Well, in my exploits of trying to do this very thing, I determined that
the Alpine would have to be fitted with a custom made radiator possible
mounted on the front side of the Bulkhead. The buick waterpump shaft
does stick out a ways. Since cumstom radiators are no stranger to
Tigers wanting better cooling, the expense is is feasable. And since
the Stock Alpine steering is much better than the Tigers, I think this
is a reasonable trade off. The Aluminum V-8 powered Alpine would still
handle better then the Tiger. In my Opinion. The Tiger would quicker
out of the hole (assuming the same gearing) due to its extra torque, but
the Alpine would pass it by in top speed due to the Higher Revs of the
215 at 9,500 max RPM (Built for racing using the boat racers specs.
They turn them 9,000 all season long and 9,500 during the finals at each
event.!!!). The Alpine would also be a lot easier on tires (normal
driving) becuase the stock steering does not scrub the tires like the
Tiger does.
Rich
>----------
>From: marrone@wco.com[SMTP:marrone@wco.com]
>Sent: Monday, June 24, 1996 11:57 PM
>To: Keith Bradshaw; tigers@autox.team.net
>Subject: Re: Re[2]: New Thread (was REALLY, REALLY SMALL...)
>
>
>
>> As for weight...I could lift the Alpine engine (w/o head) out of the
>>Alpine,
>> and set it on a fender before I climbed out....the V-8's even without
>heads
>> were very heavy with a thick crank and eight pistons.
>>
>> I don't think the Buick V8 was lighter than just about any 4 cylinder
>>around,
>> except for Pontiac Tempest's 194 c.i. slant four ,which was half of the
>389 V8.
>
>My info says Tempest slant 4 is 470lbs (yikes!).
>
>>
>> My guess was the Alpine engine full up was 180 lbs and the V8's full
>>up were
>> 300 lbs.
>
>The word on the street is that the MGBV8 swap results in a lighter car.
>Figures I have show the Buick 215 at 320lbs and the Leyland 1800 at
>335.
>The 1800 has a cast head so I wouldn't be surprised if the Alpine mill
>is a
>bit lighter than the Leyland but its not 155lbs lighter. The engine
>weight
>list I have is mostly 'mericun 'arn and some race car motors but there
>are a
>few exotics and imports. The 215 is lighter than some fours on the
>list and
>heavier than others but it isn't one sided.
>
>I'd agree that the 289/302 (at 460lbs) is a nice light, compact
>package. In
>a practical sense the Ford has far greater HP potential because of the
>availability and lower cost of performance goodies (at least here in
>the
>States).
>
>Could you retain the Alpine steering, as someone suggested, because the
>lighter aluminum engine is not such a liability far forward in the bay?
>Those Buick and Rover V8s are pretty long but so are the Fords and
>Miles got
>a Ford to fit by using electric fans in front of the radiator. I think
>the
>only thing for it would be for someone out there to try it and let us
>all
>know how it goes!
>
>Frank Marrone MK I Tiger B9471116
>marrone@wco.com 1966 LTD
> Series I Alpine (2.3L powered by Ford)
> Yamaha Seca 900
>
>
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