Morris Minor Owners Club

Please can anyone confirm for me the Austin (Morris) vans during 1970 with fitted with a 998cc engine, or is this replacement for an original one.
It does say 998cc on our log book, but, the guy at the insurance company asked me to check.
Also can I check if this is an original engine by perhaps finding a nuber on it?
Thank you

Will be a 1098cc
- 998cc Mini's I believe?

What insurers are you with?

The number on the ally plate next to the dynamo should agree with the number on the registration docs. For a 1098 engine the number should start with a 10 and there should be a plate withh 1100 on it on the side of the block behind the exhaust manifold

Thank you very much for the info - think it is very probably a mini engine.

Trying to get insurance with Footman James

Squatrogers wrote:Thank you very much for the info - think it is very probably a mini engine.

Trying to get insurance with Footman James

Its very unlikely its a mini engine!! Go out and check.

Mainstream insurers don't appear to pick up Minor 1098 van's - usually class them as 998cc MINIVANS!

Your engine will probably be a 10V/189E/L????

Chris

A Mini engine is not possible. Some vans were fitted with 848cc engines for low performance and best economy. Otherwise it will be a 1098 engine.

A lot of numbers were entered into the computer wrongly during the first time they were submitted to the new MOT computerised system. They entered our 1970 4 dr as Morris 1100 as they said there wasn't a "slot" for a Morris 1098!

Footman James will accept 1098 or 948cc on an Austin Morris van.

Thanks for all the info

UPDATE
As of today I am unable to get insurance.

We have the registered keepers information from DVLA since 1970 and the van is registered as a 998cc, but, you are correct that the engine number is 10V189/E/L etc.

Therefore, is it a mistake at registration that has stayed a mistake for 42 years and if so would anyone know how I can go about correcting it.

More likely the hiccup occured when DVLC vehicle records were computerised c1979/80.

Is the engine number quoted on any pre '80 documentation you poccess?

Had the same problem with a '63 803cc GPO van!

No, it is NOT modified!!

Grrr

HI

Yes the engine number is quoted on all the keepers receords from 1970, but, so is the 998c

I'm not sure how a mistake on your v5 can stop you getting insurance. My insurance have never asked for copies of the v5 or presumably looked them up on the ins database. One of my vans is registered as having a 9999cc engine which is obviously a typo as I really don;t have a 10 litre engine in it! I've never bothered having it changed due to the entertainment value of the cockup. (Do a DVLA vehicle details enquiry on SOO386K if you want a chuckle...).
If I did decide to have it changed (like if theyever decided to tax cars on engine size!). Amending the document and sending it off with a covering letter should do the job, or even go into your local DVLA office and explain (before they get closed down).
If posting, do get photocopies before you commit the documents to the post.
If there is a problem, which I'd very much doubt the MMOC should be able to help, but there really shouldn't be an issue with this. As folk have said its a typo when the DVLA records were computerised, probabbly someone getting confused with Mini vans after spending days entering data.

Yes I agree with IaianinTenbury. My convertible had the wrong chassis number on both the copy of the old logbook and V5. It was one digit out. By showing the DVLA a photo of the bulkhead ID number and chassis plate they changed the logbook accordingly. Perhaps a letter from the Technical Editor of the club, on headed paper, will be enough to assure the bods at DVLA that all you want to do is to correct an obvious error in data entry so that there can be no quibbles about the relevant numbers on your current log book. Also, a heritage certificate from Gaydon will confirm the original engine number as a 10v engine which again was only available in 1098 form. Quite apart from that, unless you have been modifying a 948 engine somewhat, a 998 mini engine is clearly a front wheel drive unit wheras the Minor is rear wheel drive so unless you or a previous owner had been busy creating a FWD minor there is just no way it can be a 998 engine. Good luck

Why does it stop you getting insurance?? Just tell them the details - and it IS a 1098 engine. Unless of course, someone in the past has fitted a 948 crank - and Mini 998 pistons and rods which WILL give a 998 engine........

A friend of mine has 4 1098cc LCVs on his FJ policy!

If you have 10V/189E on your A-AVC's chassis plate, I cannot see a problem!

Gaydon don't hold '70s chassis/cab/engine number records - best bet either the LCV Register or myself.

10v is an 850 mini isnt it

Hi again

Thank you all very much for your help over the past few days.

We have a result the engine is definately 1098cc as you have all been telling me.

DVLA are in the process of being informed.

We also have insurance quote, which has made both me and my son VERY happy

Thank you all very much.

(The reason we couldn't get the insurance before was because if the car was in accident for instance the guy said that all the paperwork wouldn't tie up - which could cause us problems if we were to claim)