Can anyone shed any light on this 850 block being discussed on the early Mini forum? The engine is currently in a very early ('59) 850 in Australia. Its engine number is 8FAJ 8593 and it has the 850 engine capacity cast into the centre of the rear of the block rather than towards the front, which is more conventional.



Tim

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1951 Morris Commercial J Type Van
1955 BSA C11G
1961 Morris Mini Traveller
1969 Triumph TR6R
1977 Leyland Moke Californian

They were the norm for 1959 through to 61. Some early cars here in Aus had them, they have a threaded oil pick up hole and the 3 bolt holes for the rear main seal, as the North/East engines had. My 61 850 has this type of block, they are very rare here in Aus, I have been searching for a long time to find another, I would be very interested if anyone wants to sell me one.

I built this engine using an early block years ago, its still on my bench waiting for me to finish the car!

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Hmmm.... I have two 850 engines sitting here, both 8AM/U/H prefix. One has the "850" cast in the middle of the block (on the left flat round pad, same as the first photo), the other has the "850" cast near the front pulley end (this one has a lower engine number, although I though this was the "newer" style block?)

Haven't split these engines off the gearboxes, so i'm unsure of any other oddities...

Andrew

Interesting, so thats at least 3 different castings. Can anyone hazard a guess at that weird engine number prefix?

Tim

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1951 Morris Commercial J Type Van
1955 BSA C11G
1961 Morris Mini Traveller
1969 Triumph TR6R
1977 Leyland Moke Californian