[ClintK]

Originally Posted by Bottomfeeder

You're describing the connection to the tranny exactly as I have it planned. I'm also going to put a plate on the rear of the motor to help hold it up. I'm going to use the old motor mounts for attachment points. It's pretty straightforward, as far as I can tell.

Your machinist friend will be a very handy person to know!

Definitely. He and I were looking at how to support the engine, and we were also looking at the old mounts. The current idea is to attach a metal cradle between the two old attachment points that has a 6.7" (or 8" depending on the motor) diameter bend for the motor to rest on. Then add a tight strap that runs over the top of the motor connected to the cradle. That won't stop any rotation from the torque generated by the motor but that should be handled by the plate fixed to the transmission.

Opinions? Should I be careful to not have the motor support too rigid? Does it need some flex for vibration / bumps in the road or the tighter the better?

[Bottomfeeder]

I would definitely use the old rubber engine mounts (or buy new ones). I believe that you'd want to keep the drivetrain just slightly floating on the rubber to absorb bumps and turns. Both sides of the WarP motors have bolt holes, but I'm sure that's not true for all motors in general. Using a a cradle and strap method will probably be sufficient for you.

Good luck!

[xrotaryguy]

Originally Posted by ClintK

Someone else mentioned painting the engine bay. I should do it... maybe a project for this weekend? Any suggestions on waterproofing? I've got some ideas but just curious what other people were thinking.

Painting the engine compartment is a decent idea. We don't get much rust here in Phoenix, but then Spitifres are notorious for being rust buckets.

However, be warned that properly refinishing an engine compartment is a major PITA. Degreasing a British car's engine compartment is like cleaning up after the Exxon Valdez, and sanding an engine compartment (which is necessary before any paint work) is not easy.

If you decide not to repaint the engine compartment you could still consider sealing some of the pinch welds. I'm not sure, but it doesn't seem like Triumph applied much in the way of seam sealer. I recall watching water pour in through a weld at the bottom of the bulk head on my car while I was hosing out the engine compartment. I also remember driving through a large puddle and having my feet get wet. British cars...

I was originally planning on keeping the clutch, but after seeing how complex it will be to manufacture I'm going to scrap it.

I agree! The clutches on these cars are weak anyway. Mine broke into two pieces while I was accelerating in 3rd gear. The months that followed replacing the clutch, rebuilding the transmission (it was grinding badly into 2nd) and waiting for parts, more parts, the correct parts, and more parts convinced me to sell the car. I would not recommend using the clutch.

xrotaryguy,
Thanks for the heads up. The wiki/forums mention "modern transmission have synchros that help shift gears smoothly without the clutch". Is a 1978 Spitfire transmission considered modern? I've done clutchless shifting with an ICE before (and grinded quite a few gears), but I figure I can do that if Spitfires don't have synchros.

Depending on the performance of the L91-4003, I'm wondering if I can pull off all driving (forward & reverse) in just 2nd and just use the motor's reverse instead of the tranny. If that works out maybe I can just get a simple single-gear gearbox and scrap the transmission altogether. (I probably can't do that and reach highway speeds with that motor though.)

The transmission that I rebuilt had lots of wear. I think it had been apart once already too judging by how some of the parts were from a later model car. So basically the transmission had been disassembled twice for one reason or another in only 80k miles. That is extremely bad. I have never dealt with such a poor quality transmission. I highly recommend using a Japanese transmission. They're lighter and stronger.

Your 78 Spit does have synchros... just not very good ones You should be able to do all of your driving in 2nd gear until you get on the freeway, so maybe you don't need to worry... but I would.

[Deekman]

Originally Posted by xrotaryguy

...I highly recommend using a Japanese transmission. They're lighter and stronger....

Can you think of a RWD trans that is readily available?

I'm not into Japanese cars at all... even my Mazda is disguised with blue ovals...

I thought all Japanese cars (not trucks) were FWD?

I'm not in love with my gearbox; any change to get some weight off is attractive to me!

-Deek

[PatricioIN]

fyi.. miatas are rwd and transmissions are readily available...

[92 Escort EV]

Originally Posted by tywhitaker

Hello:
Also doing a Spitfire with the FB1-4001. My question for you guys.

Where do I go for the adapter hardware?
What is the magic number (I never had the engine)?

Thanks for the help.

Ty

The "magic number" is refering to the distance from the mating surface of the engine and the transmission, to the rearmost surface of the flywheel. This dimension is needed to make a custom adaptor plate, and properly place the hub on the motor. You just need to duplicate what the engine was if you are using the stock transmission. This is covered on page 35 of "Convert It" by Michael P. Brown. If you are using a different transmission and no clutch/flywheel, then you can just work out the spacing yourself.

Clint, The project is looking good!

Brian.

[ClintK]

Thanks for all the tips guys!

Brian,
When I'm done I'll have to repay that ride you gave me!

[xrotaryguy]

Aaw no fair, you got a ride in Brian's Escort before I did.

Welcome to the forums Brian

[ClintK]

Originally Posted by xrotaryguy

Aaw no fair, you got a ride in Brian's Escort before I did.

Welcome to the forums Brian

Uh oh, maybe I wasn't supposed to say anything.

[spitzy68e]

Hi another spit conversion,(I HOPE) What have overall total cost estimates been,anyone courageous out there,o.k. one quote for wife,different one for us is o.k.spitzy68e(electric)