65 Alpine Series IV

mgb260 · July 25, 2011, 09:13:18 PM

Now I've went and done it! I picked up a 65 Series IV Alpine. I have a 63 Ford 260 V8 and 4 speed in my garage originally for my MGB project. I went in a different direction with the MGB with the 4.9 Caddy V8 and 4 speed Auto (Jeep AW4). Anyway, I plan on shoehorning the Ford into the Alpine. I'm not making a clone. Mine will say Alpine where the Tiger emblem would be and under that will be an Alpine 260 emblem. Hopefully I can correct the suspension geometry and cooling issues of the Tiger. I plan on using a narrowed Fatman Mustang II streetrod type front suspension and Ranger rear axle narrowed with 2 short side axles. Any comments or advice would be apreciated. If anybody needs steering,engine,transmission or other parts I don't need let me know. I always wanted a Tiger but, couldn't afford one. When I was in High School there was a local club that had a black one similar to this picture:

Picture of my 260 Ford V8:
Picture 002.jpg

Boy, Iv'e got a ways to go!:

BlownMGB-V8 · July 26, 2011, 11:49:46 AM

Yep, you've done it now! But look at it this way, if you can design a bolt-in front end that works, every one of those Tiger guys will have to buy it.

JB

Moderator · July 26, 2011, 11:59:49 AM

Looks like you're ready for a whole lot of fun. I like Alpines much better with small tail fins, like yours. That first photo is (of the black Tiger) is inspirational.

britcars · July 26, 2011, 05:23:15 PM

Nice find! I bought a 1966 Alpine new, same dark blue as yours, but sold it when family came along. That is going to be a nice ride.

mgb260 · September 16, 2011, 05:51:10 PM

I was inspired by this Cobra hood and ordered louver panels from RodLouvers.com. Plus I won a GT350 hoodscoop from EBay. My louvers are 11 per side and scoop is bolt on style and I'll cut the front off 1"..

mgb260 · September 16, 2011, 07:28:05 PM

My 90's Tbird/Cougar V8 emblems I got off EBay came today. I think they will look good, they want way to much for Sunbeam ones.

Grits · September 16, 2011, 08:56:39 PM

Jim,
looks like you have your work cut out for you. Can you keep me updated on that Fatman frontend? I am fixing up a 1959 Hillman Husky that should share the same as your Alpine. When funds get better I plan on getting back started.
Doug

mgb260 · September 19, 2011, 10:30:45 AM

Douglas, I'm probably going to use Welder Series or Speedway motors (or homemade) A arms ,homemade narrowed crossmember,Morrison/Wilwood spindles with Intrepid center steer rack. The rear sump oil pan allows the crossmember to go under the engine rather than in front of the large front sump.

roverman · September 23, 2011, 06:52:05 PM

Jim, please post pic's of your front suspension upgrades. My Jensen Healey will definately need a better system. Moving front wheels approx 5" forward and adding 200 lbs of motor weight ! I'm considering series II RX7,with air bags, and uca from ? Cheers, roverman.

mgb260 · October 13, 2011, 01:47:17 PM

Art, Remember my picture of RX7 lower and Supra upper a arm.

mgb260 · October 13, 2011, 01:59:48 PM

My suspension would go under the front of rear sump oil pan. Either dual sump or preferably rear sump 80's-90's pickup/Bronco pan. 2X4" crossmember will look similar to Bill Guzman's design with cantlevered 2" square tubing for mount. Conventional Mustang II tubular A arms that use strut rod eliminators to make more room in front to set back Intrepid rack.

mgb260 · October 13, 2011, 02:17:12 PM

For brakes I would cut off stock Mustang II rotor to make a hub and use 2000 Ford Contour SVT slip on rotor(10.94" vented 4X4.25" lug pattern same as stock Alpine) with GM Metric caliper with large 2 3/4" piston from Speedway Motors, for rear Contour SVT vented rotors and calipers with E-brake.

socorob · October 16, 2011, 05:51:43 PM

Looks like the contour rear rotors are the right thickness for the rx7 calipers and have the sunbeam/ mustang 2 bolt pattern. Do you know what the inside diameter of the contour rear rotors are and how much it is from the face of the mounting area to the face of the rotor? Wondering if those would fit over my ford 8 inch axle flange. If so these would be a cheap rotor that would require little to no work to fit. Did the contour have built in parking brakes through the rear calipers or did they have drums inside the rotors?

mgb260 · October 16, 2011, 10:50:43 PM

Hi, Robbie. Not sure of inside diameter yet. Been working my normal 6 day week 12 hr shift job at the paper mill.The Mystique and Cougar use the same rear rotor also,yes built in parking brake. It would'nt be too big of a job to turn down your axle hubs if necessary. You would need 15" wheels for the large SVT front rotors. I like the 2 3/4" piston Metric calipers for the 1" thick front rotors. 1" master would be just right.

socorob · October 18, 2011, 07:22:05 PM

I stopped at Autozone today and measured one. The guy wouldn't let me take it out of the shrink wrap so I couldn't get the tape measure down in it, but best eyeballing measurement is 6 to 6-1/8 inches inside clearance. I think my axle flange is something like 5-7/8 so this would fit over it. It was only 15/16 from the outside edge of the disc to where the wheel mounts, so that's my next obstacle. To see if the rx7 rear rotors will fit without hitting my wheel. Good find and thanks for this info. If this works, it will be about $60 for a pair vs over $300 for a Wilwood rotor hat and Coleman hat mounted rotor.