Sprite and Midget Engine Identification
In this video we identify the various A-Series engines found in the Austin Healey Sprite and MG Midgets through 1974. Below is listing of the various Engine ID Prefixes and other associated information.
Factory Engine ID Prefixes:
9C - Austin Healey Sprite Mk I (Bugeye/Frogeye), 1958-1961, 948CC - MOWOG/"Engine" Green
9CG - Austin Healey Sprite Mk II/MG Midget Mk I, 1961-1962, 948CC - MOWOG/"Engine" Green
10CG - Austin Healey Sprite Mk II/MG Midget Mk I, 1962-1964, 1098CC - MOWOG/"Engine" Green (1.75" Crankshaft main journal size)
10CC - Austin Healey Sprite Mk III/MG Midget Mk II, 1964-1966, 1098CC - MOWOG/"Engine" Green (2.00" Crankshaft main journal size)
12CC - Austin Healey Sprite Mk IV/MG Midget Mk III, 1967, 1275CC - MOWOG/"Engine" Green/possibly also the Light Green hammer finish (all "Thin Flange" blocks)
12CD/12CE (home market)/12CJ - Austin Healey Sprite Mk IV/MG Midget Mk III, 1968-1971, 1275CC - Light Green hammer finish - All emission controlled/evaporative loss engines (except 12CE)
12V - MG Midget Mk III, 1971-1974, 1275CC - Black
Got a question about your engine? Email me at brendanm@minimania.com.
Sprite and Midget Light Green Metallic Engine Paint:
www.spridgetmania.com/part/GAP...
Sprite and Midget MOWOG Green Engine Paint:
www.spridgetmania.com/part/GAP...
If you've got a Classic Mini Cooper, here's a very comprehensive list of engine ID's from Mini Mania:
www.minimania.com/article/1520...
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Your videos are the best.
My wife is getting into the sprite and I came across this video. Thanks for the clarification of different models and years of the engines.
This is an awesome video lots of very helpful knowledge
Very helpful in understanding these blocks and their variants.
Fantastic. A real authoritive analysis of engine detail Really really helpful
Really interesting,learned a lot.
very helpful great info
excellent info video :-) thankyou
terrific and informative video! Thanks so much!
Glad it was helpful!
Great video thank you
Nice video
Hi need to ask is it got oil filter?
Looks like the hose from the water pump to the had has been replaced. In addition to having the right generator bracket, the threaded bosses for that bracket are also consistant with a 12cd. Some A-series had those moved further forward. 1275 spridgets all had balancers. Earlier cars had pulleys. The difference is that a balancer is two pieces with rubber moulded between the inner and outer parts and it reduces engine vibration. Vibration wasn't as much of a problem apparently with the 948 and 1098cc motors and they had solid thin pulleys. The earlier pulleys are easier to time because the timing mark is more obvious.
I have at least a dozen various blocks, in all states of undress from full engines to just blocks. Would it be worth it to document the engine numbers and see if any of them are original to my two unrestored Bugeyes?
Looking at the combustion chambers, it’s so obvious that the 1275 head flows much better due to the unshrouding of the valves.
mini mania did you record you rebuilding this engine? I'm looking to rebuild my own, have a 65 and 69 sprite. would appreciate anything else you have
Hi Brandon :) Great video... but a stupid question: What is a 'heritage certificate' and how do you get one?
A Heritage Certificate is an official copy of the factory build record for your classic British car. If you supply the Chassis number (VIN) or body and/or engine number (or all three), for a fee, they will send you a copy of the factory build info. Here's the link to the website for more information and ordering: www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/archive/heritage-certificates
Mine is 12CC-DA-H 5456 what is that all mean?
Thank you for the very good video Mini Mania. I have an engine 9CGDAL... This should mean MKI Midget with a 948cc engine. The 'A' designation should stand for automatic and the 'L' for low pressure engine. I'm stuck on the 'D' however. Can anyone help please?
Hi Jamie - You're correct that the "L" is for the Low Compression 8.3:1 engine. However, the "DA" together is a designation for the close-ratio gear set of the gearbox. This replaced the "U" on the previous engines.
Arr.. Brilliant! So A isnt for automatic. Thank you for your help. It's much appreciated.
HI Nice info I have an engine block number 9C uh 28438 Not sure of the UH I want to rebuild it as a short block doing what it takes to make it right, and then install it in a 1958 sprite using the rest of the parts from the other engine. I am thinking of a street cam . I would like to buy as many parts form you . All I know so far is the block I want to use is a 948. Any information will help.
+Rod Simonian That engine is from late 1959. The U meant centre change gearbox, the H refers to High Compression. Just let us know what you need and we'll try to get you want you need.
So I have a12V which is a 1275 I believe. I have a 1968 sprite. What is the best way to get optimal power out of the engine when rebuilding.
High compression pistons, a street cam, larger intake valves in the head. That would be a good start.
I think I have an Austin Healey Sprite 1275cc engine in my Morris Minor..Is there any way to know for certain? The serial number on the block is "2CC-D-H 3756.
I think that should read, "12CC-" but yes, if it's a 1275cc then it's for sure from a Sprite as the Morris Minor never came with anything bigger than a 1098cc engine. That number is for an early 1275cc, the "thin flange" type from 1967.
Thanks for the information.
Muy buenos estos videos la pena que no estan en español, si alguien pudiera hacer algo para traducirlos de lujo... un saludo
Hi, my frogeye has an 948cc engine with the number of "9E-V-L 11860" what is the meaning of the "E" and "V" in the number ? Thanks!
No idea. I don't have a reference for any such number in the Sprites.
What engine begins with V4130 on that tag? I can't find anything on this engine I have.
Begins with? No idea. Keep in mind that some shops would replace the original tags with tags of their own. Some places would also stamp into the deck in that location after rebuilding.
Do you have any information on 1960 datsun engines?
no, not something we specialize in, sorry.
Great video! Help me to identify the 1275 in my '65 Midget that I thought was a 1098.
hi, I have a Austin Healey Sprite. But I dont know what mk it is, or wheter it is a 1275cc or a 1098cc engine. Any suggestions to identify what car I have?
Is there any stamping vin on mini body beside vin plate?
Some early Minis had the chassis number on the floor pan. Not sure which years but that's the only instance of that that I know of. If you know the correct engine number you can get the VIN (chassis) number through a cross reference by contacting British Motor Heritage in the UK. For a fee they can pull the factory record on your car for you: www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/archive/heritage-certificates
I have an engine that has the following ID. Can you tell me anything about it. Id# 18GH-WE-H 17673. Thank you Great video
That sounds like an MGB engine, not an A-Series engine. See this listing at Moss Motors: mossmotors.com/mgb-vin.
How do we get parts on these vehicles
from minimania.com, spridgetmania.com, and morrismania.com
I’m located in Southern Calif. Restoring a 66 Midget to give to my granddaughter. I’m looking for a rebuildable 1275. I am an engine guy but new to British cars. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Call and ask for Brendan. I'd love to help you out.
My tag is 12c/da/h29719 any idea's? I think the da is close ratio but im guessing?
Should be "12CC, 12CD. 12V, or12CE in front of the DA - but no, there was no reference to ratios in the engine numbers - only serial number, engine type (size) and compression ("H" for High, "L" for Low) ratio. Yours would be an 8.8:1 engine. The 12V engines were 8.0:1 compression as far as I can tell.
@@minimania oh wow well i went back and looked at my tag again thinking i missed something and it just as stated before🤷♂️. Oh well
Great video though!
I have a Morris motor with a data number of 9m-u-h 323586 what can be known about it
It's a 948cc - (U) center gear change - (H) high compression - the last six numbers are the serial number. If from a Morris Minor it would be prior to 1962 as everything after were 1098cc engines.
Mini Mania it came from a barn is there anyway I could find what it came out of/ what my options as to what I could put it in would be? Thanks for the quick reply and the great info in the video!
It most likely came out of a Morris Minor from 1956-1962. It was probably replaced with a 1098cc or 1275cc engine as the 948cc engine is very limited in terms of power. There's not a great lot you can do to improve the power performance of the smaller engines and most are only kept for the sake of originality. It's also difficult to find parts for the small bore engines whereas the 1275 engine is much more powerful and parts are plentiful.
There is some serious Garfunken on this engine.
In all my cars I have never seen a riveted engine number plate. Always stamped into the block in the same position. Think you'll find it's an American market thing guys.
All cars built in the UK had riveted engine number plates (on A-series engines) regardless of whether they were for the US market or not. One exception was cars in Australia which did stamp the blocks this way but this was done after the cars arrived in Australia. If your blocks are like this it's more likely that were rebuilt at some time and the machine shop decked the top of the blocks and removed the plate but wanted to preserve the numbers. This is pretty common.
Well, given I'm in Australia it's more likely they came that way. Would also explain why in 40 years of A and B series I've never seen a riveted engine number plate. Still, it's good information. The current block is a 12 CE from 1968.
I'm in the UK, and the 948 in my Minor has a riveted on engine number, so that would seem consistent.
That is not a "motor", son. It's an engine. Learn the difference.
#truth - motors are electric - engines are internal combustion - i hear, ya!