If you go here http://www.burtonpower.com/technical_1/kent_crossflow.aspx you can see much information about tuning this engine. ; Any tuning you do to the original engine will not reduce the value of the car and may well enhance it.
A lot of the later Ford 4 cylinder engines had the same mounting holes on the back of the block so using one of these is a simple task compared to fitting a V8 or other make of engine. The Marcos should have come with either a Lotus Twin Cam or the Ford Cosworth BDA but of course they cost more and were less suitable for everyday use.
You could even fit a Ford RS500 turbo motor but that would be more difficult due to needing to locate all the ancillaries - but another option would be to look for a Cosworth YBM which was used here for Midget racing for some time and is popular with Vintage racers. It is the Cosworth turbo motor modified to be normally aspirated with a pair of Weber carbs.
I hope that gives you a few ideas. I used to race a 1500 and also a 1600 in the UK when they were new cars.
Regards
Roger
To: MarcosManiacs@yahoogroups.com
From: chinojuan2@...
Date: Tue, 1 Jun 2010 10:34:28 -0700
Subject: Re: [MarcosManiacs] modern engines for 1600/1800GT
thanks for the insight. I have inherited a 1600, but it hasn't run since 1979. THe engine is said to be "good", but it has been sitting since then, so who knows what it will take to get it back up.
I was actually considering getting the engine running, but wanted something with more "omph" (it has Ford 4). I do not know what to do to give it more power without ruining value and ease of maintainence. I really can't do a lot of work myself, and want to make servicing it simple, and have it be as reliable as possible....
The car "looks" fast to me, but it would also be nice if it sounded and went as fast as it looks! I guess I do not want to be blwon away by 4 cylinder Accords and V-6 Camerys.......
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To: marcosmaniacs@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tue, June 1, 2010 11:15:20 AM
Subject: RE: [MarcosManiacs] modern engines for 1600/1800GT
To: MarcosManiacs@ yahoogroups. com
From: chinojuan2@yahoo. com
Date: Tue, 1 Jun 2010 13:11:02 +0000
Subject: [MarcosManiacs] modern engines for 1600/1800GT
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To: marcosmaniacs@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tue, June 1, 2010 11:15:20 AM
Subject: RE: [MarcosManiacs] modern engines for 1600/1800GT
The Rover V8 was based on a Buick engine with alloy block and was particularly light in weight for a V8. I seem to recall that when fitted to the MGB it was no heavier than the 1800 MGB engine. The V8 engines you mention would be much heavier units and while anything is possible I would think that there are plenty of modern 2 litre engines around that would be far more suitable if you want it as a reliable car to use. If you look at other cars when they get old and collectible, the value is always in the ones that have original motors so you might want to think about that too. There are plenty of ways to make either the 1600 crossflow Ford or the 1800 Volvo engine more powerful.
Best of luck!
Roger Andreason
ex Marcos racer
To: MarcosManiacs@ yahoogroups. com
From: chinojuan2@yahoo. com
Date: Tue, 1 Jun 2010 13:11:02 +0000
Subject: [MarcosManiacs] modern engines for 1600/1800GT
Read some old Wiki articles saying certain engines made the 1600/1800GT a bit nose heavy (perhaps iron block engine). As later Marcos had Rover 8 cylinder, did this make it evebn worse---or were Rover 8 cylinder cars not the same as 1600/1800?
I bring up these questions because I wondered if anyone had a experience or thoughts on placing a Ford or Chevy V-8 into a 1600/1800GT (something like a 289/302 Ford or a 305/350 Chevy). Would these engines make the car too nose heavy and ruin the handling?
I was dreaming about a way to make the 1600/1800 GT more powerful, sound great, have a modern engine anyone can work on....but not at the expense of handling.... .
Figured some MArcos had Ford as well as GM engines, so thsi idea shouldn't be too blasphamous :)
I bring up these questions because I wondered if anyone had a experience or thoughts on placing a Ford or Chevy V-8 into a 1600/1800GT (something like a 289/302 Ford or a 305/350 Chevy). Would these engines make the car too nose heavy and ruin the handling?
I was dreaming about a way to make the 1600/1800 GT more powerful, sound great, have a modern engine anyone can work on....but not at the expense of handling.... .
Figured some MArcos had Ford as well as GM engines, so thsi idea shouldn't be too blasphamous :)
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