17 replies to this topic

[pusb]

Does anyone know where most of the Mini's engine's were originally made?

 

I only ask as my late Grandad worked at Morris Engines in Coventry and I would be lovely to think he played a part in the manufacture of my Mini.

[ryan22_lgm]

I have heard the quality of the metal is similar to that used for drain covers.....

[dennismini93]

I have heard the quality of the metal is similar to that used for drain covers.....

bit uncalled for?!

[CMcB]

Well you'll be glad to hear that they were then pusb. :)

[pusb]

Good to know cmcb.

[CityEPete]

The engine plant was at Birmingham surely, the A series was in production way before Morris got their grubby mits on it. Maybe later a series were built there but why would Morris be building Austin engines before the merger? Pre a series morris minors were a bit naff, it was the a series that finally made it great

[cradley-heathen]

i must admit i dont know for sure, but i was under the impression that they were made at longbridge.

 

however i wouldnt be surprised if at some point they were made at the morris plant too, i know the ital 1275 block was different to that used in minis, it was a little like the mpi block with the oil filter screwed onto the block itself. based on that maybe morris did do some of their own? i dunno, im just guessing lol

[mab01uk]

Its all detailed in this interesting book.......



The A-Series Engine - Its First Sixty Years
by Graham Robson
Published 20/10/2011 by Haynes

Edited by mab01uk, 22 March 2014 - 11:39 PM.

[CMcB]

Hmm, I'm not 100% - so i apologise if i misled the OP, but I was always under the impression they were Coventry engines, but maybe that did happen later.

[pusb]

I would love there to be a family connection, unfortunately my Dad being an ex-Rootes man means no chance with him!

[mab01uk]

1951 = A-Series 803cc engine manufacture started in Longbridge, at the re-equipped North Works for the Austin A30 with Zenith carburettor and soon after also fitted to the Morris Minor in 1952 (designed by Alec Issigonis at Cowley, Oxford) but with an SU carburettor this time as insisted by the Morris engineers !

 

1962 - 1970 = all A-Series 'S' type engines were produced at the Morris Engine Plant at Court House Green in north of Coventry = production of all 970, 1071 and 1275cc S engines as designed by Eddie Maher & John Cooper (& early Midget/Sprite 1275cc engines) and the short lived A-Series Diesel.

 

1963 = Mainstream A-series production moved from North Works to the underused Longbridge, East Works which was re-equipped tp build up to 12,000 engines and transmissions every week for the Mini and 1100 ranges with the ability to also make in-line engines for Midget, Sprite, Minor, A40, etc.

 

By 1966 = East Works was producing 848, 998, 1098cc to suit demand as required.

 

In 1968 = East Works also started producing the 1275 non 'S' versions of A-Series for mainstream mass production.

(All 'S' versions of 1275 engine continued manufacture at Morris Court House Green, Coventry until the end of production in 1970's)

Edited by mab01uk, 23 March 2014 - 09:52 AM.

[mab01uk]

Does anyone know where most of the Mini's engine's were originally made?

 

I only ask as my late Grandad worked at Morris Engines in Coventry and I would be lovely to think he played a part in the manufacture of my Mini.

 

If you read my post above it looks like your Grandad may have worked on the manufacture of the more specialist Mini Cooper S engines which were all built at Morris Engines at Court House Green, Coventry.

Edited by mab01uk, 23 March 2014 - 09:58 AM.

[Naughty 40]

The blocks were cast in the foundry in Wellingborough ,Northamptonshire ,my father in law used to work there(shame he never brought any home) those cast in Wellingborough have this mark on them

 

 

[Ethel]

The quality standards for drain covers, that sit for countless years in wet, salty, conditions while millions of tons of traffic rolls over them should be plenty good for car engines.

[CityEPete]

My Morris minor is 57 years old, engine is sound, I doubt my bmw Bini will last a quarter of that time, drain covers good enough for me too