Inline / transverse engine differences

[ChrisS]

I’m cross posting this in the Mini and Spridget forums.

What are the differences between the inline and transverse 1275 A series engine blocks?? I found an article that stated the only significant differences were in the center main cap, oil pickup and transmission / oil pan flange. Is it possible to use a mini block for an inline application if I had all the other parts?

Thanks in advance.

 

[dklawson]

I believe the rear seal is different if not the rear main bearing cap. The front plate and crank will obviously different but... you're asking about the block.

 

[ChrisS]

Doug,
Do you have any pictures of the rear of the block or the rear bearing cap area?

 

[dklawson]

I may have some pictures of the rear of the transverse block. A friend of mine may have his 1098 inline apart... if so, I can ask him for pictures. I'll report back in a few days.

 

[ChrisS]

Thanks

 

[dklawson]

Chris,
I only found ONE picture of the bottom of my engine (1275 transverse) that shows the rear main bearing. Sorry... I took pictures for reference during the engine rebuild and this doesn't appear to be an area I had questions about. Anyway, I've put the picture where you can look at it. I'll ask my friend if he has or can get pictures of the bottom end of his inline 1098.

https://home.mindspring.com/~purlawson/pictures/BottomEnd01.jpg

 

[Roger]

But why, unless there's something really special about your block?

 

[ChrisS]

I have heard and read conflicting information about the interchangeability of the blocks and I wanted to open it up for discussion to see what people here thought. I want to know what can and can’t be done, not necessarily what is the most cost effective. Maybe it is academic at this point. I agree that it doesn’t make sense to do. I emailed an reputable engine builder and they stated that it could be done, the rear of the block would need to be machined to accept the plate above the rear main cap, the rear cap would need to be replaced, and then the new plate and rear cap would need to be line bored with the rest of the caps / block.

 

[tony barnhill]

I've got about a dozen transverse engines - trannies - heads - etc. sitting under a shelf in one of my buildings.

 

[ThomP]

I hate to pick on anyone as wise as Yoda, but if you would spend the time to identify and establish the quality of the items sitting under the bench, I think you would find some people receptive to taking them off your hands. You have mentioned these engines in the past, but, to my knowledge, made no effort to establish what they really are or list an offering price. I for one am seeking a rebuildable 1275 transverse engine. I am also seeking a rebuildable 12g295 head oh wise one. What say you?? Are these within your power (under the bench?) :>}

As for the engine in question: rebuildable, big bore, transverse engines are becoming dear to find. I would suggest that the best approach would be to sell the transverse engine to someone that wants it and buy yourself an inline inline engine with the proceeds of the sale. That way, two people are happy.

 

[Hap Waldrop]

I had a customer who brought me a A+ block from a FWD application he wanted to use in a Midget race car, This has been done but you need both the A+ engine and many parts from a RWD engine to make it work. You need from the RWD block, the crankshaft, rear main cap, and top tripod piece, front and rear plates and you have to do several drill and taps on the FWD block for the tripod piece and front and rear plates. His reason for wanting to do this was stronger A+ block, but since we were not having block failures, we decided it was a waste of time and money.

 

[Hap Waldrop]

Also, something else just came to mind, I believe the A+ blocks have bigger main crankshaft journals, I know of one SCCA racer who uses the A+ block in Midget but uses the Moldex specail billet crank, I never thought about why he used the billet crank, but I guess that is why. If this is the same person thatt has been asking about using a metro turbo in a RWD application, short of a special made larger journal crankshaft, this would be the major drawback, I'm pretty sure that all the turbo metros were A+ blocks. I've still got the A+ block at the shop, you could call me there and I could measure the main housing bore to confirm the size, my contact info is on my listed website.

 

[RickAnderson]

One goes one way the other goes the other way and the guy's sayin', "what do you want from me?"

Yous Goodfellas fans will ged it /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif <font color="black"> </font>