The E- in Australia

By Merv Sheather

In Australia, the E-Series first came to light as the means to upgrade the ADO16's power and torque. Fraught with inherited engineering problems, launch, the Morris 1500 had problems several technical gremlins (cable backlash, no detent plungers, third motion shaft circlip detachments, due to designed selective fit 'v'' groove retention circlip).

The 1500 was a sales disaster, due to widespread press reports of these gearbox failures, and it forced the Australian subsidiary to accelerate the introduction of the Marina.

The Marina was released with the E-Series engine in 1500 and 1750 4-cylinder forms, as well as a 2622cc 6-cylinder version, conceived to compete with local market cars from GM Holden, Chrysler and Japanese imports.

The E-series did not have a considerable power output gain when it jumped from 1500 to 1750cc. To overcome the advice from the Marketing Section (about the small hike in power compared with the 1500), the Engineering Section down-rated the output of 1500cc version by adding a pressed metal choke sleeve in the induction manifold below the carburettor (Thus the 'detune' modification of a manifold choke. This really was a 'desperate act ' by Engineering Department to comply with Sales Department's requests).

The 1750cc was seen a 'market adequate' by the Sales Deptartment (when compared with the main competitors' engines). The main problem was the 1500cc in the Morris 1500-standard tune was far too close to the developed bhp of 1750cc. As the Marketing Department stated at board level, "the buyers only read engine output, eg , bhp figures and very rarely consider the torque at rpm figure". A smaller 1 1/2-inch SU carburettor was used rather than the 1 3/4 inch SU carburettor as was used on the Morris 1500. Many owners became aware of the simple modification to obtain increased power, and removed this pressed in metal sleeve.

The model range had moderate sales success until the Zetland/Waterloo Pant closure which occured in November 1974.

Utilised also in South Africa from CKD kits supplied by Leyland Australia for both Marina and P76 vehicles. E-series 6 cylinder used in South African for locally assembled P76 cars had a 2 inch SU to give higher top end performance gain.

Note: South African Rover SD1s used the E6-Series engine in 2622cc form, and it compared very favourably with the domestic Triumph-derived Rover 2600