A+ block Metro unit has different main bearing caps, no thread for the oil
pick-up, fewer bolt holes for mounting the backplate etc etc etc. Not worth
the effort. There are 2 A+ options for the Midget. Pictures (JPEG 35Kb)
available on request. These engines use a larger big end crank in lighter
material. Rods are different too. I have both types of 'improved' engine
blocks for the Midget here in the garage. I use one in the white Midget
(see Gerards Garage website) and have another for the wifes' Minor. Tom
Stone is having one of the others for his Supercharged Frogeye as the block
is much more rigid. The 'specialists' suggest that a steel main bearing cap
mod is not necessary on an A+ as it is so much stronger. Anyone? James?
You can put a Midget crank into an A+ to get the best of both worlds. Don't
think the later A+ block was ever available in the US/Aus. Maybe a few
available, though.
Some early Marina cranks can be offset-ground to give longstroke Midget
cranks.
----- Original Message -----
From Gerard Chateauvieux <pixelsmith at gerardsgarage.com>
> I'm under the belief that a 1275 Mini engine can be used in a Spridget if
> the crank/bottom end is swapped. (see message below). Can anyone
> confirm/add to this please.
>
> Gerard
>
> >From: "Philippe Sarrazin" <p.sarrazin@enesad.fr>
> >To: "Gerard Chateauvieux" <pixelsmith@gerardsgarage.com>
> >Gerard,
> >Do you know if a 1275 from a mini or metro can be converted into a sprite
> >engine? A guy told me the crank is different and wouldn't fit a spridget
> >flywheel. I'm asking because the mechanic in the lab has a spare 1275
from
> >a metro and he'd sell it to me for little if I had en interest. And I
would
> >if it could be recycled in a spridget.
> >Merci
> >A+
> >Philippe
///
/// (If they are dupes, this trailer may also catch them.)
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