Thread: 1959 Thames

Tear down continues. It’s a strange one.

Pulled the engine which was seized when we dragged the van out of the yard. No plugs, 30 years of sitting, no surprise.

Strip down was a dream, all bolts came out without a single issue, even the exhaust manifold.

So kept going, and then I’ve found the real problem that took the van off the road.

It looks like the head gasket went and the #2 cylinder water locked and it bent con rod and smashed the piston.

I’ve stripped the rest of the block, the rest of the pistons came out easily, the bores are pretty good, there are no gouges in the #2 bore.

As to the crank, in can only measure it at the main bearings and they are spot on, so if it’s damaged then it’s on the journals and I can’t measure that.

It’s a conundrum. This is the numbers matching original’59.

I’ve been toying with swapping the engine out for ax modern engine for drivability, but the niggle is that this is original.

Think I’ll send it to the machine shop for testing while I look and see if I can find a modern engine that will fit.

From what you are describing, there would seem to be a good case for keeping it original. But then, it is not a vehicle I would restore even in my wildest dreams, so don't pay any attention to my advice!

Modern engine? Something from Ford’s Kent series?

Originally Posted by Tins

Modern engine? Something from Ford’s Kent series?

No idea at the moment. I was initially thinking a 4 pot ford of later vintage that would fit the very tight engine bay.

Now I’m thinking something like a modern Japanese unit with an auto box

But that means engineering.

At the moment I’m scratching around for options.

What about the 2.2 litre Ford Diesel and auto out of a ranger.

Not that popular so should be reasonably priced.

Also a Landrover motor

Space….

The engine compartment is tiny. There’s a great blog by a bloke trying this very thing and he bought 3 Japanese mid 80’s mini vans and nothing fit.

The design of the exhaust manifold is the key, it’s a simple pipe with holes cut in the side that clamps in the side of the cylinder head.

I’ve a spare 2.25 and there’s no way that’s going to fit.

If anyone has an old consul, zephyr or similar engine lying about… let me know!

You could always mount an engine and box in the rear

What about a Honda Crx (83-91) B16A1

Honda make brilliant engines - being a 1.6 it’s probably small enough AND smaller displaced than the original donk? (Would that nake enguneering easier?)

That’s if the original donk is cactus.