-breaking-for-parts

 

[Burdekin]

out of interest when I lived in California I used to put 1500y Datsun engines and gearbox in MG, TD's etc....yep the original stuff was crxp.....ok in a museum....
in those days u could buy a new Datsun engine and gearbox in a box brand new...

Would love a 240Z.

 

[Stueeee]

If engine aesthetics are important, how about installing a Ford 100E sidevalve motor, not especially common nowadays, but you could probably pick a good runner for the same-ish price as a Reliant motor. The later 1172 motors have power that is an improvement on the original (32 BHP IIRC) and are pretty robust in standard form -replacing the crappy stock DD carb with an SU carb transforms the running/driving experience on these for anyone who has memories of trying to start a sidevalve Ford on a cold day.

Also, the 1172cc motor should bolt up to a Series "E" four speed box. Way back when, I had a special with a Ford E93A motor that was coupled to a Morris Eight 4 speed box. The bellhousings of the Ford and Morris motors are identical diameter, you just need to elongate some holes and drill a few new ones in order to bolt it up. I have to say I don't remember the synchro or ratios being that great on this setup, but it was a better gearbox than Henry's 3 speed.

 

[RWD3M]

Possibly one for sale: http://classicvintagecarparts.co.uk...9-morris-8-series-e-4-door-breaking-for-parts

Hi Rannsachair,

Called him up but long gone sadly.

Cheers anyway.

 

[RWD3M]

If engine aesthetics are important, how about installing a Ford 100E sidevalve motor, not especially common nowadays, but you could probably pick a good runner for the same-ish price as a Reliant motor. The later 1172 motors have power that is an improvement on the original (32 BHP IIRC) and are pretty robust in standard form -replacing the crappy stock DD carb with an SU carb transforms the running/driving experience on these for anyone who has memories of trying to start a sidevalve Ford on a cold day.

Also, the 1172cc motor should bolt up to a Series "E" four speed box. Way back when, I had a special with a Ford E93A motor that was coupled to a Morris Eight 4 speed box. The bellhousings of the Ford and Morris motors are identical diameter, you just need to elongate some holes and drill a few new ones in order to bolt it up. I have to say I don't remember the synchro or ratios being that great on this setup, but it was a better gearbox than Henry's 3 speed.

Hi Stueeee,

That's interesting. Aesthetics aren't important, but the fact that it could mount to my existing box is a tempter. I'll widen my search at the weekend.

Thanks,

 

[RWD3M]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254238744769?ul_noapp=true

Checked this one and a couple of others yesterday, but thanks for the tip.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

for anyone who has memories of trying to start a sidevalve Ford on a cold day.

At least we got a starting handle.

 

[Ruffian]

I know where a couple old sidevalve Ford pop engines are.

I could ask the question if you want.
Or Morris minor engine?

Personally I would be looking towards a Ford crossflow, yes I know you said sidevalve but I just know how bulletproof the Kent engine was.

 

[Ton-up]

A little Ford 997cc pre-crossflow would be a good choice.