computid
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| posted on 31/7/25 at 12:40 PM |
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Stick with the Kent Crossflow or go more modern...
Hi all,
I've been pondering something and I can't decide what to do, so I thought I'd come to the LCB collective to get some views or
potentially other options!
I have a 1975 Morgan 4/4. It has, from factory, a 711M 1600 Ford Kent Crossflow with a Type 3 4 speed gearbox. This engine is pretty tired, so over
winter I'm going to be undertaking some major mechanical works. As part of this, regardless of what happens, I will be moving to a 5 speed
gearbox for easier motorway cruising.
The existing engine is fun and interesting, and in keeping with what the car is. However, with modern roads and the amount of cross-continent driving
I am planning in this car, I would like a little more power. Ideally 110bhp minimum, but a little more wouldn't go amiss. So, in the quest for
this, I have several options. Whilst considering these, I have to take into account several factors:
1) Budget. This is a factor here. I love the car and am willing to invest in it, but I don't really want to spend more than £2.5-£3k on an
engine/gearbox setup.
2) Reliability. It needs to be very reliable as the car will likely get shipped around the world for longer distance tours, and I don't
want to unload the car in Japan next year, get 500 miles into a 2 month tour, and find that I've got major mechanical issues that could've
been prevented.
3) Complexity. I would ideally not like to spend 2 months unpicking electrical/wiring faults, but at the same time I also don't want to have to
spend 2 days on a rolling road to setup complex carbs!
4) Availability. Both of the power train and the parts. This should be self explanatory.
So, with those in mind, these are the options I've come up with - though I'm very open to more!
a) Rebuild the existing Kent with more power. Overbore, stage 2 head, bigger cam, etc. This is an expensive option. By the time I've bought all
of the tuning parts plus Webber 40 DCOE's we're blowing the budget. This however does keep the car the most original (though will of course
be mated to a Type 9). I am also concerned about reliability and availability of parts globally.
b) Fit a Zetec. I can get an ST170 Zetec for not a lot of money, mate it to a type 9, do the mods to make it RWD compatible, get a fairly basic wiring
loom and get it in the car. This is probably the best bang for buck option whilst maintaining a level of simplicity of install. My concern is does the
car loose something in doing this?
c) Fit a Zetec, but on carbs. Same as the above, but strip the loom off, run just an ignition system, and fit Webber 40 DCOE's to retain some
level of classicness. Possibly adds more complexity and difficulty of tuning, as well as cost.
d) Fit a Mk3 MX5 drive train. Mk3 MX5's are very cheap. I can get a running, driving, MOT failure or crashed car for <£1.2k and break the rest
of it to recover the costs. I'd get a sport model so I'd get 160bhp ish and a 6 speed. As far as I am aware nobody has done this swap so
this adds a layer of complexity. Similarly there are no swap looms available so I'd spend a lot of time fiddling with the electrics which would
be undesirable, but its a more modern engine.
e) Fit a Mk3 MX5 drive train, but on carbs. Same as the above, but strip the loom off, run just an ignition system, and fit Webber 40 DCOE's to
retain some level of classicness. Possibly adds more complexity and difficulty of tuning, as well as cost.
Does anybody have any thoughts/input/advice? I'm a bit torn between them all if I'm honest. Many thanks in advance!
[Edited on 31/7/25 by computid]
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JAG
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| posted on 31/7/25 at 01:10 PM |
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I would be tempted to fit a Ford Sigma engine. They do a nice 1600cc that makes over 120bhp as standard and can be tuned to nearer 200bhp (if that is
how you want to go).
I'd keep it fuel injected, so a bit of wiring is required, on the original intake manifold and it would be super reliable.
I'm assuming it mates up to the Ford 5 speed gear boxes and spares will be easy to get in most parts of the world.
Justin
Who is this super hero? Sarge? ...No.
Rosemary, the telephone operator? ...No.
Penry, the mild-mannered janitor? ...Could be!
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stevebubs
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| posted on 31/7/25 at 02:02 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by computid
b) Fit a Zetec. I can get an ST170 Zetec for not a lot of money, mate it to a type 9, do the mods to make it RWD compatible, get a fairly basic wiring
loom and get it in the car. This is probably the best bang for buck option whilst maintaining a level of simplicity of install. My concern is does the
car loose something in doing this?
Crossflow -> Zetec is the conversion I did 20 years ago now. Car didn't lose anything in character IMHO. Just about to recommission the poor
thing and also considering my options. I went bike ITBs and Emerald but, if you want to keep implementation complexity down, there's a wealth of
info here on how to use standard ECU and injection system.
[Edited on 31/7/25 by stevebubs]
Sylva Fury
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stevebubs
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| posted on 31/7/25 at 02:26 PM |
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Just noticed this is a Morgan not Kit car...
Changing engine might indeed affect value but then it's what you want from the car. A zetec is a taller engine so may not fit so easily without
unsightly bodywork modifications...
ETA - looks like it was a standard option so might be an easier install as parts should be available ? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgan_4/4
[Edited on 31/7/25 by stevebubs]
Sylva Fury
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jacko
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| posted on 31/7/25 at 04:26 PM |
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Keep what you have but get the engine bored , Vulcan head ,different cam ,etc
Fit a 5 speed box out of a sierra
Get it set up on a rolling road and most of all have fun
Jacko
555
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ChrisCope
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| posted on 2/11/25 at 10:52 PM |
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Just to throw another idea out there - MX5 1.8 engine with MX5 5 or 6 speed gearbox? Plenty of donors around. A reliable 140hp stock. It does move
away from the "factory-ish" approach, but barring mounts, prop shaft/adapter it should be fairly easy to swap in as a complete unit...
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