2 cylinder Mini prototype engine?! 1957 - Ivan's Shed

[@markschattefor6997]

When he starts talking about chopping up the crankshaft and making it fit, the first thing that came up my mind was Allan Millyard doing engineering magic in his little shed. Would love to see more of this.

[@Mike.Howard]

My thought exactly!

[@ModshackMerlin]

This is proper engineering, Ivan and Allen Millyard are really old school engineers. Brilliant.

[@godfellas483]

Must be Bert Munro's long lost relative

[@Frz45]

Literally was just about to comment this, Allan is the man to assist with this.

[@specialse]

first thing i thought as well .....

[@alanglen5902]

Dont stop now !!!!!! I want to hear this running.

[@DGBcars]

Check our most recent video!

[@MegaTube1313]

Having been involved in minis for 40 years have never heard of this You learn something new every day 👍

[@georgestringam689]

Watched the whole series on this engine. Very well done! Thoroughly enjoyed it...

[@matthewmachin5614]

Ivan please get this engine done and running it’s got to be very rare

[@kevinchamberlain7928]

Very common lump of metal. Known colloquially as a "Sea Anchor."

[@michaelmartinez1345]

This would be a great thing to see!!! Finding an original crank may not be possible, especially the way these old classics were put through a crusher, just because they had shown some signs of wear... The brilliant enthusiast here will MAKE a workable crankshaft by morphing two of the more commonly found crankshaft together!!! This man reminds me of Burt Munro of Invercargill New Zealand, making his own internal engine parts for his 1923 Indian Scout Motorcycle.... And eventually breaking the world land speed record with his amazing crafted machine!!! Several times he broke records!!! People like this are true Genious's and show quite a bit of courage in doing what they do....

[@johnfaulkner6776]

So glad to have discovered this chap's shed! At school I built a steam engine from Stuart Turner castings and after that ..... nothing! Wow, what have I missed earning money and ......

[@mrsunshine8753]

Please continue, we need more on this build!

[@1961kickboxer]

Your old racing cars give me a boost ,there beautys.

[@simonbertioli4696]

What an interesting and brilliant gentleman. I would boost you on and cannot wait for your next video... I would bet, that all enthusiasts are behind you. Well done... Simon in Spain 👍👍👍👏👏

[@seankearney6915]

Just seen this courtesy of a post on the Morris Minor owners forum. Like others I thought of Allen Millyard straight away. Ivan removes a couple of cylinders on a crank and camshaft and Allen adds two. Excellent engineering and problem solving.

[@anthonyhendrikx6175]

Interesting project Mr Ivan👍 keep on going👌

[@flyingsquirrelish]

I have several British made 498cc and 596cc water-cooled twin cylinder engines, with 180 degree cranks, but they are two-strokes, from Scott motor-cycles. Over the years, from the late 1920s, they were tried in various three-wheeler cars, and two were mounted back to back, to make a V4 and installed into a Morgan three-wheeler. All good stuff !!

[@MarkDaleADV]

Ivan, your shed is the bat cave I need! The combination of ground floor workshop, and first floor snug is perfection! It's brilliant that we can now get a glimpse inside this grotto, many thanks.

[@jimmypopp2695]

Oh Yes!!! I definitely would love to see this take form.

[@geofo60]

That’s definitely a 👍 from me Ivan & if anyone can do it, you’re the one. I don’t know what led me to your channel but I’m so glad I found it. My first car was a 1959 Austin Seven (Mini) and I’ve owned so many over the years, I can’t remember exactly how many & I still have one as a daily driver. Albeit a newer version. I have several books on the original but I’ve never seen the two cylinder. Crack on sir, great project.

[@miguelcarter1949]

You got my subscription just cause you talk just like the ol boy that thought me to be a real mechanic

[@ferrumignis]

Amazing! I read a mini book ages ago that said a two cylinder engine had been considered but rejected on the grounds of roughness.

[@mike-bike]

You sir are a genius and will never be replicated .lots of admiration from sunny Spain

[@davidwood3398]

I had no idea about this prototype, well done Ivan

[@scottyb069]

I know it's too late now, but a 270 degree crank would have been cool so that it fires like a V twin. I had a Yamaha TRX850 parallel twin with a 270 crank and it sounded awesome. Love your work, keep it up !

[@phil955i]

I had a TRX too, best of both worlds, the compactness of a parallel twin with the characteristics of a V-twin.

[@Hunter-gq9er]

Brilliant. Look forward to seeing the next video. 👍👍

[@stephendollahan425]

I love builds like this. I'd love to see the finished product.

[@PaintmanJohn]

I recently saw a fellow take a 5 litre (305 cu in.) GM V-8 engine that he ran on 4 cylinders. He REMOVED the 4 pistons from bores 6,5,7,2 and kept the connecting rods in place for balance. He centered the rods on the crankshaft and made the rods stationary by using OVERSIZE rod bearings. It ran quite well in a 1982 Chevrolet El Camino. Not very fast, but serviceable.

[@ronwalsh]

Wow, as a MK1 MGB owner, I have have been truly mesmerized by what can be done with small engines. I never thought I would see an engine like this one. I will be watching for sure. Cheers from across the pond.

[@HubNut]

Very interesting!

[@DGBcars]

Thanks for looking, I like your channel!

[@caliom8427]

You make it sound so simple, looking forward to seeing it running!

[@ivanwalker6459]

From one Ivan to another, go for it, great to see backyard industry lives on. I spend plenty of time in my shed, I reckon it's the best thing. I take my hat off to your set-up, cheers.

[@stevedane787]

Came across a later episode in my recommendations, so decided to start at the beginning. This will pass an interesting 2 and a half hours

[@patrickhosking613]

Haha brilliant, I like people like him, old clever buggers. They’re a mine of useful information and actually know how to put it to use. One of my friends (Bob) is like that, a proper clever bugger, he’s helped me out loads of times.

[@philtucker1224]

Ivan! Absolutely yes mate! Already bringing back lovely memories of the sixties and seventies and love your style of presentation pal. I have immediately subscribed 👍😊🇬🇧

[@richardhalliday6469]

Marvellous project - keep it going, I'm looking forward to more progress - excellent Ivan.

[@bigwilly066]

I've been a machinist/tool maker for over 30 years. Wish I was in your shop.

[@chuckfischer7202]

From the looks of your shop, you're the guy for the job.

[@derekadk]

Subscribed. Keen to watch the progress, and hopefully hear it running!

[@davidwalker6887]

Good luck with the build. I hope you succeed. I remember when it was for sale a few years back.

[@daviddjerassi]

Well i think its a great idea Ivan because there are very few engineering shops that could achieve this but you guys can so good luck .

[@martinboagey2422]

Great idea love your enthusiasm 👍

[@luvwrks9340]

Brings back my youth.......that wii work.....very entertaining.....was just across the pond where i grew up listening and watching my father.....nicely edited.1

[@richardhintonracing]

This is really good, lets have loads more of this .

[@allanharris4492]

You are obviously the man for the job, make it happen good sir.

[@greg6895]

Hello from Canada! Keep up the fantastic work Ivan. I would love to see that 2cyl in a car and listen to it idle then pull away and drive down the road. Love all your videos, thank you for bringing us along for the ride! 👍👍🤝

[@abovegroundgarage]

Beautiful shop, you all seem like a great bunch of fellas to be friends with

[@craigtate5930]

What a spectacular project. Love unusual things like this

[@davidepperson2376]

Awesome Idea, Mr. Ivan. I can't wait to see the results!!

[@babaganoush6106]

Fantastic I’d heard about this engine years ago. Really looking forwards to seeing it running.

[@EmmaRitson]

MORE PROJECTS!! we all need those. loving your channel so far!

[@MrMaxeemum]

Hell yeah crack on sir, I'd love to see that. Subscribed.

[@rayjennings3637]

Ditto!

[@shuggyboy1]

Brilliant, hope you go ahead with it and show us the progress, looks like a cracking wee project. All the best from Scotland. :-)

[@311jbknight]

Sounds like fun. Really. Looking forward to seeing more.

[@geofham8332]

Hi, great idea. Many thanks for the video, looking forward to see how you do it all. From Nr Liverpool UK.

[@AnttiBrax]

This video hits peak KZbin at 5:37. Marvellous stuff altogether!

[@tune3garage]

Lovely prototype. I'm a massive fan of two cylinder engines and as such have a Daihatsu with a 2 cyl as a project car myself

[@jackgreenlee7223]

Well, I think you would get, both your bit of fun, as well as the satisfaction, of restoring what might be, a classic timepiece.

[@fredbluecat6045]

An excellent informative video, cant wait to see the 2 cylinder mini engine running

[@matthewmilam4760]

Love the little engine. More please.

[@nestorpierres9089]

Great Job!

[@vqey2]

Wow ... you have another eager watcher sir

[@jimcockburn4652]

It would be great to hear that engine running.

[@TheMarkEH]

Wonderful video Ivan. Keep going and good luck!

[@jozsefizsak]

This is amazing. I have actually owned 39 minis over 20 years but had never heard of this prototype.engine. (Or, perish the thought, I've forgotten.) I'd love to see and hear it run so you have my vote.

[@bertrumbumfishfuker2400]

Good man excellent plan

[@gazza116]

keep on going ivan will be interesting.

[@godfellas483]

"might be bit of jiggering..." just a bit? Lol! Fantastic work mates. Thanks for deleting the expletives gents. You truly are gentlemen. 🙂

[@ModshackMerlin]

There'll be some fettling before this project ends.

[@deancosens5710]

Fantastic! It looks like the gearbox shown in the book is different than any of the standard Mini ones, maybe one will turn up one day.

[@cluelessbeekeeping1322]

So, SO cool! Keep on this! Cheers from Austin Texas!

[@dwightbrown2808]

Ivan is a national treasure.

[@gdelfs6942]

Oh I love folks like this! I’ll be following!

[@kitfoxmk2]

I flew into an event at Bicester airfield, wings and wheels. A man who had a few items on show had a 2 cylinder Mini engine block. Wonder how many were cast and built.?.

[@DGBcars]

That was me

[@mazzinga4716]

@@DGBcars I guess that the engine was just a prototype, been into these engines for 50 years, never heard of it. Nice little gem that is.

[@25view]

great project ; really enjoy your ingenuity -bruce /south africa

[@MiniMattTV]

This is amazing! Not something I’ve ever heard of but wow I love the idea, you absolutely have to give it a go because you’ve go the main bits you need. Crack on and let us all know how you get on. Cheers, Matt

[@jasong7374]

Go for it, can't wait to hear it run

[@michaelbown2582]

Hell yeah Dude Get into it 🤗😎

[@phil955i]

You have my attention. Subscribed!

[@jimf5160]

Great idea!

[@derekcartledge3057]

I’ve always fancied putting a petter AVA Single cylinder diesel engine out of a dumper in an A30or A35 Just for the novelty value of it cheers Derek

[@jeffsharp6798]

Great project. I’ll be following it with interest.

[@KDFRxpo2]

Keep up the work! Will be very interesting to see the results!

[@Vincenzo-wn1or]

I love my Fiat Twinair. Purrs like a kitten. Amazing what can be done with a small engine. If only mini went with this.

[@johnjones4825]

1:53 Ivan: You certainly couldn't make that.... Allan Millyard: Hold my beer...

[@Dr_Reason]

Not a beer. Cupcake.

[@johnjones4825]

@@Dr_Reason S'true!

[@chrisbird2458]

Brilliant idea 🇬🇧

[@gafrers]

This is amazing

[@jumpfortyfour9965]

Ivan super work on the 2cyl mini engine, when men ware men and get there hands dirty thank you a mini owner .

[@peterwoods5310]

I had an A35 van with Series "A" 948cc engine. These heart-shaped firing chambers look so familiar!

[@1961nuffield]

Very interesting, keep going!

[@TheBlaert]

Heard chat about this prototype many years ago but never saw anything more about it. Interesting

[@danielgow6688]

Bring it on, Ivan!

[@robinthomas1429]

Absolutely bloody brilliant. It certainly is part of history and you would be doing everyone a favour by preserving it. I wonder where the lad you bought it from found it?

[@DGBcars]

Hi Robin, apparently was found at a scrapyard in the late 90s..

[@anthonyharman7837]

You can't stop you must finish it wicked

[@hpvhomebuilder]

I had read about this engine, it would be good to see it running.

[@ussweeneyd]

“Wobbly wobbly”. I’m sold. 😂🇬🇧

[@andyday4535]

Brilliant Ivan! Have you seen Allen Millyards youtube where he describes cutting and joining camshafts for his Kawasaki Z1 six, using an old gudgeon pin as a joining dowel and welding? A bit like you are proposing perhaps, and maybe the same idea to join the crank sections?

[@DGBcars]

We’re thinking of similar but we consider that a great honour to be used in the same sentence as Allen Millyard! I think to beat him we’d have to get two Viper engines and fit them in a moped!

[@nigeltoon1848]

Brilliant! Subscribed.

[@TheKarldb]

Found this bit of info: Twin cylinder A-series Under the code ADO11, the twin cylinder was built with the intention to be used in ADO15(Mini). The it was based in 948cc unit, already in use by BMC. It has 474cc, with single H2 SU carburettor, and already has sump gearbox, FWD layout, that will be used in the Mini. In May 1957, the engine was tested in one Austin A35, alongside another "prototype", 500cc, two-stroke, this one was tested in one Austin A30. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMC_A-series_engine

[@kevinchamberlain7928]

Incorrect. this is a lawnmower engine and no good.

[@josephbarker5883]

Wonderful ❤️👍

[@gazzafloss]

What a neat project, what is the reason why that two cylinder block could not be mated to an original mini, east west gearbox, could you not make a "half closure plate" for the top of the box that wasn't covered by the engine block? The output end of the crankshaft is the main difference issue between the mini and an A30 "A" series, two cylinders much more interesting in a Mini...

[@DGBcars]

No, we really looked at that. I have a Mini gearbox to look at and it's nothing like it. If you look in the picture as well it doesn't look anything like a Mini gearbox, if only was that simple!

[@Titan604]

@@DGBcars What about a gearbox from an A-series Maestro? It mounts end on rather than under, and the shorter engine may well allow enough room to fit it in a Mini. It would have five speeds too, and using ten inch wheels of the mini rather than the 13's of the Maestro might mean the gearing is not too far off either.

[@hillarylevenworth8824]

Good luck sir!

[@TERRYB0688]

Ivan your some Guy, all power to you

[@graemefarr1269]

Ivan its not the only one - a Mini collector I know has one as well.

[@DGBcars]

That’s great to know. We always thought the pattern making was amazing considering the production numbers. It does say in the book it took them right up into testing the cars to see it wasn’t worth doing because the efficiency of the engines ended up being worse than the four cylinder standard engines (probably because it needed way more revs to do the same thing!). I wonder how many were actually made, you’re certainly the first person I’ve heard to say they’ve seen another one.. thanks for watching!

[@graemefarr1269]

@@DGBcars I remember what must be your one on Ebay a while back - I may have even bid on it but I am in New Zealand so delivery would not have been straight forward. I thought it was crazy cheap at the time. There is a bit about them in Barney Sharratt's amazing book on A30/35's but you probably know that. The other one looks the same as yours and I dont think has the crank or cam either. I have sent him the link and will message him too. I think what you are doing is fantastic!

[@johnpowell9156]

@@DGBcars A three-bearing twin ought to be able to rev higher than the four cylinder engine and with a proper carburation and exhaust set-up it could be a right little flyer. You'd probably need camshaft bearings if the engine is half an 850 and speaking of a cam, I guess you'll need one made specially. Great project!

[@soelund1]

@@DGBcars - In a Mini, it should be able to do about the same performance as a Fiat 500. Not that bad actually, but the point was that cutting half of the engine only saved 12% of the engines price - which means only a few % of the cars price - because of the efforts to reduce vibrations, so it was simply not worth it.

[@551moley]

The few times I've driven a mini it only had two cyclinders working in the wet anyway?

[@dennislane100]

Usually caused by a split/leaky distributor cover!Who was the complete twat that decided to have the distributor smack in the place where all the rain would hit it?To be fair,the van we used to run had that area in the middle of the grille blanked off,but it still didn’t completely fix the issue.

[@ulukai_555]

@@dennislane100 Well, I just have to say Lucas. XD The fuseless headlights are the best in my opinion. It had to be way too expensive to put on more fuse in an electrical loom.