Engine Identification

JayH · Post by **JayH** » Tue Aug 06, 2013 10:46 pm

I have been told that the Gold Seal engine fitted to my 1959 Austin Healey Sprite is an 1100 Marina engine but I'm not sure whether it's a low or high compression version (I have measured the compression at 50psi on each cylinder) or any other technical details. The number on the engine identification plate is BHM1194E which I believe is a correct Gold Seal (BHM) replacement part (E for Exchange) number. Searching this number on the internet only gave one hit at http://www.thepart.com which gave a part location at a garage in Holland. I emailed the garage and all they could tell me was that it is a Marina 1100 engine. I know it has a 12G202 head and has what would have been the original 1 1/8th in Twin SU's.

Is there anyone here that can shed any more light on this engine?

By the way, if anyone is looking for a Gold Seal replacement 1100 engine for there Marina I'm guessing that the following garage has one in stock for what appears to be £1021: http://www.thepart.com/en/search/detail ... d=59070724

Post by **MarinaCoupe** » Tue Aug 06, 2013 11:14 pm

Hi JayH

Interesting story.

The A Series 1100 engine was only ever used in Marina Commercials and it would have had a 1.5" SU HS4 carb on an integral cast iron inlet and exhaust manifold. The vast majority of A Series fitted in Marinas and Itals were 1275 (not counting the 1.7s, 1.8s & 2.0s here). The original engine number would have included a code that would have spelt out whether it was a high or low compression engine. The number you have is the reconditioners number and we have no records for these.

There are literally a handful of 1100 commercials left, so demand will be low.

I will check the BL reference tables on the 1100 engines, but the likelihood is that it will be low compression, around 8.?.

You can fit higher compression Mini pistons and of course skim the head if you are looking to raise the compression.

Post by **MarinaCoupe** » Tue Aug 06, 2013 11:23 pm

Just checked the BL reference manual. Definitely low compression.

Piston part number is 8G-2442-3

I hope that this helps.

locost_bryan · Post by **locost_bryan** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 3:16 am

A spreadsheet at http://www.ilovemini.com/drupal/sites/d ... d/Ultimate A-Series guide.xls‎ lists various engine prefix numbers and specs. Twin 1 1/8" SU carbs were only on the 948cc Mk1 Sprite, Mk2 went up to 1 1/4", and post 1962 engine size increased to 1098. Appears to have shared 8.3:1 compression with the Morris Minor. 12G202 head is common across all 1098 engines.

A 998 repowered with a recond 1098, but utilising the 998 ancillaries?

JayH · Post by **JayH** » Sat Aug 10, 2013 1:25 pm

Thanks for all the replies. It's begining to look like a 1098 low compression engine so I'm assuming the engine specification would follow that of a 10V LC according to the Workshop Manual General Specifications posted on this site. The compression I measured should have said 150psi in my post above but I guess the only way to check the compression ratio is to take the head off and make some measurements. The car would have originally had a 948cc engine with twin 1 1/8in H1 SU's and these have been fitted to the reconditioned engine as Bryan has pointed out. If I get around to taking the head off I'll get the head converted to unleaded and maybe get it skimmed, gas flowed and fit a pair of 1 1/2in SU's.

It would be nice to get confirmation from the part number on the engine plate but I have probably got enough to go on now. Thanks for the help.

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