Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) 1984 4/4 4 seater with an Alfa twin cam engine?

A dealer on a local Facebook page is selling a 1984 4/4 4 seater with an Alfa twin cam engine, I commented that, for that year, it would be a Fiat engine, but the fellow is adamant that he has paperwork from Morgan confirming that it is an Alfa engine.

The Lampredi engine was also used by Alfa I think, but did Morgan ever source the engine from anyone other than Fiat?

Also, on reflection, was the Fiat engine ever used in the 4/4/4? or did they stick with the CVH engine?

Google reveals this:

Designed by ex Ferrari engineer Aurelio Lampredi, the engine was produced in a large number of displacements, ranging from 1.3 to 2.0 L (1,297 to 1,995 cc) and was used in Fiat, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, SEAT and Morgan cars.

and this:

In 1968 came the 4/4 1600 with the Ford Kent 1600 engine in various states of tune. This was replaced by the Ford CVH 1600 engine in early 1982. During this change over between the two Ford engines there were also a few Morgan 4/4 1600's built with the 1600 Fiat Twin cam.

Just to confuse the matter even further , in the late 60s/early 70s a London Centre member had an Alfa Romeo twin cam engine in a 4/4, but this is well before the dates of this car of course.

This was at at time when the 4/4 was pretty underpowered with the standard 1500cc pre-crossflow engine, and if I remember correctly it entered (and won?) a concours.

The oddity is the dealer is adamant that he has paperwork from Morgan confirming that they produced it with the Alfa engine.

Brian,
To answer your second question, our 4/4 4 seater left the factory in 1985 fitted with a 1600cc Fiat twin cam engine and 5 speed gearbox.
The engine number indicates that the engine was intended for a Fiat Argenta.

I remember seeing a few of the twin cams getting built while on a factory visit with my Grandad.

I imagine Fiat had quite a stock of unused units in that case.

The 2 litre version of that engine won countless rallies in various cars, it's a terrific engine. I have it in my 85 plus 4.
It's by far my favourite and I've had a 1600 xflow, 3.5 rover, 3 litre v6 and latest 1600 ford in my mogs. The fiat engine is really flexible and sounds great too.
The gearbox on the other hand........is an acquired pleasure.....

Good to read that you love the two litre Lampredi engine. I have the same on my +4 but I am no that happy with it.
Had it at a Fiat specialist last summer and it seemingly does not really like to rev up. It should do so as power comes from the top unlike the Alfa two litres...
Sound is nice as the 5speed gear box is....