Hi,

I'm curious, there is a depth of information but want to get a narrow perspective, to help augment our search. I want to restore a Morris Minor Pickup, was wondering what engine/gearboxes are best to use. Since we are in Kenya, its not easy to come by these engines, and might have to source State-side, but which ones work best?

These are our current choices (not subject to availability)

302/351W/427 Cui Short Block Ford
or
350/400 Cui Short Block Chevy
or
318/340/360/383/400/426 Cui Short Block Chrysler
or
Ford Cross Flow Engines

Still learning all this stuff and don't want to sound like a dunce when asked.

Thanks.

Just curious, have you considered the stock A-Series engine? What's currenty in the Pickup if anything?
Here's a list of all the models the A-Series was used in:

http://www.morrisminorforum.com/article/bmc-a-series-engine-codes.html

If you want to go the Modified route of course, that's entirely your choice

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Webmaster, Morris Minor Forum

hi kenya, have you tried mombassa or nairobi, swaziland etc , i would stay on the continent, pay less on shipping , just a thought ?

Hi,

Haven't even bought the pickup yet, still at budget and planning level, though I have extremely solid leads on about 8 runners already and about 10 non-runners, but I haven't seen them yet. I did see 5 earlier, but way too much rust damage and once the owners heard about the project, the literally doubled the price, so need a new approach.

We are approaching this the modified way, hoping to get something in the 3000cc range, since I'm an audiophile, want one that sounds and feels powerful hence the Chevy, Chrysler and Ford approach. Maybe its just me, but I find it a bit of an abomination to plant a Japanese engine here, but then again, I am finding a Subaru B4 heavily modified engine appealing in some ways.

I'm in Nairobi at the moment, but interestingly most of this will come from Nakuru, since a fair number of old colonialists (do not take offense) lived there and some still do and they still have a bunch of old British and American cars. I strongly suspect that the Minor will come from here, and if I'm lucky a suitable engine. Nairobi is crowded with too many Japanese/German cars and with the new import laws (can't import a car older than 8 years old), it would be dreadfully difficult to find something that majority of mechanics can't import parts for.

Thanks.

Kahenya

hi kenya, just thought it would be cheaper for you to stay in the continent, what about south africa [ where im from, now living in florida ] jo,burg , durban etc , shipping from the states is expencive, any way good luck mate.

I agree. First port of call if I need to will be Joburg. By the way, I've lived in Arcadia, Hatfield, Garsfontein and Menlyn in Pretoria. Next to native when it comes to that side of the world, but I hear you, will definitely look down there when necessary.

hi kenya, well what a small world, i lived in arcadia and went to arcadia primary school, that was approx 1948 + ,i was in st albans scouts , and our hall was near the appies river , then we moved to hatfield , i went to pretoria boys high 1952 + and 4th pretoria hatfield scouts . i am 75 now retired here in florida , but miss south africa , i intend going over in april for a holiday . keep in touch, regards john dressing.

I was there as a student at Capital College in Sunnyside, then Tukkies, the UNISA, then moved on to London.

sounds like an interesting project. two ways to go here.1.v8 or v6?, will more than likely require a custom chassis and front suspension. 2 4cly. fiat twin cam,toyota 4age,13b rotary,ford escort,cortina.all of which will fit in with the use of the standard chassis and front suspension ( with a brake upgrade of course ). or, how about using a 1098 minor or 1275 marina engine and put a bmw motor bike head on it?.youtube this one. the kit is supplied by "specialist components" in the uk and it uses a bmw k series head. food for thought?.

Interestingly spent the last couple of days exploring the Wankel, and I have access to that locally. Had thought about buying the new Mini Cooper S or John Works Kit and praying hard it would fit, but everything changed when I run into a fellow called Tyler Gibson from Cosby Missouri. Now, here is where it gets interesting. I was going for a souped up V6 but then his '47 Chevy Pickup has a 305 V8 Chevy Short Block with a custom suspension and chassis. Long story short, I am not a fan of cloning, or copying, but his truck is just too retro, so hoping to get a lot of ideas from him and put them in the Morris, wherever possible. If I can't get a Chevy Short Block, and a 305 is just too big for the Morris I think, then will have to consider a BMW or stripped down 190 Mercedes - Benz engine both of which currently won't fit without basically destroying and rebuilding the car. My budget is about 3 times what Tyler has put in the Chevy '47 so I figure it will work out. But if I get my hands on a European or American v8, then I'm totally set.

First lesson I learnt is that I need to buy the engine and transmission before I buy the car. While this might not be the practical way to approach this, on my budget, I'd rather buy a shell that's dead, then modify, than a runner that I will have to strip down. Cost is significantly less if I use this approach.

This is Tyler's ride

http://www.killbillet.com/showthread.php?t=21900


http://www.youtube.com/user/Toylar

But thanks, certainly food for thought.

Found a very beat up Traveller in a village somewhere in Nakuru, wanted to go see it this weekend, but traveling elsewhere. Interestingly, there are so many Minors around here, I'm now spoilt for choice. Engine to go with, shamelessly is a Turbocharged Subaru EJ20. Needs a bit of work, but it will work well in the end. Will post pictures when I go out there, haven't had a chance yet and the pictures I got were grainy and blurry.

hi kenya , i wish i could say that here , there are minors , few and far and expencive, send pictures , see ya , johnny.

Negotiating to buy this Traveller. Saw it yesterday, inside is in bad shape, outside was ok, but needs a lot of work.

Two more.

Looks pretty dirty, but mostly complete.... good luck and watch out for rust!!

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Webmaster, Morris Minor Forum

It will be stripped down to bits, and then rebuilt. Rust is a huge issue here, its filthy, and it actually runs, but poorly. Hoping it will be delivered next month. Too dangerous to drive it the 200 kilometres it needs to travel and its not insured, so once the deal is done and I have the paperwork will get a hauler to do the job and then the longer job begins.

It runs?? Remarkable!
If you have a camera or phone that can take video, I would love to see it running before you take it apart.
Just post the link here after uploading to Youtube or Vimeo, if you care to share!

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Webmaster, Morris Minor Forum

I'm going to see it again probably around Mid March, will try get it to run, or atleast fire up. We turned the engine but it wouldn't take since it did not have petrol and I had a diesel pickup so that was a bust. This was just an initial site visit. Once we agree on the price, then we can take our liberties.

Then I run into an Italian designer called Lorenzo, and his work, and decided to break the bank a bit more and splash out on a fancier Italian design attached to Tyler Gibson's design. Probably the worst way to go, since I'm a bit more confused, but its a one off thing so cool beans.

Car arrives in about 6 weeks, the weather plus work might complicate things a bit, but its coming.

I know I have talked this issue to death before, but I'm back to the same engine problem. Still unsure about the EJ 20 engine, still not quite right, and considering a different (better sounding) engine. Last time I ask this. Promise.

Choices which the engineer says can fit with a lot of modification

Subaru - EJ 20 or EZ30D or EZ36D

Toyota - 1JZ-GTE or 2JZ-GE

The underlined ones are my current favourites, and they work well. This is what I have available, anyone have experience with these?

Thanks.

Hi Kahenya,
My name is Murithi and this is my first post, prompted by yours. Am also a Kenya living in South Africa. Seing that you have been up and about for a minor in Kenya i thought it a good idea to hook up with you in case you might have come across more minors than you might need there at home. Am also looking for one but distance is an issue. If you have seen more cars than you need please Bro let me know so that i can obtain one with your kind assistance. My cell number is +27834863444 and e-mail, Yaunda@hotmail.com.
Thanks Kahenya.
Murithi