Rui:
Barney is right.
I got my first Twin-Cam 17 years ago without an engine. Luckily, I found
an engine quite easily and inexpensively the following year. My second
Twin-Cam came as a chassis with suspension, but no wheels, drivetrain,
or much of a body. I still don't have an engine for it, but have nearly
everything else. [Radiators, tachs, and distributors are also scarce.]
Used, rebuildable engines are available now and again (several have come
up for sale this past year), but they have been going for USD$4,500 and
up and that's too much for me when I have lots of other things to spend
my little bit of disposible cash!!
And, yes, I know of several racers who have 2 or 3 spare Twin-Cam
engines and who will NOT sell even one of them, not to mention some
other Twin-Cam-specific parts!!
Actually, a Twin-Cam without the Twin-Cam engine is essentially a MGA
deluxe in 1500 or 1600 clothing. So, even engineless it is still worth
more than comparable regular 1500/1600/1622 MGAs.
Dave Q.
YD3/1437 and YD3/1842
and other As and Bs
>From Barney Gaylord
>
>> rui gigante wrote:
>> in my search for a MG, I've found a couple of twin cam models, apparently
>original, besides the engine .... one 1600 and one 1622. Anyone have the
>experience (good or bad) of finding a complete twin cam engine? ....<<
>
> The Twin Cam MGA is worth about $10,000 more than the other MGA models, and
>it's all in the engine. Without the twin cam engine the Twin Cam MGA is worth
>about the same as any other MGA, and a twin cam engine by itself in
>restoreable condition is worth about $10,000. This phenominon is the result
>of a severe shortage of twin cam engines. In years past many twin cam engines
>were removed in favor of pushrod engine transplants. Some of those engine
>were lost or tossed. Some vintage racers have bought up one or two loose twin
>cam engine for spares for their race cars. So today you end up bidding
>against the racers for the few twin cam engines still left in circulation. If
>you really want a Twin Cam MGA (with the correct engine), try to buy one with
>the engine in it. Otherwise you should seriously try to find a twin cam
>engine before you buy the car without one.<
>
> $.02,
///
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