1966 Mk1 2000 Modifications
Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2016 4:01 pm
Hi There Everybody,
I am looking for a fair amount of advice as I try to finally to do some serious work on my 2000 after 15 years of ownership. The help you have given me in the past has been well appreciated and applied. I apologize in advance as there is quite a lot on my mind. So off I go:
1: The engine is VERY tired so I am having my spare 1969 GT6+ engine rebuilt. Are there any installation issues that I might encounter? Are the mounts the same? Are there clearance issues? Is this ill-advised? The engine that I am removing is not the original so no great loss to originality (it is an early Mk1 GT6 motor installed by a previous owner who I run into at shows. He still misses the car greatly but he should never have purchased tools. Every time I need to fix something it is apparent that he was quite creative. Nice guy though).
2. The engine is being uprated a bit with roller rockers, a mild cam upgrade, and head work so the car can actually go up hills. Living in Southern California this is imperative as to go anywhere you have to climb pretty big hills. The car currently has headers. These will not fit on the new engine. As fitted right now they knock on the frame on idle. Have any of you done this swap and installed headers? How do you avoid the knock? More importantly, who can I get decent headers from? GT6 suppliers are pretty rare here and I want headers that work so I don't mind spending an extra bit of cash here.
3. I am currently running Stromberg CD175 carbs on a manifold that my mechanic has never seen before. I would like to put these on the new engine as they are recently rebuilt and work great. We are pretty sure the manifold won't fit. Is there a manifold that will fit the new motor to allow me to use my current carbs? If not, I will have to go with the GoodParts triple carb set-up I guess but I am trying to save money on this bit. I want to put fuel injection on the car in the next 2 years and don't want to spend big money twice if I can help it. I could really do it now I suppose but have chosen 2 weeks in Maui instead. What can I say?
4. Flywheel? I gave my flywheel away because my friend was desperate. Now I don't have one. Is there a lightweight aluminum or steel one available anywhere that is good quality?
5. I am planning an alternator conversion. Is there anything I have to watch out for? I really don't want catch on fire. I would also like to upgrade my headlights. Any thoughts? And I am definitely in need of music. My car does not have an accessory position on the ignition so you can't listen to music without the whole car being on. Makes going to the drive-in movies difficult as you have to listen through your stereo now which makes the battery goes a bit flat. Is this normal for this model? If it is, can the ignition switch be changed easily without causing problems?
6. Is is possible to add power steering to my car? It is an early 1966 so I think not but it would be great if someone has any ideas or suggestions.
7. My suspension is rebuilt but the car still has a lot of understeer. Are anti-sway bars available? I haven't seen any but am hopeful there is a solution. What about a strut bar? Anything would help as I really like the twisty roads. I don't expect it to handle like my TR250 but it would be nice to go a bit faster without scaring myself to death. I am planning a 3500 mile road trip this summer with some of my friends who will all be more nimble and it would be nice to not be left behind. Also, after the summer I plan on delivering the car to my niece at school so I would like the handling to be predictable for her. Unfortunately, the speed gene runs true in her so safely is imperative.
I am sure I will have more questions so thanks in advance. And any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as well. It take a village to keep these cars going.
Hello to you Andy Roberts and hope to see you on these shores soon.
Cheers!
-Mary
I am looking for a fair amount of advice as I try to finally to do some serious work on my 2000 after 15 years of ownership. The help you have given me in the past has been well appreciated and applied. I apologize in advance as there is quite a lot on my mind. So off I go:
1: The engine is VERY tired so I am having my spare 1969 GT6+ engine rebuilt. Are there any installation issues that I might encounter? Are the mounts the same? Are there clearance issues? Is this ill-advised? The engine that I am removing is not the original so no great loss to originality (it is an early Mk1 GT6 motor installed by a previous owner who I run into at shows. He still misses the car greatly but he should never have purchased tools. Every time I need to fix something it is apparent that he was quite creative. Nice guy though).
2. The engine is being uprated a bit with roller rockers, a mild cam upgrade, and head work so the car can actually go up hills. Living in Southern California this is imperative as to go anywhere you have to climb pretty big hills. The car currently has headers. These will not fit on the new engine. As fitted right now they knock on the frame on idle. Have any of you done this swap and installed headers? How do you avoid the knock? More importantly, who can I get decent headers from? GT6 suppliers are pretty rare here and I want headers that work so I don't mind spending an extra bit of cash here.
3. I am currently running Stromberg CD175 carbs on a manifold that my mechanic has never seen before. I would like to put these on the new engine as they are recently rebuilt and work great. We are pretty sure the manifold won't fit. Is there a manifold that will fit the new motor to allow me to use my current carbs? If not, I will have to go with the GoodParts triple carb set-up I guess but I am trying to save money on this bit. I want to put fuel injection on the car in the next 2 years and don't want to spend big money twice if I can help it. I could really do it now I suppose but have chosen 2 weeks in Maui instead. What can I say?
4. Flywheel? I gave my flywheel away because my friend was desperate. Now I don't have one. Is there a lightweight aluminum or steel one available anywhere that is good quality?
5. I am planning an alternator conversion. Is there anything I have to watch out for? I really don't want catch on fire. I would also like to upgrade my headlights. Any thoughts? And I am definitely in need of music. My car does not have an accessory position on the ignition so you can't listen to music without the whole car being on. Makes going to the drive-in movies difficult as you have to listen through your stereo now which makes the battery goes a bit flat. Is this normal for this model? If it is, can the ignition switch be changed easily without causing problems?
6. Is is possible to add power steering to my car? It is an early 1966 so I think not but it would be great if someone has any ideas or suggestions.
7. My suspension is rebuilt but the car still has a lot of understeer. Are anti-sway bars available? I haven't seen any but am hopeful there is a solution. What about a strut bar? Anything would help as I really like the twisty roads. I don't expect it to handle like my TR250 but it would be nice to go a bit faster without scaring myself to death. I am planning a 3500 mile road trip this summer with some of my friends who will all be more nimble and it would be nice to not be left behind. Also, after the summer I plan on delivering the car to my niece at school so I would like the handling to be predictable for her. Unfortunately, the speed gene runs true in her so safely is imperative.
I am sure I will have more questions so thanks in advance. And any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as well. It take a village to keep these cars going.
Hello to you Andy Roberts and hope to see you on these shores soon.
Cheers!
-Mary