jwp@sdchema.UUCP (John Pierce) (06/20/83)
A friend of mine had a 1961 Midget (very similar to the Sprite once you get
the hood up). He finally managed to solve most of its problems by removing
the engine, clutch, transmission, drive shaft, and rear end, and replacing
them with their Mazda (rotary-type) counterparts (though, for some reason he
refuses to divulge, he left in most of the Lucas electrics).
I recently bought it from him and can testify that this works very nicely to
eliminate some of the more annoying idiosyncracies these cars tend to have.
There are several not-too-happy local Porsche-types who can also attest to the
efficacy of this solution ...
For those with somewhat larger vehicles (e.g. normal (sic) MGs, Spitfires,
GT-6s, Super 7s, the small Facel-Vega) he has another solution that involves
the use of a 2.2 (I believe) Ford 6, a Toyota 5-speed, and a Datsun rear end
and suspension ... For those with a truly strong desire to keep Corvette
drivers, and others of their ilk, at a really respectful distance there is
this lovely little turbo for the Ford ...
John Pierce, Chemistry, UC San Diego
{ucbvax, philabs}!sdcsvax!sdchema!jwpberry@zinfandel.UUCP (06/30/83)
#R:sdchema:-60500:zinfandel:3200031:000:329 zinfandel!berry Jun 28 13:41:00 1983 I once read that the Ford 289 V-8 (WITH transmission & clutch) fits very nicely into the big Healys and weighs about 250 pounds less that the 6 that comes out... you need a custom driveshaft and some fitments for engine mounts is all. Vroom! Berry Kercheval Zehntel Inc. (decvax!sytek!zehntel!zinfandel!berry) (415)932-6900