My 123 was born with the very last of the M115 type engines, same basic engine used across most of the smaller engines across the range from the 60's onwards.
Although very strong, M115 does not like to be tuned and is very heavy on juice..
Some time ago I deided to upgrade to the later 200 engine. kept an eye out on Ebay and around two years ago I spotted an 80,000 mile car with front end damage (bent bumper and bonnet).
Bought that and since then its been sitting on my drive waiting for me to get the courage up to do the transplant.
So I got talking to Mr Ian B Walker at the last get together and we arranged to do it last weekend.
I arranged all the new parts needed in advance, this included a 5 speed gearbox (to replace my 4), gear selectors, clutch, propshaft, Propshaft donuts, engine mounts, leads, plugs, Distributor cap and all the rest of the service items needed..
Mr Walker and two enthusiastic apprentices arrived at around 7.30 on Saturday morning and we wasted no time.
We all worked through the day, no breaks.
By around 11 am we had both engines out of both cars... This was the easy bit!!
The rest of the day was spent refitting all the new parts and lets just say putting things back together is a lot harder than taking them apart!
After a lot of extending of wiring looms and messing with clutch plates and so on we finally had it all together at 9.30pm.
Mr Walker, his son and friend were all fantastic so special thanks to them.
Sunday was spent tidying up, tightening bolts and servicing the new engine... Still a few finishing touches to be made however.
The result is fantastic, with that five speed box and later engine, she's better than new! who knows, might even get more than 10mpg now!
Here are the pics:
Original Engine
New Engine
Work Begins on the donor car
The old motor coming out
And the new one in!
Facelift Headlamp Mod (Grill Mod to Come!)
Although very strong, M115 does not like to be tuned and is very heavy on juice..
Some time ago I deided to upgrade to the later 200 engine. kept an eye out on Ebay and around two years ago I spotted an 80,000 mile car with front end damage (bent bumper and bonnet).
Bought that and since then its been sitting on my drive waiting for me to get the courage up to do the transplant.
So I got talking to Mr Ian B Walker at the last get together and we arranged to do it last weekend.
I arranged all the new parts needed in advance, this included a 5 speed gearbox (to replace my 4), gear selectors, clutch, propshaft, Propshaft donuts, engine mounts, leads, plugs, Distributor cap and all the rest of the service items needed..
Mr Walker and two enthusiastic apprentices arrived at around 7.30 on Saturday morning and we wasted no time.
We all worked through the day, no breaks.
By around 11 am we had both engines out of both cars... This was the easy bit!!
The rest of the day was spent refitting all the new parts and lets just say putting things back together is a lot harder than taking them apart!
After a lot of extending of wiring looms and messing with clutch plates and so on we finally had it all together at 9.30pm.
Mr Walker, his son and friend were all fantastic so special thanks to them.
Sunday was spent tidying up, tightening bolts and servicing the new engine... Still a few finishing touches to be made however.
The result is fantastic, with that five speed box and later engine, she's better than new! who knows, might even get more than 10mpg now!
Here are the pics:
Original Engine
New Engine
Work Begins on the donor car
The old motor coming out
And the new one in!
Facelift Headlamp Mod (Grill Mod to Come!)
Cutting a long story short and after some ingenious wireing up from Jay the beast ran. Point to note though. The original engine was only held in by one engine mounting 
The car had previously been inspected at a well known Indie and passed as sound. Please do not ask for the name as I am not going to post it. We finished the task at 9pm and after a hasty goodbye set off for home and a well earned kip. Once again I would like to thank Jay for his hospitality, equipment and humour. I would also like to thank Christopher (my son) and Dylan for their outstanding help, without EVERYONES help this would have taken days not hours.
