I was just thinking about how much everyone loves matching numbers on their cars.

With 5346 ausmini members, would it be a good idea to try and setup an engine register? I did a little search but haven't seen it come up before.

Perhapes for ease of management, just a wanted list of engine numbers?

I'm guessing each mini person out there has two or three blocks tucked away on average. If this was the case and all ausmini members were active and keen this would be like 15,000+ listings! Even if there was 1000 entries and 100 minis got their original hearts back - I think it could be worth it.

If a wanted engine is in your car, next rebuild get a few extra dollars by sending the motor home and replacing your block with one from a deceased shell, RIP, or simply have a happy feeling inside for helping a fellow mini owner out. I know plenty of the blocks are more than likely stuffed and in landfill or have been melted down , but it may make a few people happy.

My biggest question regarding this is, how many people know what their original engine no. is? I haven't tried finding out about my van yet - it could be stamped on a plate for all I know - or as always with minis is not that easy? How do you know when purchasing a car that they are matching no.s?

For privacy etc, it could just be a commar seperated list with no owners details - people can just search (ctrl F) and see if their wanted no is there. Then put up a wanted post etc knowing that it could be found - with some hope.

I guess engine no.s could be pm'd or emailed and updated to the list? If people are keen I'd consider trying to run it - or if there's mods out there that have too much time on their hands?

Anyway, let me know what you think - as I said, just an idea and a way to get some cars closer to original status.

Cheers, Tom.

This sounds like a great Idea. But I warn you... Be prepared as there are lots of blocks hidden away and you should have a big flood of numbers coming in .. I shall make my little list. Tony.

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DID I MENTION THAT I AM THE BEST SUPPLIER FOR MINI ELECTRICAL PARTS AND REPAIRS?
"Let us remove your "SHORTS"

mmm. good idea. I am in for two blocks (both attached to cars.

perhaps there could be an excel sheet set up insted of doing it in a formum style. That way we can all edit it and save a lot of hastle.

I know of another register for A series engines here

http://www.geocities.com/sprite-midget/form.htm

Perhaps an excel sheet with similar fields.


there could be a lot of hastle with this, but would be worth it!

I would say keep it as a "private" list rather than a publicly accessed one as it would give a list of non stolen engine numbers not in cars that could be used for rebirthing motors . I'm sure it's only a small risk but it would be horrifying if someone got their spare motor rebuilt and then registerred the car with it only to be told it's already registerred in a car and they have to prove it isn't .

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Matching numbers only applies till 1969 when the ID plates were discontinued.
Any car after 1969 advertised as matching numbers need the original paperwork to prove that the engine number was originally in that particular car.

Thanks for the intial replies.

I was thinking it could be done in excel, and even a stripped down version posted (just text) - so people could search without having to pm etc each time. The posted info would only be "wanted numbers" and "have numbers" no details of owners etc - this would be kept offline - send a pm if you find a match and I etc could contact the owner / initial contact.

In regards to people using the list to re-birth engines, I think it would be hard as i think people would be happy to, well at least me!, post an engine number that's in my car that isn't the origional. Therefore people don't know what's in bits, and what is rego'd with RTA etc.

With the minis that have been stolen, especially of late - there could be a third "stolen" numbers - so people buying engines can check - (ebay and the likes).

Good point Morris 1100, on the after 69 numbers. I only bothered to check my van today and found the original number on the plate - didn't know it was on the plate - and this is the guy thinking of starting an engine register!

I had a look at the sprtie site, Sprite_Man - got a couple of ideas. I think the plan would be to keep it very simple. Non matching engine numbers that are in cars are fine - I know I'd be happy to pass my engine on when the time came to pull it out, or if I found my matching number on the list