what engine do I have

[monty55]

Hi

I have a '55 convertible which was rebulit nearly 20 years ago. The car has a duotone interior, and late rear lights, and I think it has the engine out of the donor car.
I've never serviced the car myself (and it's been stored for 10 years...) so I need to find out what engine I have. There is a number on the front left of the engine - 208701 15799R. Can anyone let me know what the engine is from this info.

Thanks
paul

[bmcecosse]

Need to see some pictures! But you can help yourself here - look at the side of the block - below and slightly in front of the carb. If you see '950' cast into the block - it's a 948 engine! If you see a little alloy plate with '1100' riveted to the block - guess what - it's a 1098 engine. It's also a 1098 if the plate is missing - and it does NOT say '950' - unless of course you are very lucky - and have one of the rare 848 engines! It's always possible it has the miserable original 803 engine of course - identified by the canister oil filter screwed into the block - and the pathetic performance............

[MColes]

That number isn't an engine number as far as I am aware. Look on the logbook and give us the engine number from that. That way I'm sure we can identify it

[PSL184]

No guarantee the number on the log book relates to anyting like that fitted to the car...! I guess the engine number is a recon number which will only make sense to the company that did the work. Identifying marks as described above or actual pics of the engine will sort it out easilly....

[mike.perry]

Whilst you are identifying the engine, check to see what gearbox you have. Smooth case, long lever = 803
Smooth case, short lever = 948, Ribbed case, short lever = 1098. If the engine has been uprated then with a bit of luck it will have a matching gearbox.

[monty55]

After cleaning arpound the engine bay with a handfull of baby wipes (still useful even though the kids are growing up fast), I found a small plate with '1100' on it. Thanks for the help.
I also spotted the ribbed casing of the gearbox.
After 14 years of ownership, I'm finally learning about the car (this was my wifes first car after graduating - she worked in sales and used it as a company car ).
Probably lots more questions to come.

[bmcecosse]

Well done - bring them on!