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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - A vs A+

What's people's understanding of A+ engines?

I thought that A+ came out with the Metros, my MG version was touted as A+ in 1982. It had a filter in the original place, as opposed to the Marina type with the oil filter on top, and a water/oil heat exchanger between filter and housing instead of a normal cooler.

This makes the filter on the block type just an A Series, IMO it's an urban myth to call it A+ but would like a definitive comment.
Max T

Marina used an in-line version of the A-series with engine mount points in the middle of the block and oil filter in the top left of the "front".

Ital used an A+ verison of the size. The block has strengthening ribs and they moved the alternator bracket mounting points. Retains the engine mount points in the block and oil filter location. The rocker cover gained and "A+" sticker.

I'm sure someone will add the internal details that changed.

I have a Marina (A) and Ital (A+) block in the grage currently so can ref those differences with pics if needed.
Dean Smith ('73 RWA)

The filter position is not what identifeis an A+. The Marina's filter position was peculiar to the particular installation due to body constraints and was introduced well prior to the A+ engine when the Marina 1300 came out in the early 1970's.

The A+ engine is most easily recognised from the stiffening ribbing on the block, and was used in various models including Marina, Metro's and various others.
Paul Walbran

As Dean & Paul, and don't forget they changed the dizzy drive dog on the A+ so earlier dizzys don't fit...
David Smith

"earlier dizzys don't fit..."

and the dizzy needs a modified fitment too if using A+ on an A block

the list goes on...
Bill

Ah, Ital, I successfully managed to erase all memories of that from my mental database. Thankfully.

Yes, as Dean & David said is my understanding but you'd never believe the vitriol I received via eBay last time I sold a Marina block and didn't call it A+!

Max T

I'd believe it

the vitriol I got for having the nerve not to stop an advert being placed alsewhere makes me very reluctant to allow people to buy from me off ebay in future

Apparently you cannot advertise elsewhere without falling foul of the gestapo

not a lot of people knew that I bet, judging by the most common expression used on ebay

"Advertised elsewhere so I reserve the right to remove it"

Ebay reserve the right to lock you in chains for a thousand years if they spot that on a listing***

tee shirt

hair shirt

and no shirt on my back because of a mistake

watch what you post in the adverts


***I'm NOT blaming them, how can they sell it for you and charge you if it has that on it?
Bill

>>>>>>>>Ebay reserve the right to lock you in chains for a thousand years if they spot that on a listing***


yup, I've got a poor reputation with eBay for saying that and also because of a link to my midgetmax.com site where there was a photograph. "Policy violations - you will be taken from here to a place of execution and hung by the neck until you are dead" is how they phrased it.

Oh, and when I published a pic of a natty cross over rear silencer, I got a warning that I'd be delisted from eBay for selling firearms!

Odd place, I'd tell them where to stick it if I didn't need to pay the mortgage.
Max T

Mind you, I have to say that the comments on the A+ block came from self-styled experts not eBay.

One must be careful not to
a. sound pompous or
b. be wrong
when one sends "helpful" comments to sellers. What sounds nice and friendly in your outbox can look very bad in a recipient's inbox.
Max T

I will admit for a while I'd missed that the marina combined "non A+" and "Oil filter in stupid place". I;d thought Marina's were like Midget blocks and the oil filter change was Ital only.

Have to say the Engine mounting points on Marina/Ital blocks make mounting on an engine stand very easy :-D
Dean Smith ('73 RWA)

Why do you say "in stupid place" Dean? It's much easier in a Midget than the normal one.

Option 1 - reach over engine bay with wrench and mop up little bit of oil that spills out, spin on new filter and start engine.

Option 2 - grovel under engine with one hand, try to wrap wrench around filter, not enough room, try from underneath, nope, still doesn't work, so stick a screwdriver through filter and mop up oil-tanker-sized-slick around the garage. Fiddle under car to get threads lined up for new filter, struggle to get correct amount of torque on replacement, start engine, stop it, try and get filter tightened up again......

Oh, don't forget sceanrio 3 - you have to go through whole Option 2 just to change the starter motor. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Marina blocks for me please!
Max T

The very last of the 1.3 Marinas might have received an A+ engine.

The Ital has A+ rods.
Daniel Thirteen-Twelve

This thread was discussed between 09/07/2008 and 13/07/2008

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.