16 replies to this topic

[Tallguysmallcar]

So... Having caught the bug of spannering, sweating and swearing in my garage (and the fact that beer seems to taste better there - must be traces of engine oil ) I have been looking around my neck of the woods for new projects.

 

I found a MK3 Austin 1300 engine, high compression (not a GT, but differs only in Carbs and ancillaries AFAIK), unfortunately the car itself seems to be in too bad of a condition to restore, though, haven't seen it in person yet. Price is acceptable and includes a few other parts I could use on my current mini, specifically the HS4 Carb.

 

Anyhow, I'd like to strip the engine and rebuild, first and foremost for the love of spannering and the challenge involved. 

However, it might become an engine for a future project car, of course a Mini... I know the engine/gearbox assembly is identical, just wanted to find out whether:

 

Any issues with engine mounts/ancillaries?

 

Is it worth it, in your opinion?

 

Thanks!

[nicklouse]

gearbox may not be the same (remote mounting). final drive will not be suitable.

 

front plate is different as it was also for an engine mount so you will need the rad side Mini brackets to add.

 

worth it? it depends on price. but it was very common to use them.

[Tallguysmallcar]

Know about the gearbox and final drive!

 

Rad side brackets -  is it a case of just drilling and bolting on the brackets?

[nicklouse]

Know about the gearbox and final drive!

 

Rad side brackets -  is it a case of just drilling and bolting on the brackets?

nope just bolting on the mini ones. front plate will need changing out during the rebuild for a mini one to match the timing cover. (or get the plasma cutter out).

[DeadSquare]

There are far fewer 1300 about than Minis, you really ought to try and save it.

[Tallguysmallcar]

There are far fewer 1300 about than Minis, you really ought to try and save it.

Let's see what stage it is in... The whole hydrolastic suspension thing seems awfully complicated tho

[Tallguysmallcar]

Will the 1300 timing cover not fit into the mini? Did a quick check and front plates/timing covers are a bit hard to come by these days

Know about the gearbox and final drive!

Rad side brackets - is it a case of just drilling and bolting on the brackets?

nope just bolting on the mini ones. front plate will need changing out during the rebuild for a mini one to match the timing cover. (or get the plasma cutter out).

[nicklouse]

Will the 1300 timing cover not fit into the mini? Did a quick check and front plates/timing covers are a bit hard to come by these days

 

Know about the gearbox and final drive!

Rad side brackets - is it a case of just drilling and bolting on the brackets?

nope just bolting on the mini ones. front plate will need changing out during the rebuild for a mini one to match the timing cover. (or get the plasma cutter out).

 

it is the same. but you can fit any. the problem id the front plate it can get in the way.

[imack]

I've been using an Austin 1300 front plate on my engine for 30 plus years. I just cut the front and rear engine mounts off it.
Only recently changed it for a mini one.
1st photo with green front plate is austin 1300 type, 2nd is cut down 1300 type. 3rd & 4th ARE MED mini type.

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Edited by imack, 11 September 2019 - 12:52 PM.

[DeadSquare]

 

There are far fewer 1300 about than Minis, you really ought to try and save it.

Let's see what stage it is in... The whole hydrolastic suspension thing seems awfully complicated tho

 

[Tallguysmallcar]

I've been using an Austin 1300 front plate on my engine for 30 plus years. I just cut the front and rear engine mounts off it.
Only recently changed it for a mini one.
1st photo with green front plate is austin 1300 type, 2nd is cut down 1300 type. 3rd & 4th ARE MED mini type.

wow thanks for the images 

makes sense now

[DeadSquare]

I always meant to get around to making brackets to bolt on to a Mini subframe, to which I could  fit an 1100 front plate, as in theory it would make the engine very stable.

[Spider]

It's a very popular use of these engines in our part of the world. We didn't get many production Minis fitted with 1275 Engines and the 1100 series that they were fitted to were quite a popular car in the day and could once be obtained quite cheap.

 

The early engines had cranks similar to Cooper S ones in that the Big Ends were 1-5/8" and they were fitted with S or Midget Rods. The first 200 or so cars made (in the UK) with the 1275 engine had S Blocks but otherwise de-tuned.

[Tallguysmallcar]

Hey, thanks for all your replies! Engine inspected today, seems good enough for a rebuild and possible +.020 bore out. Acceptable price agreed by buyer and seller, so all good.
Now for the tricky stuff... How much work is it to get the gear box in a mini that currently operates on a magic wand? What parts will I need other than the ones I get with the engine?
Thanks in advance!

[nicklouse]

Hey, thanks for all your replies! Engine inspected today, seems good enough for a rebuild and possible +.020 bore out. Acceptable price agreed by buyer and seller, so all good.
Now for the tricky stuff... How much work is it to get the gear box in a mini that currently operates on a magic wand? What parts will I need other than the ones I get with the engine?
Thanks in advance!

you will need the bracket for the end of the gear change and mod it to bolt up to the tunnel. and of cause you will need the Mini engine mounting parts. Rad end.