If I walk up to a Mini and look at the engine. How can I tell which engine it is?? Are there physical differences between the 850, 998, and 1275??? Or do I just take the word of the owner??

 

Try this at Minimania.com: http://www.minimania.com/ArticleV.cfm?DisplayID=1837

 

Thanks for the link!! Alot of useful information there!

The problem with the website though, is if I am at someone's house looking at a Mini to buy, I can't just pop up the website and answer all of the questions. Is there major diffences that could be seen by the naked eye and not have to answer the dozen questions that the website asks???

 

What you could do, and I started to do, was to "diagram" the various decision paths in the online flow chart. Some of the variables (# of head bolts, tappet covers, etc.) are pretty obvious, as is the engine plate, which may be the only sure fire way, assuming the block has one. Then when you look at the Mini in question, either take all your notes with you or take pictures. I may get an argument on this, but as important as the engine size is the actual year of the car. With the Mr. Potato Head personality of the Mini as well as the possibilities of re-VINning, you need to know what the car actually is, if only so you'll know what vintage parts to buy after you've bought the car. Plan on spending a lot of time verifying the vintage of the car, the size of the engine, the rust issues, etc.
See this article also, if you havent already: http://www.minimania.com/ArticleV.cfm?DisplayID=1801