850's in my Woody and pick-up and the 850 will go back in my van. All I can say is 0 to 50, same day, 0 to 60, maybe!!!!!

850's rule---bullet proof as said above. A great fun drive you can beat the poor little bugger into the ground go out in the morning it'll crank right up and be ready for more.

WildT

The important things in life aren't things 

I really enjoyed having an 850, quite hard to beat for durability and they run even better with twin HS2's (ala Austrailian 850 sport), light flywheel and a stage 1 kit.  Go for it; you can always give it away later on.

Greetings Once Again Fellow Mini Enthusiasts!

        I already put my two cents in on this topic, but reading about the Mokes with the 850's brings back memories!!! To think that I owned 3 Classic Minis at one time, a 1967 Austin Mini Countryman Woody Estate- (Cooper powered), a 1961 Austin Mini Cooper, (Cooper powered), and a 1966 Austin Mini Moke, (all original 850). I also owned a late American made vehicle, as another form of transportation. One exceptionally nasty winter morning in the Pacific Northwest, it was 15 degrees F outside. Everything was frozen SOLID! I needed to get to work. None of my cars would start that morning, but one sweet little Moke rose to the occassion!!! I just happened to have all the side curtains for it, (already on). It had a little makeshift heater in it, and I bundled up like a polar bear. That little 850 started with nary a half turn of the ignition key! The original 'pizza cutter' tires stuck to the ice like glue! It was a facinating adventure the trip to work that morning! Not even half of the work crew was able to make it in. Me and my Moke! What a team we were! I'll never forget that. I think it was probably the most fun I ever had in a Mini! 850's RULE!!!                                                                                                Mini Estate

In the 60's and 70's Don Sobering and I had many 850's. I remember tucking in behind semi's to catch a draft on long trips. When we read about people longing for big motors ,we get such a giggle. This winter we will have finished our big motors(1293 8 port- 1380 twin cam) The next project is to rebuild Don's 64 mini ,which he has a brand new 850 motor, waiting to go in. We look forward to rolling down the road in a meak and mild mini again. No ear plugs!  Reese fish carb ,real minilights and S disks and a stock 850.  sweet.

Bob just did over 6,000 miles in his 850 Moke, no problems mechanically!!!

Check here http://www.minimania.com/web/startreturn/41/MaxReturn/40/StartPage/1/threadid/92231/InfoID/1/msgthread.cfm

They sure seem bullet proof.

       

Kristina

The first time I drove an 850 in a moke it spun the wheels, I would venture to say an 850 in a moke is like a 998 in a saloon.

peter

No more cars left, Westpaminis is now just a memory, Good luck to all those hard working dealers left out there, We can tell you its not easy. We have fully enjoyed meeting all the fine folks we have in the business.

My 63 wagon is still running with its original 850,single carb and straw sized exhaust.I have two 1275 motors on the bench that I have held in reserve for the day I decide to change it out.Problem is everytime I drive it I think what a smooth running motor.It serves me well and I can't bring myself to pull it.Of course I do have a 1275 in the S for the "speed" runs.

 

www.caninecollective.org looking for a dog go to a rescue!

Our little "Muffin" started out as an 850. I ran it that way for 3.5 years. My intent was to freshen it up, but along came this Cooper 998 at a real decent price that was already rebuilt. The 850 had no real problems execpt for some oil leaks (imagine that) Performance with the 850 was OK but the 998 is better. I did however make the 998 look just like the stock 850 that it replaced.... all nicely detailed of course. I don't regret what I did because I stayed in the small bore engine family and it was the next step as far as upgrades go.

Mark

"That's the story of my life....no respect".

Drove mine in late 70s in Santa Monica/LA, even on the freeway with a sick engine slowly blowing a head gasket. Going wasn't the problem if you use some revs, but stopping was another story. Scary.

Car had leaking single leading shoe brakes. I've heard even when working correctly they suck. But switch to twin leading shoes and they are better than early disc brakes if taken care of.

I'm putting in 998.

Opinions I express here do not reflect my wife's.

Greetings Comrades!

Oh the many wonders of the simple original design of the 848cc A Series Engine!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bless you Sir Alec!!! Why mess with perfection?!!! So here you have it... I own a completely original 1962 Austin Seven Mini Countryman Woody Estate with a genuine extremely well documented 36,000 miles from new. Turning the key, and then with the ever so slightest push to the floor mounted starter button, the sweet little 850 purrs to life. Durable, dependable, 45 plus miles per gallon of pure driving satisfaction! Yes the steep hills are unforgiving, but who's looking at the glass half empty??? If you go back the way you came, you can make up some time on the downhill run!, (glass half full!). These little engines are virtually bulletproof! I hate the 'Energizer Bunny' commercials, but really, the standard Mini 850's do just keep going and going and going. I've owned just as many Cooper powered Minis as I have stock 848's, (about six of each). They both have their perks to be sure, but as a Mini "purist", I find my greatest satisfaction is derived from driving one of the old original crumpets! Mini Estate

.S. I will attempt to attach an early advert of a MKI Mini Estate with this message. It shows the wagon busting through a 54mpg banner!!! You go Mr. Bishop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But Mur, California highways are signed 55 mph or 88 km/h for trucks and vehicles towing.  Are you saying that I was overly cautious at "87 km/h or so"??

Never driven an 848cc powered Mini...maybe someday I'll get a chance.

About the 1380 and 2.95:1 FD - I found that, with the trailer and a heavy load (didn't weigh it but I'm sure was over 2,500 lbs.), it was better to hit the steeper ascents on Oregon hills at 70 mph or so to carry that speed in 4th over the top.  Fortunately I was not noticed doing this by the highway patrol.

Mini friends!  Mini rides!

Restored/modified Mini 1000 with 1380cc power unit, 2.95:1 FD, adj. suspension, S discs/drums, 10x5 Minilites, 165x70 A008s, custom trim and matching custom trailer.

850 cc.

M.

My mind's made up - don't bother me with facts!

 

 

  

       

Kristina

My father's gripe about 850s was that he would forget that the car would need gas from time to time and then he would run out every three weeks.  He was on braces from breaking his spine and was never too keen on leisurely walks.

Lets be fair, people are now snatching up these power units to upgrade early CRX Hondas.  Does that not say enough?

I've never actually had an 850 of my own, but after seeing Hunter2's 1380 car do 87 km/h or so on California's highway 99, I'd think that almost any 850 would keep up with that.

I have a stock 850 except for a central oil pickup and a ported, polished and skimmed 12G185 head.  The head is a nice bolt on power gain (noticeable, I have heard 5-7 hp which is significant when starting with 34!).  I have to admit, I rev the sh*t out of it regularly and it seems to hang on well.

Bob

What BMW, a 318i?

No one is poo pooing 850, but the OP asked the question and deserves a truthful answer.

We all know that 850s are not poo poo, they work and well, but they are not 1275.

I race a BMW on the track, so you can understand I come from a background with some actual power under my foot. I actually am pretty happy with my 850 and get tired of people poo-pooing them. I just did a 3 day weekend in the Poconos, 3 hrs a day driving with 2 people and a weekend of luggage (boot packed!). Even on I-81 I could climb all the hills at a steady 55 mph in fourth gear. I think I had to downshift for hills on maybe 2 or 3 two lane roads all weekend. I feel the power is plenty adequate. No, it won't win any acceleration runs, but it is plenty competent for 'driving'. The durability and thriftiness are added benefits compared to the higher strung big bore examples. I have a 1098 in the shop that I hope to install someday, but frankly, I'm in no hurry. Another plus is people will GIVE you 850 parts.

850-less for the first time in decades having sold my last one in February. As indicated, good for slower speed (60 and under) driving in more level areas. 998 a better option and will get better fuel mileage, usually. An 850 is just enough underpowered in today's driving climate that one has to pedal it hard even to keep out of the way when the stop lights turn green. Good fit for the right driving conditions.

I drive an 850. In some ways it's more fun to drive than an 1275 because you have to plan ahead to keep up momentum. You learn to stay off the brake if it's at all possible. No problem on the freeway, but I do generally keep it under 65.

One of the things that usually gives 850s a bad name is that most of them are almost completely worn out. No one ever rebuilds them and they tend to almost never fail completely. My 850 is an ex Ministry of Defense spare and doesn't have very many miles on it. I barely have to touch the key to get it to start on a warm day. The 850 will never be great off the line but once moving it can be surprisingly quick.

850s are great if you're more interested in driving than being slammed back in your seat.

Cheers,

Kelley

"If you can afford the car, you can afford the manual..."