advice needed from those in the know

[timetraveller]

Hi all
ive not been on here for quite a few years possibly 7 since i last owned a morris traveller
anyway had some great advice about a 1275 conversion,metro inlet,hif carb,exhaust manifold modification etc...
anyway i carried out all the work and the end result was great,really improved the standard traveller.....in fact it flew!
anyway im here again 7 years later.....the traveller is now long gone and other things inbetween but now i have another traveller in my possesion
this traveller has marina struts and discs,rear axle,5 speed type 9 gearbox etc,etc......all the upgrades you could wish for
the question i have is im not sure what the engine size is and neither was the previous owner
it does say 1.3 on the logbook but having driven it for the first time today i found it pretty gutless and underpowered
i know nothing of the performance of a standard marina 1.3 but its nothing like i remember the 1275 conversion i did years ago
where would i find the engine number so i could ask the question on here as to its origins
thanks in advance
Neil

[philthehill]

The engine number can be found just under No: 1 spark plug.
If the engine number plate is not there the block casting number which is specific to engine type/size can be found N/S lower rear of the block.
Attached is a N/S picture of a 1275cc 'A' Plus Marina/Ital engine.

As an aside unless you have had major work done to the front upper suspension/damper mounts the Marina uprights will not fit as the upper pivot is totally different with a ball joint as per classic Mini.
I suspect that you have Minor uprights with a Marina/Ital disc brake conversion.
A photo of the front suspension will confirm the type of damper and upright assy fitted.

[timetraveller]

cheers phil
i will have a good look tomorrow in the daylight
are there any visual differences between a standard a series and an a plus
ie..oil filter location,dizzy location ??
just thinking out loud

[philthehill]

The most obvious difference is that the 'A' Plus Marina 1275cc engine has the additional ribbing on the outside of the block whereas the pre 'A' Plus Marina 1275cc engine did not have the external ribbing.
The oil filter position is identical on both engines.
The dizzy position is identical on both engines but the means of securing the dizzy in the block can vary.

The main difference between a standard 1275cc engine as used in the 1275cc Midget and the 1275cc 'A' Plus is the location of the oil filter.
Below is a O/S picture of a 1275cc Marina/Ital engine. Note the oil filter position.

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[firehor5e]

The 1275 does not have chest plates on the block and the head is 12g940,it has a square finish by the thermostat.

[timetraveller]

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any ideas anyone ????
BUR2213

[RobThomas]

Hand stamped by whomsoever rebuilt it last. You need photos of the SIDES and lower extremities to help identify the engine. Pic from just behinf left edge of radiator looking backwards below exhaust would help.

[Chipper]

I would guess it's a reconditioned 1098cc unit.

The way to find for sure is remove the rocker cover and see what the cylinder head casting number is - a 1098cc one will be 12G202, whereas a 1275 would have a 12G940.

Also, on the inlet/exhaust side of the block, there should be an ID tag near the front saying either '950' (948cc), '1100' (1098cc) or '1275', and if it has tappet chest covers on that side of the block, it is a small bore A-series - the big block 1275 has a solid block wall.

[pgp001]

That top radiator hose looks to be quite well inflated, I think I would be replacing that in the near future.

Phil

[philthehill]

The engine is a reconditioned 1098cc unit with a standard 1098cc cylinder head.

[RobThomas]

3 holes for the thermostat are aligned with one pointed towards the front of the car, hence not a 1275. A 1275 has the holes moved round by 30 degrees from that one in the picture.

[philthehill]

The give away as regards the head is the alignment of the heater tap. Small bore engines have the heater tap aligned with the rear face of the head.
Large bore engines (12A185 heads excepted) have the heater tap angled (approx. 60 degrees) to the rear face of the head.
The heater tap fitted to the head in the picture is aligned with the rear face of the head so a small bore engine head - not a 940 head.

[Steve_k]

The give away as regards the head is the alignment of the heater tap. Small bore engines have the heater tap aligned with the rear face of the head.
Large bore engines (12A185 heads excepted) have the heater tap angled (approx. 60 degrees) to the rear face of the head.
The heater tap fitted to the head in the picture is aligned with the rear face of the head so a small bore engine head - not a 940 head.

The heater tap is how I have always recognised the 1275 engines from the smaller units.

[IslipMinor]

I agree that it does not look to be a 1275, but to be completely sure we need a picture of the exhaust side of the engine to see if it has the side tappet covers. If it has then it could be either a 948 or 1098, if not then a 1275 Midget engine. Also a picture of the exhaust side of the engine towards the front of the engine to see what part number is there and/or engine plate with 1100 on it?

Even if the head is not a 12G940, someone could have fitted it to a 1275?

The orientation of the engine steady says it is 948/1098, because the 1275 block is higher and the steady has to be inverted to fit.

The top hose looks a bit odd, it is normally a straight convoluted hose - could we have a picture showing the complete hose?

[philthehill]

Richard
Looking at the OP's first picture above - the front side cover vent pipe can be seen exiting downwards which is a good indicator that the N/S of the block is not solid therefore the engine is not a 1275cc unit.

Also if the photo is enlarged the front cover and gasket can be clearly seen.

Phil

The top hose which is marked RH 1427 97A9158 is just about to blow and needs to be replaced urgently.

[IslipMinor]

Phil,

You can indeed! Thanks, so definitely not a 1275 then.

Yes, the top hose looks extremely suspect, but what is it? A picture showing the complete hose would be very helpful.

[philthehill]

I suspect that the top hose has delaminated but the answer to what the hose came off or fitted originally is up for grabs.
It certainly is not a Minor top hose.

[timetraveller]

ok guys thanks for your replies
top hose is on order thanks,i spotted that one
been out for a good run today
70 mph on motorway without issue but it does have a ford 5 speed gearbox and a marina rear axle so the ratios are pretty good even if the block is stamped 950

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[les]

Looks like you were just testing us on engine size then!!

[timetraveller]

Looks like you were just testing us on engine size then!!

is that the engine size then as i still dont know ??