Thanks Kevin - first lot too thick - and second look to be loose fitting. I'm sure i will get something in Poundland when the evil day for the current supply to run out arrives! Dunno why - but we tried the yellow ones at work (uber dry environment - everyone had to wear hand protection and masks to keep moisture from the highly flammable product) and the girls complained of itching hands - exactly the same gloves except for colour - so we had to go back to pink which were on longer delivery! At day end most put gloves in bin - I brought mine home for 'recycling'.
Just let you know that I managed to remove both centre main bearing shells from beneath. The lower one drops out in the main bearing cap of course, and the upper one above the crank I got out by inserting a split in into the oil drilling the the bearing itself, with the pin tangs folded out close to the bearing surface so they were within the thickness of the shell. By rotating the crankshaft the upper shell was neatly pushed out. Inserting the new one was the reverse. I couldn't get the rear main bearing cap off - it seems to protrude thro' the plate between the crankcase and flywheel.
But nonetheless with your encouragement I've replaced the bigend and centre main bearing shells.
The upper centre mainbearing shell was in good condition, by the way, even though the lower shell was through to the bronze.
Am now putting head back on. Thanks to all, MikeN.
Morris Minor, the car of the future. One day they will all look like this!
Ahhh - thanks for the update - I had forgotten about the rear plate being in the way - most of the time I work with Minis which of course don't have that plate. But it was worth changing that worn shell - and the spares will be handy first time the engine is out of the car