Fast Marina Magazine

I didn't have to take the bonnet off with the A series engine as I have quite an expensive crane which is very slim for it's weight capacity of 2 tons. But I work on land rovers as well so needed a good one.

The bonnet has to come off for the vauxhall/opel 1800. Just because the engine is so much taller than the A series, even then it's only in the way by 1". So frustrating!!!!.

I too use the crane and put a trolley jack under the gearbox.

Phillip I did scrap my block. What I was getting at if you did want to travel up here I would help you. But getting you and all the parts here would be awkward I think??

Removing engines is not a big job. Preparing to do it, if you want it done quickly, is an involved job. Like you say, you cannot get bits for these cars off the shelf at Halfords.

Ah, I see, yes I think it would be tricky logistically. Thanks for the offer though.

Thanks, I am struggling with the lot. Even a headgasket my factors can't get!?
I want;
pistons with conrods already attached would be good,
rings,
big end shells.
valve stem seals.
That way I don't need to take the engine out.

To be honest have you priced up an exchange engine from one of the midget specialists. Not always as expensive as you think.

A series engines were last used in Minis, Metros and Maestros and haven't been produced for at least 15 years, so its not likely that a local motor factor will get that many enquiries for this stuff, let alone keep the stuff on the shelf. So you'll to cultivate specialist suppliers - MG Midget, Mini shops etc.

Ebay Head gasket kit - HERE

The rest - Moss Europe

I am tempted to put in some of that stop smoke stuff although it goes against all I believe in.

Philip,

If it were me, I would swap the complete engine and gearboxes over between your cars, so that I could then work on the dodgy engine at my leisure. Then I would reverse the engine and gearboxes, so the right one is back in the right bodyshell.

If you started Saturday morning, you should be able to on the road teatime Sunday that way you can stay on the road.

But that's only my opinion.

Yes, it's a good idea. Not sure what to do. I am tempted to take this one to bits now and just use my other one for work. Snowy, I did look at getting an exchange engine but can't find anywhere that does them anymore.

Right, bull by the horns, on the moss site, where it says piston set, would that be four or just one at £102.15?
Also, on an A Series, is the little end part of the conrod or the piston? I think the knock is a little end that's all. I believe that I would need to get a machine shop to fit the rods to the pistons as well? To remove the pistons, obviously the sump and head needs to come off but do I need to disturb the timing chain and oil pump?

If I was going through the hassle of taking the head, sump, crank, rods, pistons out I would want to know the oil pump, cam and followers are ok.

In other words, either live with it, bodge it, change it or rebuild it properly.

Half a day would have the engines swapped over and as Chris says, then you can work at the other engine at your leisure. Most engineering shops will be able to supply pistons already pressed onto the conrods. The little end bearing is in the top of the conrod and the gudgeon pin is a press fit in the piston. It is not cheap getting all the parts as it very quickly mounts up. If you want to do it on a budget, then get the engine out and stripped so you can inspect the internals. Most Unipart outlets should still be able to get you engine bits such as gasket sets but for engine re-build bits, it's places like Edmunds Walker or Moss or Mini Spares.

I have to agree with Chris and Fergus on this one Phil, the best option is to put the decent engine in the good car for now and then sort out the other one at your leisure.

I think rather than take my other off the road, I'd rather get another engine and mess about with this one. In it's current state it is now undrivable. Would an a series engine be light enough to go in the boot of a Marina?

Without the gearbox attached...yes but it would be pretty hefty to lift out, probably be easier to take the passenger seat out of the front, put a board on the floor and take plenty of blankets with you to prop it up

Cheers Frank, I'm getting desperate now. What is the going rate for a used 1.3? Is there any difference between a Mk1 Marina 1.3 and say that of a Morris Minor or a Maestro? What does A+ actually mean? I have seen reference to High compression A series, how would I know what I have got?