SP310/311 parts interchange

[dat68s]

Hi Everyone,

I have tried to go through all the previous post over the weekend and this site and not found what I was looking for. So, I hope I am not going over old ground when I ask this.

What I want to know (getting to the point) is what body/interior parts can be interchanged between the SP310 and the SP311. Specifically, is it possible to:
1. Fit the low-windscreen SP311 soft-top and frame to an SP310?
2. Are the dashes interchangeable?
3. Is it possible to fit the later opening vent windows to the SP310?

I know the SP311 had a wider front track and different guards, does the extra front track make a big difference? I have read the Bob Sharpe prep manual for 1500/1600 which helps get an idea mechanically, but I am interested to incorporate some of the later (useful) features into the older car.
Are most/all of the upgrade tips such as disk-brakes and caliper upgrades possible on the SP310?

Thanks a lot in advance!
Stuart

[spl310]

I will take a stab at it....

1. Fit the low-windscreen SP311 soft-top and frame to an SP310? Well, you have to specify what year SP310 you want to retrofit. The 1600 bits bolt right into a two seat 1500, but there is some monkey business to put them in a 3 seater. It can be done, but you have to change the top frame on the windshield, calculate and fabricate the mounting points on the side. You will likely have to relocate the rear tabs for the bar. It can be done, but when you are finished, you will lose the use of the 3rd seat.

2. Are the dashes interchangeable? With a cutting torch and enough fabrication skill, you can make them all swap! The 3 seat dash is welded to the body. The 2 seat dash is the same as the 65 - 67 1600, so there is not much to change....

3. Is it possible to fit the later opening vent windows to the SP310? Yes! They are a bolt in swap from the low windshield SP and SR Roadsters into the 1500. I have contemplated it myself.

[dat68s]

Hi Sid,

Thanks for the info.

1. The car that I am looking at (thinking of buying) is a '64, from the pic I have seen, it looks like it has only 2 seats, so from that I would think that the SP311 soft-top and frame will work. Do you think I am on the right track here? Maybe the 3rd seat has been removed anyway, any problem with this?

2. Not so concerned about the dash, just wondering, and I think the car I was looking was definately pre-65 and had the 4 dial dash.

3. That is good news, because I find this feature a good thing if I need extra ventilation if I (heaven forbid) get caught in the rain!

Anything else?
I gather mechanically most things are interchangeable? By that I mean it's possible to do 5-speed conversions to the SP310's (assuming that you have also changed the engine etc.?).

Thanks again,
Stuart

[spl310]

If you don't plan to ever use the third seat, you can probably get the folding top to work. The original tops are not as bad as you would think to install, and they hide away nicely. The later ones are not that much easier to put up (especially if the frame is overly loose or tight.)

You can do a 5 speed swap to the car. You may have to mix and match some stuff (flywheels, clutches, etc) to get it all right, but it can be done. If it is a single carb car, then things get weird as their flywheel had the ring gear pressed on from the "wrong" side compared to later cars. Of course, it would be easiest to swap in the 1600 engine with the 5 speed - you would still look fairly stock (especially with the iron head), but it would be less monkey motion with the potential clutch issues.

[dat68s]

Hi again Sid,

Thanks again.

I thought that the earlier tops were a lot more difficult to get up/down? If it is not that much more difficult then as you say... why bother? I guess I could always "suck it and see" on that score?

Actually the car I am looking at has had a H20 installed (a la stroker) so I am guessing that would make the 5-speed swap the same as going with the R motor? Change the usual mounts etc. modify the opening for the shifter etc. etc. The H20 (I have only seen photos so far) looks like it has twin Solex/Weber (or similar)...

Now I just need to see if I can get it at the right price.
Thanks again,
Stuart

[spl310]

The early style top is disassembled. The later ones are accordian fold frames. The earlier style is a little more involved, but it is not bad.

If you have a solex'd H20, that should be a potent car! Consider changing to disc brakes up front....

[dat68s]

Hey Sid,

Cool, thanks for the info, I thought that was the case with the tops.

As for the car itself, I am trying to get those sort of details from the vendor, apparently it has had a disk conversion up front, but I wanted to double check.

Thanks again.

Stuart

[spl310]

Stuart,

Good deal! Find out all you can about that disc conversion. I am sure that the 3 or 4 1500 guys out there have interest in that package....

[dat68s]

Hi Sid et all,

When I find out I will confirm, but besides plumbing (ie changing drums to disc's and associated, like dual circuit master cylinder etc) what else would need to be done in this sort of conversion? I would have thought that what applies to the SP311 would apply to this?
Cheers,

Stuart

[spl310]

Well, the conversion to later Roadster disc brakes is pretty simple. I did not clearly indicate my intention. If the 1500 has stock 13" wheels, I am very interested in the conversion. The conversion using 14" wheels is not of interest to me - I want the car to look stock. (Plus, I have a set of NOS hubcaps and would hate to not be able to use them!)

[dat68s]

Ahh, now I understand...

And I forgot to mention this car has after-market wire "mags" on it, so the disc conversion, which I have confirmed happened, was with larger than 13" wheels. Sorry