Ford MT75 Gearbox on a K-Series - Welding Bellhouses?

[sgtBerbatov]

It feels like a subject for kit cars, although it isn't a kit car, so if it needs moving I apologise.

I'm thinking about the feasibility of different engines and gearboxes going in to my Lada (incase I have sense to not spend a load of money on the 1.2 litre Lada engine and replace it with something better/more modern). I've settled between using a Rover K Series engine or a Ford Zetec engine, based purely on cost, parts availability and available knowledge of the two engines.

The Ford Zetec is a simple enough proposition, as I can use an MT75 gearbox on that and it'll fit the car (after some fettling). The Rover K Series though intrigues me, and I quite like those engines, and it'd be quite nice to put on in a Lada. The issue though is that the K Series wasn't really made for longitudinal applications. The caveat being that FSO stuck a 1.4 K Series in their Polonez, and apparently they had a special bellhousing that mated to a Fiat gearbox. I've asked an FSO group about this but I'm waiting to hear back.

The issue I run in to when looking at a K Series engine is the bell housing. Obviously Caterham had the K-Series in a longitudinal format with a Ford Type 9 gearbox, and they had their own bellhousing, but if you can find one they seem mega expensive. An alternative I thought of was to buy a gearbox from an MG F as they're dirt cheap, have the bellhousing - or at least the bolt holes from it - cut off and welded to the Ford gearbox. I couldn't do it myself as I'm not a TIG welder (well, I'm not any sort of welder) so I would outsource it.

So can it be done? Cost would be considered but I'm only drawing up my alternative plans at the moment so I'm not committed to anything yet.

[Mr MXT]

Could you make an adapter plate?

Although, personally, I’d just put a zetec in it!

[sgtBerbatov]

Mr MXT said:

Could you make an adapter plate?

Although, personally, I’d just put a zetec in it!

I'm not sure, as any information I find talks about the Type 9 gearbox on the K Series and how it needs a bellhousing. From what I can see, the MT75 box has it's own bell housing. Maybe I could get away with an adapter plate? I don't know though as I don't have a K Series or gearbox to look at, as I want to get the research bob on before I part with cash.

[S47]

MT75 doesn't have a separate bellhousing - its gearboxcase includes the bellhousing, yes you could cut of the mount face but that would ruin the gearbox.
There are plenty of K series - Ford bellhousings available, most Ford suppliers will sell you one eg Burtons or rally sport. cost is £200 or less if you're lucky.
MT 75 has a crap gear ratio set fitted and AFAIK nobody offfers a decent alternative set of ratios. Best solution is a Type 9 gearbox with a K series bellousing. as mentioned. Type 9 can be had with whatever ratios you want Mine for example has Standard 'Lotus cortina' Bullet ratios S/Cut with OD 5th - an awesome BOX, for not a lot of cash.

Cheapest and best solution is to fit a zetec - cheep as chips and either the MT75 or type 9 bolts straight on
Let us know what you decide

[sgtBerbatov]

Thanks both.

I've gone over this all yesterday and today. I think ultimately I'm going to go and buy myself either a Ford Focus or Ford Mondeo with a 2.0 engine and marry that to a Mazda gearbox. Whether it comes from an RX8 or MX5 I'm not sure yet, as - depending on the Ford I end up with - if it's a Duratec then it'll bolt straight on. But otherwise this seems far easier to do. Plus I can nab brake calipers, air con etc off of the Ford donor for my own Lada.

Thanks again