I checked with John Sprinzel about this head (John created the
original Speedwell Engineering in England and was instrumental
in the development of the Sebring Sprite when he was at Donald
Healey Motors. He also raced and rallied bugeye sprites very
successfully!)
Here is what he had to say:
--------------------
As far as the Alexander head goes, they were a very successful
company and I believe this head was well thought of. It would
almost certainly have been designed for the 948 engine. We
didn't race against them often, because events were very much
to FIA Appendix "J" regs, and funny heads just were not allowed,
unless a hundred cars had been sold in that trim. Anyway - it's
not such a big job changing over, so what can he lose by trying
it out? Aloha John
-------------------
I also found a very brief mentionof the head in Mike Garton's book
"Tuning BMC Sports Cars" (Speed and Sport Publications Ltd, 1969).
No real help in this case I'm afraid.
This book is a good little source of info. It is a gathering of info
that was originally printed in "Cars and Car Conversions" but that
isn't as obvious as it sounds. it has chapters on 948, 1098, 1275
Spridgets, MGA, MGB, MG Transmission, Tuning the Suspension,
The 5 Bearing ('B') Engine, and tables and charts on engine and
suspension parts.
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob <Bob@itgonline.com>
To: spridgets@autox.team.net <spridgets@autox.team.net>
Date: Monday, September 14, 1998 8:45 AM
Subject: Re: Alexander (7 port cross flow) Aluminum head
> I am hoping that their is somebody on the list that knows where I can
> find info on the Alexander head I have acquired. I am interested in
> getting this head installed for the Fall weather cruising season.
>
> It is a 7 port aluminum head. Four intake ports on the right side of
> the head and 3 exhaust ports on the left. The standard LCB header
> bolts up to the left side. Were these heads designed for the small
> bore engines or the 1275? Intake manifolds, are they available?
>
> Any help or information would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Bob Magnotti
> 59 RHD 5 Speed Sprite
> Fairfax, VA
>
>
************************************************************************
>
> At 11:51 AM 9/10/98 -0400, you wrote:
> > Brian,
> >
> > As you can tell by the information below, I am trying to gather
> > information on an Alexander 7 port head. Any help or guidance
> would
> > certainly be appreciated. To date I have only found one reference
> to
> > the Alexander heads in David Vizards blue A-Series book. No real
> info
> > just a reference in his book.
> >
> > Looking at the head, it appears that it had a 1275 head gasket on
> it,
> > but I am not sure if that is the proper engine to use it on.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Bob Magnotti
> > 59 RHD 5 Speed Sprite
> > Fairfax, VA
> > bob@itgonline.com
>
>
>Subject: Re: Aluminum head
>Author: Brian Thornton <bthor@master.adams.com> at internet
>Date: 9/14/98 10:30 AM
>
>
> Bob,
>
> I had a look through all of my reference materials regarding your
Alexander
> 7 port head. The only reference I found was the same that you located.
> I've never heard of such an animal prior to this post. Sounds like you've
> located a very unusual period accessory. Good luck chasing down
information.
>
> I'm sorry I couldn't be of more assistance.
>
> Happy Healeying!
>
> Brian
>
>
> >
> >
> >______________________________ Reply Separator
> >_________________________________
> >Subject: Aluminum head
> >Author: GMari58175@aol.com at internet
> >Date: 9/9/98 6:14 PM
> >
> >
> > In a message dated 98-09-09 10:11:55 EDT, you write:
> >
> > << I recently got my hands on an Alexander, 7 port, aluminum cross flow
> > head. I believe these heads are a period piece and certainly
> > collectable but it needs quite a bit of work to bring it back to
> > usable condition. Have you any experience or knowledge about these
> > heads? If not do you know who I should contact for guidance? >>
> >
> > Hmmm, interesting and very specialized type of question. A couple of
> > suggestions.
> > 1. THere is a top shelf race engineering type of specialist named
Welsh.
> > Gave his catalog away so can't give it to you. Put the word on the list
and
> > you can get his number/address etc. Top rated from all things I have
heard/
> > 2. Try contacting Brian Thornton in Michigan. Brian is a bugeye owner
who
> > received a gold level concours at Conclave. He is also knowlegable
> regarding
> > these special tuning pieces and may be able to suggest a good shop for
> you. I
> > have cc'd Brian on this email. Other than that, I'm afraid I'm dry of
> ideas.
> > Sounds like you have a neat piece. Keep me informed
> >
> > ------ Message Header Follows ------
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> > id AA-1998Sep09.181442.1767.62260; Wed, 09 Sep 1998 18:14:42 -0400
> > Received: from GMari58175@aol.com
> > by imo26.mx.aol.com (IMOv16.1) id 8VUKa27969;
> > Wed, 9 Sep 1998 18:12:39 -0400 (EDT)
> > From: GMari58175@aol.com
> > Message-ID: <77fcd5f7.35f6fd57@aol.com>
> > Date: Wed, 9 Sep 1998 18:12:39 EDT
> > To: Bob@itgonline.com
> > Cc: bthor@master.adams.com
> > Mime-Version: 1.0
> > Subject: Aluminum head
> > Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
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> >
> >
>
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> Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1998 10:22:56 -0400
> To: Bob@itgonline.com (Bob)
> From: Brian Thornton <bthor@master.adams.com>
> Subject: Re: Aluminum head
> In-Reply-To: <1998Sep10.115008.1767.136914@smtp.itgonline.com>
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