fitting 1600 crossflow engine in marlin

[roger]

I am considering changing my 1800B series engine for a 1600 Ford crossflow engine. I looked at a Marlin with this engine fitted yesterday; the engine appeared to be mounted with standard mounts onto the A series (back) engine mounting points. There was a very thin angled bracket that bolted between the chassis mount and the flexible engine mount. Was this how Marlin intended it to fit? Has anybody got any of these if they were standard?
Also what sort of modifications are required to the transmission tunnel in order to fit a type 9 5 speed gearbox.

thanks in advance for any advice received.

[AndrewKB]

Re: fitting 1600 crossflow engine in marlin

Roger - I'm about to embark on a similar exercise. My understanding, from talking to those who've done it, is that the engine mounts are just the start of the "problem" and should be straightforward. More significant issues are re-routing the steering column to avoid the carbs, and re-locating the brake master cylinder to avoid the re-routed steering column. Then you've got the fabrication of a new exhaust system, from the Ford manifold either over or under the chassis, and minor (hopefully) transmission tunnel changes. If anyone else has any tips on this engine swop, I'd also be most interested in hearing them. Oh, and deciding whether to go for a cable-operated clutch, or installing a hydraulic conversion to the Ford clutch.

[amalgamated users from prior forum]

Re: fitting 1600 crossflow engine in marlin

Message originally posted by: Lee Hunter
Hi Roger, Andrew,
I went this way with a Lots twincam engine, this engine uses the Xflow 711m Block but with diffarent head front cover and sump. I also used a ford type nine gearbox with cable operated clutch.
I used the rear standard Marlin engine mounts welded to the chassis bolted onto small fabricated mounts bolted to Ford engine mounts off a Xflow very easey to sort
The steering caused quite a few headaches with the carbs in the way, so had to take the steering column over the top of the carbs into a universal joint to a machined splined shaft to the standard universal joint on the steering rack. This is held in place by a splined shaft running throught a fabricaed bearing held in place by a bracket off the chassis.
It depends on your type of tunnel fitted to your car but I did not need to change the size of the front part where the gearbox goes but I even decided to make my tunnel smaller so I could fit wide seats for comfort. If you are going to go down this route of narrow tunnel you really need to fit a panard rod and anti tramp bars to stop the axle moving around at the back of the car this mod does make the car handle.
With the exhaust, I routed it under the floor to the back of the car over the axle to a silencer mounted between the chassis and the petrol tank. this I found keeps the noise down but still gives me good ground clearance.
if youwant to give me a call on 07720398794 I will be only to pleased to help and advise and could give you any dimensions or pictures etc

[daniels917]

Re: fitting 1600 crossflow engine in marlin

Hi Rodger, ive got a 2L pinto in mine, with a type9 box, the tunnel is widened adout 3/4 inch to take the rear shoulder of the box (just in front of the tail extension) and it looks as though the bulk head has been opend up a bit, also a new Xmember and ford mount, new hole for the gear stick, and the speedo cable comes through the side of the tunnel across the drivers footwell, and round my feet up to the dash, the pinto is easier cos the carb is on the other side, but the exhaust is a bit of snake charming. best of luck Merv

[rob-53uk]

Re: fitting 1600 crossflow engine in marlin

Hi Roger
I have a 1600 crossflow fitted to my SWB roadster. I believe Marlin provided engine mounts for a crossflow if required. I have a type9 box fitted. To use the type9 the clutch plate has to be 23 spline (buy from www.carparts-direct.co.uk QKT152 clutch kit)the plate between the bellhousing and the engine has to be modified to allow the starter motor to fit. use the original release arm but it may need adjusting as it may foul on a bellhousing bolt. there is no need to adjust the width of the tunnel other then drilling a hole in the side of the tunnel for the reversing light switch. you will need a new propshaft (Bailey Morris Cambs ?120) I believe my steering shaft is standard fitting. The carb on a crossflow is on the top of the manifold, I use a twin choke weber. If you require photos of engine mountings ect let me know.
cheers
Bob

[AndrewKB]

Re: fitting 1600 crossflow engine in marlin

Lee, Merv, Bob
Thanks for all this, which mostly confirms what I thought already. Bob's comment re the carb is probably correct for the standard twin choke downdraught Weber but if planning to fit twin SUs, twin DCOE40 Webers, or twin Dellortos, then moving the steering column is a must.
Andrew

[CABRIOBOB]

Re: fitting 1600 crossflow engine in marlin

I HAVE JUST FINISHED LAST WEEK FITTING A 2LT PINTO SOHC AND A 5SP TYPE 9 BOX TO A MARLIN SWB AND IT FITS WITH A FEW MODS TO THE CHASSIS ENGINE SUPPORTS, BY REMOVING THE OLD 1800 B ENGINE FRONT WELDED BRACKET AS THEY FOUL THE FUEL LIFT PUMP AND THE ALTERNATOR BRACKET. YOU THEN REMOVE THE REAR WELDED 1300 B ENGINE BRACKETS THEN REUSE THE OLD 1800 ANGLE BRACKETS AND REWELD TO THE CHASSIS WHEN ENGINE IN POSITION. THE GEARBOX BELL HOUSING BEHIND THE STARTER IS 1" FROM THE LOWER FRONT BULKHEAD WHEN IN POSITION. I HAVE NOT ALTERED THE TUNNEL AS THERE IA ABOUT 1/2" EACH SIDE CLEARANCE AT THE CLOSEST POINT.MY EXHAUST WAS TO MODIFY TO THE R.H.S AS NOT ENOUGH UNDER CLEARANCE TO THE REAR OF THE CAR. GOT MY SPEEDO CABLE TO FIT FROM OUTSIDE UNDER THE CAR.THE ONLY THING TO ADVISE IS GET A EXTRA LONG CLUTCH ADJUSTABLE CABLE TO CLEAR THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IF YOUR EXHAUST IN ON THE RIGHT!.MAKE SURE YOUR GEARBOX INPUT SHAFT IS THE CORRECT LENGTH EITHER FLUSH WITH BELL HOUSING OR THE OTHER OPTION IS 3/4" BEHIND BELL HOUSING OR 20 SLINE OR 23 SPLINE. NEW COMPLETE CLUTCH FITTED FROM GP AUTOMOTIVE LTD ON EBAY ?26.COMPLETE ENGINE GASKETS AND CYL BOLTS & POST ?34 FROM CLASSICS GASKETS LTD ON EBAY/INTERNET. ALSO ADVISE TO CONVERT ATOMATIC CHOCK TO MANUAL.I SEE LEE HAS ALSO GIVEN ADVISE AS HE HAS BEEN INSPECTING AND ADVISING MY ENGINE GHANGE OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS. AS THERE IS AND WILL BE OTHER ISSUES AS YOU ARE GOING ALONG IF YOU NEED ANY ADVISE PLEASE CALL ME ON 07796443475.

PS. MAKE SURE YOU GET THE CORRECT STARTER MOTOR AS I WAS ON NO 4 BEFORE I GOT THE CORRECT ONE DUE TO W/M?ANKERS WITH DUFF INFO.

CHEERS........BOB

[roger]

Re: fitting 1600 crossflow engine in marlin

Thanks to everyone for your info. Bob is it possible to have some pictures -esp of the steering shaft area.

I was speaking to somebody who has competed in trials for a long time, they were saying that the 1600 crossflow engine works well with regard to torque using an SU carb on an adaptor using the original manifold. This would presumably solve the steering shaft problem. Leaving only the propshaft and clutch operation to solve. Can anybody comment re using an SU carb on a 1600 crossflow?

[AndrewKB]

Re: fitting 1600 crossflow engine in marlin

Roger - Mal Allen has a single SU on his 1600 crossflow and he's an absolute master of the "slow trickle" so the bottom end torque must be fine. He does complain that this setup lacks top-end power though. Andrew.

[AndrewKB]

Re: fitting 1600 crossflow engine in marlin

Can anyone tell me exactly how much heavier a Ford Type 9 5-speed box is than the equivalent 4-speed Escort/Capri/etc. box? Some people say "much heavier", others say "barely different".

At present I can't decide whether to go for weight-saving or easier motorway driving - remember that "us triallers" are running 4.56 van diffs. And I do know all about aluminium bellhousings as a weight-saving issue for these engine/gearbox combinations.

[AndrewKB]

Re: fitting 1600 crossflow engine in marlin

I've got the gearbox weights from elsewhere now, so no need to reply to the above. Andrew.