Help identifying my engine

[63traveller1275]

A couple years ago I purchased a 1963 Morris Mini Minor Traveller. It had been sitting in a collection in Chicago called the Klairmont Kollection. I purchased from an acquaintance that picked it up at a Mecum Auction (sold by Klairmont). I reached out to Klairmont as I have no history on the vehicle, but they were not helpful at all.

The engine is a 1275 mated with a magic wand shifter/gearbox. The person I purchased it from also knew nothing about the car and knew very little about Mini's. Apologies for my ignorance as it's possible that simply stating that it is a 1275 is all that I need to know. I've been told it's a "Cooper S" engine, I've been told it's out of a Metro, people seem to be baffled that it has a magic wand, so I'm just trying to get some clarity around what it most likely could be. Appreciate any and all comments, thanks.

Here are some photos. Please let me know if there are any other photos I could take that would be helpful.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/bojY1SnYTrzgUT419
https://photos.app.goo.gl/P1L3qBnybX5xRh5G6
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Auy5Ca66NgA3dJ9r8
https://photos.app.goo.gl/LoTDd5Vd7vbxicSC6
https://photos.app.goo.gl/LFxfv3bnu7hyFzYE9
https://photos.app.goo.gl/mNu6cPXaKNAteNns5
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ESpLL7TxjjNHKVjB8

[whistler]

You need the engine block casting number. This is below the number spark plug but on the back of the engine, down low, close to the gearbox/engine joint.
Cooper S had a remote gearchange but on some 850 engines of 69 to maybe 72 Leyland brought out a conversion plate to fit the magic wand instead of a remote change probably to save money. The other alternative is that the engine is sat on top of the original gearbox.
Does it have syncromesh on 1st gear. If it doesn't then it's probably a non S gearbox from the early/mid 60's.
If it has syncromesh on 1st gear then it's likely a later gearbox as I've described previously

For those reading this who say you can't fit a 1275 engine on an old 850 box; you can with case mods. I did it back in 1970.

[Fanfaniracing]

On the first view it looks like a S Engine.

Could also be a 1300 GT Engine with a non S Crank...

[63traveller1275]

You need the engine block casting number. This is below the number spark plug but on the back of the engine, down low, close to the gearbox/engine joint.
Cooper S had a remote gearchange but on some 850 engines of 69 to maybe 72 Leyland brought out a conversion plate to fit the magic wand instead of a remote change probably to save money. The other alternative is that the engine is sat on top of the original gearbox.
Does it have syncromesh on 1st gear. If it doesn't then it's probably a non S gearbox from the early/mid 60's.
If it has syncromesh on 1st gear then it's likely a later gearbox as I've described previously

For those reading this who say you can't fit a 1275 engine on an old 850 box; you can with case mods. I did it back in 1970.

Thanks, I'll see f I can find that casting number. I have no idea what type of gearbox it is.

[63traveller1275]

On the first view it looks like a S Engine.

Could also be a 1300 GT Engine with a non S Crank...

Eventually I'll pull the head and get a look inside.

[mk1]

At first looks it does indeed look like an S motor, my guess would be a 1071, but it's just a guess at the mo. It has a non S "smog" head fitted, as have a lot of cars in the States. There is a casting number on the right hand front of the gearbox casing that could shed more light on what that is.

This is an example of where the gearbox casting number can be found.

OIP.jpg

[63traveller1275]

Added a few more photos to the opening post.

[TECH396]

That last photo is the Date code of Dec 1974, so still could be any number of blocks, as the S blocks were still being made (even then).
If it's an S block, It'll most likely have two numbers cast above one another of AEG312 & AEG634. These number are on the firewall side of the block, and can be seen (with a mirror) on the Clutch end, close to the gearbox mounting flange

[63traveller1275]

At first looks it does indeed look like an S motor, my guess would be a 1071, but it's just a guess at the mo. It has a non S "smog" head fitted, as have a lot of cars in the States. There is a casting number on the right hand front of the gearbox casing that could shed more light on what that is.

This is an example of where the gearbox casting number can be found.

OIP.jpg

Transmission casting is:
22G1128
https://photos.app.goo.gl/khVhyscSdLFnNXY56

[63traveller1275]

That last photo is the Date code of Dec 1974, so still could be any number of blocks, as the S blocks were still being made (even then).
If it's an S block, It'll most likely have two numbers cast above one another of AEG312 & AEG634. These number are on the firewall side of the block, and can be seen (with a mirror) on the Clutch end, close to the gearbox mounting flange

It’s stamped with AEG312 & AEG634.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/SSbNqbBahJkpZgg28

[TECH396]

That last photo is the Date code of Dec 1974, so still could be any number of blocks, as the S blocks were still being made (even then).
If it's an S block, It'll most likely have two numbers cast above one another of AEG312 & AEG634. These number are on the firewall side of the block, and can be seen (with a mirror) on the Clutch end, close to the gearbox mounting flange

It’s stamped with AEG312 & AEG634.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/SSbNqbBahJkpZgg28

So that's a late, thick flange Cooper S block. As far as the gearbox goes, you'll need to look at the number behind the oil filter housing as Mark has suggested. It could very well be a desirable box that someone has adapted a magic wand cover to

[63traveller1275]

That last photo is the Date code of Dec 1974, so still could be any number of blocks, as the S blocks were still being made (even then).
If it's an S block, It'll most likely have two numbers cast above one another of AEG312 & AEG634. These number are on the firewall side of the block, and can be seen (with a mirror) on the Clutch end, close to the gearbox mounting flange

It’s stamped with AEG312 & AEG634.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/SSbNqbBahJkpZgg28

So that's a late, thick flange Cooper S block. As far as the gearbox goes, you'll need to look at the number behind the oil filter housing as Mark has suggested. It could very well be a desirable box that someone has adapted a magic wand cover to

This is the number that I found:
22G1128
https://photos.app.goo.gl/khVhyscSdLFnNXY56

[TECH396]

It’s stamped with AEG312 & AEG634.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/SSbNqbBahJkpZgg28

So that's a late, thick flange Cooper S block. As far as the gearbox goes, you'll need to look at the number behind the oil filter housing as Mark has suggested. It could very well be a desirable box that someone has adapted a magic wand cover to

This is the number that I found:
22G1128
https://photos.app.goo.gl/khVhyscSdLFnNXY56

The 1128 Box is the later 4 syncro one. But to know what gears are inside will be next to impossible without opening it up. I'd hazard to guess it's a S box with Magic wand adaptation, like was used at that time by Leyland. Does it use the Hardy Spicer joints? Can you post a picture of the diff area?

[63traveller1275]

So that's a late, thick flange Cooper S block. As far as the gearbox goes, you'll need to look at the number behind the oil filter housing as Mark has suggested. It could very well be a desirable box that someone has adapted a magic wand cover to

This is the number that I found:
22G1128
https://photos.app.goo.gl/khVhyscSdLFnNXY56

The 1128 Box is the later 4 syncro one. But to know what gears are inside will be next to impossible without opening it up. I'd hazard to guess it's a S box with Magic wand adaptation, like was used at that time by Leyland. Does it use the Hardy Spicer joints? Can you post a picture of the diff area?

It does have Hardy Spicer joints. I’ll grab some photos of the diff area.

[mk1]

Thin flange 1275 S block & 4 synchro gearbox. Excellent combo.

[TECH396]

Thin flange 1275 S block & 4 synchro gearbox. Excellent combo.

It's actually a thick flange with that casting number. Made in late 74. Even better