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Mystery Driveline

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Bugeye58

Yoda
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I just picked up an entire driveline from an unknown, and was hoping to get some feedback on the possibilities of figuring out what it came from.
The engine has no ID number tags on it, but with the casting number on the block, I identified it as a "Big Crank" 1098. It has an Austin valve cover on it, which may or not be relevant.
It's coupled to a smoothcase gearbox, with the clutch linkage on the left side. It appears to be a manual clutch, as there is a rod running from the eye of the operating arm.
All pretty straight forward, so far.
Now, the driveshaft is about 4 1/2 feet long, at least. The pumpkin appears to be standard for a Sprite, etc., and is a 4.55. I haven't measured the width of the axle yet, but it has the remnants of cables attached to the parking brake levers at both backing plates. The bleeder screw appear to be attached at a separate cast aluminum fitting, bolted to the slave cylinders
The wheels are 14", 4 bolt, 4" PCD, and are for 3/8" studs.
I'm assuming this came from an Estate (wagon), or a small delivery vehicle.
Any insight, anyone? Maybe some of our British members would have a better chance at this, as we saw very few of such critters over here.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Jeff
 
Moris minor?
MG 1100?
 
Kenny, the 1100 was front wheel drive. I don't know if the Minor ever got the big crank 1098, but the one I had had 13" wheels.
This engine has twin HS2's, (AUD 136's) on it, and the date code on the generator is 8-65.
Jeff
 
Ok... 1965-66 Austin, 14 inch wheels, 1100 engine, RWD...

Princess Limo
Taxi
A110 sedan
Didn't they make a little sports sedan too A55?
AH Sprite?

Still just guessing here.
 
The austin A40 farina used a 1098 engine
 
I guess I'll have to take pics of the clutch linkage, driveshaft and rear end, and see if that helps. There are a lot of vehicles that used the 1098, but this particular configuration has got to be specific to one of them.
Jeff
 
4-1/2' prop shaft and 14" wheels puts it into van or truck territory. Or more accurately OUT of Spridget territory. Curious as to width of the rear axle now! Woulda been a monster in comparison to the frogeyes. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
 
A 4-1/2 foot driveshaft? Wow!!

Hard to think of any cars that would fit, so I'm guessing trucks/vans that are based on the A40 / A55.

Early A40s used the "big block" 1200 Austin engine (more closely related to the MGB engine) but later cars used the 1098 (and other A-series engines).

In truth, I'm thinking something like this;
https://travel.webshots.com/photo/2864059930041854727wOwnYS

or a truck version of this:
https://www.omniautos.force9.co.uk/nik/19_40.gif

There are tons more Austin Trucks here.
https://www.webshots.com/search?query=AUSTIN+TRUCKS

Anyway, contgrats on your "junque-collecting"....I love those kind of road trips.
 
There was never a truck version of the A40. The A35 (little grey van) is my most likely suspect, but the '65-'66 timeline would seem wrong. It had been superceded by the Mini commercial variants well before then. Could be that the generator is a red herring, a later replacement for a defective unit, maybe?
 
Steve, I doubt if the generator is bogus, as everything else fits. 12G 432 block casting number indicates big 1098, and the AUD 136 carbs match that engine. The Big Crank engine was only around in '65-'66, then they switched to the 1275.
I'll go up tomorrow and take some measurements and photos, and see if that helps.
The smoothcase tranny and manual clutch really have me wondering.
Jeff
 
Roger, I may have exaggerated the prop length a bit, but that sucker is LONG! The only Minor I ever owned had 13" wheels, though. And, I thought the 1098 used in the Minor was the early, 10CG unit.
Ah, anything is possible, I guess.
Jeff
 
What power did the larger Morris Cowley have? I think a larger engine than this!!??
 
The Morris Cowley never made it into the sixties. I am leaning more towards the Farina A40, it was made until 1967 and the later version had the 1098cc engine, although it didn't have twin SU carbs. It had a longer wheelbase in the later version. That is the only Austin that it might be of that vintage.

The Minor van was marketed as an Austin over here.

There is some information here that may be useful:-

https://www.mgcars.org.uk/mgccz/technic/codeseng.pdf
 
Well, the ones I knew all had 14s (5.25x14 if I remember well), and the Minor did go on to early 70s.
If not that, then Farina A40, I guess.
 
Roger, you are probably right. And the Austin valve cover may well mean it is from a van.
Were the clutches mechanically operated?
At least I got a decent engine in the deal!
Jeff
 
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