Mini Cooper 1275 engine rebuild

[BobHaskell]

I'm rebuilding a 1275 (pre A+) engine and wondering if we have many classic Mini owners here. Have one specific question. "P1640" is stamped on the three main bearing caps and on the front face of the block (upper left corner, ALF). Mean anything to anybody?

 

[deconstruction]

Has the mystery been solved?

 

[BobHaskell]

Nope.

 

[Jerry]

Have one but the engine is in the car. Hard to see with it together. Don't put too hot a cam in the rebuild. Mine does not have much power below 3000rpm, but really takes off after that.

 

[deconstruction]

Nope.

OK, I'll see what I can find out.

 

[deconstruction]

Could you post a photograph of the code(s)?
What does 'ALF' signify?

 

[BobHaskell]

ALF => aft looking forward

 

[deconstruction]

Thanks. Working on it...

 

[deconstruction]

The man I asked (who is an experienced engine-builder) confirmed what I thought after seeing the photograph: that main-bearing cap looks like steel rather than cast-iron.
In which case the code will indicate some aspect of how the block and caps were line-bored as a set prior to assembly (and the significance of the characters will depend on the machinist / machine-shop).
Do you know the provenance of this engine? Was it built for competition?
This is getting beyond my experience and expertise, so perhaps it would be worthwhile contacting a good engine-builder. Someone with whom I occasionally correspond has been happy with Seven Mini Parts in Auburn, CA, but of course you may have more convenient / preferred contacts.
Good luck and do let us know how it turns out.

 

[BobHaskell]

The car is titled as a '64 Austin Mini Cooper S with a 1275, RHD. The Heritage certificate states it was originally a Mini Cooper with a 998. It was imported in the late 80s from the UK by the fellow I bought it from. It appears the garage he bought it from is still in business. I doubt that they'll have any info on the car as they found it for the previous owner. But worth asking.