Triumph motor in Series 3?

[Llessur]

Bit of a random wondering and it's not particularly something I'm thinking of doing, but has anyone ever heard of a series conversion using a Triumph 2000/2500 six cylinder unit?

At first glance the block dimensions and mounting points are pretty similar to the Rover lump. Was just curious as to whether it's ever been tried.

[V8Ian]

Never heard of it, but it would be an interesting conversion, particularly with the 2.5 PI, if the rest of the drive train could cope.

[sharmy]

I've never heard of that conversion either, but I recon it would be brilliant especially the 2.5 tc model, the pi was always hard to start but went like a rocket. Much much better than the old rover 6 and you wouldn't have carry around a box of exhaust valves with you. They started life as the Vanguard 6 and as far as I know were a reliable engine.

[Tins]

IIRC it was a smooth engine, in both 2000 and 2500. Sharmy is correct, it was used in the Guards Van, but they upped the compression layer.

As for the drivetrain, it handled the Red motor ok if the conversion was done properly. My nephew had, probably still does, a IIA ex Army Ambulance with a 302 Windsor in it. No idea if that conversion lasted, but it worked.

[Llessur]

I just thought it might be an interesting project - especially as I've got a couple of spare 2500 blocks sitting in the shed. Sadly I'm lacking the Series 3 to put it in [smilebigeye]

[Tins]

Sadly I'm lacking the Series 3 to put it in [smilebigeye]

I have a Series 3 I will be selling soon. Needs an engine.[bigwhistle]

[Llessur]

I have a Series 3 I will be selling soon. Needs an engine.[bigwhistle]

Do you mind clearing it with my wife first? I'm scared to ask.

[V8Ian]

Do you mind clearing it with my wife first? I'm scared to ask.
It's easier to get forgiveness than permission. [bigwhistle]

[Tins]

It's easier to get forgiveness than permission. [bigwhistle]

Hasn't been my experience. Acceptance is as close as I ever got.

[Llessur]

I'd take a solemn acceptance. I feel I'm walking a fine line between a healthy pastime and divorce.

[Tins]

I'd take a solemn acceptance. I feel I'm walking a fine line between a healthy pastime and divorce.

Yeah, but you'd have a cool S3...[bigrolf]

189349

Doesn't look quite like that now...

[Llessur]

Every cloud!

I'm not sure I'm really up for an engine swap though - the last one I took out has been on an engine stand undergoing the world's slowest rebuild for nearly five years now. I do keep tripping over the Triumph lumps though and wondering what I'll eventually do with them...

[V8Ian]

I've never heard of that conversion either, but I recon it would be brilliant especially the 2.5 tc model, the pi was always hard to start but went like a rocket. Much much better than the old rover 6 and you wouldn't have carry around a box of exhaust valves with you. They started life as the Vanguard 6 and as far as I know were a reliable engine.
We're they SUs?

[Tins]

We're they SUs?

Yes, or the Stromberg version. I saw a few back then and they had the Strombergs.

[Llessur]

I think the early non-PI cars were all twin Strombergs but they changed to twin SUs at some point in the mid 70s. There was a 2000 MD produced for a limited time which had triple Strombergs. My cars have all had the SUs.

[Tins]

There was a 2000 MD produced for a limited time which had triple Strombergs. .


Triumph XU-1

[Llessur]

Can't beat the look of triple carbies on a straight six :)

[Tins]

Can't beat the look of triple carbies on a straight six :)

Oh, I don't know....

189395

[Graeme]

Fiat? But what body?

[TonyC]

Oh, I don't know....

189395

I wonder how many people are around that could still tune that?

Tony

[Tins]

I wonder how many people are around that could still tune that?

Tony

I used to do mine, and I had points to do as well. Dunno how I'd go today though. I'll bet there are a few. Plenty of enthusiasts for those lovely Lampredi Twin Cam FIATs around.

EDIT: I'd like to see the way the pipes on those extractors go nearer the collector. Those engines don't like unbalanced exhausts. The later Lancia ones ( my last one was a L 2000 ) were almost square and weren't so touchy, but the FIAT 1.6 was. Can't tell what that one in the pic is.

[Graeme]

I had a 125 with race camshafts, a single 42mm s/d Weber and extractors. When a mate sold his 125S he removed his milder camshafts and twin Strombergs that came from a Dino so I got his camshafts which were much more useful, coming on song at a much lower 3200 rpm. It was a pity that the valve clearance discs wore through the hardening in no time.

[Tins]

It was a pity that the valve clearance discs wore through the hardening in no time.

I used to collect those from the wreckers. But yes, the hardening was sus.

The Lancia 2 Litre in my last AC was much more torquey. I've had 1.4 ACs that revved like mad but didn't have much oomph. Had a BC with a 132 1800 in it with some slightly worked cams and twin downdraughts. It went well and was still quite tractable down low. Until it broke a timing belt..... My bad.

The Kiwis got the good 125s new. Dunno why we didn't get them as well.

I have an AC down the back which is way more rust than it is car. Sad really. Fun cars.

[Graeme]

Were there 2 versions of the 125S?

[Tins]

Were there 2 versions of the 125S?

Yes. NZ got the hot one, 125T. I Think they actually did them there. In true Italian fashion there were odd models from Zagato etc.

[Graeme]

I read that NZ modified the 125S themselves until Fiat got wind of what they were doing then Fiat stopped supplying.

[Tins]

I read that NZ modified the 125S themselves until Fiat got wind of what they were doing then Fiat stopped supplying.

Wouldn't surprise me. They probably wanted the quick ones to be the 124 Sport Coupés. Not that the ACs were quick. 1400 single carb. And only a four speed. Still the pick of the bunch though. Course, mine had a Lancia Beta engine and a five spd in it. It was quick, but the rust was quicker.

[Graeme]

I remember hearing about people fitting the Lancia engines.
I thought Alfas were the rust kings.

[gromit]

I remember hearing about people fitting the Lancia engines.
I thought Alfas were the rust kings.

Lancia were replacing cars due to rust in the UK back in the 80's/90's. They then sent the cars to the crusher.
When the public found out, sales dived and they ended up pulling completely out of the UK.

Alfa were also rust buckets due to the rock salt used on UK roads in winter.

I remember mention of 'Russian steel' but never confirmed this was true.


Colin

[Tins]

I remember hearing about people fitting the Lancia engines.

Pretty much bolt straight in once you lose the FWD paraphernalia. Need to watch the bell housing though. Some 124s and 125s had smaller flywheels. The bigger engines, like the 132 and Lancia would bolt in ok but no way could you turn them over.


I thought Alfas were the rust kings.

Both were bad, along with Lancia. Alfa made a big deal about galvanising later cars, which helped a bit sales wise. Fiat just withdrew from the market here, apart from some forays with things like the Croma.

[Tins]

I remember mention of 'Russian steel' but never confirmed this was true.


Colin

My understanding is that that was a myth. Probably connected with Fiat licensing Lada. The Italians simply did absolutely no rustproofing whatsoever. Sad really, because some of the cars were lovely. I'd have a 124 AC Sport, or a 105 GTV again for sure, except good ones are fetching more than I can afford, possibly due to the rarity of rust free examples.

[jerryd]

It's easier to get forgiveness than permission. [bigwhistle]

Guess what Ian [bigwhistle] [bigwhistle]

[V8Ian]

Guess what Ian [bigwhistle] [bigwhistle]
You're still struggling for forgiveness? [bigrolf]
You are what is, in criminal parlance, referred to as a habitual offender. [tonguewink]
Look what followed me home dear, an MG TC, a Lada, a Wolsely, a Defender or three, a green Ford, need I go on? [bighmmm]

[jerryd]

You're still struggling for forgiveness? [bigrolf]
You are what is, in criminal parlance, referred to as a habitual offender. [tonguewink]
Look what followed me home dear, an MG TC, a Lada, a Wolsely, a Defender or three, a green Ford, need I go on? [bighmmm]

[bigrolf][bigrolf] Watch this space