I have a friend who is in the middle of a similar project. He has a Minx drophead (that I sold him) and put a rod thru the block. Since he is on a tight budget (and he paid my asking price for the Minx), I gave him a running alloy head 1494 (complete with'headers' and twin zenuths from a SI Alpine). I helped remove the old engine and haven't seen it since. He's asked for my help. I think the situation is this:
- Hillman engine removed
- Alpine 1494 is in and bolted to the nounts and trans, all ok
There is an 'issue' with the exhaust header of the Alpine. I haven't seen it but will in the next week or two. I think the downpipes on the header are too short, rather than any interference with steering. I think (but haven't scoped it out) that a rear braket will have to be made for the throttle linkage but should be an easy fab.
I'm not sure about rad hose placement on the Minx vs Alpine but will check it and give him one of my many early Alpine rads if necessary.
I want to see this car back on the road. It was my only Rootes cars when I joined this group, hence the username. I will update with pictures when we get at it, if you like. Here is a picture of it circa 2007 with my newly aquired SII Alpine.
One thing you should know. If you are replacing an iron head Minx engine with an alloy head 1725 neither intake nor exhaust manifolds will work with it. The port layout is different. They have to be from an alloy head engine (any).
Al
