7 replies to this topic

[1963MKI]

HI guys,

I'm in the middle of searching for a replacement engine for my MK1 mini. I have the original running 850cc engine that came with the car. Some time ago I had an A 1275 engine fitted. I removed that engine because I blew the diff on it and it also needed a rebore. So basically im trying to get a replacement. I don't want to use the 850 because I want more power and the cost of a diff, rebore and new pistons for the 1275 is not economical. So, basically I'm looking for an 1275 A+ engine. I want to retain the exterior and interior of the car as close to standard as possible and just have it close to a Cooper S under the bonnet. I recently found an A+ engine with the wiring loom and all the engine ancillaries on ebay. At some point on the car the new engine will have to meet the new car and Im wondering does anyone have any expeirience with this? The basic problem is how will I maintain the interior with toggle swithces for dipped headlights and wipers, a single indicator stalk, basic central speedo with the engine manegement unit and loom that comes from a quite modern car?

[KernowCooper]

Pre 93 A+ engines have no ecu or engine management control units so the underbonnet wiring is little different from your 850 and the same as your previous 1275, so all your interior switches and head lights work as before, You say you have the engine and wiring loom is this from a SPI/MPI injection car, if so convert it to a distributor and SU Carb from your old 1275 and it will run the same way your previous 1275 did.

[1963MKI]

The new engine is a 1998 1275 A+ with MPI. The old 1275 is just standard A and came out of an austin 1300GT.

[mk3 Cooper S]

^{I would rebuild the 1300GT enigne as it is an 11 stud engine and close to 1275S spec.
The later A+ Engine has ribs on the block that is obvious to the educated if you want to keep th S look}

Edited by mk3 Cooper S, 06 March 2013 - 01:02 PM.

[Cooperman]

And the MPI block is very different even from an earlier A+. It has no distributor or alternator bracket mounting on the block.
If you want to put an A+ into an early car then you need a pre-MPI A+. However, an earlier GT engine is better as it can look very similar to an 'S' engine with the same distributor, 11-stud head, alternator/dynamo mounting, etc.
To fit an MPI engine into an early car is very difficult and potentially expensive.
Why not just re-build the engine as a re-bore & new pistons, etc, will be the best way forward.

[KernowCooper]

I didn't realise you found a MPI block

[1963MKI]

What would be the procedure for fitting an A+ SPI engine?

[Cooperman]

You would need a new ignition system with a coil pack, a different alternator and a modified front panel to accept a front-mounted radiator. I'm fairly sure the radiator won't go in the original position with the different coil pack and different alternator position.
In fact, the idea of fitting an MPI engine into a 1963 car would be a lot more work and money than re-building the original engine and would reduce the value of the car. It's a very big job as a coil-pack is timed using a sensor on the flywheel which feeds via an ECU. It's not something a technician without experience of doing it can attempt really.
Really it's a non-goer unless you are desparate to spend a lot of money to get a late engine fitted. By the way, the manufacturing quality of the MPI engine is not particularly good and it is unwise to fit one without first stripping and re-building it, especially if it is from an unknown source and mileage..