What motor will fit my 1969 Austin Healey Mark IV

[CLEAH]

If you take a bit of time, you are bound to find a 1275 somewhere. They made a zillion of them. Maybe call around to some old shops that worked on them 'furrin cars--you'd be surprised what some old shop rat has in the back of the shop. Or call around the MG and AH clubs as mentioned already. I have a 1275 and a rib case under my bench, saving it for a rainy day. Others folks do too who will be willing to part with it. By the way, a 1098 will work fine too.

 

[SaxMan]

IIRC, Nial (Aeronca65) put a 948 (9C) into a '72 Midget, so putting that engine in a '69 Sprite certainly is possible. From what he's posted about it, it's not the quickest thing out there, but it makes for an effective economical runabout and parts getter. I think if you really want to enjoy the experience of driving these cars, going with the 1275 would be the preferred route. Who knows? Maybe someone looking to do an authentic Bugeye restoration will trade you a 1275 for your 948? Stranger things have happened.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

I've got a 948 and a rebuilt Smoothcase in Dayton that is available but bet you can find one closer.

 

[nomad]

I'll bet that if one took inventory in this group that there are lots of engines that are being saved for "some day". I've got a 10CC and ribcase that I'm sure needs nothing more than bearing inserts to be a reliable runner. I also have enough parts to build a 1275 and since I've got 2 as new Datsun's I doubt I'll ever need them. Need to E-bay some stuff.

Kurt.

 

[DanLewis]

There's a 1275 with a ribcase for sale for $750 on Craigslist in Roseville, CA:

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/pts/4540178682.html

Dan

 

[Gerard]

I have 10CC (LARGE MAIN 1098) that has had all the machine work done to accept a 1275 head, but I'm probably not close enough either. Numerous rib case boxes too.

 

[wergold]

will a 1967 1275 cc engine work in my 1969 mkiv sprite with out any mods?

 

[Trevor Jessie]

No mods required to the car. Might have to change the thermostat housing on the engine

 

[nomad]

Complete 1275 with rib-case. gen and starter listed on E-bay.

 

[aeronca65t]

As all these guys have said, you are best to use an original type engine from any Sprite or Midget up to 1974.

The best choice would be a stock 1275 engine and gearbox.
But an older 1098 or 948 engine will drop right in too (I have a '73 Midget with a '58 948 engine and a '70 gearbox. It works fine but is slower than a 1275).

In theory you could even use the newer (starting in '75) 1500 engine and trans......but I wouldn't. Not a great engine and you will still have to do some chassis modifications to accommodate it.

I would advise against any engine swap to a non-standard engine unless you have a lot of skill and experience.
Sprite and Midget are particularly hard to swap other engines into because of the tiny transmission tunnel with is structural to the chassis and is complicated to modify.
In my observation, most "engine swaps" in these cars end up as abandoned projects.