Engine (Austin) 1098

[pmg]

Engine for a Minor. believed 1098. Was acquired for a project and not used. Complete filters,leads,plugs,distributor. Paint wear in places.
Sump Lettering (right to Left ) WMC ; 23758 1 ; 12A497. MOWOG. 1838 (detail in photo 1 )
£145. Contact Paul 07831 926 845 (S Manchester / Cheshire ) or PM as desired. Thank you for looking. (2 Aug 2023 )

[svenedin]

I’m not recognising a Morris Minor engine number there.

As far as I’m concerned a car’s value is seriously affected if it does not have its original engine. It’s ruined imho.

[philthehill]

If the engine is as I suspect a used S/H gold seal unit then the engine number will not start with a 10 but a 8.
Irrespective of the engine number the engine being offered is a 1098cc 'A' Series engine and confirmed by the block casting number.
Whilst it is nice to have the original 'A' Series engine etc it is not the end of the world if it has a substitute 'A' Series.
It is more important that the engine number aligns with the engine number in the vehicle documents.
The engine number stated in the documents may not be that of the original engine anyway. Only a Heritage Certificate will confirm if the engine is the engine the car left the factory with.

[geoberni]

I’m not recognising a Morris Minor engine number there.

As far as I’m concerned a car’s value is seriously affected if it does not have its original engine. It’s ruined imho.

Oh dear, I'm afraid you must have a very low opinion of the majority of surviving Minors.
After a minimum of 50 years, the vast majority will have been fitted with replacement engines; even without people wishing to increase the engine size of the early models, it was the intended easy option when the original needed a complete overhaul.

That's why BMC/BL ran the replacement engine business, so that owners could have a quick engine change in a day, perhaps at a garage near where they worked, and not have their precious transport off the road possibly for weeks, awaiting the original to be overhauled.

Unless someone has faked the paint finish, this was obviously a Gold Seal overhauled unit, intended as a 'Morris Engine', due to the lack of mechanical fuel pump fitting.

If the engine is as I suspect a used S/H gold seal unit then the engine number will not start with a 10 but a 8.
Irrespective of the engine number the engine being offered is a 1098cc 'A' Series engine and confirmed by the block casting number.
Whilst it is nice to have the original 'A' Series engine etc it is not the end of the world if it has a substitute 'A' Series.
It is more important that the engine number aligns with the engine number in the vehicle documents.
The engine number stated in the documents may not be that of the original engine anyway. Only a Heritage Certificate will confirm if the engine is the engine the car left the factory with.

All very true, for around half the total production run the Vehicle ID plate regarding Engine Number simply said 'See Engine'....

[les]

Regarding originality and associated thoughts, it has often amused me to see or hear, for example, of a painting of unknown origin, and the artist is in dispute. A valuation would be put on such painting of perhaps a moderate price——— but if it was confirmed it was by a great artist the value would skyrocket. It’s the same painting!! It’s either good or bad whoever did it.

[stuffedpike20]

Pauls engine looks good to me, and very reasonably priced considering what auxiliaries are on it.

[pmg]

3Aug.
Thank you all for replies and insights[ lots to impress] . (svenedin ; philthehill; geoberni; Les; StuffedPike20 )
I offer this engine ( maybe gold seal ? ) and hope an enthusiast might have a project on the go! for an engine change or addition.
Will see what happens. Fairly priced.
Rdgs
PG member 79848

I will be attending the 2023 MMOC Northern Rally at Blakemere Craft Centre , nr Northwich. (Sat/Sun Aug 19 & 20). Am there on Sunday.
Come along. Really good rally. Be most welcome. Details in MinorMatters

[svenedin]

I’m not recognising a Morris Minor engine number there.

As far as I’m concerned a car’s value is seriously affected if it does not have its original engine. It’s ruined imho.

Oh dear, I'm afraid you must have a very low opinion of the majority of surviving Minors.
After a minimum of 50 years, the vast majority will have been fitted with replacement engines; even without people wishing to increase the engine size of the early models, it was the intended easy option when the original needed a complete overhaul.

That's why BMC/BL ran the replacement engine business, so that owners could have a quick engine change in a day, perhaps at a garage near where they worked, and not have their precious transport off the road possibly for weeks, awaiting the original to be overhauled.

Unless someone has faked the paint finish, this was obviously a Gold Seal overhauled unit, intended as a 'Morris Engine', due to the lack of mechanical fuel pump fitting.

If the engine is as I suspect a used S/H gold seal unit then the engine number will not start with a 10 but a 8.
Irrespective of the engine number the engine being offered is a 1098cc 'A' Series engine and confirmed by the block casting number.
Whilst it is nice to have the original 'A' Series engine etc it is not the end of the world if it has a substitute 'A' Series.
It is more important that the engine number aligns with the engine number in the vehicle documents.
The engine number stated in the documents may not be that of the original engine anyway. Only a Heritage Certificate will confirm if the engine is the engine the car left the factory with.

All very true, for around half the total production run the Vehicle ID plate regarding Engine Number simply said 'See Engine'....

I know. Many (most maybe) Minors do not have their original engines as to overhaul the original would mean the car is off the road for too long and that just isn't practical especially especially back when they were a family's only transport. I am lucky enough to have my original engine in the car (confirmed by Heritage Certificate) but at some point it is going to have to an alternative engine whilst the car's one is rebuilt or be off the road for a extended period.

I do think it is desirable to keep the car and engine together if that is possible or at the very least to try to use an exchange engine that is "right" for the car. Meaning the right type of breathing arrangement for that age of car etc.

I notice that the OP's engine does not have the starting handle dog which is why I didn't think it had been in a Minor. That and the Austin badge of course.


Stephen

[geoberni]

I notice that the OP's engine does not have the starting handle dog which is why I didn't think it had been in a Minor. That and the Austin badge of course.

Stephen

It could just be that as a Gold Seal Unit it was brought in the early 70s, or perhaps later (I don't know when they stopped them) and assembled without a Starter Handle Dog, because people weren't bothered about having one, handles were 'old hat' by then.

In the mid 70s, I had a Mk 1 Escort, 1969 reg, so a really early one.
The engine didn't have a starter dog as far as I can recall, the front bumper certainly didn't have a hole for a handle to go through, but all Mk1 Escorts have a hole in the front valance behind the bumper....

The Austin Badge is easily explained if it was for an LCV...

[myoldjalopy]

Indeed, there are few Minors left now that are totally original, engine or otherwise. If one is looking for an 'original car' the best one can hope for is a car that has been maintained/repaired as closely as possible to its original spec. I prefer 'originality' but would be less bothered about whether the engine is original or not, as long as its in good fettle. I would be much more concerned about things such as whether older style trim has been replaced by a more recent type, or whether unsympathetic parts have been added to the point where the car is more like a creation of Dr. Frankenstein!
As for starter handles, they really are useful when the battery lets you down, and for turning the engine to set the points gap or check the valve clearances. Neat party trick to start on the handle these days as well!

[simmitc]

n the mid 70s, I had a Mk 1 Escort, 1969 reg, so a really early one.
The engine didn't have a starter dog as far as I can recall, the front bumper certainly didn't have a hole for a handle to go through, but all Mk1 Escorts have a hole in the front valance behind the bumper...

Ah, but was that hole not simply where they rusted through? Oh, no, those holes were everywhere, not just behind the bumper

[myoldjalopy]

You should have seen my old Austin 1100 before it had to be scrapped!

[svenedin]

Indeed, there are few Minors left now that are totally original, engine or otherwise. If one is looking for an 'original car' the best one can hope for is a car that has been maintained/repaired as closely as possible to its original spec. I prefer 'originality' but would be less bothered about whether the engine is original or not, as long as its in good fettle. I would be much more concerned about things such as whether older style trim has been replaced by a more recent type, or whether unsympathetic parts have been added to the point where the car is more like a creation of Dr. Frankenstein!
As for starter handles, they really are useful when the battery lets you down, and for turning the engine to set the points gap or check the valve clearances. Neat party trick to start on the handle these days as well!

Oh yes. My starting handle party trick always amuses and yes it is so useful for setting the valve clearances, static timing and points gap.

Originality is a tricky subject and I much prefer it but I have strayed away from originality in minor (unintended pun) ways for various reasons. For instance I have fitted polyurethane suspension bushes. This is because the currently available rubber parts are not durable enough.

Probably I am just over precious about keeping my car and engine together and if I had to buy another car I would not be a total deal breaker to have a replacement engine in all seriousness. They are many other more important things to worry about such as whether the car is rotten or not!

Stephen

[geoberni]

n the mid 70s, I had a Mk 1 Escort, 1969 reg, so a really early one.
The engine didn't have a starter dog as far as I can recall, the front bumper certainly didn't have a hole for a handle to go through, but all Mk1 Escorts have a hole in the front valance behind the bumper...

Ah, but was that hole not simply where they rusted through? Oh, no, those holes were everywhere, not just behind the bumper

The holes on mine were in the floor pan and on the sills.... That Escort was the last car I had with a floor Dip Switch, until I brought Basil in 2017
The Hazard Sw I now have in Basil was the one I fitted to that Escort, and then removed it before I sold it. I just knew it might come in handy at some time....