Hillman Imp 5 bearing blocks

[morninggents]

Does anyone out there know the history of the 5 bearing block used by Rootes for Hillman Imp racing engines. In particular when (year) they were introduced and who used/developed them.

[Robyn Slater]

Is this thread helpful Peter?

http://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=130269

[morninggents]

Thanks Robyn. I thought I'd seen something recently but couldn't find it when I looked. Any more info would be useful.

[Clive Brown]

I've sent you a PM in response to your own PM on this topic. It was used in period (mid- late-sixties), but was neither a production item, nor to the best of my knowledge was it ever homologated.

Peter Harper's rallycross Imp might well have used one. It is also possible that some of the Fraser race Imps could also have been similarly equipped, although I would expect a 1200 Imp to trounce a 5 port 1300 Mini, whereas Fraser Imps generally ran either as an 850, or in the up to one litre class.

If Fraser used them, then the engine was most likely developed by the late Ian Carter. Dennis Allt might be able to provide some further information about these engines.

[GORDON STREETER]

Fraser imps never used them as far as I know. I had a few contacts there after I left.
Pete Bevan might have some info (he sometimes posts on 10/10ths

[Clive Brown]

George Bevan certainly had one of the five camshaft bearing deep heads which the factory five main bearing block used, but I don't think he either had or used a five main bottom end, cetainly in the years from 1972-1978 that I spent with him....

[GORDON STREETER]

I used to see Norman every now and then as he lived in my neck of the woods in the UK but not for several years, I wonder if he is still with us ?