Wrong engine

[swoakes]

I have just discovered that my Spit Mark 4 is fitted with a 1296 engine from a dolomite prefix DH. What are the differences between the two engines? How do they compare on power output? Thanks Steve

[CHRIS211083]

DH engine 58bhp. The two are very similar, the differences are:

1. cam shaft is a round cam and doesn't produce much power after 4,000. Mk4 cam is much better, but its only £90 for a mk3 cam from Canleys which is better than both by a mile.

2. Mk4 spit head has bigger inlet valves however you can just get bigger valves fitted to your DH head but id check your head no. as my DH engine has a 1500 head.

3.Depending on what year the mk4 spit engine was, the early mk4 engines had a flat head where later mk4 models and dolomite engines have fire rings or recesses in the head(ie not flat).

Quite a few things, The spits engine revs better and produces more power but they are similar in construction. If your Dolomite engine is a good one then it would be cheaper to get the head modified and buy a new cam than buy a mk4 engine and fitting it.

Hope this helps, Chris.

[swoakes]

Thanks for the reply. So how many BHP will the car be down on what it should be given that it is fitted with twin carbs? Thanks Steve

[CHRIS211083]

The twin carbs wont give any more as the cam wont let the motor breathe. Your down about 10bhp but its the way the motor makes the power that makes the difference not bhp figures.

[Doug Paterson]

All the engine number really tells you is that the BLOCK was originally fitted to a dolly.  If its had a rebuild you've no idea what's inside.

I've a DH block with the rest of the engine 1500 stuff (crank, head, cam etc).  Goes like stink.

[swoakes]

Yes that's true; much has happened since 1972! Much work to do before its out on the road. Fingers crossed that the block is not the only thing that has changed. Steve

[swoakes]

Further to this issue. The engine is fitted with a 25D dizzy. Can the original Remy D200 distributor be fitted to this engine? Thanks Steve

[CHRIS211083]

Hi, i think its the pedestal that's different, easy swap. But the Lucas has better and cheaper spares backing.

[swoakes]

OK but I want to utilise th original cable driven rev counter. Steve

[CHRIS211083]

Ive got a spare if you want it in my spare dolly engine???

[swoakes]

Sorry spare what? Steve

[CHRIS211083]

Dissy 204 delco.



With pedistal.

But you need to find out if you need the drive as well, this bit:



Let me know if your interested as i have one in my car already.

Chris.

[swoakes]

Hi Chris, I have the dizzy but not sure if my pedestal which currently holds the D25 will fit the Remy. I spoke to Triumph World today who supplied the Dizzy and he said he can supply me with the correct pedestal if I need it although he thinks it may fit. So is the drive gear matched to the pedestal? I have now found a receipt for a reconditioned engine fitted in 1989; I guess its possible that a donor Dolomite block was used fitted with upgraded valves and cam for a Spit? Steve

[CHRIS211083]

Maybe mate, end of the day they are all similar and anything could have been done. The choice is your to how far you go.............I dont know about the pedestal so just give it a go and find out. If you need one i have one if not dont worry about it. Its there for the next person who needs some spares. Chris.

[swoakes]

Cheers Chris. It will be a few weeks before I get the car started again; and I will initially do this on the old dizzy. When its running OK I will attempt a swap; I don't want to do too much all in one go as I won't know where the problem lies. Cheers Steve