Bedford Rascal / Daihatsu Hijet into Reliant Rebel

[garethj]

Hi all knowledgeable chaps, is the engine and gearbox in this a normal inline setup like everything had from 1920 to 1980? Where’s the gear lever in relation to the gearbox because I thought some had the engine behind the driver’s seat?

 

There’s a very old and knackered Reliant Rebel on ebay that’s been standing for years so the engine is probably beyond repair and the gearboxes were quite weak to start with. Would a Bedford Rascal running gear be the thing to put in? I think they make about 50-60bhp which would be plenty compared with the Reliant’s 30bhp and you’d get 5 gears too.

 

On a Rebel, is the chassis visible so you can access the rusty bits, or do you need to take the body off?

 

It’s the sort of thing where I fancy taking a week off work in the summer when I’ve got the house to myself and getting the welder going. Always assuming the Reliant doesn't go for silly money, my £26 bid has been beaten already

[mattblack]

3-pot Kubota diesel and hydrostatic drive FTW...

[garethj]

3-pot Kubota diesel and hydrostatic drive FTW...

ROFL

 

And is this likely to be quick, cheap and easy? It's obviously scoring high on WTF

[Cavcraft]

Drop Mini-Mad (Mark) a pm, he's put (or is puttting) a different engine into a four wheeled Reliant.

[Des]

Those Rascal drivetrains are 'conventional' but there's no gearlever poking out of the box, look at the Suzuki SJ things if you can find one now, their box was unusually separate from the the 4WD stuff and looked pretty normal, and some had a 1300 version of the engine for proper neck spapping torque.

[garethj]

Thanks chaps, there’s not many places that I could ask a question like this.

 

Mini-mad seems to have disappeared, I can’t find any of his posts nor proof he ever existed. Where’d he go?

 

The Suzuki SJ goes for decent money even if it’s rusty because they’re GR8 4 OF ROOD FUN, the Bedford Rascal type thing is pretty worthless if it’s rusty. I’ve had a look on the thinking man’s encyclopaedia (ebay) and the Daihatsu Hijet gearbox has got 2 cables for the gearchange. That could be pretty useful with 3 feet cut off the gearstick length because it means the gearstick can go in the right place.

 

It seems the engines are often leaning over, that might make fitting in the Reliant engine bay a bit snug. The Suzukis have a 970cc engine so that’s probably the same one as my old Suzuki Whizzkid.

[Station]

 

From what I remember a F10a would fit in there no problem, it only took up half the width of the SC100 engine bay on a slant.

I think it'd suit the car well. Stick in electronic ignition from a later Rascal.

 

PS There's a scrap Rebel in my local scrapyard on Cleveland Street in Birkenhead (AJ's). It's complete, and full of cobwebs.

 

 

 

Minimad5: memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=33411

 

[barrett]

How about just sticking in a later Reliant lump of 750 or 850cc? Surely a lot less work involved, and they can still be picked up fairly cheaply.

 

Whatever you do, you should deffo buy the Rebel. I didn't want to say anything before but I started to 'go off' you a bit now you don't ownj any shonky old GRP car. You should do something to restore the balance immediately.

[garethj]

I think it’s the gearbox that’s a bit crap too, and I wonder how reliable even a later engine would be? I’m also not sure if swapping a Robin gearbox is straightforward.

 

With a little Japanese motor there’s the benefit of fairly modern parts, more performance, 5 speed gearbox and I reckon a rusty Bedford Rascal is worthless, whereas parts from a Reliant are always in demand so it should be cheeeeap

[dollywobbler]

The Reliant engine has a pretty good rep for reliability doesn't it? Very popular with 750 Motor Club members I believe, as they're easy to fit to Austin Sevens...

 

For a laugh, one of my mates is currently fitting one to a 2CV. Not sure why. Not sure he is, but being different is fun!

[coalnotdole]

I've got an eye on this car too. Could be a good base for the creation of a Diesel Rebel, I'd been hoping for a van version but they seem to be virtually non existent.

[garethj]

The Reliant engine has a pretty good rep for reliability doesn't it? Very popular with 750 Motor Club members I believe, as they're easy to fit to Austin Sevens...

 

For a laugh, one of my mates is currently fitting one to a 2CV. Not sure why. Not sure he is, but being different is fun!

Yeah, the base engine is good but it's all alloy and this one hasn't moved in 10 years so I reckon it will have rusted through by now

[Guest Len H]

Minimad used a 5 speed Suzuki SJ 'box coupled to a Swift 1.3 GTi engine if I remember correctly.

[dollywobbler]

Aluminium doesn't rust...

 

The engine in my 2CV at the moment sat in a damp shed for nine years. I fitted it to the 2CV, left oil to soak in the bores and gently turned it by hand a few times, then just started it. Slightly more complicated with the Reliant due to water cooling, but I wouldn't write the engine off just yet.

[garethj]

Aluminium doesn't rust...

 

The engine in my 2CV at the moment sat in a damp shed for nine years. I fitted it to the 2CV, left oil to soak in the bores and gently turned it by hand a few times, then just started it. Slightly more complicated with the Reliant due to water cooling, but I wouldn't write the engine off just yet.

Aluminium does oxidise, as any Land Rover owner knows.

 

When there's water continually in contact with aluminium it corrodes away to powder then nothing. Corrosion inhibitors in antifreeze are there for a good reason.

[dollywobbler]

Yeah, sorry. Was just taking the piss. Hard to make the judgement call without actually seeing if the engine spins.

[Pete-M]

Minimad used a 5 speed Suzuki SJ 'box coupled to a Swift 1.3 GTi engine if I remember correctly.

 

I'm pretty sure that's it, yeah, on bike carbs. Should go rather bloody well.

[Minimad5]

Minimad used a 5 speed Suzuki SJ 'box coupled to a Swift 1.3 GTi engine if I remember correctly.

 

I'm pretty sure that's it, yeah, on bike carbs. Should go rather bloody well.

 

Correct chaps !

 

And may i say a big sorry to Garethj, as i've took a life-time to reply.

 

If i am right in saying you want to know what engine, gearbox and rear running gear to throw into a Reliant Rebel ??

 

Engine wise - Near enough anything can be made to fit, just consider the steering box and heater unit being in the way (The problem i am currently in the process of overcoming) However that said the heater unit can be removed and replaced with a mini item as the dash has enough room below and behind to house the mini heater, and the steering can be overcome with a mix of items.

If the Rebel is an early one then you may be in luck as the steering passes through the front 'tube' and is not in the way of engine items. But as mine is a 'later' 1972 Rebel than the annoyingly chunky steering box (Which i think is an upside LHD down Austin item) - gets in the way.

 

Mr GJR has a Reliant Rebel with a Vauxhall 1.8 lump and i think Viva steering rack, so it goes to show if you have the skills and knowledge then anything can be done.

Do look out for Triumph Vitesse front disks, uprights and everything else front brake wise ... as these just bolt straight on, OR you can use Lotus stuff (Might be an Elan ... i will have to re-check my facts)

 

As for the Chassis:

Some rebels came with a Galvanised chassis and well some didn't , so don't be scared to have a poke around underneath.

The points that have gone on mine are the outriggers and a tiny piece on the rear tubing, but if you are handy with a welder then thats no problem.

what else .... As the chassis is made up of a pressed "C" piece with a sort of cap just welded at random intervals, do make sure that the lip where both pieces join is solid, or a world of fabrication and welding will be coming your way.

That having been said, don't let rust put you off, as they are fantastically basic.

 

And if you wanted to be mental then a little Fiat Fire engine with throttle bodies and a Morris Marina rear axle, would set the world on FIRE.

 

Or you could do what i really wanted to do, and use MX5 running gear, but aligning the rear diff' is a big task.

Either way Please keep us all updated with what happens, and if needed drop me a PM.

 

All the best

MM5

[Station]

How far are you with the boat now Mark?

[Minimad5]

How far are you with the boat now Mark?

 

Not too far to be honest mate, as i've had unforeseeable 'shit' crop-up, which eat alot of my spare time, sanity and sleep.

And then there is my apprenticeship, helping others out and trying to keep thy lady happy .... so yeah not had alot of spare time to be honest.

 

BUT - I have bought a new valve spring compressor to remove the old stem oil seals and overhall the head (Have been waiting 3 months for my head gasket set)

Ooh an i've ordered suede for the headlining and a 'trick' hinge to make the bonnet flip up side-ways.

eerm, i've also used some free software (ExpressSCH and ExpressPCB) to design the complete wiring loom for the car.

There is other stuff too that i can't remember.

 

Hopefully i'll organise another "Rebel meet" and get everyone local to come round and have a laugh, help me break things and take awesome pictures

(Interested in your welder by the way Dave, if you still have it in a month or two drop me a PM)

[garethj]

Bidding on this Rebel has now gone way past sensible amounts considering it’s fucked

 

I’ve just been offered another job so 75 miles a day in a Rebel I’d built myself doesn’t sound like the most sensible idea in the world. I’m off to ebay to browse for motorbikes instead.

[Minimad5]

Bidding on this Rebel has now gone way past sensible amounts considering it’s fucked

 

I’ve just been offered another job so 75 miles a day in a Rebel I’d built myself doesn’t sound like the most sensible idea in the world. I’m off to ebay to browse for motorbikes instead.

 

Arrgh .... maybe next time