On Next week I will do a long trip with my 1969 MM convertip

[carlosramalho]

Hi All,
I'm planning on NeXT Monday to drive around 320 kms to reach Albufeira beach in Portugal south, so tomorrow I will change the oils, and só one...
And on the following Friday August 26, back to home more 320 kms. i hope All will be ok!
I will keep you posted about my round trip!
Cheers
Carlos

[Dominic]

I'm sure it'll be perfectly OK - enjoy the journey!
I used to regularly do trips of around 1000km spread over 2 days when my daughter was at university. Only time I had a problem was when an exhaust valve failed on a newly reconditioned cylinder head - even so it allowed me to complete the journey (another 600km!) albeit with appallingly slow acceleration and rather a lot of noise!

[Peetee]

Have faith.
My experience suggests that if you are pessimistic your Minor will sense it and react negatively.

[carlosramalho]

This car came from Bristol to Portugal with me by road 3 years ago without problems! And after 48 hrs, we are át. Home safe,

[bmcecosse]

Much better beach at Alvor........ I'll be there in September! Before a trip like that I suggest you check and reset the valve clearances - 12 thou (0.3mm) for the inlets and 15 thou ( 0.375mm) for the exhausts. The problem with the burned exhaust valve mentioned above was almost certainly caused by incorrect gap setting. Good luck with the trip!

[carlosramalho]

Much better beach at Alvor........ I'll be there in September! Before a trip like that I suggest you check and reset the valve clearances - 12 thou (0.3mm) for the inlets and 15 thou ( 0.375mm) for the exhausts. The problem with the burned exhaust valve mentioned above was almost certainly caused by incorrect gap setting. Good luck with the trip!

Hi Roy,
I can see that you know very well the Algarve's beachs!
Thanks for your advises! And have a Nice stay in Portugal
Cheers
Carlos

[Dominic]

The problem with the burned exhaust valve mentioned above was almost certainly caused by incorrect gap setting.

Indeed it was not Roy - it turned out to be no.3 cylinder having deep scallops to the bore low down, allowing excess oil to carbonise on the exhaust valve. So much for a "newly reconditioned" engine I bought off ebay. Newly painted more like.... The gaps were set to 12 & 15 thou as per your advice. The majority of the valve fitted perfectly however - just a slice out of the pie missing! Still got the valve knocking about somewhere.....

[theminorsite]

Have faith.
My experience suggests that if you are pessimistic your Minor will sense it and react negatively.

True dat! 'Er indoors hated my old Traveller and it would always have issues whenever she used it. The bloke who has it now has no problems with it at all, apart from the one day he told it they were coming to visit me and the wife!

[carlosramalho]

Left Lisbon around 12,30 hrs, arrived at Sta. Eulalia (Albufeira),around 15,15 hrs, perfect jorney, the weather is also perfect!
Cheers
Carlos

[chickenjohn]

Great! I drove to Scotland and Back in my convertible at the start of July and the car ran perfectly.

Minors can do long journeys as long as you don't thrash them- indicated 60-65mph is plenty.

[bmcecosse]

Well done Carlos - enjoy that holiday!
And - re the 'newly rebuilt' engine - I took that at face value, as you obviously did too. Oh dear.....

[carlosramalho]

Hi All,
Just keep you posted, Just arrived from my small hollidays at Albufeira(Sta. eulalia), the car was suberb, no oil or water consumation! It was so perfect, that wife for the first time gave to him a Nice words!
We get part of the trip with around 40c temperature!
That's all.
Cheers
Carlos