Transverse engine setups besides Mini?

[Steve P.]

Hi Guys,
I was at a local car parts swap today, where few if any
Brit car parts show up. Today however, a transverse
Austin engine/trans/diff showed up. The owner had no
idea what it came out of, and it was cheap ($75).
Almost bought it thinking it was from a Mini, but I
realized that other cars used a similar setup. Austin
America came to mind.In case I come across it again
(likely), how can I tell what car it goes in?
Someday I'd like to have a Mini, but an Austin-America
doesn't ring my bell.

 

[dklawson]

In the U.S. the only other "common" transverse A-series I think you'll come across is the MG-1100 which is a sideways 1098 in a car very much like the Austin America. There's a slim chance you might find a Riley Elf or Wolsely Hornet, both Mini variants. Then there is the Moke.

For $75 it wouldn't hurt to take a closer look at the engine for sale. Does it also come with the gearbox? What else has been left attached to the block? Don't focus on what it came out of, think about where you can use it. Look on the "back" of the block for tags identifying the displacement (850, 1100, 1275). Look at the cylinder head to see if the heater valve mounting pattern is parallel to the cam (small bore 850 or 998) or at a 45 degree angle (1275). Look at the gearbox. Does it have the long aluminum extrusion to the shift lever (remote shift from AA or Mini 1275)?

 

[Steve P.]

I was able to find a book that gives some info about the
Mini, and I don't think thats what the engine/trans/diff
was out of. There was not a shifter extension that
extends off of the bottom of the trans. The spot where the
shifter attached was near the middle to top of the trans.
It did use a generator, and had a strange (to me) fan
which had maybe 12 skinny blades. Didn't notice the
configuration of the heater valve. It was complete
with the exception of the intake & exhaust manifold
and carbs. Good for parts if nothing else.
Oh yeah....the clutch housing was not tapered, but
was squared off. I know this isn't a lot of info,
but I'd still like to know what car it came out of.

 

[dklawson]

When you say the shift lever attached to the middle/top of the gearbox, it sounds like you're describing a "magic wand" transmission. Since you say the engine has a generator, this suggests it's from before 1970. Together these suggest the engine you're looking at may be an 850cc unit, it certainly won't be larger than a 998. If so, there may be a displacement tag on the back of the block to confirm that. (From the gearshift hole look down and to the left for an aluminum tag). Engine serial number tags were attached to the top of the block near the thermostat housing on the cylinder head. If you find that tag we can look up more info on the engine.

If it is an 850cc unit its main value would be for a correct period restoration of an early Mk1. Beyond that, I'd say it's only good for parts. 850's can run all day but aren't know for power.