Jarrid,
I do not recommend changing iron head engines to alloy heads, for use in
an Audax body. Compared to an Alpine, the engine is located 4" further
forward in relation to the front crossmember in an Audax (Minx/Gazelle) car.
The lower 'A' arm rear swivel-pin bushing nut and the starter motor are 4"
closer to eachother: this leaves precious little room for a single downpipe
to pass. If a common 2-outlet exhaust manifold like for a series 5 Alpine
was used, it would be very difficult to fabricate the two downpipes and pass
them thru this gap. The starter motor would not be removable, without first
removing the exhaust downpipes.
Like a fool, I tried and finally succeeded in doing this many years ago
and later found one exception that simplifies everything: if by chance
someone has a supply of Rapier series 2, single outlet exhaust manifolds, it
can be done easily. My machinist installs hardened seats and
(metallurgically) modern silicon-aluminum-bronze valve guides with REAL seals
on Rootes iron heads. When finished, the heads are ready for whatever the
EPA sends us for fuel in the future.
Jim Leach, Seattle
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