Neat, John you stirred up some chatter!!
I knew there would be some differences of opinion. Rolands
2 laws are good ones and I always abide by number 2 but on
the Alpine I think I might slide a bit on number one.
The point about parts availability is a good one. My
motor in my Alpine (not original BTW) is already at
.030 over rods and .040 over mains. I might get by
with new .040 main bearings if I could find them (only
size not stocked by Rick) so it looks as if I need to grind for
.050" if I want to do the mains. After that new crank time!!
Rather than spend the money to freshen up a questionable
performer like the Series I thru IV engine I think my
long term solution is to go with a 2300 pinto motor ala
Alcala only NA instead of turbo (greatly simplifies the
swap).
I have no problem with permanent mods to my Alpines
mechanicals. Anything to keep it on the road and allow
long trips with confidance. I firmly
believe in original appearance elsewhere. You won't be
able to tell that my car is non-stock from the outside.
I really like the original Rootes interiors, etc.
The Tiger will be my anal Rootes faithful restoration
(uh except for whats inside the motor, you won't guess
and I'm not telling, Roland and a few others might be able
to guess). No butchering unless you can't tell (like
those puny exhaust holes in the frame need to be bigger)
and I will keep every rotted bit that I don't use on the car.
As John(?) mentioned my Alpine is for fun while I
work on the Tiger (you do believe me don't you).
Even if I sold the Tiger (never?) I wouldn't be going
for originality. They are just too archaic for
the type of use I intend.
BTW is a '65 Mustang then just a butchered Falcon?
Frank Marrone at marrone(at)optilink.dsccc.com
1965 Sunbeam Tiger B9471116
1960 Sunbeam Alpine Series I B9009330
1966 Ford LTD 4-door family barge.
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