Engine Swap Mk1 Vitesse 1966

[Steve M]

Dear all,

Does anyone have any experience of swapping out the 1600 straight six for either a 2000 or 2500 six? can the same gearbox (with overdrive) be used, engine mounts, back plate, sump clearance issue etc etc?

 

Any help appreciated

 

Steve

[Pete Lewis]

any Mk 1 will be straight swap , a mk2 is same but all manifolds need replacing,  

all ancilliaries like needles and carb specs together with dizzy  curve/vac will need replacing  to suit.

2.5 will strip the gearbox which is already stretched to its limit 

 

if the 1600 three rail has crash on first then up it to a 3 rail 4 synchro. with a HC prefix  or get an upgrade from Mr Papworth

 

you need to also check the diff output shafts are to the latest diameter,  early ones could shear on 4.11  diffs   3.89 > would be better

 

Pete

[Steve M]

Thanks Pete,

the answer I'd hoped for and good info re the gearbox and diff

cheers

Steve

[Pete Lewis]

just to add the 2ltr be it mk1 or mk2 will have the diaphragm clutch so you need a longer throwout carrier than the coil clutch on the 1600

unless its been updated at some time .

 

Pete

[willis]

hello everyone,  does anybody know if it's possible to refit the engine in my Vitesse without removing the bonnet?                                                                                                                                                Any help will be most welcome.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Regards, Rob

[68vitesse]

I have a MK1 2Lt Vitesse and have removed the engine, gearbox with overdrive in one lump without removing the bonnet but it is tight. It depends on your lift equipment as the unit has to be rotated near the vertical.

Picture unit as removed.

Regards

Paul

[AndyTV8]

It can be done, but to be honest, it is sooo much easier with the bonnet off - as long as you have 2pairs of hands it would be an odd choice to leave it on.

...... Andy 

[68vitesse]

While I agree it would be easier with the bonnet off, you will have the electrics to all the front lights to disconnect and reconnect and realign the bonnet which can be a right pain. 

I have an I beam across a double garage with a rolling trolley a one ton chain hoist and a load leveller, would not try it without these.

All comes down to what equipment you are going to use.

Regards

Paul

[dave.vitesse]

Once the engine, not with gearbox, is lifted clear of the wheels if you then turn it through 90 deg you can then very carefully roll the engine crane out sideways with the bonne left in place. But be careful.

The 1600 diff may not like the extra torque of the 2 Litre. I would also consider fitting 2 Litre front brakes and master cylinder.

Dave

[Colin Lindsay]

This may be the Ulster way of doing things, but when I refitted the engine and gearbox in my GT6, I actually found it easier to move the car around the assembly while it hung from a hoist about three feet off the ground - just high enough to clear the wheels. I was able to move the front of the car about on a well-positioned trolley jack and raise / lower the car around the engine, rather than the other way about. This way, with the front of the car raised and the whole thing at an angle, the gearbox will slip through the bulkhead aperture - it's harder with the car level.

 I'm well used to one-man operations; I removed and refitted the 1200 bonnet on my own, resting it on an old quilt thrown over the front of the bulkhead and engine until it was bolted into place and could then be adjusted. Needs must...

[dave.vitesse]

Colin, I guess we all use what's available to its best advantage.

Dave 

[willis]

Quote

 

Hello all,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                thanks for the feedback on fitting the engine into my Vitesse with the bonnet in place. It's not connected to the gearbox so hopefully it should be possible. I agree that removing the bonnet first and then putting it back on and trying to line it up again would be a nightmare so I think I'll leave it on, especially as it's such a good fit at the moment. Thanks again everyone.       Regards,  Rob

[dougbgt6]

I've had the bonnet off my GT6 twice. I thought it quite easy, just one connector for the lights (If I recall).  Realignment was simples. But, it might be different on a Vitesse. 

Doug

[AndyTV8]

I used to have the bonnet off my Heralds pretty regularly, as you say, couple of connectors, disconnect the stay and whip out the pivot bolts (while holding it) - never had any problems with alignment when putting it back together either.

....... Andy