Wanted: 1275 Block

[Flygirl]

After our last race in 2007, I am looking for 1275 block (no other internals required). Must be able to clean up to max .40 over.

Reason:
http://www.arperformance.citymax.com/i/VP%20final%20chapte/68_Engine_Failure019.JPG

Contact info in my profile! :D

Cheers,
Rachel

[mascher]

Does it need to be an 'S' block or will anything do?

Cheers,

Kelley

[Dixminion]

Flygirl, You broke the first one and now you want another?
Kelley, Can you give a brief description of the differences between an "s" block and a non?
Don

[bull]

Flygirl, You broke the first one and now you want another?
Kelley, Can you give a brief description of the differences between an "s" block and a non?
Don

That would be a great thread in tech.

Flygirl I have a block. I will check it tomorrow and see what shape it is in.

S' block

[mascher]

Rodney, there are good reasons people shouldn't be racing 'S' blocks. An A+ would be a much better idea unless there is a rules problem.

By the way, nice sig. :rolleyes:

Cheers,

Kelley

[Flygirl]

Hi guys, no it does not need to be a proper "S" block. In fact, the October race was going to be the last race that lovely thin-flange S block would see, as I was planning on using another one in 2008 (too late now!). The "other" block I had turned out to be sleeved, which would not be good for a race car. The only reason we used the thin-flanged block to begin with was that we wanted the car to be very proper for the Monterey Historic Races at the car's debut. Anyway, a regular 1275 would be great. I would be interested in any 1275 blocks that are not sleeved :)

Cheers,
Rachel

[1fabmini]

When I spec'd an engine to be built for my MKII that I plan to Vintage race, I decided to with a "non-S" A series block. Since the very restrictive SOVREN rules only allow production type cars built up to 1969, the 1275 GT was available with the "non-S" A series type block, I consider that block to be eligible.

A large part of my reasoning was because of what Rachel has discovered: You can quite quickly render a valuable 1275 "S" block into so much scrap iron. For the sake of the hobby, I would just as soon leave the dwindling supply of "S" stuff to the restorers who really need it and are willing to pay ever escalating prices for it.

I think that many vintage racers are using A+ blocks in their Minis. Truth be told, who really cares if that block is not entirely within the letter of the rules? There is no real performance advantage and only perhaps some minor reliability improvements. Besides, there is a larger supply of these blocks available since they were the last A type engines produced & were used in Metros & many other "variants". It has been my observation that the evolution of the British motor car was driven more by the accounting office than the engineers. Hence, usually things were changed for mostly economic reasons and not for performance!