Morris Minor Owners Club

I bought a 948 lump and box for my 803 but i dont think it will improve things much . Can a 1098 lump fit a 56 splity and what box will fit with it.

Also the 948 box has the remote extension on it. Can one remove the extension and swop it for the 'long stick' end bit from my 803 box??

I want power, but not with the engine revving it head off.

The 948 will be a massive improvement over the 803.
In my A35 the 948 seems to rev far better than the 1098 in my Minor.
It's a case of "suck it and see" but if you have already got a 948 then you might be pleasantly surprised.
I don't know much about gearboxes but have read several times that it's possible to put ribbed case (948/1098/1275 etc) internals into the smooth case 803 case thus keeping the "magic wand" gearlever.

Paul Humphries.

best option would honestly to fit the running gear from a late model car. that would mean 1098cc engine, balkring (ribbed) gearbox, and high ratio diff.

Doesn't mattervwhat engine you fit - they all 'rev' the same, unless you fit a different rear axle ratio (numerically lower) and/or a 5 speed gearbox with an 'overdrive' top gear. Obviously a small capacity engine can't 'pull' a low ratio diff very well - hence the manufacturer matched them up 948/4.55 and 1098/4.22. There are 3.9 and 3.7 diffs available - at a price. Try the 948 - it may be enough for you. And yes - the 803 'pudding stirrer' can be fitted to 948 box easily enough, but only with some difficulty to a 1098 box.

I've got a 948 with box in my splitty just used the short stick and gear box cover from the 948, Been done a long time now ,but I remember being wiped out by the improvement in performance over the 803 not sure if I read somewhere that the 948 was better than the 1098 ...... bm

The 948 is supposed to be smoother than the 1098 but has far less power in stock form. 37bhp, I think, as opposed to 48.

i,m gonna try the 948 engine and box in my 56 splitty to replace the 803 and it,s box. QUESTION - Is the replacement 948 gearbox cover a direct swop for the 803 cover -screwhole wise? and what about the Gearbox mounts and can i use the same propshaft?

You need to cut the floor to use the larger transmission tunnel for the remote change 'box. I'm currently contemplating the same thing as converting the 1000 box (ribbed or smooth case) to take the 803 tailshaft housing is quite involved. However someone one here has done it recently.

The 948 engine is a 'better' engine in that it is short stroke and can rev nicely. If fitted with the cam and head(skim 60 thou) from a 1098, then it will give similar power although at 10% higher revs to make up for the capacity shortfall. Ideal set-up is 948 crank in 1098 block, with 998 Mini pistons and rods. Then you have a 998 engine which is a very nice set-up. With the 1098 cam and head (still skim 60 thou) it will run very nicely indeed. Decent exhaust and larger SU on an alloy manifold - and 55 bhp will be there.
I understand the 803 tailshaft assembly with lever fits straight on a 948 (smooth case) box - with same prop shaft, and no tunnel mods required.

No it's more involved I'm afraid. I believe the procedure is similar for either 1000 'box whether its a ribbed or smooth case. Apparently a spacer plate needs to be used and then the reverse selctor fork needs to be modified as well as the speedo drive gear. I can't make my mind up whether it's worth doing or just cut the floor!!

Pretty sure it's just a swap job with smooth case gearbox - Callyspot is the expert on this! He has done it on a 1098 box too - but that involved some 'machining' shall we say!

John Evans, see P.50 of current Minor Matters, offers a 1098 box with the 803 gear lever.

Thanks Mike.Perry, I really don't have time to do that sort of thing at the moment so will give him a call tomorrow. Ironically I would have the time to do it if I wasn't restoring the car it's going in!

BMC I thought the 948 'box was remote change as well?

948cc all the way.

Far revvier nippier smoother engine than the 1098 or 808cc lumps!

Unless you go for a 1300cc.....and then TURBO it!

my experience...and its callyspoy bmc!! ;-) 948 'box and 1098 engine works a treat. obviously not as strong a gearbox as the 1098, but if you want to fit the long stick, then it is a direct swap(cant remember about teh speedo though). very simple and easy. the 1098 'box option is there, but i only did that because i fitted a 1275. it really wastricky(unless you are skilled, which i am not!!) it works well, but takes time to get it right. hope i have helped maybe a bit!!

Cally -I was jiggling your chain!
And yes - 948 smooth case box is remote control, but as cally confirms - the 803 gearlever can be fitted in a staright swop - so it will look original.

plain old callum will do! callum=a greek/english/scotsman with very few spots!

Did you use a spacing plate between the body of the gearbox and the tailshaft housing?

no...just made a gasket? why?