Engine identification.

[Phidi]

Good afternoon, I have just joined the club, having now bought a 1956 series 2. This particular car has a 1098 engine upgrade and I am trying to find out which engine it actually is. I have tried some of the serial number charts but cannot get anything that seems right. The ID plate shows:
10v/189E/L908? last could be5,6 or S
If anyone can give me a definitive answer I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

[StillGotMy1stCar]

That’s a low compression engine from a late Van or Pickup, I can't give an exact date, perhaps 1970.

Regards John.

[geoberni]

That’s a low compression engine from a late Van or Pickup, I can't give an exact date, perhaps 1970.

Regards John.

Yes, the 10V (10 meaning a 1098 and the V meaning 'vertical' for RWD rather than H for 'horizontal' for FWD), was the ID system introduced in March 69.

189E was the specific code to ID an engine destined for a Minor with dynamo fitted. Alternator engines were 190E.

And as you say the L is for Low Compression.
However, I wouldn't be 100% about it being a commercial vehicle engine just because it's a Low Compression.They were fitted to some cars if requested by the customer.

[Phidi]

Many thanks, that’s just what I was after.

[geoberni]

Many thanks, that’s just what I was after.

Your Engine ID easily solved as it's an original number.
My 1955 SII has a engine number starting 8G 162..... 8G was used to ID any Gold Seal Reconditioned engine, whatever the cc.
The Log Book said it was a 948cc and I had a letter from a garage saying they has checked it and that it was a 948cc.

As I got to know the car in the first few months I eventually checked a few part numbers and discovered the garage letter was wrong, they definitely should've gone to Specsavers, because it was a 1098; easily ID's by the numbers on the side of the block.

[Phidi]

Thanks again for the information. I’ve now checked the compression and get 95, 90, 94.5, 95. psi. Which seems well Ok for balance but I assume this confirms the low compression version. When I get some spare time I’ll see which pistons are fitted and perhaps I can uprate the compression.

[liammonty]

Raising the compression will doubtless give a bit more power (I think it was around an additional 3 bhp when new?), but having had 1098s with high and low compression engines, I can honestly say I didn't really notice the difference

[Phidi]

Thanks for that, I think I’ll probably see how I get on with the low pressure setup.