TOPIC:

I am re-building an A1 at the moment, unfortunately I don't have an A1 Motor, however I have what I believe to be an A3 motor Lying around the garage, problems being that I don't have an A3 IC Ignitor, Reg / Rec, or pickups etc, and the loom I am using is also from an A1. Simple answer I believe is to rebuild the Motor to A! specification has anyone ever done this if so was there any issues doing so.
I looked through the Technical articles on this forum and copied this piece about it, ( I know there are a lot of 81's out there dead in the water due to the impossible task of finding a replacement. As they only made the 'Hall Effect' design one year, they are very rare. I have never had one come into my shop. I suspect it MAY be possible to convert it to the 79' or 80' type ignition as it seems to still have the distributor port on the back of the block (covered by a removable plate), but I have never had one here to see if this is a possibility)

I see no reason that it can't be done simply, it in my mind is just the relocation of electrical components from an A1 system. Please comment with any advice or pitfalls you may know of through experience, any advice is massively appreciated.
Cheers
Mark

I have often wondered if you could use a Dana system from a GS1000 and add an extra pickup with 3 coils.
might take a bit of work getting it all into the old points casing but if pos would solve a lot of problems with the old igniter system.
ill be looking down this route if my standard system ever gives up.

Ian

The hardest part I can think of is getting that hole on the rear of the piston bores knocked out to accept the ignition pickups of an earlier model. Easiest way to do what you want to do is to just find a set of bores off an A1/A2 that already has all of the internals (secondary and water pump shafts) in place, then just swap them out.

I don't know how the pickups are attached to the crank on an A3 (they are, correct?), but they shouldn't be too hard to remove. Heck, worse case scenario just cut the wires and leave it all in place.

I think I have a set of A1 bores lying around, but one of the sleeves is out and need replaced. I have a couple replacements, but then you'd have to match the pistons to the new bores. Still, it's an option.

Thanks for responses, The motor I want to use going forward is the first Pic. Second pic is an A4 notice 2 potential apertures not used on the side of the block, On first Pic there is only one. Final Pic is a standard A1.
First thing I need to do is identify the engine in Pic 1 any ideas anybody.

Strange. I've never seen that style of engine case before. It's not a Voyager motor, is it? The clutch cover is wrong for it to be a Voyager motor, but I don't know if the old and new style covers can bolt up.

What I would consider the main deciding factor going forward is if you have the ignition components for the motor or not, and if so, what style. In all honesty, the cheapest solution is to get everything you need to rebuild it as an A3 motor. Reason being, if you replace the cylinder bores, you'll have to replace all the piston rings as well, which alone will run you $300. I'm sure you could pick up a complete ignition setup for less than that (depending how easy the part are to find).

I am beginning to wonder whether this is a Hybrid lol. No don't have the Ignition side of things A3 stuff being a one off is hard and expensive to source.
I have everything I need for an A1 hence the reason I was thinking of modding this one to suit, however the obvious problem is staring me straight in the face no aperture to fit electrics so sort of dead in the water with that one apart from your previous thoughts with changing block etc. but that will be an expensive option.
It would be more cost affective to source an A1 motor do a top end rebuild on it. Paint it and and drop it back in the frame then and potentially sell or break this motor.
In line with that thought does anyone in the UK have a complete A1 motor that needs a home that has become a trip and Manual Handling Hazard in your garages or workshops.