Morris Minor Owners Club

Have just being changing my head gasket on my 1098 engine which is fitted in my series II. Have just noticed that it has a Leyland logo cast into the block where the 1098 normally have the 1100 cast, it also has a blanking plate for a petrol pump. did the last 1098 engines have this casting, and apart from this will everything be standard.

Strange - not heard of this before - a picture would be good!

The Austin version had provision for a mechanical fuel pump, so probably one of those - otherwise identical to the Mog one

*except that it could be a low compression version*

Aye - but the Leyland Logo is the puzzle here. I wonder if the Leyland A series tractor engine had this logo - and they maybe used the common block towards the end ?

Not seen it before either, but they did seem to use whatever was around towards the end, which an Austin 1098 would (to me) suggest

I've not heard of that before, and my car is not too far off the last from the end.

Be very interested to see a pic!

Will look closely at the tractors at next auto show !

I used to have a 1978 Marina (pick-up) with 1098 engine.
I've still got the badge off the tailgate somewhere but it had Leyland logo.
I wonder if that is the original source ?

Paul Humphries

Could be - but I haven't seen an engine with Leyland log - waiting for a picture!

but I haven't seen an engine with Leyland log

Neither have I and I would have thought they would have turned up on mini engines as well.

paulhumphries wrote:I used to have a 1978 Marina (pick-up) with 1098 engine.
I've still got the badge off the tailgate somewhere but it had Leyland logo.
I wonder if that is the original source ?

Paul Humphries

I didn't know that the Marina ever came 1098 flavoured - was that just the commercials or something?

My Mini A+ has a leyland logo on the side, these also came in 1098 specials? Although I didn't think the transverse and longitudal blocks were interchangable?

They weren't/aren't. Unless you spend some money with a specialist in Warwickshire, of course...

The first Marina commercials were either 1098 or 1275. Not sure how long they kept the 1098 option for, I gather it wasn't long before 1275 was the standard engine. I wouldnt imagine it was a bundle of fun to drive. Wonder if the block could be from one of those...

Something new every day

Not seen it on Mini engines - my best guess is that the blocks were being cast for Leyland tractor use (built in Bathgate for a while) and some were maybe used for inline car use ?

IaininTenbury wrote:The first Marina commercials were either 1098 or 1275. Not sure how long they kept the 1098 option for, I gather it wasn't long before 1275 was the standard engine. I wouldnt imagine it was a bundle of fun to drive. Wonder if the block could be from one of those...

My '76 / R reg pick-up was a 1098cc and had the split type front grill. Another, later, pick-up I bought for spares was a 1275cc and had the one piece grill.
I wonder if the 1098cc option was dropped when the MKI was "facelifted" ?

Paul Humphries

paulhumphries wrote: I wonder if the 1098cc option was dropped when the MKI was "facelifted" ?

Paul Humphries

Probably right that. Interesting that an R reg has the one piece grill. Commercial updates tended to lag behind the cars somewhat (similar to Minors in that respect). My P reg Marina camper has a full width grill, but I think the front end was rebuilt due to accident when it wasn't very old and anyway, thats a 1275cc - all the campers were more 'deluxe' with chrome bumpers etc, and you certainly need the brute force of the bigger engine when the back is full of furniture, cooker, gas, bedding, water etc...
The only 1098 van I can remember seeing had painted silver bumpers and was presumably the real budget version... Didn't look closely to see if had a Leyland logo on the engine though.

Still waiting for that elusive picture!

IaininTenbury wrote:Probably right that. Interesting that an R reg has the one piece grill.

The R reg had the split grill and 1098cc whereas the spares vehicle with one piece grill was 1275cc and, I think, V reg.
1098cc had drum brakes and saloon / 440 model wheel PCD. 1275cc had front discs, servo and larger (same as Triumph 2000 / MGB etc) 575 model PCD.
Cann't remember if V reg had car type dash or single gauge speedo, fuel & water in one unti like 1098cc.

Paul Humphries