MARINA AXLE AND WHEEL HELP

[AlanMG]

i HAVE JUST AQUIRED A BULLDOG WITH 1800 MARINA ENGINE 4 SPEED GEARBOX AND AXLE, PROBLEM I HAVE IS THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HALFSHAFT AND HUB ARE NO GOOD, CAN ANYONE HELP WITH SOURCING ONE OF THESE OR INDEED A FULL AXLE,

ARE THERE ANY AXLE THAT FIT AS A DIRECT REPLACMENT WITH NO CHANGES TO THE STUD PATTERN, AND WHILE ON THE SUBJECT OF THAT CAN ANYONE POINT IN THE DIRECTION FOR A NEW SET OF WHEELS, CURRANTLY RUNNING ORIGANAL MARINA STEEL RIMS 13" WITH 165 TYRES I THINK I COULD DO WITH AT LEAST 14" RIMS AND A BIT WIDER TYRE, DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY DIRECT REPLACMENT WHEELS I CAN USE, MYBE TRUIMPH OR SOMTHING SIMLAR

[istreatf]

Hi Alan and welcome to the forum.
Axles for the Marina range come up from time to time on ebay so I would suggest you try that avenue. Some of the classic car spares places might well have new half-shafts as well, but beware - there are at least two different types available which have different size keyways for the hub. If you do go for an axle, make sure that it is an 1800 one otherwise one from a 1300 Marina will be too highly geared for you, and although you will improve acceleration, top speed is less and also motorway or high (?) speed cruising.
As for wheels, the Triumph Herald/Spitfire range (13") are a straight swap. I have been informed, although I cannot say for sure, that some Saab wheels might fit. Try before you buy! If you have the spare wheel mounted on the bootlid be careful about aspect ratio otherwise the spare will not fit. I have seen a 15" wheel with 185/55 or 60 (not sure which) that still fitted. Again, try before you buy.
There is a lot of information on my Hintsntips for Marina Bulldogs on this website - have fun!
 

[John-G]

Hi Alan,
When I rebuilt my Hawthorn a few years back I didn`t like the 13" wheels fitted at the time,so,after some detective work I discovered that the 14" rims fitted to Rover Montego & Maestro cars had the same stud pattern-do not use the strange metric size that were sometimes fitted otherwise you won`t find cheap tyres!
 The 14" rims,fitted with 185/65r14 tyres done the trick,but bear in mind that the offset of the rim is slightly different so some wheel spacers will have to be used to stop any fouling,etc.
 Incidently,I had also changed the wheelstuds for some meatier M12 Ford items to avoid the possibility of breakage due to the heavier weight of larger steel rims & tyres.Well worth the effort though,the ride was much smoother & they looked better too.
 Good luck.

[istreatf]

Just to help Alan in case you do not know - the Hawthorn is the sister car to the Bulldog, and uses the same chassis (with a few modifications) and Marina running gear.
Incidentally Minilites and Minator wheels are available brand new for the Marina/Spitfire range from, amongst others,  Specialist Car Products Ltd tel 01293 851777  www.scp-uk.com . You never know, if you ask them nicely they might be able to supply a set of 14" wheels with the correct offset and stud pattern.

[AlanMG]

Thanks for all the tips, big help, all i have to do is find another axle, you would think there would be laods about but it seems as tho tyhe marina is a bit of a rare thing these day

[istreatf]

They are a bit like busses. If you keep your eye on eBay there will be nothing there right now, but three will come along at once. Good luck.