Giday Andy,
I am just a new arrival on the Alpine list but a long term (lifer :-))
Rootes owner.
The amount of work you are asking for by trying to exchange a Minx front
crossmember for the Alpine unit is more than just fixing up the original.
The Alpine is allegedly the same floor pan as the Husky with an X member for
strengthening and the engine mounted 4" further rearwards.
Straight away I see different steering arms track rods steering box etc.
If you put the same effort into rebuilding the original you would then have
a good front end, where installing a different unit may still leave you with
worn out bushings, ball joints etc.
If your front end has wishbones and uprights and is only missing calipers
and or discs, why not rebuild??? Often disc rotors and calipers need to be
replaced anyway.
Rebuilding suspension and mechanical bits including engines and gearboxes is
the "easy" part. Getting the bodywork into satisfactory condition is where
most restorations fall down. So many Vintage car rebuilds start with a
chassis and drive train rebuild and are abandoned when the body part becomes
"too hard".
Rootes just love to make things difficult for you by changing the little
things.
Wouldn't mind an Alpine or Rapier to add to my 55 Californian, 56 Minx and
68 Hunter. All I need is a bigger shed :-))
Keith Johnson
----- Original Message -----
From: "Whiteford Andy" <A.G.Whiteford@gcal.ac.uk>
To: "Alpine List" <alpines@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2003 10:31 PM
Subject: Re: other Rootes cars with Alpine subframe?
> Whiteford Andy (that's ME!) wrote:
>
> > Could somebody remind me which other "Audax A"
> > Rootes group car(s) have the same
> > engine subframe and front suspension geomentry as the Alpine ?
>
> OK, i'll rephrase-
> I have a 1963 ser III Alpine, it's various engines and ancilliaries are
all
> in pieces,
> it's (original) front suspension needs a full rebuild, and there are no
> front brake callipers, wheels, etc...
>
> So i'm thinking of buying a running, MOTed 1965 Hillman Minx for sale
> locally (# 300 ono):
> I'll raise the front of the car, remove the front wheels, and simply drop
> its subframe,
> complete with engine & box, onto a low trolley, and use this in my Alpine,
> just to get it going:
>
> questions:
> 1/ Does a 1965 Minx have the same x-member & suspension geometry as a ser
4
> or 5 Alpine ?
> 2/ will the engine & box fit through the bottom of the car ?
> (I'd take the head & carbs, etc off)
> 3/ 1965 Minx- iron head I know, but 1592 or 1725cc ??
> 4/ if not a minx, what should I look for
> (I *think* the rapier and super-minx have wrong sized suspension arms,
> etc.....)
>
> TIA
>
> Andy
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