Austin Marina Engine

If you need an Austin Marina engine, then look no further. We aim to have the largest stock of new, used and reconditioned engines anywhere in the UK. All our Austin Marina Engines are 100% fully tested and guaranteed, and are ready for immediate free dispatch worldwide. Our prices are amongst the cheapest nationwide, call us today get a free, no obligation quote on your required engine.

About the Austin Marina Engine

The Austin 1800 gained some modifications but by 1970 the machines that made the Marina MG b engines were very old, and worn. The Marina MG b engine and 1800 engine were soon to have another saloon stable mate, and it would use a similar engine. The investment in the new machines to produce the engine for the new ‘Morris Marina 1.8’ also meant the Marina MG b engine could gain useful savings and longer life, with the larger production. To some people comparing a Marina MG b engine sports car, to a Morris Marina saloon, is as like an airship to a railway engine.

The Marina MG b engine and Marina engines were not initially produced to the same specifications, and there were some important differences. On introduction in April 1971, the Marina 1.8 had a 1798cc BMC 'B' series engine, but with a Triumph gearbox. There were quite a number of variations of the Morris Marina, some used a 1098cc 'A' series, (the 1.1 van,) others the 1275cc 'A' series, (Marina 1.3.) Top of the range models used either a single carb 1798cc ‘18V’ engine, or a twin SU carb 1798cc ‘18V’ engine. Most 18V engines have the casting number '12H3503'. It was virtually identical, with the same power and torque.

The Marina MG b engine used its own engine until October 1971, when the Marina ‘18V’ cylinder block was fed into the production line. The Marina cylinder head '12H4735' differed from the Marina MG b engine’s 'pre-1970 '12H1326', and the 1970 to 1975 ‘12H2708’, in its oil feed to the rockers. The core had been modified in the internal cooling of the exhaust valve seats, requiring the oil drilling to be moved, or it broke through. This meant the rocker pillar that led the oil up to the hollow rocker shaft has an off-set oil feed. There is a little foot cast on the base of the pillar; fitting the normal early Marina MG b engine one will mean the oil feed is cut off. By October 1975 the Marina MG b engine was using the same cylinder head, so only earlier engines need the correct pillar. Valves and porting were identical on cylinder heads, even the single valve springs and the 1.562 dia. inlet valve.

Back in 1970, with the fitting of a larger inlet valve of 1.625", and the necessary offsetting of the combustion chamber to the cylinder bore, the 18V blocks had to have a small 'scallop' cut out to clear the valves’ head. The Marina MG b engine was using a ‘12H2708’ head casting at that time. Not only the Marina MG b engine and Marina used the 18V block, so did the 1798cc Sherpa van, in both petrol and diesel form. The Austin 1800 used the 18H version, as it is front wheel driven. ('V' means vertical as in rear wheel drive, 'H' means horizontal as in front wheel drive, as seen on the blue-print.)

So rear engine plates are different, as are flywheels and clutches. This includes the spigot bearing in the rear of the crankshaft; the Marina MG b engine’s is much larger. Conversely the Marina's flywheel is massive, seen in the huge bell-housing. The front of the Marina MG b engine is supported on the front engine plate. The Marina is supported on mountings bolted centrally to each side of the cylinder block. So front plates are different, BUT the Marina MG b engine front and rear engine plate will easily bolt to the Marina block. The cylinder blocks are the same casting, with the same bolt drillings. The Marina used a single row timing chain in all its applications. The Marina MG b engine uses a twin-row, much stronger chain with suitable sprockets.

The Austin 1800 18H engine could be used in either the Morris or M.G. application, but there is no pressed steel sump, or oil pump pick up. The oil is picked up via a drilling in the Austin's gearbox casting. Worth looking for is the later Austin 1800S engine, the cylinder head is better than the Marina MG b engines, with a shallow combustion chamber giving a higher compression, and bigger inlet valves. The Marina was sold in the USA as an Austin Marina, Morris being an unknown make there. The export 1.8TC version went through the same federalisation as the poor Marina MG b engine had to, and lost just as much power.

Having gone this far, Marina MG b engine owners may look out for a cheap Marina unit. The carburettors on the Marina 1800TC are identical to the Marina MG b engine, as are the manifolds. A few hours with a spanner swapping bits over, some red paint and a cheap Marina MG b engine is the result you think?

Alas, not quite. The Marina was a cheap family saloon. Costs were kept down on all items, one of which is the Marina's crankshaft, in both the 1275cc and 1798cc engines. They are not strong forged EN16 carbon steel as in the M.G.s. They are flow-cast, spherical graphite cast iron; not as strong, but half the price. Just to look at them shows they are castings, not forgings, by inspecting the surface finish. So beware of what seems to be a gift horse, you must look into its mouth, or its sump in this case. Externally it is hard to see the difference, especially if the end plates and mountings have been removed from the block sides. A yellow plastic multi-blade fan is a Marina item. If you are tempted to use a Marina block, ensure you fit the mounting bolts, as sometimes the drilling breaks through into the crankcase, and you end up with a super oil leak. The bread and butter single-carb Marina 1.8 has the soft saloon camshaft as well, but the 1800TC uses the better Marina MG b engine cam.

Morris Marina engines certainly did not power any airships, but they did move millions of saloon cars.

What next?

Now that you’ve decided you need an Austin Marina engine, fill in your car details on ‘Quick Find’ this will walk you through our car part check list for the correct engine or any other car part that you require.

The Austin Marina engines are obtainable at enginesandgearboxes.co.uk as new, used, reconditioned or second-hand and are 100% guaranteed. Find Bargain prices on quality low mileage engines or call *0905 232 0099 and get free shipping today.