Different engine - important?

[crankedup]

I am considering the purchase of a 1960's camper van, good condition but has a Morris sherpa van petrol engine of 1800cc installed. When new it would have had a smaller BMC petrol engine of around 1500cc.
Installation of engine was when the vehicle was ground up restored in 2002.
A s vintage enthusiast I like matching numbers but is this a point that I should be less concerned about in this vehicle in your opinions. Thanks.

[Riley Blue]

In any mass produced vehicle I don't think matching numbers matter, it certainly wouldn't bother me.

[dryden]

In my opinion the 1800CC engine is a definite bonus on a camper, I assume it is a J2? Pretty underpowered when loaded up with the 1500, and it would use more petrol. The engine is identical to look at, has more torque, and less stressed.
I have a Bedford CF camper which is soon to have a Rover V8........

[crankedup]

Thanks for input, yes its a J2 fitted with the Paralian camper body.

Some 25 years back I had a CF Bedford fitted with a V6 engine, very nice to drive and surprised many people.

[Sardonicus]

Riley Blue said:

In any mass produced vehicle I don't think matching numbers matter, it certainly wouldn't bother me.

+1 another 300cc .... bonus

[jith]

crankedup said:

I am considering the purchase of a 1960's camper van, good condition but has a Morris sherpa van petrol engine of 1800cc installed. When new it would have had a smaller BMC petrol engine of around 1500cc.
Installation of engine was when the vehicle was ground up restored in 2002.
A s vintage enthusiast I like matching numbers but is this a point that I should be less concerned about in this vehicle in your opinions. Thanks.

Crankedup, the 1800 engine is that used in the MGB and other BL products. The biggest advantage it has over the 1500 block is that it has a 5 bearing crank as opposed to a 3 in the 1500. This makes it much smoother and reliable and will take a lot of abuse. It also has a great deal more torque, which is handy for a van.

I personally seriously rate the 1800 engine. Externally of course, it looks almost identical to the 1500. If properly maintained it will last a long time and is a great workhorse. I would keep it.

J

[john2443]

If anyone wants to change it back it's an easy change - it's not like they've had to cut anything to make it fit.

On a top price classic/racer where part of the price is dependent on the authenticity I would worry about matching numbers but for this I wouldn't.

When I drove 1800 Sherpas in the 70s they weren't overpowered so I can't imagine how awful a loaded up camper with a 1500 is, I'd go for the 1800 and as others have said, they're visually the same so no-one except a complete BMC nerd would spot the difference.

[crankedup]

Thank you Jith and John2443, some good practical advise and along with other posters has put my mind at ease on the issue.
My assumption is that spare parts for the engine and transmission would be relatively easy to find?

[MoggieMinor]

The 1800 B Series is one of the toughest engines ever made. Look at how many MGBs are still around. It does perform well, 1800cc Marinas scared the crap out of anyone brave enough to push one a bit too far... The 1489cc is fine in cars like the Wolseley 1500 but would struggle in a J2 camper. Its probably had that engine fitted for years. If it runs happily I'd keep it.

[crankedup]

Thanks for input, spares reasonable to get hold of I assume?

[Slidingpillar]

MoggieMinor said:

The 1800 B Series is one of the toughest engines ever made. Look at how many MGBs are still around. It does perform well, 1800cc Marinas scared the crap out of anyone brave enough to push one a bit too far...

Too right, the 1300 Marina I owned had such abysmal handling the thought of more power in that chassis was enough to make one hide!

[Riley Blue]

I've an early 1800 from a MGB sitting in my garage awaiting rebuild for my second Riley 1.5; should be pretty swift, my other one (standard aprt from the head and exhaust) is no slouch.

[onomatopoeia]

MoggieMinor said:

The 1800 B Series is one of the toughest engines ever made. Look at how many MGBs are still around. It does perform well, 1800cc Marinas scared the crap out of anyone brave enough to push one a bit too far...

Having owned an 1800cc Marina (in "Sandglow") as my first car, with the fantastic cart spring rear suspension and lever arm dampers at the front, your assessment is correct. It's not that the engine is particularly powerful, but the handling of the car was terrible and even the power from the 1300cc A series was more than enough for it.