well I need some adivce,
currently I have my standard 998,
but It need work, rings/pistons/honing.
timing gear and chain.
would it be cheaper to try find another motor?
a 998 or 1275?

Basically what do you want out of it ? It might be cheaper to buy another motor that still has some reasonable life left in it if it's an every day car , but if you want a bit more than the original had you might want to look for a bigger motor (1275 but don't forget to get the disc brakes as well) but then you still need to decide if you should rebuild it as well . For the price of buying another motor with a reasonable lifespan you could probably rebuild yours (basics , bored , pistons/rings and bearings) and be assured of it's condition . Buy a 1275 and rebuild it and you'll have some reasonable power and a healthy motor .

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buying 2nd hand motors and expecting them to last in your car without a rebuild is a fools game - it might last a week, it might last 2 years, but no way of knowing till you've parted with your cash - much better off getting one rebuilt

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

buy a low km imported 1275. re ring it, point and steer.

I scoffed at the price when i got some quotes.
now I have spent over 2k on an 998. I should be kicking my own ass because it just would have been so much easier and probly cheaper to buy a 1275.
Who knows I may end up with a big bore eater, but until then I will not recommend rebuilding a small block.

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you know where I can get a motor cheap from then?

No such thing as a cheap 1275...

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

cheap in relation to the 2.5k I spent on a 998 maybe......

brickworks springs to mind, try steve first. Failing that a couple of places near me have runners for sale. Shippin would be a killer but let me know if u are keen I will dig up there details and the prices

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Send a PM to miniimports, he's in Melbourne.
I reckon buy a cheap non-running 1275 and rebuild it, then you know it's good to go.
Cost to rebuild a 1275 is pretty much the same as a 998/1098. But you end up with more mumbo.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

such a tough choice,
I just wish i knew roughly how much to get the timing gear done and pistons and rings.
anyone got a rough idea?

budget on 1K for parts and engineering... labour is extra. It'll be hard to get change out of 2.5K unless you do it yourself

you'll at least need bearings as well as timing gear, pistons and rings... and it's impossible to tell what else you'll need. Chances are you'll need the head reconditioned - if the motor is worn now and it's rebuilt, it'll show up issues with the head...

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

I've heard in the past a grand for each section (head, block, gearbox). This is only for a standard rebuild that doesn't need major work You can buy running 1275's for less than that, but you then need discs $1500+, mod plate $80-$100, and then if it's EFI fuel tank and wiring
It all depends what you want it for.

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Respect mine and I'll respect yours.

all the head work has been done,
fuel pump and carbi done,
radiator done.
starter motor and alternator done.
just needs rings and timing gear and chain,
so pistons and rings and bore and hone.

So it needs a rebuild

What about the crank, I bet it needs a regrind (~$120) and bearings, ~$100.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Not worth stripping the block and re boring without doing as the Doc says and preparing the crank with fresh bearings.
When I was 16 I had a very smoky Camira, with no money for a rebuild but still with a sense of humour I used diff gear oil in the motor, it helped.
P.s I dont recomend that you do that.