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HELP: Identifying Chasiss and Engines

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JimLaney

JimLaney

Senior Member
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I have two Sprite tubs and three engines among boxes of parts - all disassembled bysomeone else 15 years ago.
On one set there is a number tag on the firewall but no number on the block, on the other there is no number on the firewall and one of the engines has a numberplate loosely wired to the starter hole in the backplate.

Are there some telltale signs that would identify the body?

I was told that the two are 1966 and 1967 so I was hoping that I might have a 1275 engine.
Since they both have roll up windows, I'm assuming they are at least MKIII's.

Knowing that I may have misread the numbers; the tub number looked like HAN 8L/155368 and the engine tag was 10CC-D[A]-H 43394
These numbers don't seem to fit into the table on pg 10 of Bristow's book (Restoring Sprites and Midgets)

Any help in identification is greatly appreciated.
 
I believe the HAN 8... would be a Mk III and the 10CC would be a 1098 which would be consistent. All the earlier engines had removable covers in the block to access the valve lifters. The 1275 was solid cast iron with no access.
 
HAN9 is a Mark IV Sprite, so HAN8 is definitely a Mark III.
 
It's pretty easy to identify these things, if you know what to look for. If both tubs have roll-up windows, they are either Sprite MkIII/Midget MkII (1098) or Sprite MkIV/Midget MkIII (1275). The later would have a raised lip around an extended rear cockpit opening. The 948/1098 engines have removable tappet covers on the side of the block. The 1275 engines do not have removable covers.
 
Thanks to all for the help.
One chasiss has no tag as the previous start on restore stipped the body to bare and began a repaint.
Some of the "new parts" (suspension including rebuilt rear end) installed were put on the body about 12-15 years ago...hence, rust patina and no fluids in anything.
Thanks again for the pointers.
 
the raised lip around the rear of the cockpit opening is not there so these are definetly MK III's - Thanks for that particular id info!
 
10CC is the big crank engine that would be fitted to the Mk3 Sprite or Mk2 Midget. The earlier engine was the 10CG. 10CC is rated at 59hp.

Just to add to the morass.

Kurt.
 
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