Help identifying this engine

[Richard Farrant]

Bob,

BMC (British Motor Corporation) engines were generally from the parentage of Austin or Morris. If this engine has a crank handle facility, then that dates it back a bit. From what you say it is on a frame with radiator, so sounds like a power unit for something other than a vehicle. You also said that it had "BMC" on the valve covers (plural), was that a slip, or does it have separate valve covers? If so then doubtful it is BMC as above, also being "made in Belgium" does not sound like the above. A picture will speak a thousand words, so awaiting it eagerly!

Richard

[Bob Brown]

SAM_1260.jpg SAM_1262.jpg SAM_1266.jpg SAM_1267.jpg SAM_1268.jpg

[Bob Brown]

SAM_1269.jpg

Was mounted on two narrow chassis rails.

Most of the plates are unreadable.

[Matthew Reid]

It is a BMC A series engine. Most commonly used in the Austin Mini.
This one is likly from a rear drive application such as an Austin Healy as it does not have the sump mounted gear box.
BMC owned a plant in Belgium that made cars and engines.
The OD green is a factory painted colour on these engines.

More info on the A series here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMC_A-Series_engine

and here

http://www.aronline.co.uk/index.htm?engineaseriesf.htm

Hope this helps

Matthew

[Bob Brown]

We were right out to lunch with the military green paint on the engine.

Thanks for all the research guys. VERY good job!

Now I got it have to do something with it.

Thanks again

Bob

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Isn't it an Austin engine as it has a Solex carb? Not a Morris with SU? Not an A-H twin-carb, so ... A35/A40? Or an industrial engine?

[Matthew Reid]

I would lean to an Industrial Engine that came over on some piece of equipment. I have my doubts that it came from a car being in a Belgium produced engine it it would have been in a Belgian produced vehicle and would have not qualified for the Commonweath Import Tariff exemptions.
That was the only reason we got a flood of those less than suitable (for Canadian conditions) Brit made vehicles here in the 50's 60's and early 70's.
For the most part they were never designed for use in the likes of Canada and it showed.


Matthew