Alternative engines - what's been tried?

[DavidL]

What engine conversions have been a "success"?   

The context of that success is of interest as well.  For example a Ford sidevalve is no longer something you'd find stacked in the corner of the local scrap yard, its not a budget option any more.   The Climax engine tempts these days with all those fire pumps on ebay, and while it might not be the same engine you'd find in a Lotus its going to pull a bitza along nicely.  Reliants, side and ohv get mentioned.  I've heard of a Riley 9 in an Austin which is a bit exotic.  What else does or has "made sense" over the years?

[Ruairidh Dunford]

I have worked on Austin Sevens with the following engines in:

A-Series

Reliant (OHV and S/V)

Riley Nine

JAP

I have 'seen' the following used,

BAC

Cov. Climax

Big Seven

Cleone

I will probably remember more in the middle of the night!

[Mike Costigan]

I believe VAT 69 has a flat-twin ABC aero engine in it.

[merlinart]

I have worked on Austin Sevens with the following engines in:

A-Series

Reliant (OHV and S/V)

Riley Nine

JAP

I have 'seen' the following used,

BAC

Cov. Climax

Big Seven

Cleone

I will probably remember more in the middle of the night!

The fire pump Coventry Climax engines are these the FWM 654cc engines?

A Series, that would be good. Not having looked at one for yonks, would the sump need modifying much the same as on a Reliant 850? I've already trimmed a new Reliant sump.

Dare I suggest a Honda CX500 V twin? 40bhp from 48kg including gearbox, though output shaft 100mm offset to the right as one looks at from the rear. A four valve per cyl little screamer! Not been tried to my knowledge?

Arthur

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I have worked on Austin Sevens with the following engines in:

A-Series

Reliant (OHV and S/V)

Riley Nine

JAP

I have 'seen' the following used,

BAC

Cov. Climax

Big Seven

Cleone

I will probably remember more in the middle of the night!

The fire pump Coventry Climax engines are these the FWM 654cc engines?

A Series, that would be good. Not having looked at one for yonks, would the sump need modifying much the same as on a Reliant 850? I've already trimmed a new Reliant sump.

Dare I suggest a Honda CX500 V twin? 40bhp from 48kg including gearbox, though output shaft 100mm offset to the right as one looks at from the rear. A four valve per cyl little screamer! Not been tried to my knowledge?

Arthur

Should have said 50bhp from 48kg.

Arthur

[Alan]

Can add Ford 1172 and Model A, and have heard of, but not seen Harley Davidson SV,

I can’t help feeling that you need to stay in context with a period engine. Nothing against modern engines but I think I’d want to put it in a more up to date chassis.

[Ruairidh Dunford]

The vintage engine variants hold much more appeal to me personally, some wonderfully inventive builds of this ilk exist for inspiration.

[Alan]

You could always use a Ruby engine. No, not one of those, a French 1100cc sort. I believe it’s already been done.
Actually I quite fancy that idea. Imagine getting an Austin Ruby into the VSCC. Steve Jones, be prepared!!!

[Mike Costigan]

There's a Ruby chassis on eBay at the moment with a 3-cylinder Suzuki engine installation!

[Ritchie Wilson]

I bought a MkI Ruby with a 660cc Subaru Vivio (or Ace) engine in it complete with a crank-handle installation. The ship's engineer who did this was attracted to the little engine because it was a development of the A7 engine - with, perhaps, the same cylinder spacing. I have not been able to confirm this.

[DavidL]

Reliant OHV: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Austin-7-box-...Swho1artS2

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Cleone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnqU6536SEE

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A series: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/363665738641954342/ and https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/315040936414755887/

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On the old forum I can remember a special build with what I think was a honda V twin...think he took it to the Shakespeare Raceway...

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Blackburn triple: http://www.flickriver.com/photos/austin7nut/4290125289/

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I used to see this one at Wiscombe Park, FIAT: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/148407750205335201/ Did /does it have a chain drive from the back of the gearbox to the front of the offset axle?