Rootes Group members!
Well the euphoria from the acquisition of my '53 Alpine has quickly
dissipated recently as I removed the motor to find out what was causing a
hard to determine rattling noise and to replace the valve guides and valves
(if I could locate exhaust).
The noise was caused by the cam chain tensioner was
partially broken and installed 180 deg. from where it should be and rubbing
on the bottom of crank sprocket and providing no tensioning whatsoever. This
can be easily replaced, no problem.
While measuring the crank, pistons and cylinders, I was surprised to
find the bores running in the 2.95" range instead of the 3.1867" range that I
was expecting for the Alpine MK IIA engine. Guess what? The original motor
has been replaced with one from a Sunbeam Talbot 90 (not the II or IIA), and
is the ~1980 version, the predecessor of the 2267cc model.
So I have to make a decision whether to rebuild and re-install this
smaller engine or search for the proper engine for the Alpine Mk I.
Personally I'm leaning heavily to bring this beautiful auto back to its
original configuration and would like to locate a reasonably sound 2267cc
engine. Any leads, preferably in the eastern U.S. or Canada would be greatly
appreciated.
BTW, the outside appearances of both engines are identical, crank,
camshaft, other than the HC head on the later MK IIA's are also
interchangeable so about the only way to distinguish them is through the
casting pattern numbers or individual motor numbers. Can anyone supply a list
of the engine numbers for the two sizes of engines? Is this available from
S.T.A.R.?
I was considering just boring out the engine I have to a diameter of
3.1867" but after removing a core plug and measuring the distance between the
outside of the cylinders (in the coolant jacket) and between the inside of
the cylinders (taking into account the present wear), there would be only
about 0.118" thick cylinder wall (just under 1/8") which is I feel is
insufficient thickness. I was hoping that the casting was the same as the
2267cc but just bored smaller but this does not seem to be the case. It
appears that the pattern for the cylinder area was enlarged for the larger
diameter.
Sorry to be so wordy and hope I can obtain some wisdom from the
group on my problem.
Regards,
Bob
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Name: Bob Hamilton, Waverley, Nova Scotia, Canada
E-mail: Bob Hamilton <rhamilto(at)fox.nstn.ns.ca>
Date: 01/13/95 | 1953 Sunbeam Alpine MK I
Time: 12:49:41 | 1954 Sunbeam Talbot MK IIA, D.H. Coupe
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