6 replies to this topic

[adam_93rio]

Putting an engine together for my dad's mini out of bits we have while the original engine is rebuilt,
Picked up an A+ block with crank and pistons, just checked it over and there's it looks pretty good, no marks or scoring anywhere so were going to use it for the time being while the A is built.

My question is, can the pin drive cam from the a series 998 be used in the a+ block I've picked up? I was just about to order a new pump and thought I should double check

[The Matt]

you just need to buy the correct oil pump for the cam, yeah

[Cooperman]

But don't forget that there will possibly not be a fuel pump lobe on the cam if it's an early one. So you may need to add an electric pump. I once used an early Cooper 'S' cam in a 998 Mayfair and only realised that I needed an electric pump after putting the engine in!

From memory, the pin-drive cams use a 3-bolt oil pump. If this is the case, make sure that if the block is drilled with 4 threaded holes for the pump bolts the 4th hole doesn't break through into the water gallery - it has been known to happen. If it has, then blank off this extra hole with a 1/4" unf screw and cut off the head flush with the block.

It doesn't apply to a 998, but if using a pin-drive cam in a 1275 check the pump shaft engagement into the cam pin. The pump listed a while back was the same for the 850, 998 & 1275 in pin-drive and with the 1275 the pump shaft only engaged by about 1/8" and could easily snap off when starting from cold. The pump shaft needs to be about 1/4" longer for the 1275.

[adam_93rio]

It's going in his mk1 so has an electric fuel pump already. Thanks for reminding me I'll need to make a fuel pump blanking plate, or order one

[adam_93rio]

Revitalising this thread.

Right I've just come across a different problem, one I didn't even think about; the distributor!

Didn't realised that the mk1 had a completely different sized distributor.

Is the drive from an A+ ok with the A series cam?
How do I wire up the later distributor? The only ones I've got are mk1 ones and late ones with the electronic module on the side

[Spider]

You'll be able to run the A+ Distributor Drive with the A Cam, no issues (in fact, you'll have to run it that way).

[adam_93rio]

You'll be able to run the A+ Distributor Drive with the A Cam, no issues (in fact, you'll have to run it that way).

I test fitted one last night and it seems ok. My only issue now is wiring it up, it obviously has the 3 pin plug on the late distributor, but just has two spade connectors in the mk1 engine bay.

Am I right in thinking one is an ignition live, then + and - from the coil? I could wire that up and run it like that