engine colour

[Mario60]

Hi,
Hope evrryone is ok. Can you you advice what was the original colour of the engine of a 1972 B. Mine has a sort of light green finish (resembles a hammerite colour). Thanks and regards
Mario

[Paul Hollingworth]

My 1971 is black and I believe that is the correct colour for an 18GG engine. Is yours an 18GG or an early 18V, in which case I don't know.

[Vic Butler]

18V engines are black. I believe the 18GG was a maroony red colour.
Edit. According to Clausager the 18V engine was introduced in August 1971 from car number 258001. The colour was black. If the engine number is missing the oil filter on an 18V is a canister type mounted upside down behind the alternator. The 18GG has a replaceable element filter also upside down behind the alternator.
The 18GG was the last UK spec 18G series. GH, GJ and GK were North American spec. All 18G engines were red but the shade isn't mentioned. I suspect MG red would be known to specialists who could provide the correct shade.
Mid green engines were found in Austin, Morris Riley and Wolseley cars. MG saloon cars had red engines.
What is the engine number Mario? I've got a book on the B series engine and it gives all the engine numbers ever issued and the type of engine applicable. There were 16V engines fitted to early Sherpa vans.

[Mario60]

Hi
Many thanks for the feedback. Engine number is 18V582-H19011 so I should think that it should be black.

Thanks and regards


Mario

[Vic Butler]

Mario , is there not a letter F before the H? Presume 2 SU HS4 carburettors are fitted. Black is correct.

[Mario60]

Hi
No letter F before the H. Another thing, would the finish be gloss or sort of satin
Thank
Mario

[Vic Butler]

On my engine which has the original paint it's a sort of matt black. I believe the rocker cover was gloss but I can't remember as I had an aluminum one for a very long time.
Any reputable MG supplier should know.
According to my book on the history of the B series engine, 18V582 should have either the letter F or Y after 582 before the H.

[Mario60]

Hi Vic,
you are absolutely right. There is a F after the 582. The engine number i was quoting was from the car log book. However, after your post i checked the plate on the engine block and the correct number is 18V 582F-H19011.

[Vic Butler]

Evening Mario.
That denotes a UK spec high compression engine with an overdrive gearbox and 2 SU HS4 carburettors.

[Paul Hollingworth]

Sorry to contradict you Vic, but my GHN5 car has a 18GG engine and its BLACK. It also has a canister type oil filter, 25D distributor and HS4 carbs. According to the Moss catalogue MGB engines were black from 1970 - 79 and maroon before then. I've only owned the car for 20 years but I'm sure its the original engine which had never been re-built (pistons and crank standard size, camshaft worn out) so why would the colour have been changed. Anyway there is no evidence of that.