A+ series block question

[Hap Waldrop]

Ok first off this engine is from inline Midget application, but I know it possible to convert the transverse engine for inline use. This engine was built by Swiftune in the UK, and I know enough to know it for sure is a A+ block, has the unique webbing on the exterior of the block, but the oil filter location kinda puzzled me, mind you I'm inline Spridget guy. Looking at this block can any of you ID it, was any A+ blocks ever offered in a inline application, is where all A+ block oil filters are located. mostly curious that's all, Basicly it's a fairly fresh engine that has sat around for awhile, and I'm going to take good look at the inside of the engine to determine for the customer should be ok for him to install or if some freshen up work is needed. Thanks in advance

 

[dklawson]

I don't know for sure... perhaps its an A+ for the SPI or MPI engines. I know the MPI is different in several ways. I'll ask on a U.K. board I go to and see what they have to say.

BTW, last month at VIR I saw an MBG you prepped. It was a very nice late model silver B. Sorry, I don't remember who the driver was as they were in a different group than we were.

 

[Hap Waldrop]

Thanks,and thanks. The Huffaker MGB is actually a early pull handle car, 63-64, the factory suppiled them with early new bodies, but updated them with the rubber bumpers and later dashes to reflect what they were selling at the time. That car was nice to re-do, it for sure is the best remaining Huffaker MGB, that car holds alot of memories with me, I owned it myself back in the late 80s and raced in two Road Atlanta runoffs myself. It was honor to be the one who got to restore it, if I don't ever turn another wrench that's something I can be proud of for the rest of my life. Here's a picture of it the first day I rolled it out of the shop after the restoration, and a picture of me behind the wheel many moons ago.

 

[dklawson]

Is that the MGB they wrote about in the Classic Motorsports article?

I posted a link to this thread on the U.K. board I visit. Several people said without doubt that the engine you have is out of an Austin Maestro.

 

[Hap Waldrop]

Is that the MGB they wrote about in the Classic Motorsports article?

Doug, yep, that's the one.

I got a chance this weekend at the Euro show at BMW in Greer, SC to look at alot of Minis, and none had the oil filter in that area, then a English buddy of mine pulled into the show with a MG Metro he had imported over here, I knew they had A+ blocks, so I thought i may get lucky, we looked at the block, no such luck, oil filter in the normal place on that one as well. I may end up writing Swiftune and asking them, on this side of the pond it seems to be a big mystery.

 

[dklawson]

As I understand it, the latest MPI A-series transverse engines moved the oil filter where you see it, however, they did away with the distributor in favor of some form of crank fired ignition. Again, my sources said the block you have should be out of a Maestro, not a Mini.

 

[wrenchpuller]

It may be a South African A series block, they started making their own in 1967 and the spin on oil filter was located as shown in your pic.
Cheers Ric

 

[dklawson]

That's an interesting thought about the South African variant but I'm not sure Switftune (where Hap said the engine was from) would have had ready access to those parts. Swiftune is in the U.K.

 

[racingenglishcars]

I have been looking at A+ engines on ebay and a sample of what I found is the following:

I notice the last one has both the block mounted oil filter and the inline clutch.
I have seen a local Morris Minor with the same oil filter, and which is of course also inline.
The first two are from the Metro, the last didn't give a description, but it is item nr. 270204119628.
And as usual they won't even send it within the country. No way they would send it out of the country.

 

[dklawson]

That third one does look a lot like Hap's engine.

 

[racingenglishcars]

I bought this 1275 today from this guy in Allerød.

The seller says this type engine comes from the Morris / MG Marina, The rear wheel drive one. It's not an A+, but from a post 1971 rear wheel drive sedan. This engine came originally with the Spitfire gearbox.

The block is bored to +.020 and crankshaft is std. It came with everything except wear parts and a head. Danish cost, $240. But that's cheaper than importing one from England. (it costs €350 in just shipping.)

It's going in the Bugeye when I get it rebuilt, maybe sometime in the fall.

 

[68Sprite]

I want one, I don't know why but I do. I'll be starting my 1275 to 1330 build very soon, got a 1275 sitting in the garage waiting.

 

[racingenglishcars]

The guy has one more of this type block with a little rough std bore.But that isn't exactly American pricing! Also a fully built race engine sans head for $1000.

The British pricing is much better. On the other hand, British shipping is difficult.

 

[dklawson]

For parts like blocks and such shipping from the U.K. is often only economical IF you know a guy importing a car. The customs people don't seem to have a problem if the car is being shipped with spare parts stuffed into the boot or passenger compartment. So... if you know someone in the U.K. who can put a used Maestro, Marina (etc. ) block in a car being exported to the U.S. you can sometimes get your parts transported for a few favors and driving to the port to pick them up.

Donn, that looks like you've got a good base for building a nice engine. Be sure to post pictures of the engine building process either here or on the Spridget forum.

 

[Hap Waldrop]

Donn, cool thanks for sharing the photos, that block looks alot the one I have in the shop, other than the one I have does have the A+ block, with the extra webbing. Took the pan off that engine the other day, it's brand new, my customer claimed the person he bought it from never used, and the only time it had on it was dyno time, and that proves to appear correct. I just going to reseal the pan, and pretty up the engine for him.