11 replies to this topic

[forehead]

We have just bought a 1985 Mini fitted with what we think is a 1985 Metro 1275 not an MG engine bearing engine number 12HAC(or 0)8AA******

The puzzle is that it does not appear to have the temp sensor fitted in the std position in the block

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This hole is not drilled through and doesn't appear to ever have been tapped or had anything fitted into it.

Can anyone suggest where the temperature sensor might have been fitted or somewhere a new one could be fitted now.

Many thanks.

Edited by forehead, 12 June 2009 - 09:08 PM.

[Asphalt]

SPI head... They had the sensor fited to the inlet manifold Good thing is: it's unleaded.
I guess the heater take off (on head, driver's side) is closed too?

[forehead]

SPI head... They had the sensor fited to the inlet manifold Good thing is: it's unleaded.
I guess the heater take off (on head, driver's side) is closed too?

Pardon the ignorance I know a little about Minis but not a lot.

SPI head would suggest we are looking at a newer head on an older block. Is there any identification I could look for on the head to confirm this?

The car is fitted with separate inlet and ehaust manifolds - the inlet appears to be a water cooled Mini Spares unit with the exhaust an LCB?

I had thought the engine had simply been lifted straight out of a Metro however given what you are saying someone has spent a little time upgrading it?

Edited by forehead, 12 June 2009 - 09:37 PM.

[DaveRob]

As Asphalt says the SPi head has no temp sensor fitting as the SPi used a coolant temperature sensor under the inlet manifold..... also the heater take off on left side is blanked and their wont be any bypass hose either..... the head for the SPi is labled as 12G940.... but then so are a lot of later 1275 heads including the metro ones... so its more a case of what have you got?...... a few more photos of the engine and the head without the rocker cover would help..... if you want to know that is....lol

Rob

[forehead]

As Asphalt says the SPi head has no temp sensor fitting as the SPi used a coolant temperature sensor under the inlet manifold..... also the heater take off on left side is blanked and their wont be any bypass hose either..... the head for the SPi is labled as 12G940.... but then so are a lot of later 1275 heads including the metro ones... so its more a case of what have you got?...... a few more photos of the engine and the head without the rocker cover would help..... if you want to know that is....lol

Rob

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My mechaninc reckons there is a bypass hose next to the rad by the fuel pump?

The head has the number 12G8403 on it

As you can see the heater take off is in use but the bolts look non-original so have possibley been bodged.

As the suggestion is that this head will take unleaded that would be an interesting thing to clear up.

Many thanks

[forehead]

No one got any ideas?

Problem is unless we know what we are dealing with we dont even know what the correct timing would be or even if we can run unleaded fuel.

[DaveRob]

If you look at Guessworks engine number determinator it identifies your engine as

Metro Economy
Engine type & CC : A+ 1275 cc Transverse mounted
Engine features : Lucas 16AC alternator with -ve Earth
1st Alternative compression ratio
Mechanical petrol pump

Gearbox features : Std. Ratio Rod Change gearbox with Pot Joints
3.105:1 Final Drive

Additionally you apear to have a verto clutch, suggesting a later type power unit ( as would be expected from the above info ) BUT your engine does not look standard.... for instance.... in one of the photos their is something that looks like a variable oil pressure release valve... The inlet manifold is certainly non standard.... 12G8403 is not a number in any of my reference books...... and at this era I would expect the head casting number to be 12G940. To have no temp guage thread and still have a bypass hose, if you definatly have one, is very odd........ My thoughts are this engine is a mix of different products.... the only way to be certain what it is and if you have an unleaded head, would be to take it apart and have a look at all the components and find out what other mods have been done..... by the way.... 12G940 would be cast into the head under the rocker cover....

Just my thoughts tho

Rob

[forehead]

If you look at Guessworks engine number determinator it identifies your engine as

Metro Economy
Engine type & CC : A+ 1275 cc Transverse mounted
Engine features : Lucas 16AC alternator with -ve Earth
1st Alternative compression ratio
Mechanical petrol pump

Gearbox features : Std. Ratio Rod Change gearbox with Pot Joints
3.105:1 Final Drive

Additionally you apear to have a verto clutch, suggesting a later type power unit ( as would be expected from the above info ) BUT your engine does not look standard.... for instance.... in one of the photos their is something that looks like a variable oil pressure release valve... The inlet manifold is certainly non standard.... 12G8403 is not a number in any of my reference books...... and at this era I would expect the head casting number to be 12G940. To have no temp guage thread and still have a bypass hose, if you definatly have one, is very odd........ My thoughts are this engine is a mix of different products.... the only way to be certain what it is and if you have an unleaded head, would be to take it apart and have a look at all the components and find out what other mods have been done..... by the way.... 12G940 would be cast into the head under the rocker cover....

Just my thoughts tho

Rob

Hi Rob

Have rechecked the number under the rocker cover and must admit that does look like 12G940. That being the case are we safe to assume the head is off a later Metro and as such unleaded compatible? Its no biggie to run a LRP if we need to - would this harm an unleaded engine if we do?

We have done some tuning work on the engine assuming it was a standard 1275 from an 83 Metro HLE, would the timing be the same for the SPI engine or will that need altering?

Any thoughts where we could relocate the temperature sender given the Mini Spares inlet manifold fitted currently?

Thanks for the assist.

[Saxo-Fiesta-Mini]

surley u could drill and tap the inlet manifold and fit the temp sender unit there and then link it up to the heater matric pipes thats my solution

althought i know tapping aluminum is difficult or you could surely get a thermostat spacer plate and fit it there

or get a universal link pipe with sender unit hole and then cut on of the hoses and fit the sender there

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...bayphotohosting

[Darkscamp]

surley u could drill and tap the inlet manifold and fit the temp sender unit there and then link it up to the heater matric pipes thats my solution

althought i know tapping aluminum is difficult or you could surely get a thermostat spacer plate and fit it there

or get a universal link pipe with sender unit hole and then cut on of the hoses and fit the sender there

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...bayphotohosting

that link is for an oil temp sender, not a water one


i'm sure i have seen this before and i believe some had the temp sender fitted into the thermostat housing, if it was an spi head there should be a blank spacer block underneath the thermostat housing.

http://www.minispare...itle=THERMOSTAT HOUSING COOPER...

Edited by Darkscamp, 17 June 2009 - 04:49 PM.

[mini_turbo_pete]

surley u could drill and tap the inlet manifold and fit the temp sender unit there and then link it up to the heater matric pipes thats my solution

althought i know tapping aluminum is difficult or you could surely get a thermostat spacer plate and fit it there

or get a universal link pipe with sender unit hole and then cut on of the hoses and fit the sender there

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...bayphotohosting

Have you read the top of this section "Don't give out incorrect advice - if you don't know the answer, don't post!"

The temp sensor needs to be as close to the hot side of the thermostat as possible, putting it on the inlet manifold will give you the wrong readings.

Tapping Aluminium is easier than tapping steel as it's softer!!

[forehead]

surley u could drill and tap the inlet manifold and fit the temp sender unit there and then link it up to the heater matric pipes thats my solution

althought i know tapping aluminum is difficult or you could surely get a thermostat spacer plate and fit it there

or get a universal link pipe with sender unit hole and then cut on of the hoses and fit the sender there

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...bayphotohosting

Have you read the top of this section "Don't give out incorrect advice - if you don't know the answer, don't post!"

The temp sensor needs to be as close to the hot side of the thermostat as possible, putting it on the inlet manifold will give you the wrong readings.

Tapping Aluminium is easier than tapping steel as it's softer!!

thanks for all your replies.

Does anybody know what the timing setting would be on this engine?

appreciate all the help