New 403 owner

[Geoff Dowdle]

Having bought a few AC's with odd engines fitted & 400's without engines &
boxes over the years there always seems to be someone that has spares
available especially 85 series ex 400 & 401.

I think a few alternative motors suitable for a 6 cylinder chassis (subject
to measurement )might be a Daimler V8 of early 60's or a Rover 3500 V8 ,
both should fit behind the cross member with out major modification . They
are relatively short and light with excellent torque and should suit the car
and not upset the handling.

I've seen Holden/GM 3 litre sixes & XK Jag engines fitted to 400 & 401
chassis but major modifications to the firewall, floors & gearbox X member
are necessary.

Has anyone seen a small V8 fitted to a 6 cylinder Bristol Chassis ???

Geoff

[Max Tone]

Hal,

Have you seen post re 402 undergoing restoration in Denmark? In its present stripped state, now would be the ideal time to examine how it's put together, mountings, hood, frame etc.

Maybe Greibel might take more snaps, measurements etc., or find yerself an excuse to fly to Denmark!

Rob

[Hal]

Originally Posted by Geoff Dowdle

might be a Daimler V8 of early 60's or a Rover 3500 V8 , both should fit behind the cross member with out major modification .

Geoff

Sounds like a lot bigger engines. Could the chassis handle the horsepower, and are parts for these engines readily available ?

Originally Posted by Max Tone

Hal,

Have you seen post re 402 undergoing restoration in Denmark? In its present stripped state, now would be the ideal time to examine how it's put together, mountings, hood, frame etc.

Maybe Greibel might take more snaps, measurements etc., or find yerself an excuse to fly to Denmark!

Rob

Rob

Thats not a bad idea, and i could pick up some tips etc. I'll have to ask him to see what he says.

Thanks Hal

[Rubbond]

Don't worry about the Rover engine - there are literally thousands of the
old Buick-based 3.5 litre engines available from scrapped Range Rovers and
Discovery's, and they are pretty indestructable. You could even choose
between carburetor or fuel injection.
I find it sad that many early Bristols have become just a cheap source of
6-cyl engines for AC's, FN's and Arnolt's. Like Jaguar V-12's for kit cars.
I remember helping a pattern maker chissel away at the wooden mould for the
cylinder head of that engine, in Nuneaton, I guess in 1970?
The blueprint stretched across the entire wall in his workshop!
I came across a 406 in London for less than GBP 2000 about 2 years ago, with
I believe an Opel Manta engine, grubby leather and no doubt lots of rust.
That's not a viable project in my opinion (just worked out what IMO means).
With best regards,
Andrew.

[Hal]

Originally Posted by rubbond

Don't worry about the Rover engine -
Andrew.

Thanks Andrew, if the engine fits a 403 then that could be a good option, as there are lots of scrapped Range Rovers about.

Originally Posted by rubbond

That's not a viable project in my opinion (just worked out what IMO means).

Lol

[Kevin H]

That Daimler V8 is a sweet sounding engine, wouldn't have anywhere near as much grunt as the Rover V8 but might be more in keeping with a 403.

As for Bristol's use of Chrysler engines, don't forget that Jensen also used them at the time, so did Facel Vega and Monteverdi. So Bristol were in good company.

The fact is, adopting the Chrysler power train instead of developing their own would be a major contributing factor in Bristol's survival to this day.

Kevin

PS. Don't even think about going down the electric route!

[Hal]

Originally Posted by Kevin Howard

PS. Don't even think about going down the electric route!

So I take it that going electric would be grounds for excommunication ?

[Claude]

Originally Posted by Hal

So I take it that going electric would be grounds for excommunication ?

Yes, Kevin. A sound engineering analysis of why such an assertion would be appreciated.

We had a visit years ago from an overseas visitor just out of the army who had the disconcerting habit of responding with "You are wrong", said with sufficient finality that it took us quite a while to figure out how to have a reasonable conversation.

Claude