Alfa engine transplant?

[Jay Laifman]

As most probably know, Rootes was exploring putting in an Alfa engine - before they went the Tiger route.

I think the Alfa engine is probably too high to fit without a hood modification.

Has anyone actually ever done it?

 

[Jay Laifman]

I found a reference to a 1955 Husky with an Alfa engine and transmission.

http://www.beardmorebros.co.uk/website pages/Magazine Articles/HuskySM2.html

 

[sunalp]

I did see something recently where someone in another country, probably England has an Alfa twin cam and transmission in an Alpine. I'll have to see what I can find, just don't remember where I saw it.

 

[Jay Laifman]

To be clear, I love my Holbay engine and have no interest in changing. And certainly a Miata engine is better in many ways than just about any option out there.

This is just idle thoughts.

We do have an Alfa engine in our race car. So I was just thinking about the Alfa/Rootes story wondering if anyone ever did it. I have no plans.

 

[hdar5702]

It should fit easier than a Ford 260.I have a 1961 Guilietta 1300 engine in my garage and overall it is shorter than the 1725 Alpine engine.The 1600cc Alfa engine has 0.28"greater stroke than the 1300 so it would still be shorter than the Alpine engine.I don't know about the 1750 Alfa(it would not of been available in the early '60's for Rootes to even consider).
Tell us about your race car with the Alfa engine?

 

[Jay Laifman]

We have a 1962 Elva MkVI (tube frame, GRP body, of Elvis Presley fame in Viva Las Vegas) with a mid engine 1300cc Veloce engine (101 head with 105 block) with Hewland transaxle. We have been restoring it for the last 4 years, though COVID, which really delayed a lot of work we needed others to do for us. It's now finally getting put together. Should be race ready by spring. But that's a car for a different bbs!

 

[alpine_64]

To be clear, I love my Holbay engine and have no interest in changing. And certainly a Miata engine is better in many ways than just about any option out there.

This is just idle thoughts.

We do have an Alfa engine in our race car. So I was just thinking about the Alfa/Rootes story wondering if anyone ever did it. I have no plans.

Don't know of an Alfa/ rootes story... There was the rootes Ferrari approach about maybe doing a head conversion for the alpine... and if you look at the ASA that used a Ferrari engineered 4,cyl and rootes trans...you can see the possibility there.

 

[Jay Laifman]

Ahh. Perhaps my memory is fuzzy. Yes, I remember it as a friendship between Ferrari and Rootes. My memory was that it would provide the Alfa engine. But as I look now, it seems perhaps Alfa was not related to Ferrari back in the early 60s. Unless they were, but just not on paper. I don't remember where I saw this information. I believe in more than one of the Sunbeam history books I have. I'll have to dig them up.

 

[SplatWorldwide]

I share my shop space with an Alfisti. Among the 1600, 1750 and 2L motors that I've seen none of them look like they'd be an easy fit in an Alpine. The side draft carbs would probably be pretty tight against the fender wall and wide oil pans would definitely pose a challenge with the stock crossmember.

 

[alpine_64]

Ahh. Perhaps my memory is fuzzy. Yes, I remember it as a friendship between Ferrari and Rootes. My memory was that it would provide the Alfa engine. But as I look now, it seems perhaps Alfa was not related to Ferrari back in the early 60s. Unless they were, but just not on paper. I don't remember where I saw this information. I believe in more than one of the Sunbeam history books I have. I'll have to dig them up.

Alfa and Ferrari definately had no relationship.. Alfa was independent then.. not part of the fiat group.. even Ferrari was still a year or so away from being taken under fiat.