10 replies to this topic

[1963MKI]

Hi Guys,

I have a 1963 MKI with all the original bits but am upgrading for power. What in your opinion would be the best option for an engine to fit into it? What im looking for is a 1275 at least, that requires no bodywork alterations, does not require any alterations to the interior (speedo, dash shelf etc. - except for the gear selector obviously). Also I have to bear in mind the cost of a new engine, I'm on a budget so the cost of a highly sought after engine is more than likely too much for me too afford.

Any suggestions?

[mini*mad]

Worth more slow!
What engine is in it at the moment?

[1963MKI]

Currently I have the standard 848cc engine. It has a small problem with the engine jumping out of gear but other than that it's fine. It does however have over 200,000 miles on it so i'm anticipating catastrophic failure at some point in the future. Even if I swap the original for a 1275 I will be rebuiding the original and hanging on to it no matter what.

[AVV IT]

It really depends on your budget and what you want to use it for. If I had a mk1 then I'd be wanting to maintain originality as far as possible, so I'd probably look into rebuilding and tuning the existing engine, as opposed to putting a bigger/later A+ series in there or whatever. I suppose for originality's sake though, you could always drop a different engine in and keep hold of the original, so that it can be transplanted back in at a later stage if necessary.

The issue with upgrading for power tends to be usability, in that the more powerful the engine becomes, the less driveable it tends to be as an everyday car. So it's really about striking a balance between power and usability. The other issue is that it's well recognised that an engine will only ever be two of the following three things, "cheap", "powerfull" and "reliable". So if you're on a budget, then you may have to sacrifice the amount of power you want in order for it to be reliable. That said, a cheap, reliable and only mildly tuned 1275 (something like an MG metro unit with a stage 1 kit) is going to feel hugely powerful, if you're only used to a standard 850/998 in the first place, because you will be at least doubling the amount of power that you had before.

[1963MKI]

I actually have a 1275 engine from a Austin 1300Gt but the problems are just too numerous to solve (rebore, new pistons, crank regrind, new clutch & housing, new diff, crownwheel, diff case, all round new bearings, all round new gaskets, complete gearbox rebuild) I just cant afford it.

[Bungle]

that was going to be my question are you going to up rate the brakes or keep to the standard drums ?

if your keeping the drums you might not want much more power

[1963MKI]

I upgraded to discs years ago with the 850 just for safety sake so theres no problem there. With regard to originality, I want to have the look original and have a 1275 under the bonnet. So no modifications to bodywork and interior but apart from that I dont mind at all, so brakes, suspension, engine are the things ill modify.

[1963MKI]

I had a 1275 engine in it before with the remote box. So I did make a number of changes to the floor but nothing serious. Then I put the 850 back in no trouble but patched the hole in the floor with a small sheet of stainless and some resin because I knew at some stage a 1275 would be going back in.

[MRA]

So no modifications to bodywork and interior

The biggest problem your gonna have is the gearbox, 3 syncro pudding stirrer. The best answer would be to fit a 4 syncro remote box, but pretty sure this would involve changes to the floor as iirc the mk1 in '63 didn't have the remote aperture ?

You can use a 4 synchro with a modified to fit magic wand diff cover, so it could all go in ok ps Guessworks can do the gearbox mods for you if required.

[1963MKI]

Does anyone know where I might pick up an austin 1300gt engine? Then I could build a replacement engine using my one and a donor for parts etc.

[mister bridger]

As for maintaining an original appearance, my mk1 has a 998 A+ in it, but with a bracket made up so I can use the original dynamo - the single biggest giveaway being a modern alternator on an old car.