31-03-2022, 11:11 AM
From the little I've seen of the marketplace, any period larger capacity motorbike engine is going to be seriously expensive. If you just want to have fun with your car, a Honda CX500 or the 650 version shouldn't break the bank. IIRC correctly, back when they were new, the CX was known as 'the plastic maggot' due to their (lack of) styling. Having said that, they were one of the most popular bikes with motorcycle couriers; so they were clearly reliable over high mileages. Is your 'fore and aft' twin shaft drive? if it's chain drive, sorting out the driveline could involve a lot of work.
If you're looking an alternative car engine, I have seen a Riley 9 motor fitted in an A7 special; probably won't be easy to find a good one at a sensible price though. Way back when, Austin 7 specials were just home built sports cars that happened to use a lot of A7 running gear. The 1172cc Ford 10 engine was a popular swap then. Although they were made until the early 60's this motor dates back to the 1930s, so could be considered 'period' although the VSCC will probably spurn them forever. The earlier E93A unit has just under 30 BHP with the original 'lawnmower' carb and iron exhaust manifold. A bit of simple tuning will bring the power up to 40 BHP+
A fair few recently built A7 specials have used the 750/850 OHV Reliant motor -obviously not 'period' but it's a light, compact (relatively) high revving motor that easily fits in an A7 chassis and will work well with the A7 factory final drive ratio.
If you're looking an alternative car engine, I have seen a Riley 9 motor fitted in an A7 special; probably won't be easy to find a good one at a sensible price though. Way back when, Austin 7 specials were just home built sports cars that happened to use a lot of A7 running gear. The 1172cc Ford 10 engine was a popular swap then. Although they were made until the early 60's this motor dates back to the 1930s, so could be considered 'period' although the VSCC will probably spurn them forever. The earlier E93A unit has just under 30 BHP with the original 'lawnmower' carb and iron exhaust manifold. A bit of simple tuning will bring the power up to 40 BHP+
A fair few recently built A7 specials have used the 750/850 OHV Reliant motor -obviously not 'period' but it's a light, compact (relatively) high revving motor that easily fits in an A7 chassis and will work well with the A7 factory final drive ratio.