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MG MGA - Strange engine number

The engine number tag on my 1957 MGA 1500cc engine reads:
15RUH8607
Everything makes sense except the R. From what I read this "R" should be a "B". I know an "R" looks very much like a "B" so I have checked this three times. It is definately an "R", not a mis-struck "B".

Can anyone sort this out for me?
H Speer

May be a factory rebuilt or replacement engine after the original failed under warranty. Prefix should actually start with 15G.

Mark J Michalak

Surprise! This is a Riley 1.5 Mk1 engine. Source: Niel Cairns MG Engine History, which covers all BMC A and B engines. BHP 60 @ 4800.
A Pearse

Thanks guys, I don't know how a Riley engine got in a 57 MGA but there it is. Actually, I am not using this engine as I have rebuilt a 1600 cc engine. Good thing if this Riley engine only puts out 60 BHP.
H Speer

It probably put out 60HP because it had a different cam and carb. The block should be rebuildable to A spec.
dominic clancy

With the B series engine the main differences are cam, carb, pistons and head(valve size and compression). OK, I just checked my references, the Riley 1489 engine has the same size valves as the MGA. Your Riley engine may or may not have the tachometer gear. I'm not familiar with Riley's.
C Schaefer

This thread was discussed between 12/12/2008 and 13/12/2008

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