Morris Minor Owners Club

...and as I say, our engines were/are a bit different to 1275s pulled out of an old Ital the day before. Still, like you say, some folk are happy with that - as, I'd have been if I could have found one anywhere...

Where are you guys buying your recon and unused engines so cheaply?

My last Minor engine came from CustomMartin: Hardly used by previous owner of his LCV and surplus to requirements for Martin, hence being a bargain. A few years back I had a 1275 marina/ital engine which came with a pickup - it had one of those unsightly upsidedown oil filters so I gave it away for nowt.

But

if you want to stick a £50 engine in your pride and joy........

Gladly
I've never paid more than £400 for a saloon - normally £300 is my max (the £400 saloon had an MOT) and as the last one I bought was £260 with 7 months MOT, they wouldn't 'feel' right with an expensive engine ;-)

That's the beauty of the minor you can pick up an engine for £50 drop it in an d have no problems!

90% of my minor 1098's and Ital A+ have been £50 scrap yard specials and i have thrashed every one for many miles.. That said i have had more problesm with properly built expensive bottom ends than health scrap yard ones..

I am with Ray on buying cars buy a decent one cheep and look after it.

Emily's engine and box cost me no more than £50. All I have done is to drop the sump and clean the oil strainer and check the bearings.

Whatever you feel comfortable with I guess.

I'm not in the position to get a car or engine that needs much work as I no longer have garage facilities I can use, so I'm in a position of buying something thats decent to start off with and do a bit of fiddling, or paying someone to work on it (which is MUCH more expensive that buying something already done)

I must admit to being suprised an the inverse snobbery here! Cheapest is not always best, same can be said for the most expensive, but it comes down to what you are comfortable with and telling people that have just spent £x on some part or car that "oh I've never spent more than 50p and fit it myself and I've never had any problems" is hardly constructive.

Just my 50p

it comes down to what you are comfortable with and telling people that have just spent £x on some part or car that "oh I've never spent more than 50p and fit it myself and I've never had any problems" is hardly constructive.

Fair point - each to his (or her) own, although the majority on here are DIY enthusiasts and I can see the fascination with being able to spend next to nothing and still have a useable car.

I would not mind paying that money for a good 'like new' engine - but my dear wife works in the Bank and holds the cheque books !! So there is no chance. I must say £20 is about my limit for Minor and Mini engines (I have both you see) - for that I can get (and have gotten) an excellent 1098 Minor engine , and good 1275 Mini engines !!