On Thu, 17 Sep 1998, Chris Lillja wrote:
> While I know that in general, these cars are quite rare, do crazy people
>attempt the same
> kind of conversions that Spitfire owners do? ie: How much work to put a Spit
>1500 engine
> in a Herald? How about a 2L or 2.5L 6 in a Herald or Vitesse? Anyone ever see
>a Rover V8
> Vitesse? A V6 Herald?
The latter two have been done; I can't offhand give you details,
particularly as to how well or safely they've been done. As for "keeping
it in the family" as it were, I will quote from John Kipping's catalogue
and web site -- read the whole article at
<http://www.kipping.co.uk/info/engine.html>:
====================================
JOHN KIPPING
TRIUMPH SPARES
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Triumph InfoBase
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Engine Interchangeability
4 Cylinder Engines
In theory, all Triumph 4 cylinder engines are interchangeable, but some are
easier than others!
Herald 948
To install a 1200 engine, use a 948 front engine plate with the early
mountings and enlarge the camshaft hole if necessary. 1200 engines have a
different flywheel which must be retained...With the 1200 manifold the
948SC exhaust system fits, or with the 12/50 manifold, a 948TC system.
Installing 1300/1500 engine. This is not to be recommended due to the many
chassis, drivetrain and exhaust problems....
[AM NOTE: The earlier Herald chassis is probably best suited to a 948 or
not too modified 1147. The later "Star" chassis is a good bit sturdier,
unless it's like most of mine, in which case the rust takes precedence!
:-( ]
Herald 1200 & 12/50, Spitfire I & II.
Installing a 1300 engine - any rear wheel drive unit can be used (this
includes Toledo, Dolomite, etc), but the Herald/Spitfire sump must be
fitted and a diaphragm clutch used [etc.]....
Herald and Spitfire
To install 1500 - any rear wheel drive unit can be used but the
Herald/Spitfire sump must be fitted. Ensure that No. 1 big end bolt doesn't
foul - gauze may have to be removed and the sump modified with a hammer.
[etc.]....
Six Cylinder Engines - Interchangeability
If you want to put a six cylinder engine into a Herald or a Spitfire, you
need help - try a psychiatrist - better still, sell the car and buy a
Vitesse or GT6.
[continues....]
====================================
> Could anyone give me a rundown of exactly which old Spit GT6 bits in my
>basement might
> fit a Herald?
All of them, after a fashion. It's only a bit of an oversimplification to
say that it's all "wrench" work, but that's pretty much true. Unless you
want to put a Roto-flex rear suspension into a car that didn't have it
originally; with that, there is some welding required.
Beyond the engine (and appropriate gearbox and diff. to go with same),
you'd want to upgrade the brakes and perhaps springs at the same time. For
example, a Herald with a Spitfire engine ought at least to have disk
brakes fitted at the front. Along those same lines, a Spitfire with a GT6
or TR6 engine ought to have at least the bigger GT6 brakes fitted all
around.
> You don't wanna know why.... ; >)
Yeah we do! :-)
--Andy
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Andrew Mace, President and *
* 10/Herald/Vitesse (Sports 6) Consultant *
* Vintage Triumph Register <www.vtr.org> *
* amace@unix2.nysed.gov *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
|