Cooper Updates

Here are several pics:

The first is the nose sans radiator oil tank and master cylinders. Note the water and oil running through the longerons.

The second is what I believe to be the Cosworth prepared rocker arm assy...nicely polished and relieved. The last one is the catalog pic of the Sabelt brand seatbelt I went with.

This will be fun to watch!

"Clip in" style seatbelts in a formula car?

I think that is the purdiest valve train I have ever seen!

Following with much interest...

Is that a standard 1500 cortina or updated kent 1600? The rocker shaft mounting blocks look like they could be Cosworth bits. FYI, Pegasus sells an offset head bolt socket that will allow you to torque the head bolts without removing the rocker shaft. My vote for the coolest project in the forum. Wait until you drive this thing, you may need to bring a change of underwear.

Ian

Lenhart06@yahoo.com

Leo, first congrats and getting the deal.

Now isn't that a Ford 105E? or is it the 109 (I mix them up)

For a car of this era Coppers are very sturdy.

Once you have it up and running it will be skatey fun (as in lovely light drifts squirming it's way round every lap).

Open wheelers on dreaded treaded tires are glorious fun....everyone should try one at least once.

Keep sending us updates.

          Tom

The engine is a 109E. Its a 3 main bearing 1000ish cc engine. I think the 1500 Pre-Xflow share the same head, or more precisely the head carried on to the Pre-Xflow. But on the Formula 3 cars, Cosworth figured out by boring in to the head at a 30degree angle they could get the flow rate much better than stock. These Ford/Cosworth Formula 3 engines were called "Screamers" due to the 10,000 RPM redline.

Yes, I am really looking forward to driving this thing!

Leo

Interesting engine. I didn't realize it was not a XFlow until I looked back at the first photos you posted. At glance, it looked like a 711m stuffed in there at an angle with a crazy looking intake manifold. So are the cylinders vertical or angled? 10k rpm sounds like a ticking time bomb, how do they hold up?

Leo,

You have a lot more energy than I! What a great link! Keep um coming!

I was just on Apexspeed.com and out of curiosity I search 109e to see if I can learn more about this engine. Not much info, but I did locate some used engine parts that may be of interest . http://ferretindustries.ca/ferretindustries/hirst_racing/index.htm

Ian

Thanks for the link Len. Rupert, Ill do my best!

The bell housing rolls the engine 30 deg. Other than the head, there isn't much that is radical. I haven't opened the bottom end yet, but I wouldn't be surprised to find steel caps. I work out side the country month on/month off, so in January, Ill pull the pan off and take a look. The dry sup is actually canted 30 deg as well.

I have this perverse thought to put my Cosworth BDR in it! but there really isn't a class for it, but it would be a blast to drive.

Leo

Leo I don't mind that you landed the Cooper but now you mention a spare BDR one man having both (while I do not) is getting tough to take:)

If I remember correctly the motor should have steel bearing caps with larger than stock bolts and the bearing shells drilled for oil flow which the stock motor did not. Also it should have steel rods. I also seem to recall the need to keep and eye on valve clearances. Engine rebuilds were needed about the 650 mile mark. The radical downdraft intake ports are used on Datsun A-series as well.

On a different note I wanted to stick a Cosworth BDA or BDR in my Datsun but the motors are worth more than the car.

 Tom

Hi Tom,

Unfortunately, I only have one BDR. Its in my Morgan. I got lucky with that engine. I bought it from a guy in New Zealand who needed the money for another project. But with the MAE, the BDR, and the Mercedes 190 2.3 16v, that brings my Cossie count to 3...LOL

You know the Toyota 1st gen MR2 engine was copied from the BD. Not a bad compromise. Or even a Zetec or what ever "tec" is the flavor of the day.

And now, just a bit of car porn.

Leo

The Toyota 4AG was meant to build on and fix/update the BDA and they are a fine engine, 265HP in Formula Atlantic trim.....still want to swap one A series for the other (Datsun A for Cosworth Belt Drive A)

I bet the Morgan goes well. I also a fan of the 2.3 16's, only driven one once but liked it a lot.

I do have 3 sets of Cosworth pistons..........it's a start or at least as far as I've gotten

    Tom

Clicked through your pictures and dot dot dot I was in Morgantown from '93-'99. My daily driver was an MG Midget that was half red and half black down the center and then a red MGA Coupe. I don't recall any other English cars around (when the town was smaller) other than a guy that drove an old Land Rover, a professor I had drove an MGB, and the guy that had a bunch of Alipines and Tigers. There was a BR Green Triumph GT6 at a auto shop in Star City. It was still there a few years ago. There's a very similar Morgan down here in Charleston I see occasionally. Love the Cooper. Specifically what model would a person Google if they were interested in buying one?

The Cooper I have is a T-72, model year 1964. Originally it had an A series engine. By 65 the Ford engine set the standard and the follow up model was the T-75. The T-75 had minor updates, but is almost identical to the 72. When the T-75 came with an engine it came with a Cosworth prepped Anglia engine called an MAE (Modified Anglia Engine), AKA the Screamer...LOL

I see the Tiger guy a couple times a year, and the green GT6 is still there! We have a nice little sports car club established in town now. If your in town again, let me know.

Where did your MGA Coupe end up?

Leo

The Coupe is in my garage here in Charleston. When a drunk smashed up my Midget one Saturday near the MountainLair, I drove the MGA around until I decided what to get for my replacement DD. That was 1998 or 1999. There was a TR6 on Green Bag Road and that GT6. Both for sale and both within my budget of $3000. I decided to buy a Ford Thunderbird instead... I wonder what they're asking for the GT6 now. It's been my "what-if" car since then. I can't believe it's still there. I think it first appeared during my freshman year in 1993, having been freshly restored and parked outside where it sits now, I guess. Not that I need it and that would be a drive just to kick the tires and make an inquiry, but I wouldn't having it if it still looks like it did...20 years ago.

It looks like a survivor. I have never stopped and looked. The paint is a bit oxidized, but no rust visible. I had a 69 GT6 that I miss lots! Those are really fun cars.

MY buddy has a MGA Coupe. I was just wondering if he may have gotten it from you.

Leo