Converting back to original engine + gearbox

Post by **MaltaMM** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:30 am

Hi All,

I am new to this forum. I am an old car fanatic based in Malta, with my main interest being Morris and Austin models. I have a 1967 Morris Minor pick-up with the Maltese style box and a 1952 Morris Minor series MM.

Over the years my MM was fitted with a 1275cc Marina engine mated to a Morris 1000 gearbox. Although this set up has made the car very useable, I am toying with the idea of converting it back to its original engine and gearbox (When I find them that is!). I have obtained a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate for my vehicle and found out that it was originally fitted with the USHM3 sidevalve engine.

The Marina conversion was done some years back by a previous owner. Can anyone tell me what the converion back to originality would involve. Do you think that (apart from the floor where the gearlever protrudes) the body / chassis was modified in any way for the conversion and what should I look out for? I would appreciate any comments which would help me to bring my car back to original specification and also any leads to finding an original USHM3 engine and gearbox.

Thanks in advance,
Kind Regards,
Stu.

Thu Jul 09, 2009 12:28 pm

Hello Stu

welcome aboard... there seems to be a growing band of drives from Malta here, maybe time for a web rally in Malta?

anyway onto your questions..

your radiator will have more than likely been changed in the conversion and this will probably have involved removing some metal from the mounting panel.

The coil will be mounted on the bodywork somewhere and i think this will probably be mounted on the engine\dynamo on the side valve.

The engine mounts might also have been moved.. i do not know where the side valve engine mounts are so you might have no worries with this.

apart from that i can not think of any other difference..

Do you know what rear axle you are running? if you are changing back to a side valve and you have a later axle it could end up badly geared.. no doubt some one else will be along in a minute to correct me on this one

Post by **MaltaMM** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 1:00 pm

Thanks for your interesting reply.

My MM is still fitted with its original rear axle but come to think of it I believe that since the gearbox has been changed, most probably the propshaft has also been changed or modified. I had overlooked that!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 1:04 pm

Welcome to the forum! I suspect your biggest challenge will be finding a side-valve engine and gearbox - or they common in Malta ?

Post by **rayofleamington** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 4:02 pm

I had/have a piece of floor section that was cut out from a SII floor to fit a Minor 1000 gearbox and bigger cover plate.
I also have a cover plate from the SII.

If the floor cut out is any use, you're welcome to it! I hope I can still find it...

As far as I know, the only other likely modifications could be the engine mounting towers (bolt on) and some modifications to the handbrake (SII handbrake clashes with Minor 1000 gearlever so I presume it will be the same onthe MM).

Post by **mike.perry** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 9:42 pm

I have replied to this on the Series MM website

Post by **Dean** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 9:58 pm

email Tim on sales@japaneazicarparts.co.uk

He was breaking a 1952 series MM and was asking for the engine weight recently.

He just may still have it?

Post by **MaltaMM** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:44 pm

Hi All,

Thank you for your replies, I am now even more determined to bring my MM to original spec, that is if I manage to find an original engine and gearbox!

Stu.