Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi there,

Was looking out for a 1275 engine and was just wondering what the options are. Is it necessary to get one of the older A series engines from a Marina or Midget, or is it possible to fit one of the newer A+ engines from 90's Metros & Maestros?

Thanks!

Sadly, the modern A+ engines - from Metros and Maestros require significant modification to get them into a minor (being as they're transverse mounted fwd engines, and the minor's engine isn't).

However, you can use chunks off the newer engine. I've got a nice shiny head sat in my garage that'll be going onto my car when the bits arrive; taken from a 1275 Metro.

Someone who remembers such things will be along to tell you what alterations you've got to make, but I can't - I'm afraid - remember the specifics

The ideal one (in terms of getting hold of it, at any rate) is an A+ from an Ital. You can use one from a Maestro, but it'll take a lot of work (and expense). The crank and various other bits that I know nowt about will need changing - JLH knows everything about it, and (I think) does a kit for the job.

Thanks - guess I'll join the queue for a 1275 from an Ital then!

Midget 1275's are not such a bad bet - they seem to be not too hard to fiind on MG forums, and have more BHPs than the marina 1275

Are they standard 'A's, or A+? Doesn't make much difference, just want to know

Big G, they are A's, they were fitted in spridgets from '67 to 74'(i think)

I understood the Maestro 1275 engine can be used ? Although it is front wheel drive - the engine is separate from the gearbox. Don't think you would need to change the crank - but maybe the backplate is different ? Anyone know for sure ?

The backplate is different, and I think you do need to change the crank

Why that - I believe it has a bolt-on flywheel - so I doubt they would change that.

bmcecosse wrote:maybe the backplate is different ?

Ummm - yes, it is a bit. ..

bmcecosse wrote:I understood the Maestro 1275 engine can be used ? Although it is front wheel drive - the engine is separate from the gearbox. Don't think you would need to change the crank - but maybe the backplate is different ? Anyone know for sure ?

I think when I mentioned this a while ago Jonathon replied - There's a problem with the crank having 5 holes for the flywheel instead of 4, or somesuch if I recall. Not sure how easy it is to work around that, and don't really know why BL would do something like that in the first place, typical of them though I suppose...

They certainly did though - Minor A series has 4, Ital A series has 5.

Ital has 6 holes for the crank, with the 1098 Minor having 4 as you say.

The 4 hole flywheel can be adapted easily enough for an Ital 6 hole crank, but there are some other issues with the Maestro engine that prevent it being an 'easy' job. Jonathon will advise...

Why that - I believe it has a bolt-on flywheel - so I doubt they would change that.

Yes - and the crank sticks out further, therefore fitting a Marina/Ital crank has been suggested, but not having done it myself I'm not sure itf that is simple.
the Maestro engine (with crank)can be used but getting the flywheel and clutch to fit is not as simple as compared to inline A series engines.

bigginger wrote:They certainly did though - Minor A series has 4, Ital A series has 5.

...and I've just been working on both variants!