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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Decode my Engine Number?

Anyone got a good site or reference for decoding my engine number (1275) ?
Tim C

Hi Tim,

https://www.mg-cars.org.uk/news/news498.html

https://www.olphartz.com/a-series-engine-codes--sizes.html


https://www.mginfo.co.uk/upgrades4mgs/files/MG_Engine_numbers.pdf

https://www.mgaguru.com/mgtech/engine/be100.htm

any good ?
Malc Gilliver

Hmm, found most of those, best I get is:

"after Oct '72, 12V/586F/H home market"

my engine code is 12V/588F/H255
Tim C

Tim,

What are you looking for ?

Malc
Malc Gilliver

Just want to decode the various elements:

12 (engine size ?)
V
588
F
H (compression ?)
255 (production number ?)
Tim C

Tim
I've just googled it in AI mode. Include "A series" in your search phrase. Despite reservations about AI I'd say the information given makes sense. Tells you everything you need to know. Just try it.....
Bill B

V558 is the reference for the block casting
Daniel

How about this then?

12cc da h10296?

Give it yer best shot AI. 😉

anamnesis

Reads OK to me. 12CC: Early 1275, da: factory mated to close ratio g/box (Sprite rib case is comparatively close ratio), H = high compression. Is any of that wrong?
Bill B

Just the V and the F left then ?

I am surprised that there is no available online database for all this, I am sure there used to be one.
Tim C

V = vertical. It is a later BMC identifier for in-line engines (as opposed to transverse).

The 588F part AIUI refers to a later home market engine using an alternator. Thicker sump flange as well. It also has an opening for a mechanical fuel pump. I have this 12V engine in the Frog.
Bill B

It's made up Bill. When I got my Sprite in 1977 I didn't get a log book. I didn't tax it for a couple of years, but then the local bobby insisted I did. My engine number went missing when I had it rebored during that period, and dvla insisted on a number to issue a log book, even though it was already registered. They accepted my reg number but said they had no record of it. So rather than them tell me what my engine number was, I told them, which at their instruction, I made up. The form is correct, but the number is a fiction, based on the pages from my Haynes manual. 🤣🤣🤣



anamnesis

Oh I see! AI still seemed to get it right though....
Bill B

OK, many thanks all.

Now I have:

12 (engine size - 1275)
V (vertical / in-line)
588 (block casting)
F (with block casting above / uses alternator)
H (high compression)
255 (production number - so was the 255th ?)

How are we looking ?
Tim C

I recall Horler’s Original midget & Sprite ( or S & M) has the details. I am not near my copy to check but I am sure someone can check.

HTH
Doug Plumb

Ha ha - I've just rushed out to the garage to look at my engine number, and halfway there remembered that Derrington put in a Morris Minor engine in 1980.
Nick and Cherry Scoop

This thread was discussed between 08/08/2026 and 10/08/2026

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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