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MG MGA - Engine Identification - 1600 High Comp?

I have been trying to correctly identify the engine in my '61 MGA. It is a 1600 engine (1622 cast in block), but there is no engine tag or VIN plate on the car. I suspect (though not sure) it's a high compression engine, as compression checks I made a few weeks ago were good-to-high versus normal: ~150+ dry and up to 175 wet, but all consistent within a few psi in each cylinder.

There is one other identifying mark which might help identify it: on the valve cover, there are normally 2 tags riveted in: one is the normal "MG" logo, and the other is a black-faced informational tag. On my engine, the informational tag is replaced with a tag with the message "SET ROCKERS TO .012" VALVE CLEARANCE WHEN HOT". This appears to be a factory-made tag, and not a backyard hack job, but I have no idea what engine it might have come off of. The valve cover appears otherwise to be correct for an MGA engine.

Any help on this one?
Glenn (Ohio)

Glenn,

Take a sparkplug out and you're likely able to see what type of pistons you've got.

High compression pistons have a sort of platform on top of them.

See page 58 of Clausagers book.

Regards, Koen
Struijk Koen

A standard 1622 high compresssion engine has flat topped pistons.

The pistons that Koen mentions have a dome on the top.
dominic clancy

Glenn,

I read your question as a two part question.
You are trying to identify the engine, and also whether it is high compression.
As for the first part, does it have the cable driven tacho?

Mick
Mick Anderson

Difficult to do externally/ You can perhaps see the top of the piston from the sparkplug hole. This will tell you if it is a low compression block assembly. You could also get a "high compression" by shaving the head. Check out the earlier disucussion, I think Barney gave some dimensions that can verify if the head has bee modified. This can be done externally (maybe).

Chuck.
Chuck Schaefer

This thread was discussed between 13/08/2006 and 14/08/2006

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