Morris Minor Owners Club

Two engines in simular condition, both 1275, one is an early Midget (the A series), the other is a late Ital (A+).

Which one would you keep for your minor?

Answers on a postcard (not really, just this thread) with reasons please.

Need to sell one of them but can't decide which one to keep.

I'd say keep the A+

The midget one would look most 'original'. If you were wanting a bit more performance but keeping the original look, the midget engine with its oil filter in the normal place (for the minor) would be the one to keep.

If you want a performance improvement, and aren't too fussed about the original looks, then the A+ is the stronger engine, more resilient to a good thrashing.

Horses for courses.

I'm told Spridget blocks fetch good money! No self respecting Spridget owner is going to fit a Marina engine in his car........

The Midget engine is easier to install, almost a straight swap for a 1098, the gearbox is a straight swap as well. As has been said, it has the oil filter in the correct position.
Guess which engine I've got

Thank you for the replies, would the Ital engine have an unleaded head?

Probably - but don't worry about it...... either engine will run on unleaded for many many thousands of miles with just annual valve gap adjustment.

An A+ 1275 in-line engine should have an unleaded head*. Well worth keeping if you want to drive it tens of thousands of miles.

*unless it's been swapped and/or the engine has a dubious history.

Pretty sure the A+ is as standard, still pondering over which one to hang onto, I will possibly keep the both and put one away for a rainy day. The A+ was a gold seal unit but there is slightly more wear on the bores than the early midget, thinking I will try the almost rebuilt midget, if all is well have a look at the midget thats been removed then decide. There is also the possibility of going bust or dying of old age before all this happens, still looking for a solid, cheap 4/2 door for the wife so thinking wolsley fronts, engines, mirrors etc will be needed.

The A+ was a gold seal unit but there is slightly more wear on the bores than the early midget

Gold seal was just a factory recon unit - therefore likely to already be oversize bores / ground crank.

However, nothing stops you selling the Midget engine and putting the money towards overboring the A+ to 1340...