More Power for B.M.C. and Thames Vans
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LARGER and more powerful engines have been adopted as standard for the Austin A35 and Morris Minor 5-cwt. models, which are now increased in payload rating to 6 cwt. Also announced this week is the option of the Ford Consul Cortina engine and gearbox in Thames 5and 7-cwt. vehicles. The prices of the B.M.C. models are increased slightly as a result of the power-unit and other changes, and the optional engine in the Thames vans adds £20 to the standard price. Increased prices for B.M.C. Minibased vans and pick-ups are announced also.
The engine, clutch, gearbox and finaldrive gearing of the Austin and Morris vehicles are common to both marques. The power unit is similar to that employed in the Morris and M.G. 1100 private cars, and has a cubic capacity of 1.098 litres. The standard compression ratio is 7.5 : 1, permitting the use of commercial-grade petrol whilst still giving a net power output of 45 b.h.p. at 5,100 r.p.m., the torque peak of 57 lb.-ft, occurring at 3,000 r.p.m. The new unit has an S.U. H.S.2-type carburetter and a 7.25-in.-diameter clutch is fitted to cope with the additional power, the original 0.948-litre 34-b.h.p, petrol engine having a 6.25-in. clutch.
Transmission Changes Changes affecting the transmissions of both models include the adoption of a new four-speed gearbox with baulk-ring synchromesh on the upper three ratios and a second-gear ratio of 2.172: 1, the previous gearbox having had a 2.374 : 1
second gear. An increase in the finaldrive ratio has been effected also—from 4.22 to 4.55 : 1—and this higher gearing gives improved maximum and cruising speeds, the top-gear road speed per 1,000 r.p.m. being 15.94 m.p.h.. whilst the maximum speed approaches 80 m.p.h.
The additional 1-cwt. payload rating has not necessitated any chassis changes in the case of the Austin A35 van, but the Morris van and pick-up models now have larger front brakes-8 in. compared with 7 in. Both marques have windscreen washers and courtesy-type cab interior lights as standard equipment, whilst Morris models are now equipped with flashing direction indicators, these having been standard on the Austin van since April of this year.
The new prices for the A35 van are £378 finished in primer and £388 in one of four standard colours, these being £15 B18 and £19 10s. higher than before. Prices of the Morris vehicles, with the previous prices in parentheses, are as follows: van in primer, £395 (£379 10s.); van painted, £405 (£385); pick-up in primer, £389 (£373); pick-up painted, £396 10s. (1378 10s.).
increased prices are announced for Austin and Morris Mini-Van and Mini pick-up models also. The new prices are as follows, with the old prices in parentheses: van, in primer, £362 (£354); van painted, £372 (£360); pick-up in primer, £362 (£355); pick-up painted, £369 (£359 10s.). The basic specifications of these models remaih unaltered, but windscreen washers, interior cab lights and overriders are now standard.
Thames 5and 7-cwt. vans are now available with the Ford Consul Cortina 1.198-litre engine, all-synchromesh fourspeed gearbox and wider front and rear brakes as optional equipment. When the new engine is fitted the vans become the most powerful of their type available in this country. The Cortina unit, which nas bore and stroke dimensions of 80.19 mm.
(3.187 in.) and 58.19 mm. (2.29 in.) respectively, has a gross power output of 53 b.h.p, at 4,800 r.p.m., the gross torque figure being 66.5 lb.-ft. at 2,700 r.p.m. The standard compression ratio is 8.7 to 1, with the option of 7.3 to 1. The standard 0.997-litre engine has a gross output of 35 b.h.p. at 4,800 r.p.m. with the standard 7.5-to-1 compression ratio, the gross torque output being 51 lb.-ft. at 2,100 r.p.m.
Synchromesh on. all four forward ratios is a feature of the gearbox supplied with this engine. The gearing is 3,543. 2,396, 1.412 and 1 to 1 forward, with a reverse ratio of 3.963 to l. The three upper ratios are the same as those of the gearbox in the standard van, but reverse and first are appreciably higher, these respective ratios in the standard box being 5.401 and 4,118 to I.
As with the standard vehicle, 8-in.diameter drum brakes are employed at front and rear, but whereas with the smaller engine these are 1.25 in. wide in both cases, the more powerful version has 1.75-in.-wide front brakes and 1.5-in. rears, giving an increase in lining area from 76.8 sq. in. to 81.68 sq. in. The optional engine, gearbox and brakes add £20 to the basic prices of the vans, which are £379 for the 5-cwt. in primer and 1409 for the 7-cwt., painted versions being £10 more expensive.
Gudgeon Pins Standard A NEW British Standard in the series I–% on engine details has been published. It is B.S.3537, "Gudgeon Pins," and specifies pin sizes for new designs of 1,C. engines with bore diameters from 1 in. to 12 in.