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Re: Twin cam engine

To: mgs@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: Twin cam engine
From: Dave Quirt <quirt@sk.sympatico.ca>
Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2001 20:42:18 -0600
Rui:

Barney is right.

I got my first Twin-Cam 17 years ago without an engine. Luckily, I found
an engine quite easily and inexpensively the following year. My second
Twin-Cam came as a chassis with suspension, but no wheels, drivetrain,
or much of a body. I still don't have an engine for it, but have nearly
everything else. [Radiators, tachs, and distributors are also scarce.]
Used, rebuildable engines are available now and again (several have come
up for sale this past year), but they have been going for USD$4,500 and
up and that's too much for me when I have lots of other things to spend
my little bit of disposible cash!!

And, yes, I know of several racers who have 2 or 3 spare Twin-Cam
engines and who will NOT sell even one of them, not to mention some
other Twin-Cam-specific parts!!

Actually, a Twin-Cam without the Twin-Cam engine is essentially a MGA
deluxe in 1500 or 1600 clothing. So, even engineless it is still worth
more than comparable regular 1500/1600/1622 MGAs.

Dave Q.
YD3/1437 and YD3/1842
and other As and Bs


>From Barney Gaylord
>
>> rui gigante wrote:
>> in my search for a MG, I've found a couple of twin cam models, apparently 
>original, besides the engine .... one 1600 and one 1622. Anyone have the 
>experience (good or bad) of finding a complete twin cam engine? ....<<
>
> The Twin Cam MGA is worth about $10,000 more than the other MGA models, and 
>it's all in the engine.  Without the twin cam engine the Twin Cam MGA is worth 
>about the same as any other MGA, and a twin cam engine by itself in 
>restoreable condition is worth about $10,000.  This phenominon is the result 
>of a severe shortage of twin cam engines.  In years past many twin cam engines 
>were removed in favor of pushrod engine transplants.  Some of those engine 
>were lost or tossed.  Some vintage racers have bought up one or two loose twin 
>cam engine for spares for their race cars.  So today you end up bidding 
>against the racers for the few twin cam engines still left in circulation.  If 
>you really want a Twin Cam MGA (with the correct engine), try to buy one with 
>the engine in it.  Otherwise you should seriously try to find a twin cam 
>engine before you buy the car without one.<
>
> $.02,

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