Hello Jeepy,
Just out of curiosity, what is it about the xflow that you find objectionable? Lack of power? Maintenance?
The reason I ask is that I've just purchased a 711M crossflow block with the intention of replacing my 1.5 pre-crossflow motor with it.
From what I've read these crossflow engines can be easily upgraded (cam, pistons, sport exhaust, etc.) to 110 hp or so. That would certainly be adequate for my needs, but now I'm thinking I may be going down the wrong path. Is there something I'm missing?
Warren
As Deano states.. The xflow is a reasonable engine.... However for the cost (roughly the same) you might as well get the latest of the easily compatible engines the Zetec... Which you could look at as being a mass produced variant of the BDA. You get 130bhp as a minimum and loads more torque.
You also get better quality parts which are easily available and will be long into the future.
Your situation... Along with many others is why for my two race cars (one an old 72 xflow and the other an 85 cvh) we have converted them to Zetec rather than Duratec (even though the Duratec ultimately out-powers the Zetec as it can be tuned to 300bhp). The development and learning process will help create packages for Morgan owners looking to refresh their older cars.
I think many people with older pre-xflow, xflow and cvh will eventually want to swap them out as parts become scarse and with the re-orientation of the Duratec will be put off by major change. The intake and exhaust swap sides and the bellhousing bolt pattern is different.
Take a look at my development thread here:
http://www.talkmorgan.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/78408/Changing_Classes_and_Engine_al#Post78408
