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MG MGA - MGA ENGINE MYSTERY

My project 60 MGA came with an engine with 1622 cast into the block. I assume it is the later mark II engine.
The owner before last said he bought the engine in a crate. I have looked inside the valve cover and it is pristine, no used oil present. The story is that it was installed in the car but the installation was never completed. ie, no exhaust or intake manifold attached.
The valve cover is a fancy aluminum one with a flip cap for oil and the word "LANDAR" cast into the top of the cover in large letters.
The engine number plate is missing.
The engine is painted blue.
The distributor is consistent with the Mark II 1622 engine.
It has a weird hose connection which I assume connects to the oil filter assembly.
Could this engine be one of the BMC reconditioned ones that Clausager mentions which became a "Gold Seal" engine?
I wonder if the aluminum valve cover is just an after market fancy valve cover or if "Landar" means something relative to the rebuilt engine.
Thanks for the help
Morris Wadds
M. E. WADDS

There was a Landar kit car manufacturer. One of their valve covers for BMC A series is shown halfway down the page at http://mk1-performance-conversions.co.uk/mk1_classic_tuning.htm

Is it anything like this?
John DeWolf

Does the engine have the drive for a mechanical Tachometer?
Mick Anderson

Landar was a British components company in Birmingham UK. They used to make BMC/Vanden Plas (up market)polished rocker covers. I guess the engine could have come from a 'Land Crab' or something similar.
Steve Gyles

John, the cover is identical.
Mike, there is a tach drive on the left side near the bell housing.
Thanks for the info
Morris
M. E. WADDS

John, Anyone

Was anyone seen an equivalent B series engine web page to that shown above....

Very interesting thanks John.

<MARK>
Mark Hester

This could be a later version of the 1622 engine. One of this type was fitted to my 1960 - 1600 in 1975. I believe this particular block was new and without an engine number - could have been old stock(it was subsequently stamped with the original engine number) A mechanical tach drive was also fitted at time and all other parts from the original engine reinstalled -Cylinder head, manifold, etc.

One distinguishing factor of these engines is the number of sump bolts MGA 1500,1600 & 1622 motors have 18 bolts - this later version has 17. Also understand that the water pump is slightly larger - in all other aspects these 1622 blocks are visually the same as the 1622's fitted to MGA's

Russell
Russell

The later 1622 blocks also have two additional bosses near the generator mounts. I believe they are for mounting an alternator.
Mark Lambert

Russell, I assume what you call a sump is what I call the oil pan. I counted the bolts on mine, there are 5 along each side, four across the back and 5 in front for a total of 19.
I believe this engine was purchased either in 72 or 73 so the time frame is close to when yours was purchased.
An cast iron exhaust manifold came with all the bits & pieces with the car which is very similar to off an 1800 B engine but fits the 1622. ie, it has two pipes melding into one.
There is one extra boss below and in front of the two that suport the rear generator braket.
All help, comment & ideas are greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Morris
M. E. WADDS

Morris, just checked the block, there are two bosses in front of the rear generator support bracket. Also has the same cast iron manifold as you describe - I had always assumed this was from an MGB.

Regarding the number of bolts in the oil pan (sump). The 17 was from memory, I remember it was different by 1 as all MGA engines have 18 bolt holes in the oil pan.

The memory was from an experience some time back when I removed the oil pan and purchased a gasket from a local MG supplier - only to find out late on a saturday afternoon that it didn't fit, wrong number of bolt holes - so had to make one as the car was needed the next day.

It is just before 10.00pm on Saturday night - so I will have a look tomorrow - I suspect it will be 19 rather than 17 ( I should have added 1 rather than subtract)

Russell
Russell

Morris, firstly apologies - checked the oil pan, it has 18 bolts. This engine is not from a 60's MGA originally - I know the difference between my 1622 engine and original MGA engines was a difference of one bolt in the oil pan - so the 19 bolt configuration sounds like it is correct.

Could someone on this post check their car and verify the 19 bolt configeration.

Russell
Russell

Russell,

Is your engine an Australian made 1622?
The Australian made motors are unique in that they have the same bore and stroke as the UK 1622 engines, but do not have the narrower main bearings.
The Australian made 1622 engines are also different in that the casting mark says 1620.

Mick
Mick Anderson

Mick, I believe the engine was shipped from the UK. That's interesting about the 1620 motors, were these the type fitted to Morris Majors etc?

Interestingly, the original cylinder head (I have since replaced with an Austin 1800 mk2 "O" head) had MOWOG written within a map of Australia.

Russell
Russell

This thread was discussed between 24/08/2005 and 28/08/2005

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