What engine do I have?

[white130d]

I just picked up an engine for my 86 Mini. It came out of a Rally Car and I am trying to determine what it actually came from. The plate by the alternator states 8G199 ES39172 and the casting on the block states 12G 1279 and it has a 12G940 head that has been worked on a little. Anybody have any ideas where this might have come from? The 12G has me baffled, I can't find that numbe in any of my books.

TIA,
David.

[Ferg]

The 12G940 casting applies to all (I think) 1275cc (1300) heads including the Austin and Morris (and MG etc) 1300s as well as the Allegro etc. So you have a 1275cc head. I'ts difficult to narrow it down .

[cooperman]

First off measure the bore diameter. If it is a 'big-bore' (70.6mm or above) engine then it's probably a 1275 ( or over bored as appropriate). Then measure the stroke. If it's 3.2" it's a 1275.
Then look at the back of the block. Does it have cam chest covers. If it does it's an early Cooper 'S' unit (worth a small fortune). If not it's a 1275 GT, or an 'A-Plus'. To check which you have to look at the dizzy hole. A large dizzy hole is for an earlier block, a small dizzy hole is an 'A-Plus'.
Simple when you know!
I hope this helps,

Peter

[white130d]

Thanks Guys,
It does have motor mount holes on the front plate and "cast" tappets so I am assuming a 1275 GT (pistons using a measuring tape are at least 2.75" as close as I can measure)

Now all I have to dp is clean up the pistone tops, new head gasket and put that pup to use...if I only had brakes now....

D.

[phil hill]

The engine block isn't a mucky gold colour by any chance ?? I think my mini-mender has a nice 1275 Gold-seal unit at the workshop with an 8G engine number. Just a thought.