Oil-well?

[Willie]

Since you have tried the 'downhill and then accelerate' check it
would seem that you probably havent got too much of a problem
with the rings/bores. You could remove the oil filler cap while
the engine is ticking over and feel the puffs of compression coming
out of there. You will always feel some expulsion but if it is quite
pronounced and if there is a noticeable oil fume discharge it is likely
that the bores/rings DO need attention. If you do finish up changing
the head at least you can get one converted for unleaded.

[mechanix]

It seems the last post I made didn't appear. I've checked the engine number against the examples Willie kindly offered, and it doesn't fit any of them! Any ideas? The format is:
8G9 R J 532**
FD
** being the last two digits I won't reveal over the internet, and FD is stamped under the number. Which car was this engine designated for?

The engine doesn't seem to puff too much out the oil filler, so I think I might only have to re-build the head, and it can go unleaded in the process.

I like the compressor idea, that way one easy check can tell me a lot. Now for some repair action!

[Willie]

Lo, the only 8G I can find listed says: "all sizes of Gold Seal Minor
engines"

[mechanix]

Hello,
I've tried hard to find out what sort of engine it is and can't prove anything. 8G doesn't seem to be a very helpful engine number reference. Someone I spoke to said that it was printed on the block, anyone know where?
The engine seems to idle very smoothly, and I think this might be evidence of 948cc unit.

[Willie]

8G is what you have so it is a Morris Minor Gold Seal factory
reconditioned engine. If you look below the exhaust inlet manifold
at the front end , just aft of the front engine mount, on the side of the
engine block you may be lucky and find the engine size stamped on
there. My 1098 engine has "1100" ??