Blocks & cranks
Turbo Mini Forums

Guys not sure if anyone can help me given my question is not totally Mini but not sure where else to ask.

You may recall I'm doing the Metro turbo into Midget swap.

I have the complete Metro engine and just reading up/looking into the strongest combination to make this powerful and reliable without going overboard on cost.

From some comments here in Aust and some stuff I've read in english mags, I understand the only difference between Mini and Midget blocks is in the mounting holes for the rear backing plate for the gearbox and the front engine mounting plate.

FIrstly if this is so I'm tossing up getting the Metro block drilled for inline use as A+ inline blocks are non existant over here.

Secondly if I do this then it might be not that costly to get an A+ Marina/Ital crank sent over.

Thirdly as an alternative can I use the Midget crank in the converted Metro block or

Forth just use the Metro main bearing caps in my Midget block to get the stronger turbo bearings. Whichever way I go the engine will be fully rebuilt so mixing and matching components should not be a problem.

I have not read anything to suggest the main bearings are of a different size or width across all the 1275's.

Again any help would be appreciated. Anyone know a good wrecker I can contact and trust to get me a good A+ Ital crank if I go this way.

Gavin

I'm going to stick my neck out here, and suggest you need to look closely at the A+ 1275 as fitted to the Austin Montego and Austin Maestro 1.3 models. These were a FWD transverse engine, but had the gearbox on the side (end) of the engine. with that, it makes sense that these are another candidate for your needs - it just depends on the bolt pattern - if it was indeed the same as the marina/ital. But that's for you to do some research on!

The only difference to use the 'turbo' bearings is the location of the locating 'tang' in the shells. You can easilly modify the block however.

I think converting a mini block to in-line is not strightforward. The rear (and maybe front) caps will need modding to be sealed against the sump and a rear crank seal. I also suspect the shape of the 'rear' of the block is different.

I'd go so far as to say what you were thinking is a no-go. I'd do some research into the maestro/montego blocks however

Edited by turbodave16v on 30th Sep, 2005.

the maestro/montego blocks are a goer dave

Thanks guys but unfortunately we never got any of those or anything with an A+ over here and freighting a block and crank to Aust would be more cost than the benefits they provide.

Have read of a few Midgets that were converted without these just thought of getting some extra strength easily.

Having said that it was a copy of Enjoying MG where someone wrote in about their conversion and that's where I read about converting the Metro block.

If it's all that difficult then I'll just stick with the Midget bottom end and make sure everything is spot on and good quality.

Gavin