Triumph Repair: Spitfire Engines, mini coopers, cooper engine

Question
Jim-  I am also restoring a 1971 Spitfire that has a frozen engine.  Is there another type of engine like a mini cooper engine that will work or should i just find another Spitfire engine?  Also how do you tell if it is a 1500 or not?  
Thanks, Ross

Answer
Ross,

The only non-Spitfire engine that is a direct drop in for the Spitfire engine is.... an MG Midget 1500 (1975-1980).  Then again... it's really a Spitfire 1500.  :D

The Triumph 1500s all had engine numbers starting with "FM".  

Otherwise there are no "simple" swaps.  All of the Mini Coopers (both classic and modern) are front wheel drive setups and not adaptable to the Spitfire without major mods.  I have seen everything else from Mazda rotoraries to Ford V8s dropped into the Spitfire.... it's all a question of your metal working skills.

It's not hard (or expensive) to find the rebuild parts for the 1296 currently in your Spitfire.  

Cheers,

Jim