Wrong Engine!

[mrs.smith2012]

So I was told Nell had a 1275 engine when I bought her… she would have originally been a 948.

I noticed the V5 still had 948 on it (obviously no one had updated the paperwork in 50 years ) so I am in the process of updating that… gave the engine number to a mechanic mate so he can confirm the 1275 engine, as DVLA will need some proof of the upgrade… and it turns out she’s actually a 1098!

I tell you what she’s pretty lively for a 1098.. the 1275 must be like a rocket!

I’m actually pretty happy, a 1098 feels more original to the Morris Minor, even if it wasn’t original to Nell

[Bill_qaz]

I believe 1098 block should have 1100 cast into it. Look low down on the right side of the block as you view from the front of the car.... Have a look at this post
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=67378&hilit=engine+ ... 20#p642668

[mrs.smith2012]

I believe 1098 block should have 1100 cast into it. Look low down on the right side of the block as you view from the front of the car.... Have a look at this post
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=67378&hilit=engine+ ... 20#p642668

Aah this is helpful thank you! I shall have a proper look tomorrow… and if in doubt, I’ll upload some pics. All I know is that the engine was swapped out back in the 70s, the seller I bought her from was told it was a 1275 and I guess he had no reason to doubt it. She’s certainly powerful!

[svenedin]

The 1098cc has an aluminium tag riveted on to the block that says "1100". It's on the right hand side (as you stand in front of the car), low down near the front of the engine. 1098cc engines have engine numbers starting with 10 e.g 10MA.

Stephen


In the photo the tag is clean but usually it would be painted like the rest of the engine

IMG_1733.jpeg (4 MiB) Viewed 40566 times

[mrs.smith2012]

The 1098cc has an aluminium tag riveted on to the block that says "1100". It's on the right hand side (as you stand in front of the car), low down near the front of the engine. 1098cc engines have engine numbers starting with 10 e.g 10MA.

Stephen

I can’t remember the engine number off hand.. but I believe it did start with a 10.

I know the person who did the upgrades on Nell back in the day took parts off a Morris van, she has a 1098 van gearbox and what look like van wheels… so I’m wondering now if the engine could have come out of the van too? But then would it have said Morris on it?

[svenedin]

The 1098cc has an aluminium tag riveted on to the block that says "1100". It's on the right hand side (as you stand in front of the car), low down near the front of the engine. 1098cc engines have engine numbers starting with 10 e.g 10MA.

Stephen

I can’t remember the engine number off hand.. but I believe it did start with a 10.

I know the person who did the upgrades on Nell back in the day took parts off a Morris van, she has a 1098 van gearbox and what look like van wheels… so I’m wondering now if the engine could have come out of the van too? But then would it have said Morris on it?

The 1275 engine numbers start 12 so if 10 sounds familiar it is very likely a 1098cc.

The trouble with A-series engines is that they were produced for a very long time and fitted to many different types of vehicle so often, parts get swapped around. Engines often lose their engine number tag when the top of the block is skimmed as part of a full engine rebuild.

Stephen

[Mervin]

I asked this same question some time ago because there is no "1100" tag attached and my car originally had a 948cc engine. It's a "Goldseal" engine so has a different engine identification starting with 8G. 948cc engines usually have 950 cast into the block.
I think that there's an identification (numbers/letters?) cast into the block on the exhaust side which should confirm it's a 1098cc cylinder block.
I wanted to know because it was havin a new clutch fitted and, whenever the Goldseal engine and ribbed gearbox was fitted, whoever did the work used a 948cc engine backplate (thin steel) and clutch!
The correct clutch and thicker backplate are now fitted.

[Bill_qaz]

I asked this same question some time ago because there is no "1100" tag attached and my car originally had a 948cc engine. It's a "Goldseal" engine so has a different engine identification starting with 8G. 948cc engines usually have 950 cast into the block.
I think that there's an identification (numbers/letters?) cast into the block on the exhaust side which should confirm it's a 1098cc cylinder block.
I wanted to know because it was havin a new clutch fitted and, whenever the Goldseal engine and ribbed gearbox was fitted, whoever did the work used a 948cc engine backplate (thin steel) and clutch!
The correct clutch and thicker backplate are now fitted.

12A 497 casting for 1098
Explained by phil in the post I referenced to above

[mrs.smith2012]

Here is my engine, only number I could see as this one… def starts with a 10

IMG_9087.jpeg (1.66 MiB) Viewed 40470 times

IMG_9086.jpeg (2.22 MiB) Viewed 40470 times

[philthehill]

As the engine plate has been removed and refitted I would not take the engine number as absolute proof that the engine is a 1098cc 'A' Series.
Other than the 1275cc Cooper S - 1275cc 'A' Series engines do not have the cam follower chest access covers (see Sveneden's photo above). If the engine block has the access covers then the engine is not 1275cc.

[ndevans]

Looking at the heater tap on the rear of the head, it is straight across rather than at an angle. I think this makes it likely that the head at least is off a 1098. That doesn't mean the block isn't 1275, as Phil says the only way to know is from the presence or absence of covers on the side of the block, and/or casting numbers.

[mrs.smith2012]

Wow this is confusing!
With regards to insurance, she’s insured as a 1275… they did tell me that as long as it was an a series engine the size didn’t make any difference.. but do I need to inform them that she might be a 1098

Maybe I’ll pop her down to a mechanic in the know and get them to take a look and confirm??

According to the V5 she’s a 948 lol… I will update that once I have proper confirmation, I think I need something in writing

[mobylette]

Be very careful before/when contacting DVLA. If you tell them about a change of engine they may request an invoice/engineers report etc.. As long as details with insurance company are correct, I would leave well alone.

[mrs.smith2012]

Be very careful before/when contacting DVLA. If you tell them about a change of engine they may request an invoice/engineers report etc.. As long as details with insurance company are correct, I would leave well alone.

Yes I think they will require something from a mechanic on headed paper to confirm what engine she has. My local garage has already said they can do this for me.
Clearly the paperwork hasn’t been updated for 50 years and part of me thinks just leave it, it’s a headache lol… but IF in the event of an insurance claim, could this cause a problem if the log book doesn’t match up with what engine she actually has?

Must admit though, the general advice seems to be ‘just leave it!’

[Bill_qaz]

As long as your engine number is the same as the V5.
If the insurance aren't concerned with the capacity, I doubt dvla will care

[kevin s]

ours doesen't even have a engine number, the tag was destroyed when the block was skimmed, I guess one day I'll make up something to put on there.

[ndevans]

I put a 1275 in my Traveller in 2016. I only updated the V5 in December, I sent the old one off with just the new engine number, expecting DVLA to request photographic evidence at least, but they just returned the updated V5 in about 6 weeks.
If it were me, I'd get someone in the know to verify the size of engine before contacting DVLA.

[svenedin]

ours doesen't even have a engine number, the tag was destroyed when the block was skimmed, I guess one day I'll make up something to put on there.

You can buy a replica engine number plate stamped with your engine number from Mini suppliers. You need to provide evidence of the engine number e.g V5 to order.

Stephen

[myoldjalopy]

I put a 1275 in my Traveller in 2016. I only updated the V5 in December, I sent the old one off with just the new engine number, expecting DVLA to request photographic evidence at least, but they just returned the updated V5 in about 6 weeks.
If it were me, I'd get someone in the know to verify the size of engine before contacting DVLA.

Yes, I updated the V5 back in 2007 when I put a mighty 948cc engine in my SII. They returned the updated form without any queries. You are supposed to notify them of any changes so I don't see why they would be difficult about doing it - but who knows these days?

[mrs.smith2012]

I put a 1275 in my Traveller in 2016. I only updated the V5 in December, I sent the old one off with just the new engine number, expecting DVLA to request photographic evidence at least, but they just returned the updated V5 in about 6 weeks.
If it were me, I'd get someone in the know to verify the size of engine before contacting DVLA.

Thanks, I’ll run her up to my local garage next week as they have already said they will take a proper look and see if they can shed some light on it!
In the meantime insurance is aware that doesn’t have her original engine so that’s the main thing I guess!