Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi everyone,
I'm not a Morris Minor owner at present, but I'm hoping someone can help me with a question regading engines. I have an 803cc Ausin A30 and have just picked up a 1098cc engine which I want to put in it (it's a nut and bolt swap apparently).

My question is, does anyone know of a good "classic car mechanic" around the Derbyshire / Staffordshire area who could fit it for me? Although I'm a member of the owners club I can't find any Austin specialist garages near me.

My other question is can you recommend a company which will exchange my current 1098 for a reconditioned one - I know Bull Motif will but was wondering if there were any others out there for comparrisons from a recomendation.
Many thanks,
Simon.

Most of the suppliers will do you an 'exchange' engine, but whether you think they are value for money or not is up to you. It will be MUCH less expensive to DIY. Is the 1098 known to be in poor condition? The old 803 gearbox (which is miserably weak) won't last long with 1098 power going through it. I suspect you will also have to use the 803 flywheel/clutch and backplate on the 1098 engine to make it a straight swop. The clutch then will also become a 'weak link'. It would be much better to get a 1098 box and fit that with the engine, and then the final drive ratio will also be far too low so you will be looking for at least a 4.22, although a 3.9 or even a 3.7 will be better. And of course, the pathetic A30 brakes will need considerable upgrading to stop the thing. Fortunately disc brakes from Spridgets are pretty well a straight bolt-on job on the small Austins.

Thanks for the reply! The 1098 is "OK", it came from an MG and had lots of pull etc but just burned a little oil. My Austin has MG disk brakes fitted already so that should be OK. I've read that as you say the 803 back plate and flywheel need to remain.

All this came about due to my current 803 burning a fair bit of oil. The water pump is on its last legs and at £200 for a new one it seems like by the time I've finished I may as well do a complete swap.