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 New to Me 1961 Morris - Motor Identification

 Created by: APEXJMc
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 Posted: Nov 1, 2020 07:49AM
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The engine is a 1275 cc unit originally from an ADO 16 - what you'd call an Austin America - with solid tappet chests.

The original crank would not have been tuftrided or nitrided.

But you know its been modified - so who knows whats inside.

We have the MG 1300 version in our workshop atm and its a hoot to drive.

Drive it and enjoy it.

Car engines make CO2 and trees absorb CO2. By running your engine you're feeding a tree and helping the environment.

 Posted: Oct 31, 2020 03:18PM
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US
354 number not much help:
-Mechanical Petrol pump
-Exhaust emission control
-Standard ratio remote control gearbox
-All speed synchromesh

 Posted: Oct 31, 2020 03:03PM
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Good looking mini. 

 Posted: Oct 31, 2020 12:03PM
 Edited:  Oct 31, 2020 12:20PM
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Thanks - I've read through all of the forum identification tools and come up empty on the 1275 engine ID, particularly the 4 characters after the "12H".   My guess is that "354E" is a non-mini 1275 engine block.

No bubble to burst here - this is my 4th mini, so I'm pretty savvy about these amazing little cars.  It's certainly not a true Cooper 'S' but significantly upgraded from an 850!  Subjectively quicker than the '67 Cooper S I had back in 1977.  Documentation of work done by the tuner in GB includes:

Ported head
Cam
High speed valve springs
LCB header
free-flow exhaust
1 3/4 Inch single SU
Cooper S front discs
120 MPH speedo

Finally getting some pix uploaded.

 Posted: Oct 31, 2020 04:59AM
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CA
No bubble to burst... he did say "Very excited to have recently purchased a low mileage 1961 Morris Mini 850 de luxe. The car was modified to Cooper S specification... ".

.

"Hang on a minute lads....I've got a great idea."

 Posted: Oct 31, 2020 04:45AM
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I'm going to burst your bubble and say you don't have a Cooper "S" with all the goodies. Not even close. Never the less enjoy what you have. 

Post a picture of your mini and many of the members will be able to identify what you do have.

Everyones fantasy is to own a Cooper S model, many sellers play into this and claim it's an "S" to those that don't know.

To start with- Does your mini have outside hinges and sliding windows?

 Posted: Oct 30, 2020 08:11PM
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 Posted: Oct 30, 2020 11:23AM
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Very excited to have recently purchased a low mileage 1961 Morris Mini 850 de luxe.   The car was modified to Cooper S specification by a tuner "outside of RAF Lakenheath" around 1986.  At that time a nicely tuned 1275cc engine # 12H354E H(?)45 was installed, along with a 4 synchro transmission (and lots of other Cooper S goodies).  I spent a few hours searching for the history using that engine number but it I can't quite decode it's origin - does not seem to have been an original Cooper S 1275.    Any help on that ID would be greatly appreciated.  Next bit of research will be to see if I can find the tuner "outside of RAF Lakenheath" that did the 'S' conversion work way back in the 80's. 

Car was imported to the US in June of 1986 by a US military officer, and converted to LHD. It's a solid driver but I will need to go over it and make sure everything's in good shape.