Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi there, I'm putting a 1275 in and I would want it to be fresh and rebuilt. Obviously it depends on how worn everything is but roughly what am I looking at?

The plan would be to measure everything at home and take what ever needs machining to the shop.

Roughly speaking...
Crank regrind - £50
Set of shells + bearings - £50
Pistons + rings - £150
Line bore + hone £75
Head skim - £50
Hardened Inserts for unleaded (fitted) - £75
Cam (new) - £70
Don't forget to add other bits and bobs like new hoses, service kit, gaskets, seals, oil pump, water pump etc and you could probably source parts off ebay to save some on the new prices...

Quite reasonable then, I was curious would a hot cam give me a lumpy idle?

Yes but you can use something like a 266 without effecting the idle and still have an improvement over standard...

I think you are a wee bit low there PSL with your estimates - add about 10 % I would say. Also must get a new oil pump (£15) and duplex timing gears and chain if going for a better cam (£25) and new cam followers (£20). You can pick up an unleaded 940 head for not much money if 'unleaded' bothers you - so hardly worth putting inserts in. Best performance will be with the large valve 940 head - which is not unleaded - and the larger inlet valve makes it difficult to successfully fit unleaded exhaust valve seats to that head - which is why Rover reverted to the smaller valves in the first place !

I was just quoting the prices I recently paid when I did my 1275.... and I did mention a new oil pump, but mine was £17

bmcecosse wrote:I think you are a wee bit low there PSL with your estimates - add about 10 % I would say. Also must get a new oil pump (£15) and duplex timing gears and chain if going for a better cam (£25) and new cam followers (£20). You can pick up an unleaded 940 head for not much money if 'unleaded' bothers you - so hardly worth putting inserts in. Best performance will be with the large valve 940 head - which is not unleaded - and the larger inlet valve makes it difficult to successfully fit unleaded exhaust valve seats to that head - which is why Rover reverted to the smaller valves in the first place !

So am I right in thinking the large valve 12G940 head is the standard 1275 one?

No - it was fitted to the MG Metro (early ones only) and the Mini Cooper - again only early cars. When they went 'unleaded' they reverted to the smaller inlet valve to allow room for the insert under the exhaust valve.
PSL - you got a good deal on the regrinding and reboring then - often quite a bit more these days.

Hi Lukey don't overlook minispares as they do most parts for the 1275cc at very competative prices including a piston design thats supposed to be more suitable for unleaded use.

I was wondering about mini spares, I liked the look of the 10:1 pistons they had for the 1275 wasn't sure if they would be OK because everything there is obviously biased towards the A+. The big valve 12g940 sounds expensive, how much do they usually go for and can I make decent power with the smaller valve one?

Lastly I went down to the scrap yard a mile away from my house and there was a 1275 ital van sitting there, what should I be paying for an unknown 1275 engine plus ancillaries also is there anything else I can get from it?

you can get the front disc brake set up if it has one

If you're having the front brakes you may as well take the gearbox and back axle also.....

Awesome, It's a family owned scrap yard I've just been there now to get prices spoke to the chap said it ran when he parked it there and he will help me get the engine out. I can have it for £25.

I'm not going to be able to check the engine as I usually do, what's the drill?

Make sure it turns over, take head off, check bores for corrosion, check nothing has let go and scored the bores, check head for cracks. Is that about it?

Shall I also get the servo?

EDIT: Are the brakes the same as the marina? Gearbox same but stronger, straight swap? Axle same but stronger and different ratio, just a swap?

That's a bloody bargain !!!! For that price I'd check it turns over, drop it in the car, give it a good service and drive it

If you are using the disc brake setup of it then yes, you need the servo and the remote fluid resevoir.....

Well if it was me I would be a little cheeky and ask if they could try to start it first as this would give you an idea of what its like and if sound it could save you some work.

Are the brakes the same as the marina? Gearbox same but stronger, straight swap? Axle same but stronger and different ratio, just a swap?

The disc brakes from the Marina can be made to fit with a bit of work.
The gearbox is not the same and its not stronger which is why its not a popular coversion and involves a fair bit of work. The rear axle can be made to fit but you will need some new spring mountings etc for it to fit so not quite straightforward. If you have a copy of Owen Burton's book Marina to Minor it explains whats what although its not a perfect book it does give you a good idea of what's involved but at the price quoted you certainly wont lose out.

What book will I need to help me rebuild it, an Ital Haynes manual?

There's a copy of Marina to Minor on ebay at the mo about £8.50

Van hubs etc are 4.5" PCD I believe. The engine for £25 is a good deal - unless there is a rod sticking out the side - or it has frozen solid and cracked the block - TAKE IT! And get as many extras with it as possible - ie manifolds/carb/alternator/starter.