Morris Minor Owners Club

My Series 2 minor has had its original 803 cc engine replaced by a later engine from a Minor 1000, however I don't know if it's a 948 or 1098. Unfortunately the little metal plate on the top of the block with the engine number stamped on is missing - is there some other means of identification (apart from roadtesting with a stopwatch!).

AFAIK the 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....

and if its a 948cc it will have 950 cast into the block....

Don't think they were ever "cast into the block", but on an ally plate. Could be wrong, but don't think so

<br><br>

Touché

Bit of banter..... Not 'arf

Thats interesting as I have not seen that on a 1098 or 1275 engine, I wonder if its because at the time of the 948 it was the only size available but with the later block both sizes were available at the same time hence the introduction of the ID plate which of course is removeable.

Neither have I

You guys must be fairly young or there are a lot less Series III cars over there. Especially on the east coast we have very few Series IV. Many of your questions can be answered if you had more exposure to the older Minors.
I would say you are partially right once the 1098 came out they realized there were different capacities. But not the 1098 and 1275, they are different blocks. It's the many different Mini displacements that caused the issue. Even during the 948 the Mini's 848 is the same block, isn't it?
It's just cheaper to stamp a tag.

Neither of us is "fairly young" (though thanks for the thought), but I'd say we (certainly I) have less experience of the earlier cars

Thanks for the interesting responses. My car has some sort of letters/numbers stamped on the block in the position mentioned but nothing like in the photo above - far smaller in size and illegible, possibly due to several layers of engine paint over the years.
Maybe I'll have to get the stopwatch out after all
Paul

Paul, I would guess it to be at least a 1098cc from a later car. Look and see if there is a metal tag at the front of the engine on the side where the 950 is cast in as shown above. If its not fell off I would guess it say "1100" Some of the early 1098 had it cast but there is a good chance these may have not been used by Morris (possible Austin or MG). I'll try and get a pic of the tag for you shortly....

It's a bit difficult to photo in situ but see if this helps. You might have to removed some muck to read it....

<br><br>

if the 1100 tag is missing, you should still be able to find the little cast lump it fits on to.
All the 950 lettering I've seen (seen quite a few) have been the same or very similar to the photo.

Don't remember seeing that cast '950' - but it's been a few years since i had one. Looking at the cylinder head - if it has a location on the front righthand side (that's right hand side of the car - as seen from driver's seat!) for a temperature sender (but plugged with a bolt cos Minors never had them!) then that is a 1098 head and it's 'likely' to be a 1098 engine. If you remove the rocker cover and look at the top surface of the head - if it has 12G202 cast number showing then that is the 1098 head and again it's likely to be a 1098 engine !

then that is a 1098 head

unless it's some non-Minor head that also had a plug...

The 948 head never had that tapping/plug. I think all Mini heads did though - except perhaps the v early 848 heads.

Ray,
My Morris does indeed have this '1100' tag on it as shown! I'm really pleased to have now resolved that mystery and thanks for your time and trouble uploading your photo, much appreciated.
Attached is a picture of my car, since this picture was taken I have been able to get the DVLA to re-assign its original reg: WWL 654. It's done 22,000 miles from new, apart from the engine change all is original, superb original upholstery etc, even has a really old sticker on B post saying "next service due 19,200 miles". I just need to repaint the grille and wheels the original colour...
Paul<br><br>

there is a tag on the block but give no indication of cc definatly no stamp on block would you say its the 948 also any id on cranks