engine swap

[livelarg]

I just bought a 77' Midget. It has everything,but a motor.
I am looking to see what engine options I have. I would like to put a stock one back in, but finding one in my price range (cheap) won't be easy.
Can anybody tell me what engines would be a easy swap into this car? A old friend of mine put a Mazda RX7 motor into his, and I have seen V8 swaps (too hard for me). What other engines can I use with minimal reconstruction of the car?

thanks
Kent

 

[Gary Lloyd]

Too bad you don't even have a block!! By the way, the cheapest engine swap will be the original!! I think Tony has a couple!!

 

[Bob Claffie]

Years ago a friend of mine put a Alfa twin-cam in his Midget but he was a very talented mechanic. Once you get past the wiring, cooling, exhaust, motor mounting, and trany adapting you will find that a stock replacement is the only (inexpensive)way to go. Bob

 

[tony barnhill]

I have several complete 1275's with tranny's....If you want to go back with a 1500, find an old junl Midget or Spitfire - a few differences, mainly tranny but nothing you can't overc ome unless you're thinking originality

 

[livelarg]

How much for a complete 1275? There is a tranny in the car, but I am not sure of the condition.

 

[tony barnhill]

$500 for agood used engine with all 'hang-ons'...plus shipping (expensive - around $200 to California, for example)

 

[Tom Bedenbaugh]

You should know a 1275 want work with the 1500 tranny, and it's not a drop in deal. You will have motor mount issues and other things.

 

[tony barnhill]

Ah! You're right Tom...went back & found "tranny's in car"....I didn't think 1500 when I read that: you cannot mate a 1275 to a 1500....however, dropping a 1275 engine & tranny in a 1500 car isn't all that hard, especially if you've modified before......