Inline block in Mini…

[Exminiman]

Have a few large bore inline (MG Midget) blocks, which am thinking of using one to build up a mini engine.

I know inline are rarer than transverse, but I have it on the shelf and it is really well prepared already.

As far as I know the main difference is the end cap and the drilling / threading for the pickup pipe……

So caps and inline boring essentially.

Question is, am I missing anything ?

Dont have a bare large bore mini block to hand to compare, so would appreciate any comments.

Thanks

[Oneball]

Can’t you just machine the seal mount boss off the rear main cap and be good to go?

[Fanfaniracing]

What about the Half Moon Seal when machinig it down this way?

[Spider]

You might have to do some work around the Oil Pick Up on the sump rail to get it to seal to the O Ring on the gearbox.

I might be talking out of my hat here, however, given these are much thinner on the ground than a transverse, surely you could find someone to do a swap with ?

[Oneball]

What about the Half Moon Seal when machinig it down this way?

Half moon is on the front main cap.

[Fanfaniracing]

What about the Half Moon Seal when machinig it down this way?

Half moon is on the front main cap.

You're absolutely right of course

[360gts]

I have used these blocks on numerous projects. All you need is an angle grinder...cut off the surplus strip on the end cap......
The oil hole requires no modifications.
Here is a picture of the front cap and the end cap that has had the excess piece removed.
You now have a really good transverse block.

[Exminiman]

Thanks for the responses, much appreciated.

Have to say hadn,’t thought of just grinding off the old scroll seal

Annoyingly this block even has a an MED, lip seal kit on that end.

Dermot, did you have any issues with the pick up pipe thread ?

Will get out in the workshop this weekend and have a real look father than trying to plan things remotley from the sofa

[OzOAP]

Let me know if you are not needing the lip seal kit.
I'm just about to start an in-line engine build

[360gts]

Thanks for the responses, much appreciated.

Have to say hadn,’t thought of just grinding off the old scroll seal

Annoyingly this block even has a an MED, lip seal kit on that end.

Dermot, did you have any issues with the pick up pipe thread ?

Will get out in the workshop this weekend and have a real look father than trying to plan things remotley from the sofa

Absolutely no problems....even my vintage race engine is one of these in-line blocks.....ran all last season without a glitch.
The seal is larger than the threaded hole in the block.
We don't have a large source of the transverse blocks over here....they only came in the America 1300....we did have lots of Midgets etc....so good supply of in-line blocks here.

[CooperTune]

Not that you don't have enough information, I have been using Spridget blocks for 20 + years. The first time I milled the excess from the rear cap and bored the threaded pickup tube hole. I machined a sleeve and pressed it in place to reduce dia. of bore. The second and following ones I found it not required. Inline 1275 units are getting harder to find these days. I have a collection of A and A+ blocks used at 73.5. I had planned sleeving them for reuse. The current turn around time and price increase has me wondering it will be worth while? Steve (CTR)

[Exminiman]

Let me know if you are not needing the lip seal kit.
I'm just about to start an in-line engine build

PM your address and will pop in the post, just cover the postage.
Should be perfect as block has never had a crank fitted…….

[Exminiman]

Thanks for the opinions, much appreciated, helped me clarify I wasn’t missing anything.

I would never get the money back on all the machining and prep’, so will build it up for a Mini.

Anyone want a Factory, EN 40B 1275 Midget crank, re nitrided , actually I have two!