Help identifing engine

[leyther8008]

Hello
Hope an expert out there can identify this engine I recovered from a garden shed today, despite external appearances it turns over freely and seems to have decent 'finger over the plug hole compressions.
Its obviously an A series derivertive, but it dosnt have valve chest covers, it has a spin on filter housing, thermostat housing is different, blanking plate for fuel pump etc, block still has traces of red paint on it, photos show it best.
Clutch bit of flywheel is to small for a minor clutch and it has six bolts instead of the minors four, have I found a 1275 midget engine? and will it fit my minor?
Engine number seems to be L2V/586F/H2957
Any help appreciated.
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[aupickup]

hello yes a good find

it is almost certainly a midget engine,
its not ital or marina anyway as the spin off oil filter is in the wrong place

midget engines also came in948 and 1098 as well as 1275 also i beleive 1500 ( note the ribbed block )

did not think the 1275 had the timing cover breather though

and certainly will fit the moggie
the midget engine is pretty much a straight swop

well done

[bmcecosse]

Yes - it's a Spridget engine - well found. As Dennis says -pretty much a straight swop.

[leyther8008]

Excellent news, thanks.
But how do I tell if its a 948, 1098, 1275 or 1500?
the only cast markS I can see on the block are 10C and 1279 over a diamond right at the rear of the block on the tappet side.
So if I can find a cluch to fit a midget will that work with a minor box?
I've tried searching for 1275 but they all seem to be marina engine threads.

[aupickup]

well i think you can change the flywheel to suit the 1098 clutch. will have a look in my book and get back later

i think the midget clutch is a bit feirce and hard , as it was worked on hydraulics and not rods

i think kevin has done this mod

[aupickup]

it is not a 1500 as the engine mounts were different

i have found out the 1275 had the front timing case breather
so could be 1275

doubt if its 948 cos of the ribs on the block

so narrows it down a bit

[IslipMinor]

Definitely a 1275 Sprite/Midget engine - 6-bolt flywheel and oil filter gives it away.

The timing cover breather is standard on them.

If the clutch is fitted, it should be a 6 1/2" diaphragm unit. Some reports that it is heavy and fierce, but I do not have that experience. Nice and light, and very progressive with the standard Minor mechanical linkage. There is a mod to the linkage that has been done to make it lighter, I'm sure someone will provide the details?

Just use the standard Minor clutch release arm, and the rest is a straight swop.

You will need to use a ribcase gearbox, and ideally a genuine Spridget version, as they were stronger and as a side benefit had closer ratios. 3.9 diff and a very nice relaxed performance.

If you get a thermostat housing from a 'B' Series engine and open up the 3 holes to 11/32" or 9mm, it will fit on to the 1275 head with maybe a little filing and give a standard top hose outlet position. The diameter is slightly larger, but the standard Minor hose will fit with no difficulty at all.

Great find!

I trust you are going to upgrade the brakes before fitting the engine?

[GeoffC]

it is not a 1500 as the engine mounts were different

Not just the mounts......it was a totally different engine. The 1500 Midget used the Triumph Spitfire engine.

[aupickup]

yes i know its a totally different engine

was trying to keep my posting short

[GeoffC]

Engine number seems to be L2V/586F/H2957

Could the engine number actually be 12V/586F/H2957?

If so, it would confirm that the engine is 1275, originally fitted to a Midget MkIII for the home market.

According to this: http://www.mgcars.org.uk/mgccz/technic/codeseng.pdf half way down page 5,

12= 1275cc, V = inline i.e. RWD, 586F = MkIII Midget, Oct '72 onwards, H = home market.

[leyther8008]

Definatley looks like an L but could be a 1 with part of it being under the rivet I suppose.<br><br>

[bmcecosse]

It is 12 V / etc. which means 1275. Yes a straight fit is possible - as Richard says someone (sorry - can't remember who) has a mod that extends the clutch mech slightly and makes for good operation. It can't possibly be a 948 or 1098 - they had cam bucket covers - it very definitely is a 1275 Spridget. Your quandry now is - do I strip and overhaul - or do I just bang it in and hope for the best!!!!!

[PSL184]

Bang it in and hope for the best - I am forever the optimist I think it's mike.perry that has the mod you need....?

[bmcecosse]

My wonder is - how on earth can you just 'find' something like this in your shed ???? I know exactly what is my largish and very disorganised garage - but I do know what's there !! Just can't find it most of the time !

[leyther8008]

Wasnt my garden shed, just chasing one of those rumour you hear about all the time in the pub, you know the ones 'my mate has an old engine in his shed from a souped up minor' type things, this one turned up pure gold for me!!!
I think I will buy a lottery ticket this week.

[bmcecosse]

Ahh - lucky you!

[mike.perry]

That is a Midget or Sprite 1275. The prefix for a Midget engine is, I think 12CE. The clutch mod is dead simple, just weld an extra inch onto the arm on the relay shaft that attaches to the clutch pedal and re drill the hole. The clutch will then feel like a standard spring unit

[leyther8008]

This is great so to recap all I need is a Midget clutch and basket, A MGB thermostat housing, or did I read a minor one can work if the holes are enlarged, and the clutch linkage will work but to get a better 'feel' needs a slight mod? I think I might go for it!!

[PSL184]

I have used the standard Minor stat housing on my 1275 but I used a slightly longer top hose cause the standard one came up too short....

[bmcecosse]

I thought your new engine had a clutch on the flywheel ? Standard stat housing can be used - just use a curved top hose.