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MG MGA - Gold Seal engine numbers

I've been trying to find out some info about the engine in my A ... I was already clear that it wasn't the original, but now have worked out that it's a Gold Seal recon. Acording to Clausager, the code 48G214R means a Reconditioned 16GC 1622cc engine (so entirely correct for my 1600 Mk II).
However, I can't find any key to the remaining codes on the engine plate. Have looked at Neil Cairns book about MG Engines, but no further info.

The plate numbers are arranged like this:

R N43071
48G 214 AA

Most of the lettering is back-stamped. Only the '214' and the 'AA' are stamped from the front.

Does anyone know of a way of decoding this?

Thanks.

Richard.
Richard Ross

Just a thought but no proof....BMC used to supply a lot of spares to the military. It is just possible that this engine could be part of a Royal Navy consignment.

Steve

Steve Gyles

Thanks Steve ...
Maybe there was an amphibious MGA?!
On the plate, there's a fairly big space between the R and the N43071, so I'm not sure if the R and N really go together.

Richard.
Richard Ross

Richard

Did you scroll right to the end of Neil Cairns Engine codes where he says: "The code was to do with rebore/regrind sizes and a job number"?

There certainly were many marine B-series engines, bit usually diesels.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve,
The copy of Cairns book that I'm viewing online doesn't seem to contain the bit you mention:

http://www.mgbexperience.com/article/mgenginehistory.rtf

Sounds interesting. That would certainly make sense ... not sure where to look for direct info on what the actual codes mean though.

Richard.
Richard Ross

Richard

This is the link to the BMC A, B and C engine data:

http://www.magnette.org/technic/codeseng.pdf

Steve
Steve Gyles

Thanks Steve,
I may contact Neil Cairns directly (email contact in the page you sent the link to) to see if he has any key to the job numbers. It would be nice to put a date on it.

Richard.
Richard Ross

Richard:

The suffix 'AA' indicates standard bore and standard crank journals. HTH.

Alex
A. W. Risk

Thanks Alex ... starting to fill in the gaps.
Richard.
Richard Ross

The only people I know who use an RN numbering sequence is Ivor Searle - I guess this is one of their reconned engines - number 43701.

They may be able to give you the history of the rebuild if you quote the number to them.

the 48G 214 AA is just the factory type number AFAIK.
Chris at Octarine Services

Thanks for that Chris ... I'll drop them an e-mail
Richard Ross

Richard:

Sorry for the brevity of my previous post on this subject; time pressed!

BMC supplied Gold Seal B-Series engines in four bore sizes - Standard; then plus 20, plus 30, and plus 40 thou oversize.

The codes indicating these sizes were respectively A, D, F, and H.

Crankshaft sizes supplied were: Standard; then minus 10, minus 20, minus 30 and minus 40 thou undersize.

Codes for these were: A, B, D, F and H.

Code lettering on the engine plate was in the order Bore Size/Oversize, Crank Size/Undersize. The coding system implies that all journals on any one crankshaft were reground to the same undersize. As you will gather, it was perfectly possible to be given an engine linered back to standard bore size and fitted with a new crankshaft. Oversize valve guides were also indicated externally, but I can’t remember how this was done. HTH.

Alex

A. W. Risk

Very helpful Alex. I'm sure there are others who will find this useful too.
Richard.
Richard Ross

About 15 years ago my 1600 came with a 1500 Gold Seal engine, # 8G210 RS 28487. I've since rebuilt and installed a 1600. The 1500 was running quite strong at the time, still sitting under my workbench in case of an emergency. Marvin
Marvin Stuart

Just had an email back from Ivor Searle, which says the following:

"All Ivor Searle engine numbers start with the prefix RS (Reconditioned Searle). I have checked the engine number 43071 just in case the N is an S but this engine number was a completely different engine type."

Marvin - looks like this corresponds with yours - Ivor Searle seem to have fairly good records still - you might want to email them: info at ivorsearle.co.uk .

Looks like I'll need to keep searching - anyone know of other reconditioners whose prefix might have been N ?

Richard.
Richard Ross

Richard

Nuffield?
Navy?!

Steve
Steve Gyles

Ha!
You may prove me wrong yet, Steve, with your Navy theory. It could be the way forward. Watch this space.

Richard.
Richard Ross

You never know. Your engine may once have been a diesel on a Navy tender!

Steve
Steve Gyles

Perhaps I could still qualify for requisitioned fuel?! It would certainly help with the current price of fuel.

R.
Richard Ross

This thread was discussed between 19/04/2006 and 27/04/2006

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This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.