Engine Colours

[edd_barker]

Hello,

Is there a list/photos of the different engine colours fitted to Minors, with dates?

I fancy something a bit different from the classic green, lovely as it is. I know there is a grey/blue that I like the look of, if anyone could tell me the dates that paint was used, or paint code or supplier that'd be great. Mine is a 1959 but been bodged with some later parts, so I'm not going crazy on originality.

Thanks,

Edd

[philthehill]

Duck egg blue is available from Frost Restorations.

But if you want something different go for 'Speedwell or Daytona Yellow'.
Phil

[edd_barker]

I've found the Speedwell engine plate on flEbay!

I'd feel a bit of a fraud though, as the engine won't have been tuned by Speedwell.

Maybe 'AmateurTune'? 'NewbieRacing'?

[panky]

In that case it should be a shade of green

[GBond]

You could always go for gold or silver, which would be accurate for a '59 with later parts.

[edd_barker]

"shade of green"...haha! That's a good one.

I've found a nice duck egg blue engine colour, It'd be nice to know it was remotely related to a genuine BMC colour, or just to see the options that are available. Gold or silver I don't think will spray too well? Maybe a silver grey though. Got to get it built first.

Thanks,

Edd

[philthehill]

Duck egg blue (or very near) is a genuine BMC/BL engine colour - used on the early 'A' Series and Landrover engines and other engines in the BMC/BL engine range.

[edd_barker]

[frame][/frame]

This is what I'm talking about!!

Came from this post:

http://mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=33296&start=15

[edd_barker]

Or something along these lines, sort of original...[frame][/frame]

[philthehill]

The first is Donald Healy Blue and the second looks to be a variant of duck egg blue.
With the second photo note the air injection head and air pump fitted for the American market - done so as to reduce pollution but when fitted ended up sapping engine power considerably.

[bmcecosse]

Surprising to see it with a dynamo.

[philthehill]

Alternators were only fitted to MG Midget Mk 111 from Car No: GAN5-105501 and all 1500cc models.
What car number the engine in the picture came from is any ones guess.

[edd_barker]

Has no one ever had a fiddle around with the air injection to try and gain more power? To my (simple) mind anything that forces more air in has got to have potential for more power. Interesting discussion, if not strictly engine colour related! I will seek out the website where I got that link to see if there is any more info.

Colour wise, duck egg blue it is for me. Speedwell yellow would go nicely with my green car, but a bit too loud and lairy I fear! I would like something that could technically be period.

It is a shame I was born 40 years too late, when tuning these engines was commonplace and cheap!

[philthehill]

Unfortunately the air pump cannot be utilised or modified to produce more power - it is just pumps air into the exhaust manifold which converts the hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide exhaust gases into water and carbon dioxide so less pollution. The carb or carbs are special and some exhaust gases go into the inlet manifold to reduce combustion chamber temp.
There is also a charcoal fuel fume absorption canister and various other emission control parts/valves fitted that make up the emission control package for the USA and Canada markets.

Speedwell is very period and started in early 1957.
See links for further information.
http://mk1-performance-conversions.co.uk/spdhist.htm
http://www.speedwellengineering.com/history/

When I first started tuning 'A' Series Speedwell tuning parts were the parts to have and to fit.

Phil