14 replies to this topic

[chris1965mk1]

I thought i would ask opinions on replacing my engine plate/tag or not and what with ?

My engine is an A+ 1275 and the car it is going in is a 1964 mk1 , long story short the 1275 was purchased years ago second hand and came with no tags and my original to the car 850 went up in smoke when my old yard burnt to the ground (managed to save engine tag but will need re placing as its in bits).

My question is that i would really like to put a plate back on the 1275 block and i know minisport will stamp me a replacement however the only numbers/id i have is for my old 850 engine, any ideas ?

 

 mini 1275 engine.html   666.1K   15 downloads

[Compdoc]

If you intend to sell the car at any time, you could be making a rod for your own back by using the 850 engine number on a 1275 A+. Most buyers, if mini enthusiasts would be able to tell the A+ engine by looking at it and if it had an engine number starting "8" instead of "12" would start to worry. Also DVLA are getting very particular lately and would not upgrade your V5 to 1275cc without confirmation of your engine number starting "12". Without the correct V5, you may have a problem with the insurance company in the event of a total loss. Bit of a can of worms!

[chris1965mk1]

Sounds fair enough to be honest and that`s why i took to the forum for advise.

Is there any way of getting numbers re-issued or identifying the A+ block i have ? What options am i left with without knowing the engines original tag ?

[62S]

Also DVLA are getting very particular lately and would not upgrade your V5 to 1275cc without confirmation of your engine number starting "12".

That seems most unlikely as not all 1275 engine numbers start with '12'.

[chris1965mk1]

So what do reckon i should do 62s ? 

[chris1965mk1]

This new tag for the 1275 is purely for aesthetics no other reason.

[Compdoc]

I sent my V5 to DVLA just before Christmas to get the engine size changed from 998 to 1275. I finally got in back last month. They would not change it until I produced a letter to say that the vehicle had been inspected by a "dealer", (I used a Rover specialist, which seemed to be OK) and confirmed the VIN and engine number was correct for the engine size. That cost me £25. I had pictures of the engine in the car as well as pictures of the Metro donor vehicle showing the engine number and the number plate. They said this was not sufficient.

Most 1275cc engines start with "12" except some of the "S" engines produced in the 60's and these are like hens teeth.

Have a look on the DVLA website, there are lots of extra hoops to jump through now to get changes made that previously were no problem.

I don't think I would put in an engine without a number, it could give you more grief as time goes on.

[62S]

So what do reckon i should do 62s ?

It is up to you really, you could make up your own engine number. Mini Mail will also make you a reverse stamped engine number tag and as they make them for Mini Sport, will probably be cheaper. You could stamp your own number into the block.

Most 1275cc engines start with "12" except some of the "S" engines produced in the 60's

Whilst the first part of that statement that most 1275 engine numbers start with "12" is true, the rest is incorrect;
1) No 1960's "S" engine number started with "12".
2) Factory reconditioned engines, and there were lots of those, started with numerous prefixes over the years for example 8G, 38G, RKM, BHM etc. which do not relate to engine size.

[Compdoc]

 

So what do reckon i should do 62s ?

It is up to you really, you could make up your own engine number. Mini Mail will also make you a reverse stamped engine number tag and as they make them for Mini Sport, will probably be cheaper. You could stamp your own number into the block.

Most 1275cc engines start with "12" except some of the "S" engines produced in the 60's

Whilst the first part of that statement that most 1275 engine numbers start with "12" is true, the rest is incorrect;
1) No 1960's "S" engine number started with "12".
2) Factory reconditioned engines, and there were lots of those, started with numerous prefixes over the years for example 8G, 38G, RKM, BHM etc. which do not relate to engine size.

 

I did actually say, "Most 1275cc engines start with "12" except some of the "S" engines produced in the 60's". I had a 1071 S in the 60's and the engine number started 9F. I believe all the S models had engine numbers starting 9 until the Mk3 arrived when the engine numbers started 12.

I would still be very careful about installing an engine with no number. Even if you have proof of ownership to allay any fears of it being stolen, I think DVLA will still give you grief.

[chris1965mk1]

Thanks for the advise guys however i still feel none the wiser to my next move ? 

Option 1 - i put the engine in and leave the tag off (problems registering with dvla)

Option 2 - i make a new tag using my original 850 engine numbers (still problems with dvla)

Option 3 - i get hold of some new numbers (buying a cheap second hand A+ block)

Option 4 - TBA??

 

Surely this problem has come up before with all the second hand engines floating around on Ebay ?

 

Can i not get the engine re-registered with new numbers ?

[62S]

Option 1 - Should not be a problem. The DVLA can and do put "UNKNOWN" on the V5C as the engine number if there is no number present.

 

Option 2 - I would not recommend.

 

Option 3 - I'm not 100% sure what you mean; is it buy another block and take the number off that? You could but there is no need to do that, you can stamp a number, any number, in to your block. It doesn't need to be the engine manufacturers original number.

[chris1965mk1]

So honesty with DVLA is the best option then , explaining the car is now fitted with a 1275cc engine but it has no ID tags ?

 

And yes option 3 was to purchase an old A+ block off ebay with tags still attached and use them on mine then dispose of the old engine!

 

I think i will go with the unknown engine number then have a tag made up using my children`s date of birth just to have something instead of a blank.

 

Thanks for all the advise guys 

 

p/s i don`t plan on ever selling the car 

[Dusky]

Don't think engine numbers are individual tho?
I had 2 998 engines with the same engine number. Just make one up with the guessworks engine finder and  it'll be realistic etc :)

[nicklouse]

So honesty with DVLA is the best option then , explaining the car is now fitted with a 1275cc engine but it has no ID tags ?

 

And yes option 3 was to purchase an old A+ block off ebay with tags still attached and use them on mine then dispose of the old engine!

 

I think i will go with the unknown engine number then have a tag made up using my children`s date of birth just to have something instead of a blank.

 

Thanks for all the advise guys 

 

p/s i don`t plan on ever selling the car 

 

the thing to keep in mind is KISS.

 

all recon A series engines have the tag removed. to have the block worked. the Tag is only useful in seeing the original speck that was assigned to those numbers.

 

so if you fit an engine from say Minisport or swift tune or Selby or KAD there is a good chance they would put a number on it. stamped in the block or on a new tag. they may also stamp the head with valve and CC info.

 

but a simple rebore and decking at a local machine shop is unlikely to want or need such info.

 

putting a number on the engine is easy and means nothing IF the DVLA want one have one to mind first and give it to them.

 

but a simple what has been done is. recon 1275 engine in to replace old engine etc.... should be enough just keep your new engine number to mind if they say they want one.

 

eg chris1965Mk1 would do.

[Compdoc]

Perhaps I was just unlucky with the DVLA. All I can say Chris is give it a go and see how you get on. They are so busy, it might go through with no problems. My application for an engine change obviously failed the criteria for "computer rubber stamp" and was passed to a human who gave me her email address and never replied to any emails. Just returned my V5 unmodified, three times!

Good luck.