Moss Motors, Ltd

I have a 65 Sprite that has the B-210 5-speed transmission.  Is there any other Datsun engine besides the B-210's 1.4 liter that fits this transmission?  A 1600, 2000, or 510 would be ideal, but seems I would have heard of that conversion by now.

I don't know about the transmission fit, but I've seen a 510 engine in a bugeye and the guy had to put a rather large bump in the bonnet to cover the front of the cam cover. That motor is a bit too tall for the Spridget I think. The most promising swaps for the Spridget so far here in the US have been the Suzuki and a Toyota. Here's a link to the Suzuki swap http://www.ado13.com/dohczuke/dohc.htm and here's one to some coverage of the Toyota swap. http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?2,1387

Other engines used have been Mazda rotarys and GM V6s, information on those swaps at http://www.britishv8.org/Photos-MG-Conversions.htm

 

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

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

Thanks for the reply.  I've seen those conversions, but it would have been great if I could have kept the B-210 transmission.  Too bad other Datsun engines like the 1600, 2000, don't fit.  I heard from the conversion manufacturer, and they say that the only engine that will fit is the B-210's.  Not a good choice!  Basically NO performance equipment, and the some non-crossflow pushrod type engine.

Dude,

I know this is a hugely late response but 

"Basically NO performance equipment, and the some non-crossflow pushrod type engine."

Nothing could be further from the truth. Performance equipment like cams, pistons, intakes for side drafts etc, are all out there.

And yes, it is a non-crossflow head but, and it is a big but, the japanese put the cam on the correct side of the block so the friggin ports dont have to find their way through the pushrods,,,, and,,,, an A12 A14 or A15 all have genuine 8 port heads with great combustion chamber wedge shapes ie tilted valves. Cranks have 5 main bearings and have been proven to be virtually indestructable by the "Datto" guys in Australia.  And get this, the heads are Aluminum.

The race shop here in Denver told me he would guarantee he could build an A15, bored to 1600cc, mild port, mild cam, and a SINGLE weber DCOE45 that makes 130hp all day long and last infinately longer than the 1275 stretched to 1380 I first approached him about.  

Had I any common sense I would have kept my Rivergate kit with 210 5 speed in the car and built one of these motors because, well because I'd be driving the dang thing right now and not visiting it once every two weeks at the shop checking on the Toyota Twincam/T50 install I opted for.

Now if you are one of the folks who likes horrendously overpowered little cars, I might be persuade to make copies of my,,,,, uh,,, stuff   

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the reply, delayed or not! 

The last article that I read on the B-210 engine (a couple or three months ago in Hemmings Sports and Imports) said that there wasn't much available for this engine. 

Do you know of any websites, or other contact information for performance or engine mods?  Would much rather install this engine than spend a ton on my 1098!

 Cheers,

 Tom

Why yes,

 http://www.kameariusa.com/index.php   gorgeous stuff but kinda pricey

http://billsdatsun.com/1200headers.html headers

 http://www.racetep.com/z510card.html  mostly 510 and Z car stuff but still do the A series motors too.

http://www.zspecialties.com/ again, Z car guys but all Datsun covered.

Have fun and remember, it is ONLY money! 

 

 

Leave it to an old whatever like me to dig this memory up...

Back in '73 (well, at least it wasn't ought three.), I was at the SCCA runoffs at Road Atlanta. I recall a B-210 screaming around the course like a banshee with it's Butt on fire. I visited it in the paddock. The team was Electramotive Datsun. There was a placard on an easel describing the car to keep you from driving the guys nuts while they worked. It was a very impressive setup. What I remember most was that they were getting over 140 BHP out of that little sewing machine! and it showed on the track, man. Yeah, the stuff is out there. Go for it.

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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

 If you want a Datsun engine why don't you just buy a Datsun car? Or put the original gearbox back in like God intended.

If nobody ever modified anything, we'd all be living in caves, if at all. I doubt God cares much what gearbox or engine is in this enthusiast's creation.

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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

Never ever confuse God with BMC!

If the "dark side" becons you, drop over to the British V8 newsletter forum, plenty of heritics there! If you want to get radical there are Midgets there with Mazda rotarys and GM V6s.

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

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

The transmission was changed 2 owners ago.  The engine has performance mods, Panasport style wheels, an aftermarket interior, and totally botched wiring.  Put it back to original?  I don't think so.  Just be glad that there are people like me who want to keep cars like this on the road, modified or not.  Wonder how many truely original Sprites are still out there?  My guess is, not many!

 No kidding, there are not to many original Midgets/Sprites out there because people are to busy modifing them. A Spridget is so simple it would'nt take much to put it back to original.

 Like "God intended" was sarcasim.

 We would be living in caves if no one modified anything? Huh?

 I look at myself as being a steward of my cars. I enjoy them for what they are. If I wanted a faster or more reliable car i'd buy a faster or more reliable car.

Might be easy for you to say.  If you're retired and on a fixed income, it's not that easy.  Again, just be glad that people like me want it back on the road.  Putting it back to "original" would mean replacing the existing transmission, driveshaft, engine (too may mods.), wiring harness, wheels, and a number of other items.  If I could have afforded an "original" car, I would have bought one.

The desire for improved circumstances drives modification, which inspires innovation, which in turn inspires invention. I cannot lay it out any more clearly.

Not everyone sees him or herself as a "steward". I have nothing against the idea of maintaining a vehicle in totally stock configuration, strong points, shortcomings, and all. But I see no point in preaching to people about what they should or should not do with their own property in a world with so many other really important concerns.

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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

Motorbill, I couldn't have possibly said it better.  Thanks!

Actually, I'll no doubt go back with the 1098.  Lot's less hassle, but might be tempted to try a 1275 if I can find one reasonably priced.  Mainly, I just want to get it back on the road!

On another subject, do you know how in the world to get the bolts out that hold the rear of the hood hinge in place?  I definitely don't want to wring them off!