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Engines
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Cutaway | Engine Plate Location |
Standard Engines
Four basic A-Series engines were fitted as standard to A30s and A35s during their production. There were
also both high and low compression versions, low mainly in commercial vehicles and signified by
the LCS in the Chassis Number (GPO vans appeared to have a specific engine for them).
For more information on the engine design, please refer to
Engine Design under our Austin History pages.
Size | Engine No Prefix | Notes |
803cc | 2A | Fitted with a screw-on canister oil filter |
948cc | 9A | 950 cast into block |
1098cc | 10AB | Fitted to commercials in Low-comp form |
848cc | 8G | Fitted to late vans † |
| | † Engines starting 8G9 R are generally factory refurbished engines and mostly 948cc (see 950 casting on block): Gold-seal
(full engine) or Silver-seal (short engine) |
Alternative engines
Size | Engine No Prefix | Notes |
948cc | 9D | Austin A40 Mk I |
948cc | 9DB | Austin A40 early Mk II |
1098cc | 10D 10DD | Austin A40 Mk II |
948cc | 9CG 9CC | Austin Healey Sprite Mk I (Frogeye) |
1098cc | 10CG | Sprite Mk I/ MG Midget Mk I (1.75" main bearings) |
1098cc | 10CC | Sprite Mk II/ MG Midget Mk II (2 inch main bearings) |
1275cc | 12CC 12CE | Sprite Mk IV/ MG Midget Mk III (home market) after Oct '72, 12V/586F/H |
1275cc | 12CD 12CJ | Sprite Mk IV/ MG Midget Mk III (US Market) 12V/671Z/L N. America |
Morris Engines
Size | Engine No Prefix | Notes |
803cc | APHM | Series 2: fitted with SU originally |
948cc | APJM | Series 3 |
948cc | 9M | Series 4 |
1098cc | 10MA | Series 5 |
1098cc | 10ME | Series 5, close circuit breather |
948cc | 8AG | Morris 1000 GPO van after 1962 |
1098cc | 10V | Morris 1000 van closed circuit breather |
1275cc | 12V | Morris Marina/Ital: A+ thick flange block, fitted with screw-on filter at rear of block which may interfere with steering box |
Special A-Series Engines
Occasionally a 'special' engine code turns up. below are some we have discovered that are not
listed in the 'standard' engine number lists we have found or been provided with.
Size | Engine No Prefix | Notes |
948cc | 9S | Elva Junior Race Engine. Found in the UK. |
948cc | 9C | Possible early AH Sprite Mk.1. This was found fitted to a 1938 Austin in the US |
Standard bore and stroke
Size | Bore | Stroke |
803cc | 2.28" / 58mm | 3" / 76.2mm |
948cc | 2.477" / 62.94mm | 3" / 76.2mm |
1098cc | 2.542" / 64.58mm | 3.3" / 83.72mm |
848cc | 2.477" / 62.94mm | 2.76" / 68mm |
1275cc | 2.78" / 70.61mm | 3.2" / 81.28mm |
What oil should we use?
Mineral oil is recommended. Most owners probably use a 20W50 multi-grade, but you could use 30W, etc. Synthetic oils were not available when the A-series was developed.
Use the same mineral-based in the gearbox where the internals use softer metals. A higher zinc content might be worth considering due to the bronze bushes, etc. The syncromesh would be problematic with a synthetic or semi-synthetic oil.
We know this is an engine page but it make sense to include the other
lubrication specs together.
Use EP90 GL4 in the rear axle.
Low-melting point multi-purpose grease can be used in the various grease points
of the suspension (and rear brake operating rods) but many recommend using
marine-grease in the front suspension to reduce the impact of damp.
The steering-box and idler are lubricated with thicker EP oils and here again
members recommend using a thicker grease (or oil/grease mix) to reduce leakage
from the cork seals.
Alternatively more modern seals are available and can be fitted to the box and
idler to reduce leakage. Information on these is available on the Club's Forum.