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Mick O'Malley's Marlin Masochism
Without a huge deal of enthusiasm, I've been scanning the newly listed Kit Cars/Replicas/Projects on Ebay each morning hoping to see something that both blows my skirt up and would fit in the man cave. Something like a month ago a Marina based Marlin Roadster was listed 'Buy It Now' and disappeared on purchase. A week ago it reappeared, the buyer having been somehow unable to arrange collection! I checked its authenticity and MOT history on DVLA's website, had a 'phone chat with the vendor, checked that collection could take place this week, and took the plunge.
When I bought my Mk1 Marlin Roadster a good few years ago there was no access between the houses and my neighbour hadn't built what would become my man cave. My storage solution was to chop a hole in the hedge, put in H section concrete posts with a slide in/out panel and lay what I call my landing strip using paving slabs cut lengthwise. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...f4ba19b8_b.jpg When I eventually got around to working on it, I dismantled it (it was just a rolling shell without engine or gearbox), carried it to the hardstanding outside my back door, built it there and reversed the procedure. It was my daily driver whilst I built my A352 and I then passed her on https://live.staticflickr.com/1890/4...2ddef338_c.jpg Whilst building my Moss Monaco, I then used the A352 as my daily driver, before passing it on to a new home in The Netherlands. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...fba57bf5_b.jpg Thus endeth the history lesson, and apologies to those of you familiar with my previous blogs. To get the car from Letchworth I first considered using a local, but expensive bloke I've used before. I then thought of asking 'Spitfire Steve' if he fancied the gig, which he accepted at a thoroughly reasonable price, collecting and delivering it yesterday :) . https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...84134630_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...0574f95d_b.jpg She's 1800 B series powered with twin HS4s and a (dismantled) Dolomite 1850 overdrive gearbox. Until I've had a chance to crawl all over her and decide the project's direction, I'll make no predictions... Regards, Mick |
Your enthusiasm for kit cars is unbelievable! I look forward to following you on another journey with this one.
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Good luck. As you may have seen on the Vintage and Classic Roadster section I am doing the same. Mine is also Marina based with the 1.8TC engine.
Biggest issue so far were the front uprights and trunions which were completely shot. A "standard" Marina problem.... Cheers, Robin |
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Regards, Mick |
Congratulations on the new project, Mick, the Marlin was another kit that was on my wish-list back in the day. I saw quite a few good Marina based examples at kit-car shows with Alfa Romeo or Toyota twin-cams, so a more characterful engine than BL's finest is always an option.
What are your plans with this one? Have you considered taking it in a different direction from the norm, perhaps cycle wings, 16", 18" or 19" wires with tall, skinny tyres, Alfa sign-writing and a burgundy paint job? I'm sure it'll turn out great whatever you decide to do with it. |
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Cheers Robin |
I like the 'B' in my Marlin roadster. it seems to me to typify the car, a pre-war Alfa. Also, I do tend to cruise rather than blat about, unless there is a twisty hill! My new project is a Rickman Ranger Convertible 1800 diesel. Which I bought so my wife and dog can come with me. It needed a little tidying in the electrical department, until I found a load of twisted connections with sticky tape. These are being soldered a heat shrunk and the seats changed. All good fun!
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Happens every time...
I should have kept my powder dry and gone for this instead :( . Ho hum, Lacta alea est and all that.
Regards, Mick |
Good luck with your new project Mick ! There were several pre war Alfa's at Prescott yesterday for inspiration , definitely the way to go these days.
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Godiva - sort of.
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I've only given my new toy a quick once over so far, and first thoughts are that the wiring needs a good sort out, both in the engine bay and behind the somewhat staid dash (which is ripe for replacement) and I'm not enamoured with the colour. As in the above quote, a much darker red, perhaps even darker than on the Monaco, would complement the 'Alfa 6C' looks. Anyway, each morning I've been scanning Ebay for Ital/Marina/MGB/Dolomite gearboxes, as well as for a more interesting engine/box, but without success. However, this morning, serendipitously, a little gem appeared for sale in one of my FB groups at a very attractive price. I PM'd the Bristol based vendor with my 'phone number and struck a deal. It turned out that we'd met at 'Gloucester Goes Retro' in '18 & '19 where we were both exhibiting our cars. Small world! https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...ac68f783_z.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...c3d620ef_z.jpg It's from a 928cc Talbot Sunbeam, and what really appealed to me was its clear Coventry Climax heritage. I've often dreamt of having one powering a car of mine, but my lottery tickets refuse to co-operate :( . I've never transplanted an engine and box before (unless I count the MG1100 one I dropped in my Minivan 'Traveller', fitting Imp wheels on the front to correct the gearing) so it adds interest to the project. I'm getting the cross member as well so it shouldn't be too difficult - famous last words! Regards, Mick |
A great find! I have also dreamed about a Coventry Climax engine.
I have been thinking about alternatives to the old B engine which is awfully heavy. So far everything I have come up with has been too expensive. Even the old A series cost-a-packet in RWD form. I will be watching with interest..... Cheers Robin |
That's a nice addition, my first thought on seeing the motor and gearbox was early Lotus/Coventry Climax.
As it's a bored out version of the Hillman Imp engine it is pretty much a 40hp Coventry Climax motor. It's going to look and sound great, will give enough go to be enjoyable and has some interesting tuning possibilities. Good luck with fitting it, I hope it's not too much of a challenge. :) |
Your new engine has brought back a few memories for me, Mick, as I had a green Chrysler Sunbeam 1.6 GLS when I was 20.
I had a head-on crash in it after a year of trouble free ownership, when a drink-driver in a Morris Marina pulled out of a junction into my path on my side of the road. The Sunbeam was built like a tank and pretty much destroyed the Marina - I suffered a concussion and a fractured ankle but the pissed driver and his girlfriend were lucky to survive. The Marina caught fire with them both unconscious inside it and the wreckage was completely engulfed in flames within 60 seconds of the crash. If I hadn't been able to pull them out that would have been it for them. That was in 1983, when attitudes to drink-driving were still that it was completely harmless and that it was bad luck if you got caught. Quite a few people I worked with at the time (in rural Scotland) believed that their driving was better when they'd had a few drams and that their frequent crashes into other vehicles, parked cars and into ravines in the middle of nowhere were just the hilarious post-script to a good night out. It wasn't just the Scots who shared that attitude, but, coincidentally I have just found this 1977 review of the 1.0 Sunbeam for the East Scotland Motoring Week magazine: https://driventowrite.com/2016/03/18...eam-road-rest/ So, the author downs half a bottle of wine and two single malts with his lunch before embarking on his test drive, then blames the car when he nearly has a head-on crash, loses control and ends up skidding off the road. Yes, a bit of a handful that Chrysler Sunbeam, especially if you've had a skinful. He does like the engine though. |
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Regards, Mick |
Imp Soundtrack.
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Wow ! Bathurst is one one the greatest race tracks in the world ! How many revs was that on the down hill section, you see why its called Conrod straight !
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IIRC The FWA Coventry Climax fire pump was 1100cc The FWB was 1500cc. I had both as working fire pumps, the FWA was a hand start and the B was electric. They were beautiful engines but very expensive to repair and quite tall compared to a X flow Ford. I sold them to a man building a replica Lotus 6 when I stopped needing them. The B would have been good in my Roadster. I was told that they were best suited to running flat out, which I once did for 5 hours on a pipeline job, no problems.
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Regards, Mick |
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'Frimp'. Regards, Mick |
Bit of inspiration from Goodwood Revival for you.
Enjoy! https://i.ibb.co/gr3SjLY/IMG-20210918-095243779.jpg https://i.ibb.co/CtzPVPz/IMG-20210918-104128578.jpg https://i.ibb.co/yfsSjV2/IMG-20210918-095257054.jpg |
That's engine Porn
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I second that!
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Have you made any progress checking if it will fit OK? I am now quite keen to go this root myself - should I ever be able to find a suitable engine and gearbox... Cheers, Robin |
You want how much!
Hi Robin
I've not even collected it yet, so no progress. I'm still trying to sort out the gearchange problem on the Monaco. This appeared on Ebay, somewhat optimistic methinks, or I was incredibly lucky! Regards, Mick |
Good spot. I have been searching Ebay with no result. I must revise my search criteria.
But as you say. Rather optimistically priced especially as the condition is unknown. Would you mind sharing what you paid? PM me if you don't want to make it public. It would be good to have as a negotiation point.... Cheers, Robin |
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Cheers Robin |
As I am a bit of an anorak I bought a copy of the Haynes manual for the Talbot Sunbeam - just to find out a little more about the engine and drive train. I discovered a couple of interesting facts.
1. It uses an early form of electronic ignition for which you need the little electronic module that goes with the distributor. Not a disaster but just as well to be aware of it. 2. The axle ratio is 4.1 or something close. Don't remember exactly and the manual isn't to hand. Not suprising considering the small CC of the engine. The problem is that the 1.8 Marina uses 3.7ish. I am using larger, 15", wheels so unless I change the diff ratio this delightful engine is going to be no good for me. Back to the old B series it seems. Cheers, Robin |
So one of you might want to grab this...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Morris-Ma...-127635-2958-0 ::whistle: |
Small Steps
On Monday my no. three son kindly drove me to Bristle (krek spelling) to collect the aforementioned engine and 'box. The vendor threw in (not literally) the rack, cross member, steering column, radiator and a few other related bits and pieces from the deceased Talbot Sunbeam.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...d9374ec4_c.jpg The newness of my ratchet straps is very evident. Their predecessors, which had lasted almost 20 years, went away securing a Vespa I sold to a guy who brought a van to collect it, but only bungees for tying it down :rolleyes: ... Quote:
Regards, Mick |
That's a standard Marina 1.3 axle , the 10cwt van is the preferred choice for trialing , but now rare as rocking horse p--
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Regards, Mick |
Happy New Year - at last!
Ever since my 4.1 axle arrived, I've been nagging my offspring to move their stuff out of the cave, so that I could move the Marlin in from the landing strip. At long last my daughter and her partner got weaving a few days ago and took a full car load to the tip. Hooray! They left the cave untidier than before, but today I was able to rearrange and condense the remaining stuff (and my son's single bed, which one of these years he might do something about) into a compact area, releasing enough space for the car :).
I'd promised the 1800cc B Series engine to my long standing Westfield XI owning friend for his MGA - a straight swap for its 1600cc lump, so I decided to lug the crane from my shed into the cave first. I then charged the Marlin's battery (which, amazingly, had kept plenty over the three months since disconnection) so that I could pump up its tyres to facilitate pushing to its new home. As soon as my pal down the road has time, this will be done and work can commence. I've missed project work to the extent that I've actually done some gardening (AKA jungle clearance) in the interim. Amazing! https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...ee36674e_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a552861a_b.jpg Updates may well now resume... Regards, Mick |
A small step...
Last week, in the newly negotiable cave, I applied myself to taking out the B lump. Carbs and manifold off; exhaust manifold unbolted and tied out of the way; rocker box cover off and lifting lugs bolted on; starter motor off; bell housing supported with loop of furry rope and unbolted and, finally, engine mounting brackets unbolted. Hooray! Time to start cranking my Machine Mart crane, whose jib, even on its last extension hole, is never quite long enough. I think its designer only thought in terms of transverse FWD installations :rolleyes:. Anyway, after lots of angle of engine dangle adjustments and raising and lowering of gearbox I was almost there, except for the thermostat housing snagging on the nose cone. Off with that (no thermostat fitted!) and with about a millimetre to spare at each end the lump swung free :)
I wheeled the now much lighter car back and positioned my trusty 20+ year old Machine Mart trolley under the mill and lowered away to loud splintering noises. Oops, I should have stored it in the dry! I found an old length of kitchen worktop, sawed it to size, screwed on the stepped sump support block and transferred the castors. No splintering this time. Ratchet strap, wheel to the back of the cave, stow folded crane alongside and push car back. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...6a38fa31_b.jpg I'm so pleased to have actually done something positive towards the project, that I wandered down there in the rain a few times over the weekend for a smugathon. Happy days! Regards, Mick |
The B series is a heavy old lump. I found it easier to drop the engine out underneath lifting the car to clear it. The B series engine must make up a large percentage of the Marlin's overall weight. Without it, and the wheels, I could lift up the front by hand. Your lightweight climax engine should make it fly!
Cheers, Robin |
Good shout Robin!
This morning I set about removing the exhaust and gearbox. I first craned the front end up and put axle stands under the frame rails The exhaust took little time or effort, the 'box a couple of hours and plenty of head scratching. Taking the overdrive gear stick out needed the carpet fitted over the tunnel peeling back, the gaiter turning inside out, the bayonet retaining cup releasing, and the overdrive wires disconnecting. I passed a loop of rope through the hole in the tunnel around the overdrive unit, stuck a screwdriver through it and took off the rear rubber mounting from below. I then lowered the bell housing to the floor, moved the car back the few necessary inches for the UJ to clear the cross member and gently lowered the back end. I could then roll the crane/car combination back sufficiently to lift out the 'box. Job done.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...eab62cc8_b.jpg I shall advertise the overdrive unit unless anyone on here is interested. Regards, Mick |
Gearbox and exhaust
Hi Mick
Is it a standard MGB overdrive box? I only ask because the pundits on the Marlin Owners forum seemed to think that wouldn't fit as the tunnel is too narrrow. And I would be interested in seeing a picture of the exhaust if possible. Mainly the bit from the manifold down. Mine was so rusted therough it wasn't even worth keeping as a template... Cheers, Robin |
Hi Robin
The gearbox is from a Dolomite 1850, the overdrive bolted to it is slim, I'll take a picture later and note the manufacturer's details. Here's a picture of the exhaust, nearside mounted. The guy I bought the car from told me it's from a Westfield. It weighs a ton! https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...92ce1cf5_b.jpg I'm taking a short break from the Marlin whilst I build a sparrow hotel, where I hope they'll nest instead of in my swift boxes. Regards, Mick |
Hi Robin
I couldn't find a manufacturer's name anywhere. The adaptor is clearly BL. That's about it. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...2d55dc51_b.jpg Regards, Mick |
Hi Mick
Thanks for the pictures. Have you any idea as to the condition of the gearbox? (I guess the answer is no....) And how much were you thinking of asking for it? Cheers, Robin PS - Good luck with the bird boxes. I have never had any luck persuading anything at all to nest in mine. However they do seem to like my neighbours ugly Leylandi hedge! |
Hi Robin
The gearbox internals are all in a box, this is how it came. If you're interested in it c/w o/d make me an offer in a PM please. It would be collect from Gloucester. Regards, Mick |
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