Decipher MGA engine Code

[doc50]

My MGA 1500 motor (installed in a Nash Met) has a number that I can't figure out. It's on the aluminum plate on the pass side of the motor, up by the base of the head.

15C-N-H 134604

Can anyone help or send me to a website that I can find what this means?

Thanks!

Thom
1973 MG Midget
1958 Nash Metropolitan

[Bfg]

Hello Thom,

Referring to the 'Original MGA' book by Anders Ditlev Clausager ; the MGA's all used a prefix number 15G or 16G. The numbers obviously refer to the engine's capacity, and the 'G' being an abbreviated from MG.

The same basic 1489cc B-series engine was also used in the MG Magnette ZA, the Morris Oxford Series II, and the Austin A50 Cambridge. I might only speculate that your engine '15C' originated from the latter for 'Cambridge'. (see page 55)

Your second letter 'N' is usually a 'U' on an MGA, which refers to 'centre gearchange', or else 'Da' which is for a close-ratio centre-change gearbox (page 69).

And the third letter 'H' refers to High Compression versus 'L' for Low (supplied to countries where fuel was of low octane).

The supposition that your B-series engine is not of MGA origin or specification may be supported by its very high engine number ..of over 134-thousand, whereas the MGA engine numbers (including both 1550 and 1600cc) only went up to 31,660 (page 59).

Please Note. I am not in the least an expert, I just happened to have the MGA book at hand - so I looked it up for you.

I hope it helps,
Bfg

[doc50]

Bfg, thanks much for your follow through and info! I really appreciate it.
I will try to get hold of a copy of the 'Original MGA' book by Anders Ditlev Clausager'. This now becomes an intriguing search!

Thom

[DrEntropy]

At this point in time, Clausager's book is as close to 'the horse's mouth' as we get. Thanks for researching that, Bfg.

[doc50]

Another thumbs up for my new book purchase.
Thom