Identifying engine

Post by **Aulestia** » Sun Nov 02, 2008 8:38 pm

I purchased a Morris Minor 1000 1958 with the intention of renovating it. I suspect that the engine is not the original one.
Could anyone help to identify the current motor?
It has a red valve cover and its number is 12CD-DA-H 15582.

The plate under the hood reads: M/A2S3L 768580.

For your information, I have to push a botton to start the car after I turn the key on

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Post by **PSL184** » Sun Nov 02, 2008 8:45 pm

MA2S3 refers to a 948 2 door saloon... The next letter should be a "D", "F" or "M". There were not any "L"'s used in this chassis number configuration..... Your engine appears, from the pictures, to be a 1275 Midget or AH engine which is a common replacement......

Post by **Matt** » Sun Nov 02, 2008 9:00 pm

Agreed, the flat area under the thermostat housing only happens on 1275cc engines, the twin carbs helps confirm it

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Nov 02, 2008 10:07 pm

Certainly a 1275 Spridget engione - well done !

Post by **mike.perry** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 12:05 pm

Not that it makes any difference but I think that is a 1275 Austin Healey Sprite engine. MG Midget engines were numbered 12CE and had black rocker box covers.
The fuel pump looks unusual, have you got any close up views?
If you have a 1275 engine you should check that the brakes have been uprated from the standard 7in front drums.

Post by **PSL184** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 4:17 pm

12CD is a North American spec Sprite / Midget engine....

Sprite Mk4/ MG Midget Mk3 1275cc
12CC or 12CE home market
12CD or 12CJ N. America
after Oct '72, 12V/586F/H home market
12V/671Z/L N. America

Post by **stevey** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 4:27 pm

There were not any "L"'s used in this chassis number configuration.....

the L refers to left hand drive on the chassis number.

Post by **PSL184** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 4:34 pm

stevey wrote:
There were not any "L"'s used in this chassis number configuration.....
the L refers to left hand drive on the chassis number.

Aha !!

Post by **Luxobarge** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 5:05 pm

On left-hand drive engines, the crank rotates in the opposite direction, isn't that right?

(only joking!)

Post by **alex_holden** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 5:55 pm

Luxobarge wrote:On left-hand drive engines, the crank rotates in the opposite direction, isn't that right?

Yes, and on Australian export models they put the filler cap on the bottom. ;)

Post by **Peetee** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:07 pm

And they have 1 forward gears and 4 reverse.

Post by **Matt** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:34 pm

no thats the Italian market cars Pete ;)

Post by **mike.perry** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:44 pm

Our American friends already have trouble with boots and bonnets, hoods and trunks etc. Don't confuse them any more!!

Post by **jaekl** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 12:45 pm

Aulestia, welcome. I am about 25 miles northwest of Lancaster. If you need any advice let me know.