M&W 550 Overhaul...

Replica owners or enthusiasts are very welcome

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alfacat
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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by alfacat »

A quick update to share as these pics. turned up in my e-mail this morning.

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Engine and gear box are out, foot wells removed, brake pipes, fuel pipes and transmission linkage (from Hell) moved to a skip!
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Martin & Walker roller skate in all it's glory.
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Anyone what an 1.7 Alfasud Sprint/33 engine...
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or gearbox?
Image

All the best
Ian F.


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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by hot66 »

So what motors going in ? VW flat 4 ?
James

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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by alfacat »

hot66 wrote:So what motors going in ? VW flat 4 ?
Hi James
Yep, that's the plan, that and a 914 gearbox.
It's all about fun at legal speeds, rather than balls out power!

All the best
Ian F.
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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by rhd racer »

Wow, that is a tear-down!
93 964 C2
99 Boxster 2.5 > 2.7 hill climber

71 914/6 3.0 - gone

'You see Paul, hill climbing is like making love to a beautiful woman. You get your motor running, check your fluids, hang on tight and WHOA..30 seconds later it's all over!' Swiss Tony
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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by alfacat »

This weeks up date see’s the car about as stripped as it gets.
Soon Paul will start to weld in new metal and the 'rebuild' will start for real.

Image

Image

As always stay tuned for news as it happens...

All the best
Ian F.




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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by Anta »

Will be great. The chassis mods Paul will do male it stiffer. Handle like it is on rails. Good choice on the engine too. Not cheap but you just can’t beat aircooled for this application!

Enjoy the build!
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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by alfacat »

Anta wrote:Will be great. The chassis mods Paul will do male it stiffer. Handle like it is on rails. Good choice on the engine too. Not cheap but you just can’t beat aircooled for this application!

Enjoy the build!

Hi Anta
Thanks for your coments, it means a lot as it was your 'thread' that inspired the work in the first place and the choice of Paul to do it.
I'm still refering back to your pics when making choices about what to do and altho the bodywork is not undergoing the same level of attention it still works as inspiration.
If mine's half as nice as yours I'll be a happy chap!

All the best
Ian F.

PS. I'm not going for anywhere near your cars power figures. :wink:
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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by alfacat »

Hi Guys
Just a few thoughts (and a decision) on the engine and gearbox.
My cars was originally built with an Alfasud 1.5 engine and transmission, at some time in its past the 1.5 was swapped for a 1.7 (from a Sprint or 33), following that the transmission was swapped as well.
Now while I’m rather found of Alfa Romeos and the flat four is a great little engine, there’s a part of me that feels it really should be an air-cooled engine in a 550 rep.
So, after a short chat with Paul, who pointed out that putting an engine that we have no idea of its history or millage and the poor availability of spares in a smart new chassis wouldn’t be at the top of his list.
So, a decision was made, and the car will be fitted with a 1641cc Type 1 engine, the transmission will be replaced by a Porsche 901/914 ‘side shift’ gearbox (which is nice).
I’ll post specs. and more info once I have some pics. of the engine.

NB. The Alfa drive train has already been sold.

All the best
Ian F.
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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by Lightweight_911 »

.

Switching to an aircooled engine is definitely the right decision (for a 550 Spyder replica) ...

.
Andy

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- subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere”
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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by alfacat »

Thanks Andy
Yes your right, as much as I like the Alfa 'boxer' engine this is a much better match for the car and the fact thats its efectively a new engine gives me peace of mind.
The gearbox change will enable a far shorter and far more positive linkage, which was one of the orignal (big) issues with the car.
The fact it's a Porsche gearbox is nice as well.

NB. Must keep reminding myself it's a 'dog leg' 1st... ;-)

All the best
Ian F
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and a few old Lotus.

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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by alfacat »

Hi Guys
Now we (I say “we”, it’s Paul’s knowledge and expertise, I just agreed to the plan) have a spec. for the new engine, so I thought I’d bring you up to date.
As already discussed, it’s a VW Type 1 1641cc engine built from all new parts (with the exception of the rebuilt Dellorto DRLA 40’s that come curtesy of previous Alfasud engine) including cases, Pistons & barrels, a counterweighted crank, a Scat C35 cam and EMPI heads (fitted with heavy duty springs).
There will a remote oil filter and front mounted oil cooler but I’m sure you’ve already guessed this.
This will drive the previously decided on 901/914 box via a lightened /balanced flywheel.
So nothing revolutionary (other than my ‘hands off’ learning curve in regard to air cooled engines) just a carefully built and balance, simple and relatively unstressed engine producing around 90BHP (more than enough for 4.5” wide tyres on Lake District B roads with my level of driving skills).

NB. Any inaccuracies or lack of detail are almost certainly down to my misunderstanding rather than Paul’s work. ;-)

Image

Image

Also work moves on at a pace for the chassis and if all goes to plan it should be off to the powder coaters fairly
soon (the test fit of the transmission and a short block looks great).
I’ll post pics. once I can show before, during and after shots.

All the best
Ian F.






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Last edited by alfacat on Sun May 09, 2021 3:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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and a few old Lotus.

Still with us
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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by alfacat »

Morning All
Time for a picture update as the engine is now complete and ready to be bench tested…
Image

The spec. remains as previously stated with the exception that Paul has gone for new carbs. so it is in effect a brand new engine!
Image


All the best
Ian F.


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60s, 70s, 80s, 90s & 00s Alfas
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and a few old Lotus.

Still with us
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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by neilbardsley »

Looks good

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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by alfacat »

Hi Guys
So, the chassis is back from the Powder Coaters (in a rather fetching shade of pale grey) and before the reassembly begins I have a chance to give you a recap of the work done…

Image
Image



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72 2.4 T in Sepia (Charlie)
60s, 70s, 80s, 90s & 00s Alfas
Caterhams (one fast & one very Fast!)
and a few old Lotus.

Still with us
997 C2S (Alice) & M&W 550 Spyder (Lil Caesar)
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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by alfacat »

The pictures below show the state of the chassis at the start of the rebuild. A number of previous owners have had a go at making mods (all of these mods have been removed)
The engine mounts and rear bracing where designed to accommodate the Alfasud flat four engne.
Image

Image

The picture below show the finished item complete with stronger and rejigged rear bracing. Its worth noting that Paul has added new engine mount brackets that will allows the use of modern 911 type mounts to support the drive train.
Image

Test mount of transmission & short block to confirm alinement of new mounts
Image

Image

This is the chassis at its most torn down, I’ve shown these shots before but they make a good reference point for the next pictures.
Image

Image

More to follow...


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Last edited by alfacat on Sat May 15, 2021 11:33 am, edited 1 time in total.
________________

Gone but not forgotten
72 2.4 T in Sepia (Charlie)
60s, 70s, 80s, 90s & 00s Alfas
Caterhams (one fast & one very Fast!)
and a few old Lotus.

Still with us
997 C2S (Alice) & M&W 550 Spyder (Lil Caesar)
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