1.3 A+ (Ital) High or Low compression?

[42Crowman]

Hi. I am new to this idea of a forum so hopefully have found my way around and posted this properly!
I run a 1984 Ital van (ex telecom) as an every day work van for my gardening business. I have several spare 1.3 engines and wish to use one to replace the original as its starting to show its age after 130,000 very hard miles. Still goes well but starting to smell of burned oil and using more fuel .
The question is, did these engines come in High and Low compression versions as with earlier A series powered vans and if so how do the engine numbers record what type they are as I can't find any data. I am guessing my original is a "High" as it revs well and seems to have plenty of attitude for a 1.3.

What I don't want to do is fit a low comp engine in ignorance and end up with an under powered backwards step and have to change again.

Also, would the low comp version simply have dished pistons to achieve this, which would be obvious if I took off the head to sort the valves.

Any help most appreciated

Cheers

Rob Crow

[MarinaCoupe]

If you check the engine number on the block, if it has an 'H' in it then it is a high compression engine. Low compression will have an 'L' in them.