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MG MGA - Engine Number Format?

The engine number plate is missing from my block. This happened many years ago when I had to replace the block after a wrist pin gouged the cylinder wall. The engine number as stamped on the firewall plate is BP15GB/25472, stamped exactly that way. No dashes (-), no "U", etc. Is that the same format that should appear on the engine number plate? I am planning to get a new number plate from Todd Clarke. This is a 58 coupe, HMR43/35287. Would someone with a similar vintage car compare the firewall engine number to the engine block number format an let me know if it's the same or different?
Thanks,
Gerry Foster
G T Foster

Hi Gerry,

The engine plate on my 58 coupe read...

15 GBUH 44596

...when I got it. Not sure if this was original, as I do not have the original firewall plate. When I received the Heritage certificate they did not confirm the engine number. Not sure if this will help or hinder you, but Todd Clarke will be likely to know the format for sure.
Tom Balutis

PS:
I did check Clausager and he suggests there is a BP15GB prefix, but only shows the firewall plate, not an engine plate, for this example. That is the way my firewall plate looks.
Thanks again,
GTF
G T Foster

My 1500 has engine no BP15GB / 2711 (IIRC). I'll confirm tonight if I get a chance.

The early engines with a BP prefix didn't have the UH identifiers in the middle. See Neil Cairns monograph on MG engine history if you want to find out more about these things.

dan
Dan Smithers

Took a quick look and the engine number and car plates both read BP15GB 2322.
On the other hand the engine plate is definitely a modern replacement. The car plate might be too. car no HDR13/12018 FWIW.

hope this helps

dan
Dan Smithers

I knew that the early 1500 engines had the BP prefix to the engine number, but my late 1500 car (#61479), built in 1959, has an engine with the BP prefix. My only explanations for this are, 1)engine replaced at some time, or 2)Abingdon was cleaning out old inventory when the end of 1500 model line was at hand.
George Goeppner

George,
I'm curious, is your engine number also stamped on the firewall plate or does it say "see engine"?

Gerry
G T Foster

Gerry, the large plate says "see engine", which is why I don't know if the engine is original to the car or not. And, as everyone knows, production records didn't capture this information.


George Goeppner

This thread was discussed between 05/06/2005 and 08/06/2005

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