Update and Closure of my Morris Engine "Refresh"

Post by **MattRuch** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 2:57 pm

Thanks to all who assisted me- Andy, Kevin, Charlie, Rich, Roy (hope I\'ve not left anyone out)!

I do feel like I was a bit high maintenance with this project, so I want to give closure to this so that all that helped might feel it was worth their time.

This is the biggest engine project I\'ve undertaken to date.

Removed the engine.
Cylinder head skim, new valves, new seats and guides with an unleaded conversion (all machining done by Damico in East Harling)
New connecting rod bearings and piston rings
New clutch assembly
Distributor sent to Jeff Schlemmer in America for a full rebuild.
New gaskets (including a Payen head gasket-well, two of them, technically)
New fasteners, or restored fasteners throughout
New motor mounts.
Carb disassembled and cleaned
Re-installed the engine and it runs!

I took the Moggie out for her first drive yesterday, although without the bonnet and front bumper installed. It runs very nicely.

Since that run I\'ve bolted it all back together.

Some lessons learned:
The stupid metal bypass hose must be put on the head before you torque down the head.
Same thing applies to the engine steady bracket.
Look in the parts washer for any bits that you are missing (it\'s not always the gremlins hiding things).
Remember to lap the valves before you bolt the cylinder head down.
Don\'t throw anything away until you have it all sorted and running (metal plate for oil filter is a good example)

Notes: I have no shame in admitting my foibles, but with the help of you lads here, I\'m pretty confident that this old girl will continue to run a long time. In spite of the steep learning curve, this was a very enjoyable experience.

I did, in fact, use a second new Payen head gasket-if you recall I posed a question about that.

I did not install a spin-on oil filter conversion.

Steve at DSN Classics, AT Johnson in Downham Market, Russell and Howard at the MG Mecca and Andrew at Damico were great sources of parts and assistance.

Thanks again to all that helped!

M
 [img:a0498eb645]http://mmoc.org.uk/mbimage.php?src=1232895387_[/img:a0498eb645]

Post by **MattRuch** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 2:58 pm

Engine

Post by **MattRuch** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 3:00 pm

And this is after the drive and a quick wash of the three months of dust that the car accumulated.

Post by **PSL184** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 7:24 pm

Well done Matt - It's a great feeling.....

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 7:33 pm

I hate to think what the trip to America cost for that dizzy rebuild ! Why did you do that ?? Is it anything special ? Well done indeed getting it all back together again!

Post by **Kevin** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:54 pm

Great stuff Matt makes all the hard work worthwhile and well before the start of the Rally season, wish I could still get the enthusiasm going during the colder months to get things done.

Post by **MattRuch** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:27 am

Jeff Schlemmer operates Advanced Distributors and I sent the dissy to him via the US Postal Service. His site is certainly worth a look.

http://advanceddistributors.com/

Please note the one visible heater and the dehumidifier in my garage, Kevin. It's the only way I could have done this project!

Post by **Longdog** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 3:43 pm

Hi Matt pleased to see such a handsome mog and shiny engine returned to the road, complete with special bypass hose of course

,Andy

Post by **MattRuch** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 5:09 pm

Ubet Andy-I know that blue hose will give me a few more miles per gallon as well!

Post by **PSL184** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 5:11 pm

and make you go faster as the air will "slip" over the silicon alot quicker than rubber

Post by **MattRuch** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 5:31 pm

Well...I didn't think about that...certainly that will also add another 3 hp at the rear wheel. Maybe I'll need wider tyres to cope with the added power of that blue hose.

Post by **nslocomotive2** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 8:56 pm

Matt

wow, that is a nice shiny engine, I want to do mine, but as i'm driving it, I dare not take it to bits (my engine seams to hold oil like a sive), well done. And I haven't forgotten about your offer when it comes to my trunions. ;-)

Post by **Longdog** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 6:49 am

Actually the hose is good for about 4 bhp.I can verify this as I had my car dyno'd before and after fitment.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 12:36 pm

Can't see the benefit from the fancy dizzy on a standard engine - exactly what did he do to it - did he modify the advance curve in any way ?

Post by **MattRuch** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:07 pm

Nigel-are you still working on the motivation to sort those trunnions?

No kidding, Andy...4 hp? It only felt like 3 to me! Maybe when the motor is properly broken in I'll realise the additional power.

Roy-I don't know if I'd call it "fancy"...the 40 year old distributor was rebuilt and recurved and the non-functioning vacuum advance was rebuilt. It was given a satin finish and had a new-style non-carbon rotor installed. It cost 127 USD (including shipping). Well, okay...I'll concede that it's "pretty"!

I don't know how the curve was modified, but if you are interested, I can find out.

Post by **MattRuch** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:20 pm

By the way...
I'm going to the states this weekend for a short bit and am going to Sears (the home of Craftsman Tools) and pick up a few tools. If any of you want me to pick something up (within reason...I can't bring home a big new shiny toolbox!) make sure you tell me before Friday.

www.sears.com is the website. They make a brilliant torque wrench and their "professional" finish wrenches are (in my opinion) as good as Matco or Snap-On.

Anyway, let me know by Friday and I'll see what I can do.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 2:27 pm

It would certainly be interesting to know the curve! Seems a lot for a dizzy for a standard engine - but - it's your engine !

Post by **Longdog** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:23 pm

If she runs smooth and sweet you cant put a price on that

I'll wager that the distributor was washed in angels tears so that would make the rebuild exceptional value.

Post by **MattRuch** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:53 pm

Right...Angel Tears...Nice one!

And it is NOT a standard engine-this is a Sillicone Enhanced Uprated Version.

Post by **Longdog** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:27 pm

Of course, you need that extra 1 degree advance at 2500 rpm to take into account the way she cuts through the air.You have probably lowered the drag by a point or two.