Engine Interchangeability..

[SanRemo78]

As most of you know I have a 2 litre Coupe. Common across the whole range of Beta's except the Montecarlo about which I know not as much as i should! My only experience was a part ownership many many years ago. By which I mean the part I owned was a centre tub for an 037 replica that never happened - another story.

I've been offered a Montecarlo engine and gearbox and, possibly, a second gearbox but I suspect that these might not be interchangeable with the FWD Beta. Pictures of driveshafts that I've seen show a long and a short one which leads me to suspect that the mounting points on the block for the intermediate shaft are absent on the Montecarlo. I'm also aware of the camber mounted distributor and wondered if that would foul the underside of a Beta bonnet? Then there's the sump pan and, presumably, the oil pump too? What about the box? Obviously it's hydraulically operated but capable of cable conversion but is the final drive ratio the same as the Coupe?

Over to the Montecarlo experts!

If there is anyone in the group who could make better used of these parts (I think they're located in Yorkshire but haven't asked that question) please let me know by PM and I'll happily put you in touch! Assuming that it's not a suitable engine/box for the Beta Coupe!

Cheers
Guy

[WestonE]

Hi Guy

It is possible to use if you have the right Beta Engine Donor parts i.e. a complete Beta 2000 unit from which you will want
Sump & Oil Pump (cross member issue)
Oil Block for filter (monte has huge block of cast iron)
Driveshaft carrying engine mount crank end & packing washers (the Monte block has a shorter boss)
A block mounted distributor that works and a plug for the cambox one or a cam carrier you swap over.

The Monte Gearbox has a different selector top assembly and would need a partial strip to swap over to the Beta one. BUT the Monte gearbox has a hopeless low first gear so just use a Beta 2000 gearbox. A 2000 IE one if you can find it.

Eric 

[SanRemo78]

Thanks for the input Eric - I'm going to wait and see what state the block in the car at the moment is in before I start a search for a replacement. I actually have an offer of an already tuned one from a Stratos replica but that might not be available for a few years yet. Another long story!

So, if anyone else is in need of, or wants a spare Montecarlo drivetrain give me a shout and I'll pass on contact details. The second gearbox has already gone to another contact in the Stratos Replica Club.

Guy