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Post by lankytim on May 1, 2011 20:39:49 GMT
Hi all,
I have been looking at pictures of crab engines and have been wondering if any other powerplant can be made to fit.
Are MGB engines interchangable?
Will an O series engine and box from a princess fit? I know they have rod changes but my crab already has a rod change fitted rather than the usual cables.
Can anyone think of any crazy engine combinations that have gone into a crab?
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Post by Penguin45 on May 1, 2011 20:46:36 GMT
Hi Tim. STARTER FOR TEN. MGB engine, whilst it shares many components with our version of the "B" engine has a different block and crank. The Ambassador set up is probably the one to investigate properly - then you get a 5 speed box. Chris. |
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Post by lankytim on May 1, 2011 20:57:41 GMT
Surely someone would have had a go with an ambassador lump in the past? Seems almost too obvious!
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Post by threelitre on May 1, 2011 21:44:39 GMT
The Ambassador surely had the same 4-speed box as the crab... Lots of work with not too much effect I think. Tuning the 1800 to 1800 S levels seems easier to me.
You can try to Turbo the O-series รก la Montego - but again it's not a straight swap, as the later O2 engine as in the Montego had the head fitted the other way round...
Regards,
Alexander
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Post by lankytim on May 1, 2011 22:30:33 GMT
I have just checked Wikipedia and it says the Ambassador only came with a 4 speed box. Could be incorrect of course! I have a scrap O series from a montego in my garage and a quick measure up shows it to be approximately the same size as the B, so it should fit under the bonnet. The sticking out distributor could be a problem but should fit inside the peak of the wolseleys bonnet. It does seem like a bit of a faff about with no real advantage to be made (especially if its only a 4 speed box) but it looks like the engine will have to come out of my crab to allow bodywork repairs to be made. If its a case of making up some engine mounts and dropping in something different then its worth investigating atleast....  Can anyone see anything glaringly obvious what would prevent fitment into a crab? |
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Post by Penguin45 on May 1, 2011 23:59:37 GMT
You appear to be correct - I'll have a word with Dad next time I see him. He did own an Ambassador and seemed certain that it was a 5 speed.
I suspect that the major flaw in your plan will be the drive shafts - they will need to fit the width of the car and the hub set up. You may well be a special or custom hybrid. If you go that way, let me know, as I know a man who can......
P45.
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Post by lankytim on May 2, 2011 7:49:09 GMT
I have read elsewhere on this forum that fitting a princess gearbox means that the driveshafts become slightly too long and although they physically fit, cause problems. Maybe the solution is a princess/ambassador gearbox and crab diff?
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Post by threelitre on May 2, 2011 10:24:07 GMT
I once had an Ambassador autobox from the fire-sale (50 quid new each from Rover!!) and sold it on to someone having trouble with his 1800 auto (crab). The difference was - if I remember right - that the later box used a circlip to secure the inner shafts. I don't know how he solved this - modifying the shafts or using the old diff case. It was nothing major and the car runs very fine. There was also a mount for the lower tie bar missing. Fitting a non-fuel injected O-series (or non-turbo'd) seems really a bit pointless as the same effort will most likely see the B-series putting out the same power. You can try a fuel injected one, but this will most likely involve O-series bits from the Montego and from a Princess or Ambassador. I do not know if the crankshaft was different between O1 (Amby) and O2 (Monty) engines. The head is the other way round as already stated. Wasn't there someone who put a Montego TD engine and gearbox in a landcrab? This involved custom driveshafts, a new front subframe and some more modifications (- he also removed Hydrolastic  ) Regards, Alexander |
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Post by lankytim on May 2, 2011 10:36:09 GMT
I saw that! I think he used the whole engine and gearbox from a montego rather than using the gearbox in sump arrangement on the crab.
In all probability I will continue to use the original engine in my Wolseley, its just fun investigating what options are open to me!
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Post by Penguin45 on May 2, 2011 18:07:43 GMT
Maxi - 1500/1750 E series, definitely with 5 speeds and the worst shift in the world. Ever.
;D
Chris.
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Post by lankytim on May 2, 2011 18:56:19 GMT
Hey, my 1500cc allegro has a great gear change!
Actually a 1750cc E sounds quite a good idea....
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