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Ron Palgrave

My Phase 1 Olympic was one of the few fitted with the Ford Consul Classic 1300cc engine. When I got the car it was just a rolling shell and I am in the process of re-engieering it to accept BMC A Series engine and gearbox. Also converting to Morris Minor steering rack and kingpins. I am building a jig to manufacture a replica subframe [ existing is in poor condition].It would help me a great deal if a few members with similar engine and steering configurations give me;
Distance [gap] from back of subframe to;
[1]the crankshaft pulley face
[2]the front of the steering rack cross tube
This data will help me complete the jig and also pre-engineer the new engine mounts

Ron Palgrave

keith hamer · Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2011 3:22 pm Post subject: Phase one subframes

From experience the phase one subframes are just about all the same whether they use a 'B' series engine or an 'A' series, we have fitted both to cars we have restored over 40 odd years playing with Olympics. I currently have a phase one frame out of a car which we are restoring, if it is of any use to you I can take some measurements from it which may help you make up engine mounts etc.

Ron Palgrave · Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 3:31 pm Post subject:

YES , YES ! This would be most helpful !

From your recollection, are the mounts identical from A to B engines , with the A needing big spacer blocks to bring the centre-line height back? [I have seen some pictures showing these- on Richard Disbrow car]

keith hamer · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 9:28 am Post subject: a series

The engine mountings on the 'A' series are different to the Riley / Wolseley ones, as you rightly say they are thinner, and the mounting bolts are also spaced differently.

We currently have two 'A' series cars in the workshop and one running an MGA engine ('B' series) and my own car is running a Riley 1.5 when I get a spare minute I will take some pictures to try and show the difference.

Ron Palgrave · Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 2:57 pm Post subject:

keith that would be really appreciated. I am a bit stuck right now, and no-one else has replied to my plea for help. Again thanks in advance for your help.

Ron Palgrave

keith hamer · Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 9:26 am Post subject: Ph1 subframe

I have looked at both sets of cars, and taken a few pictures which actualy aren't very clear so here are a few dimensions which should clear up the situation.

1 From the rear face of the subframe to the centre of the steering rack is
57mm
2 From the floor to the centre of the steering rack is
280mm
3 From the rear face of the subframe to the centre of the engine mounting plate is
209mm
4 From the floor to the centre of the engine mounting plate is
187mm

The engine mounting plate is canted slightly so that the mounting hole at the rear is 184mm off the floor and the front mounting hole is 190mm off the floor, the plate itself is 102mm long and aproximately 68mm deep.

I hope this helps, let me know if you need any other dimensions.

Ron Palgrave · Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 2:28 pm Post subject:

Great ! If /when we ever meet, I owe you a beer.
RonP