Morris Minor Owners Club

I have stripped and about commence rebuilding a 1275 engine. The engine I stripped was a Marina engine (number starts with 12V) I have also aquired an ital block which looks the same but has the oil filter housing mounted onthe block. Both blocks will need to be checked and might need re-boring but which is the best block to use? In Vizards book he says the Ital unit is stronger but will the crankshaft & camshaft and everything else be a straight swap?

I should add that the blocks and crankshaft and camshaft will be going to the local engine re-conditioners who will be able to measure tolerances and supply the correct parts (bearings, pistons etc) for re-building the engine.

Also the engine is only inended for road use with a 5 speed box and has to be reliable as I do clock up quite a few miles.

Any advice is welcome, Cheers Jeff.

It sounds like you the 1st one is a Midget block as both the Marina and Ital blocks have the angled filter mounting whereas the Midget id the same as the Minor.
The Ital block is reccommended for engines in a higher state of tune due to the ribs on the A+ block, I would imagine most parts are interchangable but the Ital block will need a different type of dizzy as the clamping arrangement is different, at the end of the day it will probably come down to which underbonnet look you prefer and which block is in better condition.

For your use Jeff - use whichever has the better bores! Later cams have slightly better timing - actually - the same timing but installed a few degrees advanced! If you can find an MG Metro (not the Turbo) camshaft this would be even better. And if you decide to not use one of the blocks - I would be interested in it since I have a spare 1275 crankshaft in stock - but no block to put it in !!