With a V12??

Got back to my shop from the machine shop to drop off a block, and whilst cooking a deal with Mark on a motor (ygm btw Mark), started measuring the '48 Minor. No it won't fit, well, behind the seats it will HA!

I've restored too many cars to count in the last 25 years, but I regret starting this project, hearts just not in it. Not a good revelation with the motor spread out across my bench.. Ack.. On a happy note, the crank sure is pretty (small).. ;-)

Anyone else have similar tales of woe?

Jeff

 

Hummmm...the V12 wont fit but you want something different. Not the typical small block Chevy or Ford Engine.

How about a Rotary from an RX7?

Small, light, super smooth and loves to rev. If you really want to go crazy then get the turbo version or a 3-rotor.

Mark

 

2.5 V8 from the '60s Daimler SP250...might just fit...great looking motor.

Rob.

 

There is a video in You tube, J leno's garage, where a guy put a high RPM motor cycle engine in a car. That might be an option.

 

That sucks, lots of suspension work in addition to the fitting. I really like morris minors in their natural state, they are fun little honest cars.

If you haven't done much chopping, maybe just restore it and put the v12 in something else?

 

Nah, no chopping will happen, a totally rust free low-light tourer is hens teeth, I just don't want to finish the car.

I'm rebuilding the V12 myself for a back-up motor to the XJ-S / set on a stand in the shop and stare at. Going to over restore it, coat the intakes, vacuum bits, etc. Although I'd be lying if I didn't admit I seriously measured the Mark VII for a V12 fit. I popped a head gasket a few months ago and have enough smoke on decel that it's time for a rebuild. Likely doing a quarter breed with a 700R4 trans in place of the triple band. Anything is better then our T400 or forbid T350. ugh, I ditest those trannies.

Tongue in cheek for sure on the Morris, my point was projects that lose interest really suck..

Cheers,

Jeff

 

It absolutely screams out for a LS Motor, 1/2 the weight and size of the V12 with double the horse.

 

Projects can be like that. Just put it aside for a while and see if the interest comes back.
One of the reasons I usually have a couple of things on the go at once is that you just get sick of working on the same thing after a while and it then becomes just a job.
It's funny that you hate the TH350/400 trans, but the TH700 is just an evolution of those transmissions and that whole transmission family are probably the most reliable transmissions ever built.

 

My beef is purely the clunky shifts, as IME, you can't "tune" them ALL out with adjustments or valve body / shift kits (which can make them even harder as you no doubt know). The 700 is smoother / beefier and having the fourth gear / ratio change is obviously nice.

My lumped XJ12 was such a pig in that regard / I replaced that T350 once and had to yank the second unit for a rebuild. And wouldn't ya know, on my current HE, she's bone dry less and except the output shaft seal in that bloody T400 which leaves me a half quart of fluid every month or so.

Jaguar hasn't exactly had the best history with auto's though, it would have been interesting (or worse) if they had built their own.

Your project is coming along very nice BTW..

Jeff

 

A GM, LS1 weighs in at approx 460lbs and 305 HP
A Jaguar, V-12 weighs approx 680lbs and 295 HP

Not quite 1/2 the weight and double the HP

 

I have a definite soft spot for veteran Morris Minors. In 1953 I bought a 53 MG TD.
One fellow officer bought a 53 Minor tudor. Another the soft top version. we all did well, most of the time.


Then, the fellow with the hard top and his gal friend invited me to "blind dare".
Sure, I had just parted with a gal.


We went to to Weisbaden for drinks and dancing. Slick, gorgeous tall blond fraulein. That lead on. After 54 years and two kids, she passed in 09.....


Nostalgia: the guy down the road imported and flipped woody minors.
All RHD. One was Datsun 210 powered. a neat conversion from down
under.


Ugh, he drives a Prius now????


Carl

 

love the weird motor/chassis combos some people put their minds to. Bloke down road has a 1970's Ford Capri that's been converted to a ute with a Rover V8 and Datsun 120Y with a Daimler 2.5L V8 both amazing pieces of engineering and the wow factor is huge!

 

Amazing stuff.


Decades ago, I read of a guy a couple of towns over. Jag v12 in a mid sixties Corvair Beautifuly done, as he was/is an engineer by trade


Carl .