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New member
Posted: 05 Mar 2025, 13:34
by widebandman
Hi everyone,
I'm due to retire soon and I've always wanted to tinker with an engine. Can anybody recommend a good basic starter project? I have an electrical background and I can do the very basics such as change an air filter but I would love to indulge myself a bit more. I was thinking maybe a VW Beetle engine or Morris Minor. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks
Re: New member
Posted: 05 Mar 2025, 15:46
by MarkHughes
Just an engine ? or a whole car ?
Anything will do, It depends on you really, Older is generally going to be simpler but not always.
There is a vast amount of info out there on VW Aircooled engines, I guess same for the A series in the Mini. Some of the Ford engines will also be well catered for in terms of parts and info like the Pinto I expect.
Just have a search and see how much info is available and who can supply parts for any particular unit. These will be your main concerns.
Re: New member
Posted: 05 Mar 2025, 17:27
by TwinTurbo
AI Bot on the loose again ??
Re: New member
Posted: 05 Mar 2025, 18:39
by davidoft1
Where are you located, just an engine or a whole vehicle?
Re: New member
Posted: 05 Mar 2025, 18:43
by Oldiebut goodie
AI = AI?
I can only read AI as an abbreviation for Alan etc. That font is a pain when an "i" becomes an "l"
Re: New member
Posted: 05 Mar 2025, 19:20
by R0B
Who are you saying is a bot?
TwinTurbo wrote: ↑05 Mar 2025, 17:27
AI Bot on the loose again ??
Re: New member
Posted: 05 Mar 2025, 19:34
by Alfredo
Get yourself a Triumph Herald if you want to work on an engine comfortably.
Re: New member
Posted: 06 Mar 2025, 04:58
by widebandman
MarkHughes wrote: ↑05 Mar 2025, 15:46
Just an engine ? or a whole car ?
Anything will do, It depends on you really, Older is generally going to be simpler but not always.
There is a vast amount of info out there on VW Aircooled engines, I guess same for the A series in the Mini. Some of the Ford engines will also be well catered for in terms of parts and info like the Pinto I expect.
Just have a search and see how much info is available and who can supply parts for any particular unit. These will be your main concerns.
Thanks for the reply it will just be an engine on a bench because I don't have room for a whole car
Already a brilliant forum thanks again.
Re: New member
Posted: 06 Mar 2025, 05:04
by widebandman
davidoft1 wrote: ↑05 Mar 2025, 18:39
Where are you located, just an engine or a whole vehicle?
I'm in Woodford Essex. I had a couple of months away from work (Hernia) and it made me realise that I'm not ready for retirement yet I need to start a hobby. My wife thinks that I will go insane without something to get my teeth into
Re: New member
Posted: 06 Mar 2025, 05:09
by widebandman
R0B wrote: ↑05 Mar 2025, 19:20
Who are you saying is a bot?
TwinTurbo wrote: ↑05 Mar 2025, 17:27
AI Bot on the loose again ??
Hope it's not me I'm a new member and my pots are moderated
Re: New member
Posted: 06 Mar 2025, 12:22
by TwinTurbo
The VW Flat four is not an ideal engine to be a first stab. They are rather space hungry and can have some chalenges and can get expensive to rebuild.
Better to go for something common with good parts supply.
Ford Pinto 2.0
A-Series ( as would be used in the Minor/min)
Rob
Re: New member
Posted: 07 Mar 2025, 05:18
by widebandman
TwinTurbo wrote: ↑06 Mar 2025, 12:22
The VW Flat four is not an ideal engine to be a first stab. They are rather space hungry and can have some chalenges and can get expensive to rebuild.
Better to go for something common with good parts supply.
Ford Pinto 2.0
A-Series ( as would be used in the Minor/min)
Rob
Thanks for your advice. I'm going to focus on the A-series and start some reading/learning before I buy something. I'm pretty well sorted for tools. Thanks again