1966 Mk1 Cooper S engine identification

brylyn · Post by **brylyn** » Tue Jan 25, 2022 10:41 am

Hi everyone my first post is asking for help in identifying the 1275 engine number on my 1966 Mini Cooper S a recent barn find awaiting restoration
I have read John Parnell`s book and I am still struggling with understanding the following engine number.
9FF-AH39418
I know the 9F refers to the material used in the crankshaft ? manufacture.
I can find references to 9D / E but not F
Can anyone help with this topic ?
Appreciate any guidance thanks in anticipation
Bryan Knowles

Post by **Pete** » Tue Jan 25, 2022 11:24 am

Is that number off the logbook or off the original engine plate?

brylyn · Post by **brylyn** » Tue Jan 25, 2022 11:33 am

Hi Pete thanks for your reply, the V5c and the engine plate are the same numbers. V5c shows 1April 1966 first registered.

InnoCooperExport · Post by **InnoCooperExport** » Tue Jan 25, 2022 11:58 am

You're 100% positive it's 9FF and not a misread 9FE? I could see an iffy stamping or someone copying the number making a mistake like that... Other than that I can't think of anything 9FF isn't one I've seen before, but then compared to many on here I know nothing!

brylyn · Post by **brylyn** » Tue Jan 25, 2022 12:45 pm

I can't work out how to attach photo of the plate on this forum but it is a clear stamp of 9FF.
I have noticed the engine plate is screwed on not riveted but the engine block has been sprayed red and it was common to remove the plate prior to spraying.
I have yet to have a full inspection of the rear of the block for other identifying numbers.
Thanks for your help

EMOKID · Post by **EMOKID** » Tue Jan 25, 2022 1:10 pm

Standard bore or re bored block?
Unless you removed the engine number badge it generally never came back from the workshop.

brylyn · Post by **brylyn** » Tue Jan 25, 2022 1:29 pm

Don't know if it's a rebore or not. Hopefully the full details will be known when restoration starts in the not too distant future.
If they didn't always come back with the plate I guess a mistake could have been made and a new plate was wrongfully transcribed as an F rather than an E.
Are you aware of any other areas to find evidence of the engine number other than the plate that reads 9FF. ?
Thanks for the input

Post by **Peter Laidler** » Tue Jan 25, 2022 2:44 pm

I'd wait until you have the engine out and examine it in detail. There's plenty on here who will guide you what to look for.
If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it's a duck. Same as your engine. If it has every resemblance to a 1966 FE series 1275 Cooper S engine and fits within the number sequence/series then guess what.....? Yep, it is. I'd just get a 9FE reverse punched engine number tag and put it on.

The trouble when you find a small anomaly is that you can get 'mission creep' and make mountains out of molehills

brylyn · Post by **brylyn** » Tue Jan 25, 2022 2:57 pm

Thank you Peter you are correct I am sure it's a duck lol, but when you can't find references to the 9FF I wondered whether I was missing something or was it a typo error.
I will wait until the restoration starts and hopefully more information may come to light. Will update the post.
Thanks

EMOKID · Post by **EMOKID** » Tue Jan 25, 2022 4:57 pm

I am not sure that a Heritage certificate will help as I think it will only show engine number and not the prefix. You will of course get other info on the car from the certificate.

Post by **Simon776** » Wed Jan 26, 2022 10:08 am

9FE was a short lived 970cc (2 engines!) and 1275cc engine prefix during 1964.

39418 is from November 1965 and I would expect that to have the normal 9F-SA-Y prefix.

The 9FF prefix was allocated to an engine spec. that never made it to production.

brylyn · Post by **brylyn** » Wed Jan 26, 2022 10:23 am

Many thanks for your information that helps me in trying to decipher my engine number.
The build date of November 1965 ties in with the first registration April 1966.
The V5c and the plate are the same format of 9FF- AH -39418
Should it read 9FE / SA / Y / 39418
If so should the V5c / plate be amended.
Appreciate your input.

Post by **Simon776** » Wed Jan 26, 2022 1:06 pm

I suspect that the 9FF engine number plate has been made to match the V5.

The correct format for your number would normally be 9F-SA-Y 39418

Heritage have, for some reason, been putting a '/' before the numerical part of the chassis and engine number on Heritage Certificates but that does not appear on the original plates on most Mk 1 S's.

brylyn · Post by **brylyn** » Wed Jan 26, 2022 2:35 pm

Thanks again for your information I now know how it should look.
Do you think it would be a problem to rectify this error with DVLA and have the correct format plate made ?
Only just joined this forum and the response has been great.

Post by **Pete** » Sat Jan 29, 2022 3:18 pm

You’ll need a Heritage certificate to send (a copy of) to DVLA with a covering letter asking them to correct your engine number that’s on your logbook. I did this recently and they changed it no problem. I’m sure Minimail can make you up a new correct engine plate.

brylyn · Post by **brylyn** » Sat Jan 29, 2022 8:14 pm

Great news Pete I will start the process with Heritage / DVLA as soon as I have checked for any other identification on the vehicle confirming the correct format etc
Is anyone aware whether mk1 had engine numbers on the block etc other than the top mounted plate.
Any guidance would be appreciated
Thanks

Post by **iain1967s** » Sat Jan 29, 2022 10:10 pm

There is a foundry number on some S blocks, which will get you within an 8 hour window of when the block was cast.
See this thread: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=32103

brylyn · Post by **brylyn** » Sat Jan 29, 2022 11:33 pm

Thanks Iain I will follow up your advice that would really help me identify my engine once and for all.
Much appreciated

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