Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi all, well over the next couple of days I plan to fit the ital engine in the van. I was going to lengthen the ital engine mounts with a bit of 1.5" box to meet the front towers. Then I got to thinking, as I have the moggy engine would the front engine pate fit the ital. I would then have the mounts in the right place. Before I go to the trouble of pulling the front off both engines I thought I would ask if anyone has done this?
Thanks
Paul

The front plate from the minor will fit & is the usual method with the engine mounts.
Has the engine had the other conversions done, ie flywheel/ backplate etc or are you using the marina box

Thanks for that, Im fitting the Ital box. Any advice welcome if you have done this. Got a triumph prop coming. Ill eithet cut and shut to the moggy one or do something with the moggy flange. It all depends on wether the prop fits or will need cutting

I used the Moggy box (& later type 9) when I did mine so the original mounts fit ok. I not sure but the towers may need shortening to lower the engine slightly to aid clearance with the marina box & steering rack

I put a type9 in my saloon. As I had the opertunity to buy a low milage Ital engine and box and have a new 1300 clutch lying around it seemed the thing to do. Plan is to mount the box first. You are right the towers do need to be lowered by about an inch so the clutch slave clears the rack.

You've been told before to use the Minor front plate on the Ital engine - it is the way to do it.

No disrespect and obviously you may be qualified in precision engineering, but modifications to propshaft is specialist job as balance and concentricity are vital to vibration free and potentially dangerous motoring. Like I said this may be your field and I apologise if teaching you to suck eggs

I have just done a similar conversion. I think the starter motor may sit too low and hit the chassis rail.
I acquired a back plate conversion kit that lifts the 'starter' further up. I had to cut a chunk off the bell housing (the large starter motor housing section) as the clutch pedal fouled it without the cut.

However, this will depend on what clutch operating system you use. Whether you are using a Marina (hydraulic) pedal box (which would probably negate the need for as much cutting) or the Minor hydraulic conversion kit (I don't know what this looks like when fitted) or, as in my case , a conventional minor pedal with a cable attached (Fiat).

As for the propshaft, there are companies that can make you up a 'one piece' prop for £140. Or if you have, as you say a Triumph prop, they can shorten and balance it for a lot less, (sorry I can't find the address right now) try google?

[quote="Longdog"]No disrespect and obviously you may be qualified in precision engineering, but modifications to propshaft is specialist

Thanks, Its a fair point and usefull info for anyone else thinking of doing The same thing. The prop will get farmed out.

If anyone is thinking of fitting an Ital box, It fits. A lot of work putting engine in, taking engine out etc. Lots of cutting and grinding and welding but its in.