Don't know about the Gemini, but the Bellett engine is closely based on the
Minx family engine to the point where Bellett owners have been known to use
Rootes gaskets. It was available as a twin cam too, but this seems to be a
very difficult engine to get hold of.
Russ Maddock
----- Original Message -----
From: V.Hughes <v.hughes@student.canberra.edu.au>
To: <jumpinjan@sunbeamalpine.org>
Cc: <alpines@autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2000 3:04 PM
Subject: Alpine Engine conversions
> Jan
>
> I was reading Ian's September article on your Quad4 conversion.
> Something that has been in my mind for a while now is that Rootes cars
> were (I believe) once made under licence in Japan by the Isuzu
> company. In the same way that, for example, Nissan made Austins under
> licence. Now I have heard it said that when Nissan started making their
> own cars the engines bore more than a superficial resemblance to
> BMC/Austins 'A' series, and I know that - at least in this country - the
> "Nissan-motor-into-a-Morris Minor" conversion is popular and apparently
> straightforward (Morris Minors having been fitted with the 'A' series).
>
> Now Isuzu made some reasonable OHC/DOHC motors in the 1600-2000 engine
> size (eg the Gemini engine of the 1970-80s - sold in the US as a
> Chevette I believe). It's possible that they may resemble the Rootes
> 1600 in important areas such as engine mount location and bellhousing
> design etc. I wonder if anyone has any experience with fitting one of
> these to an Alpine?
>
> Before all you purists shriek in horror, I have already rebuilt my SIII
> Alpine 1600 and have no intention of attempting this swap ... well not
> just yet anyway....
>
> Cheers
>
>
> Vic Hughes
>
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