zei220 7 Posted December 18, 2017 I'm having a problem finding a good 1275 engine for a reasonable price so i'm looking at alternative engines options. Does anyone know if the ford 1.3 xflow will fit? What mods are needed? TIA. dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thrustyjust 3,927 Posted December 18, 2017 The Xflow is a heavy lump. What about a Ford Sigma engine. Modern and easier to get hold of and convertable to rwd or do you need a pre 95 or 93 engine? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zei220 7 Posted December 18, 2017 Thanks for the suggestion, do you know how tall that engine is? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Robin (Red Spider) - Yorkshire AO 1,018 Posted December 18, 2017 Back in the 70's, a company did an engine conversion by fitting a 1600cc crossflow in a MG Midget. It was called an Atlantic. I think they used this engine rather than the MGB's B series as it is a smaller engine and would fit under an unmodified midget bonnet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thrustyjust 3,927 Posted December 18, 2017 I dont believe they are that tall, as they are a very compact engine. Dont know the height, maybe someone at Burtons , who know both engines may give you some dimensions. Otherwise the K series is a good lightweight engine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Sigma_engine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rover_K-series_engine Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kit Car Electronics 1,618 Posted December 18, 2017 I just put a tape measure against the 1.7 Sigma in my garage - on a standard sump, it's approx 600mm tall (to the top of the oil filler cap), so I guess with a shallow sump you could knock that down a touch. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thrustyjust 3,927 Posted December 18, 2017 2 minutes ago, Kit Car Electronics said: I just put a tape measure against the 1.7 Sigma in my garage - on a standard sump, it's approx 600mm tall (to the top of the oil filler cap), so I guess with a shallow sump you could knock that down a touch. Or a 1600cc without VVC maybe shorter again, Mike, as less stroke. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zei220 7 Posted December 18, 2017 I'm sure I read somewhere that the XI bonnet is 23 inches high, so the 600mm (23.6 inches) is too much. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stephenh 818 Posted December 18, 2017 I can tell you that on my XI the underside of the bonnet just touches the top of the oil filler cap. I have a piece of neoprene foam stuck to the underside of the bonnet to protect it. And the shallow sump which I fitted to my Midget engine projects below the level of the underside of the chassis. So much as it is attractive to try and fit a more modern engine in an XI (and the Rover would particularly appeal to me for some reason) it would involve fitting a power bulge to the bonnet, which would I think detract from the lines of the XI. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robhume 164 Posted December 19, 2017 The 1600cc x flow weighs 110kgs and is approx. 560mm tall, 1300 would be about 20mm less The 1600cc K series weighs 100kgs and is about 600mm tall The Toyota 1600 weighs 100kgs and is about 570mm tall Obviously the midget fits but sump is below chassis rails Also a Climax engine would fit. Fitting dry sumps to the Ford engines will allow the engines to drop a bit, maybe 50mm. There have been various engines fitted to Westfield elevens according to Chris Smith, v8, twin cam, Fiat twin cam, etc, and apparently there was a bulgy bonnet made to suit, so various engines to choose from but only two will fit to my knowledge without bonnet mods Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dommo 425 Posted December 19, 2017 Rotary? About 20" tall though may need a different inlet manifold (or carbs?) as they tend to wrap around over the top of the engine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MK11 32 Posted December 19, 2017 I don't think any modern OHC engines will fit as the heads are too tall, even the BMW bike head on an A Series is too tall to fit without a bulge. The rotary could be a good shout, the engine and box from an RX8 should be pretty cheap (well initially, but the rebuild could add up!) Why can't you find a good A series? There are many people out there who can build one, I would go to MED if I built another, maybe with the Specialist Components alloy cross flow head and modern fuel injection, mmmm. Don't get me thinking.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zei220 7 Posted December 19, 2017 The problem with trying find a good engine is people want £600 - £800 for one that needs a rebuild. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thrustyjust 3,927 Posted December 19, 2017 1 hour ago, zei220 said: The problem with trying find a good engine is people want £600 - £800 for one that needs a rebuild. Lucky you arent paying £4000 for a used Honda engine then. I would love to pay £600 for an engine. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Secretary 5,719 Posted December 20, 2017 13 hours ago, Thrustyjust said: Lucky you arent paying £4000 for a used Honda engine then. I would love to pay £600 for an engine. Absolutely! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites