Discussion
Hi,
I just accuired a nice Mk3 "S" and started to collect information for the restoration.
I have some questions.
The car is a 1970 example (various dates on the parts, latest being 17. week).
The engine is the GT type with the solid back. Is it correct?
The engine is painted green, not black. Origanly or not?
The cylinder head is a 12g940 casting, and i can see noo other number, but it is definitely a big valve head. 11 studs it has (or better to say 10 studs, and one bolt).
I just accuired a nice Mk3 "S" and started to collect information for the restoration.
I have some questions.
The car is a 1970 example (various dates on the parts, latest being 17. week).
The engine is the GT type with the solid back. Is it correct?
The engine is painted green, not black. Origanly or not?
The cylinder head is a 12g940 casting, and i can see noo other number, but it is definitely a big valve head. 11 studs it has (or better to say 10 studs, and one bolt).
Well done on finding one!
How original is it?
I'm pretty sure all mk3 Cooper S's came with Cooper S engines with open tappet chests with covers on the rear of the engines.
We've recently acquired the penultimate MK3 S, and this still retains it's original S block with the tappet covers.
So yours is a replacement engine.
The engine should also be painted black.
The cylinder head is the right casting number, but this casting number was also fitted to all 1275 GT's, So could also be a replacement.
Joe
How original is it?
I'm pretty sure all mk3 Cooper S's came with Cooper S engines with open tappet chests with covers on the rear of the engines.
We've recently acquired the penultimate MK3 S, and this still retains it's original S block with the tappet covers.
So yours is a replacement engine.
The engine should also be painted black.
The cylinder head is the right casting number, but this casting number was also fitted to all 1275 GT's, So could also be a replacement.
Joe
Edited by 1275 GT on Tuesday 10th June 17:30
I suggest you join the mini cooper register.
http://forum.minicooper.org/
There are plenty of experts there.
Up to 1969, the VIN started with a C or K denotes Austin or Morris Cooper (and Ss).
But after that the VIN became less easy to decode.
Does it have a red "commission no" plate ? If so the comm no should start with "N20D" which means Mk III Cooper S.
http://forum.minicooper.org/
There are plenty of experts there.
Up to 1969, the VIN started with a C or K denotes Austin or Morris Cooper (and Ss).
But after that the VIN became less easy to decode.
Does it have a red "commission no" plate ? If so the comm no should start with "N20D" which means Mk III Cooper S.
1275 GT said:
How original is it?
1275 GT said:
We've recently acquired the penultimate MK3 S, and this still retains it's original S block with the tappet covers.
Can i contact You offlist for some pictures? If only.1275 GT said:
The cylinder head is the right casting number, but this casting number was also fitted to all 1275 GT's, So could also be a replacement.
The cylinder head is a bigvalve item, 10 studs. I assume it is original. The distributor is also from the original S engine.Edited by camelotr on Tuesday 10th June 21:32
woodypup59 said:
But after that the VIN became less easy to decode.
Does it have a red "commission no" plate ? If so the comm no should start with "N20D" which means Mk III Cooper S.
Thanks for the tipp! Does it have a red "commission no" plate ? If so the comm no should start with "N20D" which means Mk III Cooper S.
The commision plate is there and starts with "N20D". The win no is also looks like a proper S number (XAD1). I ordered the heritage data. We will see what they have (thingers crossed).
It sounds as though a 1275 GT block, crank and rods have been fitted.
This is a 44 year old car and it would not be surprising if a non-'S' block had been fitted at some time.
Genuine 'S' blocks are hard to find. I sold a genuine early thin-flange block, never re-bored but with the centre main cap missing for £700 and a 1275 'S' EN40B crank, never been re-ground, plus a set of 'S' rods for £650 last year.
They can be hard to source these days.
This is a 44 year old car and it would not be surprising if a non-'S' block had been fitted at some time.
Genuine 'S' blocks are hard to find. I sold a genuine early thin-flange block, never re-bored but with the centre main cap missing for £700 and a 1275 'S' EN40B crank, never been re-ground, plus a set of 'S' rods for £650 last year.
They can be hard to source these days.
camelotr said:
Besides the engine and the gearbox, it is mostly original with some period gofaster bits like a sporty steering wheel, JA Pierce 10x5.5(6?) alloys, and a Paddy Hopkirk bucket seat. The body is in very good condition, with no apparent veldings. It has the original wings, a panels, front end. All body number tags are there. The interior is not that good unfortunatly.
It's a shame it's lost it's engine but if everything else checks out you've done well!
Is it still on hydrolastic suspension?
The chassis numbers certainly start with the right codes.
camelotr said:
Can i contact You offlist for some pictures? If only.
As Cooperman said original Cooper S engines are very hard to come by these days, I've been after one for a project for a while now.
They will, of course, just get rarer and more expensive as time passes. I have one spare 1275 'S' block, crank & rods as spares for my own 1964 Cooper 'S' and I would never sell these in case I need them. Heads are no problem as the 12G940 castings are easy to find and can be drilled for the 10 studs & 1 bolt very easily.
I think it would take about a day to find and buy one, but at what cost? Today's price could well be tomorrow's bargin. Having basically the smallest production run cooper s that had more bells&whistles' then the others; the car will always be worth the cost.
It's just a case of if, and when, you bite the bullet.... On that note I'd like to add I'm very envious, but not of the decision you might have to make. Best of luck
It's just a case of if, and when, you bite the bullet.... On that note I'd like to add I'm very envious, but not of the decision you might have to make. Best of luck
Could be in luck.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/parts-and-p...
There is also an EN40B crank on PH classifieds.
I've no connections or affiliation with the seller.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/parts-and-p...
There is also an EN40B crank on PH classifieds.
I've no connections or affiliation with the seller.
I put some pictures on the blog. If You have a bit of time please check them. I would like to get some advices on originality issues. i would be gratefull for the insights.
http://coopersmk3.blogspot.hu/
http://coopersmk3.blogspot.hu/
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