MX5 Marlin of Dorian Grey {any technical advice or wisdom, much appreciated}

[Waterscumbietoo]

This is just one snag. If you move the rack forward of the centre line of the hubs it alters the way the steering arms move. Draw a simple soap box cart steering cut it out and play with it, or if you have grand/children buy them all ice lollies but keep the sticks, do anything as long as you get the idea. We can talk about Ackerman angles later, say about 2020.

Good news folks, there could be a Marina steering rack up for sale in the future. No please don't thank me lol

OK class, repeat after me, all together now!

"Ackermann steering geometry is the geometric arrangement of linkages in the steering of a car or other vehicle designed to solve the problem of wheels on the inside and outside of a turn needing to trace out circles of different radii.""

Will cross that bridge when I come to it, but thanks for giving me the 'heads up'.

Doing some homework on this, as it is too bloody cold to stay outside any longer today :-(

Rs,

avid

[philcoyle]

If you are moving the front suspension en masse as a sub frame it would be problem free ( reasonably) just need to sort out the steering column. How about electric power assisted steering from a corsa around £40-70 off eBay?

[Waterscumbietoo]

If you are moving the front suspension en masse as a sub frame it would be problem free ( reasonably) just need to sort out the steering column. How about electric power assisted steering from a corsa around £40-70 off eBay?

Hi Phil,

My Marlin has no power steering, and did not seem to suffer too much, even with the small steering wheel you need to use. Was hoping to keep the Marina front suspension as installed at the moment, including the steering rack, and torsion bar suspension (have gotten used to it's 'unique' ride and handling)

I also have a fully de-rusted and am restoring to 'factory fresh (ish)', a second MX5 MK2 NB which I use as my reference car when pulling the doner MX5 to bits, and sometimes use for my short commute to work. So I know what 'proper handling' feels like. But driving the Marina based Marlin as designed by Paul Moorhouse, is an acquired skill that I intend to keep and improve.

Ignore my question re for what use....? As I did not spot your suggestion ""

I saw a hood on a marlin and it had springs on the outside to tension the hood, then I thought why not use the miniature hydraulic cylinder version of the tailgate lifters, there's squillions of them on eBay for a couple of quid

"

And to anyone who is following this thread and may have a view and/or answers:

a) What is the exact position, and how to attach to the chassis, the engine mounts for the MX5 engine so that it does not foul the Marlin bonet. But happy to consider 'power bulges' if necessary.....

b) Approximate total weight of the fully built Marina Based SWB Marlin with the BL Series B 1800 cc engine.

c) What are the average weights of the engine/gearbox combinations (including the ancillaries that are bolted to the engine block) of the MX5 1600cc vs the British Leyland series B 1800 cc Twin Carb, three bearing crankshaft version?

Rs,

avid.

[Waterscumbietoo]

Hi Dave, I will sort a price out for courier on the bonnet for you today. Sorry I have been busy yesterday replacing my intercooler on my T5 van.
Sounds like a great project you have lined up. Keep everyone posted on progress with pictures.
Cheers, Martin.

Thanks Martin,

Got the UPS tracking number. Will let you know when the hinged bonet arrives.

Rs,

avid.

[Waterscumbietoo]

c) What are the average weights of the engine/gearbox combinations (including the ancillaries that are bolted to the engine block) of the MX5 1600cc vs the British Leyland series B 1800 cc Twin Carb, three bearing crankshaft version?

Weight of MX5 1600 cc engine including flywheel, exhaust, alternator, clutch, intake manifold, starter and gearbox - 360 Lbs.

No luck for same for Marina engine so far (lots of data sprayed across many sites, but no definitive answer as I got for the Mazda)

Rs,

avid.

[lil_red_roadster]

360lbs just about covers the 1.8 B Series...gearbox will extra.
Comparative MGB figures are 358lbs & 78lbs respectively but not clear if that includes manifolds (declared as "dry weight including clutch") or if the gearbox weight is with/without O/D.
See this thread as well.

[philcoyle]

I wouldn't get too worried about engine and power train weights, I would concentrate on engine/ gearbox position,your driving position etc. Hence the need to hang things off the ceiling, put the engine/box on a trolley, make something. Move the lump until you know where you and the lump are happy. Weights aren't a concern at the moment as you don't know yet what the total weight of components are, the weight and what suspension units you want.
Think more of collecting 4 sets of bathroom scales for the future. This planning is needed to reduce costs if you buy the wrong thing.
It's called a build ticket and you need to plan it carefully, this will take up a lot of your time, and is the reason for so many unfinished projects.
At one time in my build I bought an 80year old sewing machine and refurbed it when the weather was too cold to work outside.
It's a lesson in time and motion study.

If you or anyone else needs to contact me ?? phil.coyle@outlook.com you can be guaranteed of an insult or some helpful/ unhelpful advice any time . Phil,

[Waterscumbietoo]

Need ideas for a new fuel tank. What have others used?

Rs,

avid - Spring 2018

[dogoncrazy]

Not used by myself but believe MG Midget is a possible.

[stevejgreen]

I would get a custom tank made.
Whatever you end up with it will still have to have a fuel feed and return, and at least you can then match the level sensor to your instruments.