Moss Motors, Ltd

I just inherited a 66 Austin Healey Sprite. It needs a new engine and I was wondering if there were any easy/often done engine swaps? i.e. Chevy V6, V8 etc.  I'm new to the Healey cars so I have no idea what's what.

Any help or advice..direction would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Swaps are a possibility but they would,most likely, require changing out your entire drive train and that could turn into an expensive proposition.   Since your car is a '66, it should have the 1275cc engine and unless it's beyond hope you might want to look into a rebuild incorporating some of the performance ehancing parts that Moss offers.

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...one mustn't criticize other people on grounds where he can't stand perpendicular himself. - Mark Twain

Ok, thanks for the info. I'm not sure what engine it has in it right now.

Usually, those engines have an aluminum tag riveted on the side if the block that will give the cc. If that has been removed, there should be an aluminum engine number tag riveted to the top of the head. The first number or numbers denote the cc. ( 9 = 948 ) ( 10 = 1098 ) ( 12 = 1275 ) Hope that this info. is a small bit of help.   

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...one mustn't criticize other people on grounds where he can't stand perpendicular himself. - Mark Twain

Also, if those tags are missing, the 948 and 1098 have stamped tappet covers on the side of the block where the 1275 does not.

 

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Bayless
Never express yourself more clearly than you can think
'48 Prefect
'67 Sprite (project)

Because of the limited size of the Spridget and the relatively weak rear axle there aren't too many swaps that don't require a lot of modification to the car. I agree with the other posters, stick with the 1275 and give it a good rebuild. Consider adding a 5 speed transmission conversion and you'll have a great little car to drive. If you really want to go the swap route there are a couple of choices to consider that have been done before and work out pretty well. Mazda rotary, GM V6, and Suzuki are three that I can think of off the cuff. The Mazda and the V6 should be accompanied by a rear axle change due to the increased torque, the Suzuki would probably work pretty well with the stock rear axle, but you probably should consider heavy duty halfshafts. Here's one take on a V6 conversion -  http://www.britishv8.org/MG/BillYoung.htm

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'73 Midget (V6)
'59 MGA (I6) under construction

"There is a fine line between a hobby and mental illness"

Bill Young:

Because of the limited size of the Spridget and the relatively weak rear axle there aren't too many swaps that don't require a lot of modification to the car. I agree with the other posters, stick with the 1275 and give it a good rebuild. Consider adding a 5 speed transmission conversion and you'll have a great little car to drive. If you really want to go the swap route there are a couple of choices to consider that have been done before and work out pretty well. Mazda rotary, GM V6, and Suzuki are three that I can think of off the cuff. The Mazda and the V6 should be accompanied by a rear axle change due to the increased torque, the Suzuki would probably work pretty well with the stock rear axle, but you probably should consider heavy duty halfshafts. Here's one take on a V6 conversion -  http://www.britishv8.org/MG/BillYoung.htm

 

Thanks Bill (and others).  I guess the only reason I was interested in a swap would be for replacement parts cost. I figure the Healey engine would be more expensive to maintain and rebuild. Also, I don't know the first thing about tuning them/building them.  Is the MG motor the same as the Healey?

 I

The Sprite and Midget 1275 engines are identical. Among British four cylinder power units, they are not all that pricey to overhaul. Certainly they are not as costly to rebuild as it would be to properly engineer and accomplish an engine swap.

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Motorbill
From Lola to Land Rover, If it's British and has wheels, it's likely I've bloodied me knuckles thereupon

Are there any good books I can get that walk me through a rebuild/tuning process etc? 

RedRomo,

What is your experience level? Some parts of the process are simple and some parts are quite critical. These ain't chivvies.

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Motorbill
From Lola to Land Rover, If it's British and has wheels, it's likely I've bloodied me knuckles thereupon

There are two books that I found extremely helpful in the rebuilding of these engines.

The Haynes MG Midget/Austin Healy Sprite 1958 thru 1980 and the Factory Workshop Manual ( Reprint ) Both are offered by Moss Motors but, you might be able to find them at a more 'reduced' price on eBay or Amazon.com

The Haynes Manual is written more toward aiding the 'mechanically challenged', as myself, in the rebuilding process.The Factory Workshop Manual has more precise technical jargon for those who are more experienced in this area.

I rebuilt both of the engines in my Midgets using these books and after several years they are still ticking along just fine. Since I'm a retired old "wood butcher" and now a sometimes "shade tree mechanic", this says a lot about the help I got from both of these manuals.  

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...one mustn't criticize other people on grounds where he can't stand perpendicular himself. - Mark Twain

My experience is this....none with Austin Healey. lol

I'm a small block Chevy guy. I own a 1980 Camaro (I've owned 5 total) that I hot rodded.  I did all the engine/tranny and mechanical work myself. (other than having the block itself professionally machined etc.)  I'm by no means an expert mechanic buy I know my way around the garage pretty well. 

Gearbox, I'll look for the manuals on Ebay first then try Moss.

 

Red,

It sounds like you'll have no real problems other than getting your fist down the bores! Actually, the bores are the one thing you really have to take into consideration. Make sure to get your ring gaps correct for these little ones. Your greatest difficulty may be in finding a machinist with a "Jr. Boring Bar" as they are known. If someone has Sunnen equipment they'll recognise that term. Let me know as questions arise. I've done a number of these little jewels.

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Motorbill
From Lola to Land Rover, If it's British and has wheels, it's likely I've bloodied me knuckles thereupon

Thanks alot for the help and advise. I'm actually really excited now to start on this project.

A little background about the car and its path.

 My father in law bought the car in 1972 from a guy who wanted to get rid of it cheap. He paid $800 for it. He then drove it for 3 years and it's been parked ever since.  He loves this little car and wants to see it on the road again but he doesn't have the time or knowledge to repair/rebuild it. So, he gave it to me with the hope of seeing it on the road again someday.

The A series blocks are very easy to work on, parts are easy to obtain as well. General advise is get stuck in and don't over complicate things...it really is as easy as it first looks! Problems only happen when folks start to second guess themselves!

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Oz Cooper
Classic Mini Product Manager UK


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