Does anybody know what engine this is??
Does anybody know what engine this is??
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Discussion

Parrotface

Original Poster:

63 posts

120 months

Saturday 28th April 2018
quotequote all


I’m talking to a guy on e bay who claims this is a v8, but unaware what it is (an American import of an old British classic)
Would appreciate knowing before going to have a look st the car.

Thanks,

Mark

Parrotface

Original Poster:

63 posts

120 months

Saturday 28th April 2018
quotequote all
Another shot from different angle



Parrotface

Original Poster:

63 posts

120 months

Saturday 28th April 2018
quotequote all
I’m trying to find out what engine this is. It’s an American import of a classic British car (Austin). The guy bought at an auction but is unsure if what engine it is, although thinks v8... can anyone here help?







E-bmw

12,388 posts

176 months

Saturday 28th April 2018
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Looks like a version of the archetypal "small block Chevy V8" to me.

http://image.superchevy.com/f/107004170+w640+h640+...

Matt Harper

6,952 posts

225 months

Saturday 28th April 2018
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I'd venture Small Block Chevrolet - 265 or 283ci based on the iron, siamesed exhaust manifold - late 50's or early 60's era.

Parrotface

Original Poster:

63 posts

120 months

Saturday 28th April 2018
quotequote all
Are these generally known as good reliable engines? What could I get out of it mileage wise and would I be able to get sorted easily in the uk if there was a problem?

Parrotface

Original Poster:

63 posts

120 months

Saturday 28th April 2018
quotequote all
I don’t know. I haven’t seen the vehicle. I just wanna know what engines in it, and decide whether to trek and view

GreenV8S

30,999 posts

308 months

Saturday 28th April 2018
quotequote all
E-bmw said:
Looks like a version of the archetypal "small block Chevy V8" to me.

http://image.superchevy.com/f/107004170+w640+h640+...
I would say so. yes

Is that a Holley on top?

Matt Harper

6,952 posts

225 months

Saturday 28th April 2018
quotequote all
My view is that it is hard to say if that particular motor would be dependable - I suspect that the intake manifold and four-barrel carb are not original equipment - nor are the valve covers, so who knows what else may have been altered.
Even the performance versions of these motors (assuming it is what I think it is) only produced 160-200hp, so not fire-breathers by any stretch.
With that induction set-up (assuming it works properly) I think it would probably give you 12-15mpg. These things were designed when gasoline cost 35c per gallon...

E-bmw

12,388 posts

176 months

Sunday 29th April 2018
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I wouldn't be surprised, but I can't see it well enough to be certain.

TooMany2cvs

29,008 posts

150 months

Sunday 29th April 2018
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Parrotface said:
This is the pic that's making my head hurt.

Tell me it's not transverse, with a side-mount rad...? In an old British classic...?

It can't really be in a Mini, can it...?

<edit>
D'oh. It's looking forward down the length of the centre-hinged bonnet. More tea needed.
<phew>

Parrotface

Original Poster:

63 posts

120 months

Sunday 29th April 2018
quotequote all
It certainly isn’t a mini wink. It’s an Austin princess

TooMany2cvs

29,008 posts

150 months

Sunday 29th April 2018
quotequote all
Parrotface said:
It certainly isn’t a mini wink. It’s an Austin princess
<phew> A proper one, not a wedge...

A neighbour's restoring a Sheerline.

Parrotface

Original Poster:

63 posts

120 months

Sunday 29th April 2018
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Does he need ANY spare parts? I’ve got a sheerline I’m breaking

TooMany2cvs

29,008 posts

150 months

Sunday 29th April 2018
quotequote all
Parrotface said:
Does he need ANY spare parts? I’ve got a sheerline I’m breaking
I can't message you - but my email works from my profile.

Parrotface

Original Poster:

63 posts

120 months

Sunday 29th April 2018
quotequote all
Matt Harper said:
My view is that it is hard to say if that particular motor would be dependable - I suspect that the intake manifold and four-barrel carb are not original equipment - nor are the valve covers, so who knows what else may have been altered.
Even the performance versions of these motors (assuming it is what I think it is) only produced 160-200hp, so not fire-breathers by any stretch.
With that induction set-up (assuming it works properly) I think it would probably give you 12-15mpg. These things were designed when gasoline cost 35c per gallon...
Thanks Matt for a very comprehensive reply.

Food for thought regarding consumption....

Would you buy a car with this engine?

wildoliver

9,219 posts

240 months

Monday 30th April 2018
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SBC don't have Siamesed ports.

Based purely on common sense it's likely to be a 305 or 350 probably a junkyard pull out from a truck or similar. The exhaust manifolds look like fairly standard fare for production engines.

All you can tell from that is it's a SBC with an alloy inlet and 4 barrel. It could be producing anywhere from about 150 to 400hp, but more likely to be in the 200s. It should be a very dependable engine if it's in good condition, has the car it's sat in been hot rodded? If not it's probably just been a cheap solution to a blown standard engine, in which case it's likely to be bone stock inside and presumably given the car it's mounted to probably hasn't been hooned around. In other words provided it's in good condition and is looked after it will last forever.

Would I buy a car with this engine in? Well we have 2 cars with SBC (one is ls) and like them. Would I buy an old British car with a SBC fitted. Probably not. Although in terms of power and drivability it should be an improvement. I appreciate the car isn't a high value car to start with but losing originality is never a good idea on classics from a value perspective.

Matt Harper

6,952 posts

225 months

Tuesday 1st May 2018
quotequote all
wildoliver said:
SBC don't have Siamesed ports.

Based purely on common sense it's likely to be a 305 or 350 probably a junkyard pull out from a truck or similar. The exhaust manifolds look like fairly standard fare for production engines.

All you can tell from that is it's a SBC with an alloy inlet and 4 barrel. It could be producing anywhere from about 150 to 400hp.
Respectfully, I never said siamese ported head - my reference was the iron manifold - very typical of late 50's/early 60's small capacity SBC, typically found in Bel Air/Caprice/Impala (and some Corvettes too). I think the distributor is a give-away to it's age and if it's a later model 305/350 the alternator mounting position is on the wrong side. All that said, the brake master cylinder is mid/late 80's GM oem part.


Matt Harper

6,952 posts

225 months

Tuesday 1st May 2018
quotequote all
Parrotface said:
Thanks Matt for a very comprehensive reply.

Food for thought regarding consumption....

Would you buy a car with this engine?
If I was into old cars - and was not fussed about originality, I can't think why not. That motor may well be a lot more durable than the old inline 6 that was originally in there.
As long as you can stomach shipping costs and duty - just about every imaginable part is available for these early SBC motors - and dirt cheap too - from a number of US suppliers.