Need Advice On 948 Engine Rebuild

[mxp01]

All:

I've torn down a 948 engine. It looks surprisingly good on the inside, but I'm a bit of a novice. I'm in Nashville, TN and i want to take the block to someone for a professional opinion regarding a possible re-bore of the cylinders. Any recommendations as to the type of shop I should be looking for?

Thanks,

Mike Pennell

 

[Paul McGuffin]

I would dump the 948 cc and find a 1275 cc or a late 1100 cc with the 2” main bearings. That’s just my opinion.
Paul

All:

I've torn down a 948 engine. It looks surprisingly good on the inside, but I'm a bit of a novice. I'm in Nashville, TN and i want to take the block to someone for a professional opinion regarding a possible re-bore of the cylinders. Any recommendations as to the type of shop I should be looking for?

Thanks,

Mike Pennell

 

[SD Bugeye]

My experience with 948
so my case I got free engine and free machining
I love my little 948 added a bunch of nice parts nice isky cam set h2 carbs
nice 12g big valve head header
it runs great approx 18,000 miles on it now. No plans on changing a thing.

but..
if I was to do another it would be 1275
its still way under powered
I hate to say it but you can't buy enough go fast to match a stock 1275.
i will have to say stop and find a 1275
its going to be a much easier cheaper stronger happier build

 

[mxp01]

Thanks, guys but I already have an original 948 in the car with some of the stage upgrades offered by BMC in 1959 (that I don't want to change at all), plus a ready-to-go 1275 (spare), but I'm looking to go completely stock on this 948 so I can use it with my Judson Supercharger. The 948 in the car has higher than spec compression ratio that won't support the Judson.

I'm taking the car to Europe later this year and I want all three engines at my disposal.

MXP

 

[HealeyRick]

This may be of some help: https://www.acmespeedshop.com/diy-engine-rebuild-kits/

 

[mxp01]

Thanks, Rick, this is very helpful.

 

[Whitephrog]

Mike

You might contact Gary Johnson at East Tennessee Race Prep. He is superb on A series engines. If he can't help, he may be able to recommend someone in Nashville who can?

 

[buzzman]

I have run a Judson on my stock 948 sprite and it works quite well. One thing I would recommend for longevity and good oil pressure is to use a MK II sprite 948 block (9CG) because they have three cam bearing inserts. You could also have a Mk I (9CC) block machined to take the three cam bearings. I have had that done too. Yes, a 1275 would have more power and torque, but if you want to keep it original then the 948 is the way to go. I ran my super charged 948 in my bugeye with a 3.7 rear end gear and it handled it just fine.

Good luck,
Buzz