New Engine for B.M.C. Light Commercials
Page 39
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
I T is announced today by the British Motor Corporation that all versions of the Austin and Morris car,type l0-cwt., J4 MI0 10i12-cwt. and J2 M16 16/18-cwt. light commercial vehicles are now being fitted \,,ith low-compression versions of the B.M.C. B-series 1.6-litre petrol engine in place of the derated 1.5-litre unit which has hitherto been standard. The 1-6-litre engine is based on that used in a number of medium-Sized Austin and Nuffield cars, and gives net power-output increases of between 17 and 19 percent compared with the 1-5-litre engine, with torque improvements of between 11 and 12 per cent. In the case of all vehicles, the new engine does not involve any price changes.
With a compression ratio of 7-2 to 1, the 1.6-litre engine cart be used with commercial-grade petrols, and at present no high-compression alternative is being offered, as was the case with the earlier 1.5-litre-powered 10-cwt. models. As employed in J2 and J4 vehicles, the new engine develops 49 b.h.p. (net) at 4,000 r.p.m. and 81 lb. ft. torque at 2,000 r.p.m., and the original gearboxes and rear axles are retained, although the extra power can be expected to give slight maximumspeed increases. In the 10-ewt. models the engine has a net output of 56 b.h.p. at 4,500 r.p.m.. with a peak torque rating of 83 lb. ft. at 1000 r.p.m.: this version of the engine has an S.U. carburetter as opposed to the Solex carburetter of the unit specified for the 12 and J4 models. In the case of the 10-cwts., the original 4-875-to-1 final-drive gearing is replaced by a 4-55-to-1 axle, and this is claimed to raise the fully laden maximum speed from 76 m.p.h. to almost 80 m.p.h.
Fitting of the new engines has not altered the gross-weight ratings of any of the vehicles c.oncerned, which remain at 31-5 cwt., for 10-cwt. models, 36.cwt. for J4s and 46 cwt. for all versions of the .12. In the case of the two larger models the B.M.C. b.h.p. 1.5-litre diesel engine continues to be offered at £85 extra cost.