Engine - gearbox swap - 74 Midget 1500 to a 63' Sprite 1098

[HATRASSR]

I've been restoring  63' Sprite that currently has a running 1098 with a bad gearbox (no reverse gear) and I've come across a 74 Midget with a newly rebuilt 1500 and a good gearbox for $800.  Could I switch the 74'motor and gearbox into my 63'Sprite without having to make a lot of modifications?  Thanks for any assistance and advise.

[tbo]

Why not get in touch with Moss Motors or The Roadster Factory and ask their technical department. both companies are good on service so they should be of help.

[Richard/SIA]

1500 is really a Triumph Spitfire engine.
Can probably make it fit, but it's larger, heavier, and has a lower redline.
The increased displacement was a poor solution to the Fed. regs strangling the performance of the earlier MG 1275 and Triumph 1300 engines.

But with a little tuning and deleting of Fed. mandated trash you will have an engine with enough torque to snap stock Sprite axles on a regular basis.

I beleive stronger race axle$ are available.

[spridget]

The 1500 cc engine is basically a bored and stroked version of the smaller Triumph engine. Its weak points are the bottom end and thin cylinder walls.Do a search about improving the engine oiling. You should be careful to not over rev it.The 1500 is rather limited as to over bore. If possible find out if it was bored when it was rebuilt as it may already be at its limit. If you are buying a parts car you should get most of the parts you need to install the 1500cc into your early car. I still think a mild 1275 engine would be a better choice but for the money the car with the rebuilt 1500cc engine may be an economical way improve performance Try to get as much info about the rebuild as possible. Some people put rings and bearings into an engine without checking for wear. New rings in an engine with egg shaped cylinders and bearings on a crankshaft that needs to be turned will not last very long.