Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi David, I've just put a 4.55 diff in my 803cc (replacing the 5.375). In all honesty it's made very little difference. 3rd gear becomes more usable and the revs drop slightly, you may get another 3 mph or 4 mph more when cruising along but not much more. I'm debating whether the 4.22 diff would hav...

I have an 803cc engine and it copes with hills pretty well. I did notice a big difference when I changed from the Zenith to an SU carb. I've got a diff from a 948cc which I believe will make it a little quicker in top but for the sake of keeping the origional engine I'm quite happy with the performa...

Thanks all, should I soak the new chain in engine oil before fitting?

I'm putting a new timing chain on my car and am wondering whether the gasket on the cover needs sealing or putting on dry? If so do you put it on one side of the gasket or both?

Thanks Alex / Anne, but should it be heat resistant paint for areas like the insides of the wings etc. ?

My engine bay (and some components) are looking a bit dull and dirty so I want to paint them. I've got some radiator paint in a spray - this be OK for the radiator / air filter / heater. But when it comes to painting the bay itself like above the arches / battery tray holder and so on does it have t...

Probably a long shot, but has anyone here got (or knows someone with) a pit or a drive on ramp they would possibly let me use for an hour or so one day? I need to paint the underneath of my car and I can't get at it properly on the little ramps I have. I'm based just outside Derby but could travel a...

Thanks, when I took the old gasket off it was a strange "oval" shape around that stud that it was leaking from. Not uch but just enough to let oil run. Now if its dry in the morning and there are no drips I'll be happy

I've just been for a drive in it - no leak when I parked up. Just checked again and it's dry as a bone around the sideplate. Fingers crossed the problem has been solved! Many thanks to you all for your help.

Well I managed to get a new gasket made and put it in yesterday. It was getting late so I topped the gearbox oil up and left it. I'll take it for a spin tonight and see if leaks when it's warm

Looking good - those back seats are in nice bright condition.

You could check the gearbox oil and take it from there. On the A30 I bought I had much the same problem and when I checked the oil was empty!

I have some blue hylomar Alex - would you coat the studs in it as well?

No it's definatly there. Every problem I have seems strange or un-common with this car haha. I will post my progress when I try the next step.

Thanks Alex. Just been looking at how to do that - doesn't seem too difficult, I should be able to do it without taking the gearbox out I think. I'll see how that goes - can't think of anything else so hoefully that will sort it.
Simon

Well I got two new studs and fitted them today. I nipped them up, went for a drive and it was still dripping. Then I gave them a slight 'nip' more and went for another drive - put some wood under and after 2 minutes of being back there were drips again. I'm completely stumped now - what else could i...

Hi Alex, I tried that - the bolt from a "good" seal is the same length as the one that's leaking and again just turns with no resistance. I'm putting faith into a longer bolt and hoping that I can pick up some unused thread right at the end. I've managed to find some and they should be her...

I went under it last night - had lost a lot of oil. After getting the car on a ramp, it is indeed a bolt. The threads on the bolt look fine so unfortunatly it must be the threads in the casing. The only good thing is that the bolt isn't long enough to go right down to the bottom of the hole. If I ca...

Thanks for the help - hopefully it is the stud. Bull Motif put me onto someone who does their gearboxes and he's sending me new stud. I'll have a look tonight to see which thread has actually gone and report back. (fingers crossed its the stud)

Thanks for that. When you get up close it does seem to be studs with a spring washer and nut on the end. The only worry is whether the threads on the stud or gearbox casing are the culprit. I went under the car and watched it for ages and saw the drip form and fall from that spot (in the photo) - on...