How to tell engine size

[christyconormorris]

hello,

I have just been given a old 1956 morris minor 1000 and me and my twin brother (unexperienced as we are only 17) ,are attempting to restore it however we are unsure how large the engine is as we need to know to know what gearbox to get as from what I have they are not interchangeable gearboxes. Does anyone know any visible differences or perhaps a stamp would be found on it?

Thank you

[PSL184]

A 56 should be a 948 however, it was the first year of production for that engine so it could have the earlier 803 engine. Look at the block behind the exhaust downpipe and see if you can see "950" cast in. This means it is a 948 engine. I think the same gearbox fits both 803 and 948 though so any smooth case gearbox would bolt straight on, but you can fit a later 1098 gearbox without too much effort if you prefer....
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[bmcecosse]

Welcome to the forum! Does the car come with a gearbox- or is the box just poorly ??

[christyconormorris]

Thanks for your quick reply's. Turns out it has a newer engine but we still managed to get a new gearbox The gearbox needed replacing but we got one.

Thanks for your help and I'm positive we will need more as the project continues

[mike.perry]

If you have a 948 engine then you really need a 948 box as the 803 gear ratios are not suited to a 948 engine. You can keep the car looking original by fitting the 803 gear lever.