Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi
I have had cars with both engines, and my minor now has a 948cc. Which engine do you think is better and why?
Me personally can't tell the difference in performance with the standard engines, but the 948cc seems that little bit more refined. I have no idea why but just something about it....

Tell me what you think????

It has been said to me that the ratio of stroke to bore in the 948 is best & so it runs more smoothly.

No doubt there will be expert opinion along soon.

The 948 is generally reckoned to be the smoothest engine due to its shorter stroke but then a Series MM owner will tell you that the 918 side valve engine is smoothest despite its long stroke, probably because it has no rattling push rods.
The 1098 should give considerably better performance with 48 bhp compared to 37 bhp for the 948 although the 1098 runs the 4.22 diff and the 948 runs the 4.55 diff. The fairest comparison would be a 948 and 1098 van as both use the 4.55 diff

I think the comments so far cover it well.
A standard 948 saloon has a higher ratio diff, so acceleration is similar at low speed, and it runs out of puff at higher speed.
The 948 is much smoother - I don't think it's just the stroke, I think it's a better balanced engine overall.

The 1098 is better at motorway speed (more power and has no problems pulling with a 4.2 diff).

My own preference is a 1098 with 3.9 diff. It won't have the best acceleration (and can be poor on hill ascents) but is quieter at motorway speed, therefore more user friendly for long distances.

thats what i have done on my engine ray and i love it now .the engine has been sorted i had a lot of problems but the rebuild under gaurentee did a good job .,and the fuel economy on a long run is much better .

Well I have just put a 948 back in mine, after having a 1098.
It is so much sweeter and runs and sounds so much better!
It is a bit slower up hills, but that is all, and I am still running it in!

So far then it's looking that 948cc is sweeter and smoother.

My car is 1957 and it drives and feels so smooth, we haven't come on that far in 50 years really

Put the cam and head (after 60 thou skim) from a 1098 on the 948 and you will have the best of both worlds..... Even better - use a 1098 block with the 948 crank - and a set of 998 Mini pistons and rods - and the cam/head as above. Now you have a very nice 998!

I do lots of motorway miles so 1098 for me,the smaller one is a little underpowered

bmcecosse wrote:Put the cam and head (after 60 thou skim) from a 1098 on the 948 and you will have the best of both worlds..... Even better - use a 1098 block with the 948 crank - and a set of 998 Mini pistons and rods - and the cam/head as above. Now you have a very nice 998!

What's has the 1098 head have to offer? Better gas flow?. If so how much of a improvement? My car is still on a leaded head so perhaps when the time comes I will do what you have said, but can the smooth case gearbox take the extra power?

Yes - the 1098 head has slightly larger inlet valves (not dramatically so..) and larger ports. It does need skimming by 60 thou for use on a 948 / 998. Otherwise - straight swap. Don't worry about 'unleaded' - it's not a problem on the A series unless thrashing it mercilessly. The slight power increase is fine for the gearbox - sensible use of course - not wheelspin starts!

Thumbs up from me for the 948. It's a little 'rev monkey' which makes it much more fun.

I'd never put the A-Series down as a rev happy engine(!)

rayofleamington wrote:I think the comments so far cover it well.
My own preference is a 1098 with 3.9 diff. It won't have the best acceleration (and can be poor on hill ascents) but is quieter at motorway speed, therefore more user friendly for long distances.

Can't use that here, Sheffield is just many hills

Just felt I had to add one more thing to this thread. I drove my son's standard 948 today and yes quick off the line but very quickly runs out of puff. Needs a better head, cam and carb like mine has, at which point It becomes a completely different beasty.

As said, it doesn't have as much low down torque as a 'warmed' 1098 but it more than makes up for it in the fun department, when upgraded with simple mods.

A 948 /998 A series can be revved to 8000+ - although it needs crank damper/lightening/balancing/main caps strengthened etc to do so - and it won't last 'for ever' at these revs..... A 1098 will quickly break the crank if taken much over 6000/6500 for any length of time.