Marina Engine: Sell or Scrap?

[MartyL]

Hi there!

I'm cleaning out my Mum's garage after her and my Dad separated a few years back.

I have his permission to finally get rid of the remnants of Marlin Kit Car which he built many many moons ago.

He built this car over about 18 months and sadly only had the thing on the road for about 6 months before country road, black ice and a wall combined in what was actually a fairly minor way to end his fun. Just enough to smash a bit of bodywork bend the chassis a bit, putting it beyond repair. The bits of car got fewer and fewer until finally we're left with a small section of chassis, engine and gearbox.

I'm told that this is a Marina 1.8 unit, I think with a set of twin carbs.

Considering this all took place when I was about 7, and I just turned 30 in September, it seems in surprisingly good nick. I went out and used a trolly jack bar to spin the flange on the end of the gearbox and the fan started turning so I'm presuming that means it hasn't seized. From memory, my Dad reckons it had done about 40k when he got hold of it, and only about 10k before his prang, so still potentially in good shape given the age.

So, I thought I'd try and ask some advice from you all to see if you thought that it would be worth anything to try and sell it? Or, given that we're fairly well out in the sticks in the Scottish Borders, it wouldn't really be worth the bother?

There might well also be a useful rear axle there, but might be from a 1.3, so I'd need to check.

I'll post some photos below (if you can spot it through the clutter!), please let me know your thoughts on whether it would be worth finding a new home or chucking it the scrappy along with the remaining chassis.

Cheers,

Marty

P.S. I'm led to believe this stuff might also go in an MGB, would that be correct?

[MarinaCoupe]

Yes it is an early Marina B series engine, the position of the oil filter confirms that. The inlet manifold with one carburettor clearly shows that it's not ex Marina TC.

The engine would fit an MGB with changes to engine plates, carbs etc. The gearbox will not fit an MGB as they used a totally different unit, so only a 1.8 Marina owner would be interested in the gearbox.

Given the amount of time off the road, even though not seized, the engine and gearbox would still need stripping and checking, before installing in another car. Rough costs for a pro rebuild would be around £600-£800 for the engine and £300-£350 for the gearbox.

Cost of recovery for a buyer would be significant and will also affect the price someone would be prepared to pay.

As to price, my guess would be £50-£75 for the engine and £25-£40 for the gearbox.

[lock1506]

Hi where in the Scottish borders are you? I am often up that way and could possibly help members with collection and getting it further down towards the north east.

[PHUQ]

If it's an early one then it's should be a "big valve" head, which is probably worth selling separately as it should be postable, along with some of the other easily unbolted and posted bits and pieces. The actual block perhaps not- your location being the main negative point there of course.

[MartyL]

Thanks very much for the advice! I'll maybe advertise it in a few places, see if anyone is interested.

I'm over in the east, not far from Kelso and Berwick.

If someone was up this way and interested in any of the bits then feel free to contact me on martin (underscore) lisle (at) yahoo (dot co dot uk). Would be happy to post any smaller parts as suggested too. Shame to see it go to the scrappy if someone could make use of it.