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MG MGA - Is this an MGA engine?

This engine is on eBay, http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250510036470&ssPageName=ADME:X:eRTM:GB:1123 I told them it didn't look like an MGA engine to me, the sump is wrong and dipstick is in the wrong position. It has no tappet chest breather and looks to have been fitted with a mechanical fuel pump, oil pressure gauge take off and hole for the rev counter drive are missing. I had a reply from the seller telling me I was wrong, it is a genuine MGA engine bought from the factory 35 years ago by his uncle and put in storage. Am I wrong? I know I'd have a job to make that fit my MGA as it stands!
Lindsay Sampford

Lindsay, you are right. It is a BMC B series motor but not MGA. Need to have the engine No to see what it is.
Art Pearse

You are right Lindsay - it is probably from a Morris Oxford or similar. Note that the rocker cover MG badge is conveniently missing - it will fit an MGA with the right sump but no oil pressure gauge or tacho operation - and it will be well down on power too. As it is a gold seal engine - it will not have the usual MG engine number on the tag.
Cam Cunningham

Sent a mail saying the same thing! no reply yet. I send a few of these type of messages and usually get a good response.
Neil McGurk

I did as well!!

He will wonder what has hit him.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Well done chaps, I was certain it wasn't MGA as soon as I saw the sump but I've been certain about things before and then been proved wrong. I thought I'd drop the chap a friendly note to set him straight about it but got a rather rude reply from him!
Lindsay Sampford

Nash Metro perhaps? Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Somewhere I have a article by Neil Cairns of the MC Car Club. He wrote a very comprehensive article about MG engines. I am sure I remember that he gave gold seal engine numbers for various BMC B seies engines. With that in mind I think it is possible to determine the model of engine from a Gold Seal engine number. I will hunt high and low for the next couple of days to find it.
Robert (Bob) Midget Turbo

Bob

I have an 88 page B-Series book by Neil on my website. Is this it: http://www.mgaroadster.co.uk/technical_information.htm

See Item 8.

Steve
Steve Gyles

It looks to me like one for a ZA Magnette
David werblow

Sump is right for a Magnette but the Magnette has an oil pressure gauge take off just like the MGA, this engine has no hole for it to screw into. Magnette also has a tappet chest breather.
Lindsay Sampford

David is correct. The dipstick and sump are correct for a Magnette. You would have to machine a hole for the tack drive and cap over the fuel pump access - then get the correct oil pickup and sump. I can't recall if the mechanical fuel pump access was cast closed on the Magnette or not, but the Magnettes had electric fuel pumps in the boot.
The Other MG Brother - Phil White

Early 1500 MGA engines had the fuel pump opening covered by a plate. I'd imagine that the Magnette, being its contemporary, was similar. I do not know for sure.
Chuck Schaefer

According to Neil Cairns the 1500 Magnette mk3 Engine used the 15GE engine also in the Riley 1.5
the 1600 Mk4 Magnette used the 16GF
Neils book outlines the detail differences very well
Paul
P D Camp

If it is a low time 1500 the crank and rods etc. could be worth the while...
Russ
Russ Carnes

I know this item is long gone, but just figured I would post a photo of a similar engine in a ZA.


David werblow

Looking at it closer I saw what appears to be dried crud around #2 spark plug and is is a break in the casting just above the oil pan right behind the front plate?
Sandy
SANDY SANDERS

This thread was discussed between 08/10/2009 and 17/10/2009

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