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 The search for a new motor: where to look?

 Created by: jpitt
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 Posted: Jun 19, 2016 05:02AM
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I'm definitely not trying to make the Mini into a fast car - the desire for a bigger motor is simply a "while I'm at it" kind of thing. 

I'll keep mulling my options over. Can't afford to do anything until I get the rebuilt motor into my Volkswagen!

 Posted: Jun 19, 2016 04:30AM
 Edited:  Jun 20, 2016 04:24AM
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 Posted: Jun 19, 2016 04:19AM
 Edited:  Jun 19, 2016 04:57AM
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Well it all ddepends on where you live.  If you live in the key city where  there are tons of cars and life is fast, you need to get an engine with a little stronger ooomphS***.  But if you live in a county like me, where there are few cars and life is slow that even the hookers are virgin., then you can just settle rebuilding your existing short shaft'ed 998 and maintain it good.

i think thewerewolf has a decent good running 1275 for only $1500. If i were you, ill get it. Anyway if he screws you up you can always  lambast him in this forum. But so far everyone here is satisfied with his merchandise

 Posted: Jun 19, 2016 03:38AM
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I am by no means a mini expert (new to this myself), but my reading indicates that the 998 is a better base engine for modding.  It has a higher rev range (shorter stroke) so in theory you could bore it and put new fancy pistons in, add a cam and a few other tweaks.  The good news about rebuilding an engine is that at the end you know what you have.  In the end a mini isn't that fast, its the ride and looks that count.  If you want bigger balls there are plenty of much faster cars around.

I'd rebuild.

Just some idiot's 2cents.

 Posted: Jun 18, 2016 07:46PM
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Have you thought about an Austn America?? 1275 usually with a 4 speed and usually for less then $1500. (Sorry Bill) Pull out the motor and the rest is trash but...

 

 

 Posted: Jun 18, 2016 02:46PM
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I'd be very surprised if there's not a Mom n Pop shop somewhere near you that can do the required machining (bore/clean up deck etc).  When I lived in Northern Va there were several local shops - not easy to find, but if you asked around... The parts are readily available and you seem to have an adequate grasp of the sort of work needed (you suggest you did the head yourself) to make it a DIY project.  Even a straight bottom end rebuild (bore/new pistons/rings and bearings) at one of the Mini specialist that seem to abound on the west coast shouldn't cost much.

Minis are pretty old school engineering so don't need "specialist" attention.

Cheers, Ian

 Posted: Jun 18, 2016 01:52PM
 Edited:  Jun 20, 2016 04:23AM
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 Posted: Jun 18, 2016 12:45PM
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You should put your direct email in your profile - then folks can email you - I have a few different engine options for you but I would just rebuild your 998. There is a contingent here that love's their 998's.

 Posted: Jun 18, 2016 11:28AM
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Thanks for all the input! 

As I'm doing with another car right now, I really would like to get another motor, rebuild that if needed, and make the swap quick, to keep the car on the road. But - of course - that costs more!

My motor has a 12A145(6?) head on it - if I do go the 998 route, should I keep an eye out for a 1098 head or a different casting?

And nope - that ad is not me! I'm further North.

 Posted: Jun 18, 2016 09:26AM
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GB
There's nothing wrong with a 998, and contrary to the popular opinion that will be flung your way, are more than capable of keeping up with traffic and crossing the continent.

Yes, it will pretty much cost you the same to rebuild a 998 as a 1275, and you will have less horsies and torques, but you will have far better fuel consumption, better reliability and significanly less cooling burden. you also already have a 998 and don't need to shell out on a 1275 block.

Pistons, rebore, oil pump, gasket sets and you're away, assuming you decide not to change anything else. I reckon you'd get it done for less than a $ grand - last quick-n-dirty rebuild I did for a pennyless friend came in at around £400 all in...

 Posted: Jun 18, 2016 08:11AM
 Edited:  Jun 20, 2016 04:22AM
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 Posted: Jun 18, 2016 07:40AM
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 Posted: Jun 18, 2016 07:26AM
 Edited:  Jun 18, 2016 07:28AM
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US

Welcome to the forum. I am sure other members will soon chime in, but I would suggest contacting Steve (Coopertune on Minimania). He is a professional who works on Minis and will probable have the engine you are looking for. I have dealt with him in the past and he is a great guy,
cheers,

Abel

 Posted: Jun 18, 2016 06:57AM
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Hello all!

This marks my first post on the forum, though I've had my Mini a bit over a year now. It's a 1967 Morris Mini Deluxe, 998, manual.

I bought the car in running but not-driving condition, due to unknown engine issues. I took off the head and had it gone through (valve seats, valves, stem seals, etc), put it back on, and it fired right up (just pretend that happened in a very short period of time). Since then, I've had issues with it overheating, eating head gaskets, blowing smoke, etc. Compression is uneven from cylinder to cylinder (don't remember the readings offhand, but low/high/low/high). I'm pretty sure the rings are going.

The short of it is: I want a new motor for the car. It's not matching numbers already, someone in Australia already changed it out.

The question: where do I look for motors? I'd rather go to a 1098 or 1275, but there's a big price jump there. I am not in the financial position to buy a $6,000 new-rebuilt motor.

The options:
- wait for something to pop up on craigslist or MiniMania classifieds (very infrequent)
- buy a complete "core" 1275 motor from MiniMania (has anyone ever bought one of those?)
- look overseas (where?)
- try to rebuild my own motor. Plus side: my head is already done. Negative: it'd still be a 998.

What are your thoughts? Thanks!

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