mk1-forum.net

Would be interesting to know if an alloy block would be reliable... could save almost 50lbs weight.

I guess where the head and mains studs screw into the block could be weak points.

Did the factory try out alloy A-series blocks at any point?

An Experimental Alloy A Series, Made By BMC.
"In the late 1950's BMC realised that their "Workhorse" engine the A series could do with a bit of a face lift. To this end they commissioned The British Aluminium Co. to investigate the possibilities of making an all Alloy A Series. This project was overseen by George Harriman with input from other BMC worthies including Issigonis. By 1963 "BA" had produced a number of these blocks in varying configurations, with blocks actually running in at least 1 Riley Elf and the project looked like it was going to go somewhere."
http://mk1-performance-conversions.co.u ... l_dept.htm

http://mk1-performance-conversions.co.u ... report.pdf

http://mk1-performance-conversions.co.u ... lock_2.JPG

The eleven prototype overhead cam A-Series engines built by BL in 1975 used aluminium cylinder heads:-
http://www.mk1-forum.net/viewtopic.php? ... 9&start=10

Has anybody considered doing a block from billet like a Bugatti? Not original but super cool looking! and with today's 5 access milling machines fairly easy......................... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KLNJ8d8Vqc

Matt Read has started on a couple of Billet Blocks but I don't know where he's at with them. I know they had an 'opps' with the first one.

Dave Rosenthal did go down the road of having alloy blocks cast, remarkably similar to that that Rich posted up, however on top of loosing his house & shed in the fires of 2015, he then also lost interest in the whole Mini scene before receiving the first few back for being cast.