Having some experience with the Series IV Alpine in an engine retrofit
project car, I can tell you some of the pit falls of converting to the
Buick 215 Aluminum V-8 (I still have my engine in the garage!).
The engine will fit nicely in the compartment, much better that the
Ford engine did/does. However, you will not be ablel to retain the
Stock Alpine steering. You will have to convert it over to the Tiger's
Rack and Pinion set up. This will be much easier than trying to
relocate the stock steering box. It's a great engine, but it's a pain
to do the swap. A forward mounted V-6 should overcome this problem as
would the Wankle Rotary.
You didn't mention how much the car was, but I would suggest that it
better be pretty cheap from the condition that you described!
Rich.
>----------
>From: clements(at)accessnv.com[SMTP:Chris.Clements(at)bighorn.accessnv.com]
>Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 1996 9:13 AM
>To: alpines(at)autox.team.net
>Subject: RUSTFREE! Alpine Series IV Rolling Chassis
>
>Hello all, I'm considering purchasing a virtually rustfree Alpine
>rolling
>chassis here in Boulder City, Nevada, USA.
>
>Would you all please help me by giving me your knowledgable opinions
>regarding my potential purchase?
>
>The series IV has sat outside here in a storage lot, and as many of you
>know,
>Nevada is a virtually rust free state (sorry all you wet weather folks)
>and as far
>as I can tell after close inspection this car is structurally very
>sound.
>
>However, all rubber (except for tires which have some life left in
>them) w
>will need replaced.
>
>It has seats that need reupholstered, and all interior cloth, rag top
>dashcover, etc
>will need replaced. Steering wheel needs replaced. Guages need
>painted and a
>new dash is in order, however I should be able to make a new one using
>the old as a template.
>
>I helped Albert, (the Owner) remove the engine and tranny which was an
>automatic, and noticed
>that the rear freeze plug was leaking. He will be taking the auto
>trans and leaving me a 4 speed
>with promises of sending me an overdrive tranny of unknown condition
>upon his return to Ohio, USA.
>He will be giving me a flywheel to mate with the 4 speed tranny, and a
>distributor. I have the original coil.
>He will be sending a starter.
>He also has in Ohio a Series V engine that has been bored out and
>rebuit and has yet to be assembled but
>this engine will cost me additional $.
>It has the original carbs, minus some linkage, exhaust manifold and
>pipes in excellent condition.
>The ragtop frame is in excellent shape, just no cloth.
>
>My questions are these:
>
>Should I try and buy the Series V engine and if so how much is
>reasonable?
>What does the leaking freeze plug on the Series IV mean?
>How much does it cost to have an overdrive tranny rebuilt
>professionally and how much are kits?
>Should I bother with the original engines at all, ie would putting in a
>higher performance, non stock engine
>be better? My thoughts on this are Buick Grand National V-6 Turbo,
>Street ported Mazda Rotary, Aluminum
>Block V-8 (such as out of a Buick Wildcat).
>
>Please let me know what you you think.
>
>clements(at)accessnv.com
>
>
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