1963 Morris in Florida

[gyro]

My first Morris arrived today. She's not in bad shape and got a few spare parts in the deal. Will keep you posted as i work on her over the next few months. I feel like a kid on Christmas day. [frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

[fussyoldfart]

Greetings Gyro from another North American Minor owner. That looks like a very respectable car to start on, I know you will have a lot of fun with it. The members of MMOC are very helpful to us here in the Colonies I'm up in Canada, just across the river from Buffalo NY. What part of Florida do you live in? (We may decide to spend part of the winter there.)

Darrell

[gyro]

Were in Punta Gorda, south of tampa. Came down from Buffalo years ago.
After cleaning out the homes of a few rodent friends, i've found that they have eaten through some of the wires. Starting her up may be several days away. Ordered shop manuals, etc..

[davidmiles]

welcome Gyro, great to see another yank Moggie in the resto section. Like those tyres, very Americana

[fussyoldfart]

Were in Punta Gorda, south of tampa. Came down from Buffalo years ago.
After cleaning out the homes of a few rodent friends, i've found that they have eaten through some of the wires. Starting her up may be several days away. Ordered shop manuals, etc..

You will get a lot more satisfaction out of fitting a new wiring loom (harness) than trying to repair the damage caused by mice and age. UK suppliers have a bewildering array of these, it will take you a while to sort out the one you need but a couple hundred dollars is easy to justify compared to hours and hours trying to find the open and shorted circuits.

Also, there's a very useful copy of the shop manual available (free) as a PDF. You can print out the page(s) you need and keep your book clean.

Darrell

[Fingolfin]

Yay, another American owner! A pleasure to see you here, Gyro, and that's a beautiful Minor. Any way I can be of service, just let me know.

[gyro]

Parts List Needed (as of Oct 18)
Wiring loom
Glove box liners ( both )
Right wing window Bracket
2x Inside Door Handles
2x Window Handles
Side window rubber ( dried out and cracking)
Complete Heater / defroster ( someone removed everything )
Rear signal lens
Complete Interior

Striped out interior, getting ready to media blast entire body.
It's like a car model only bigger.

[gyro]

after pulling out carpet (last thing) i found 2 small rust holes, so now welder is involved. Should put me off a few weeks. Dang salt air and carpet....

[gyro]

During media blasting have found several more holes, ordered a full pan. When will the madness end?

[irmscher]

It doesnt Giro it just gets Worse

[ignatzcatz]

Why do you want a heater in Florida? I would have thought a good A/C set up more use, although I remember driving a four cylinder car in Florida, when I put the A/C on max the poor little thing slowed up 15 mph and did'nt want to go up hills which was just as well cos y'aint got too many of them.

[gyro]

while stripping maggi, i found the worst thing. no not rust. Body filler. and lots of it. slowly removing it, rust underneath.

[Fingolfin]

Ah, tough luck there...three of the worst surprises when I was stripping down Mog:

• 1. There was a metal patch that was glued on to its spot rather than welded, and it was in a structural area;
  2. The front end of the driver's side sill had rotted and someone had squirted foam insulation in to "stop" it;
  3. Rather than repair the rusted-through floorpan properly, someone had riveted flat sheet over the old floor.

Some people simply do not know how to repair things -- and don't bother to learn.

[vwesch]

Post some pics as you go along. I love to see others work in progress. I am in Illinois so I dont get to see alot of other U.S. spec cars. If you need pics or measurments or whatever,please dont be affraid to ask.
Remember; This is supposed to be fun.Dont let a little rust ruin it.

[gyro]

Got the new floor pan, just sitting in place as of now. 85% stripped down.[frame][/frame]
Not sure if you can see this, but they bodyfilled around the headlamp and turn indicator, about 3 mm thick.
[frame][/frame]

[irmscher]

Looks a nice project

[gyro]

[frame][/frame]
Engine out. Found alot of rust. Would you belive the transmission support was held in with wood screws. Left main support gone, rust and crushed. Looks like car was hit on left front, this explains all the body filler i found. Looking for a updated engine / transmission. My July eta has now changed.

[gyro]

getting body ready. Found more rust, hoping to repair pannels. The cost of new, plus shipping is a bit out of range.[frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

[Fingolfin]

I would believe the wood screws, actually. People do stupid things. My (unsolicited, I know) advice to you is this: don't set a target date, give yourself time to do the work and to save the money for new parts. I learnt that lesson the hard way; I wanted Mog on the road in August 2008, and it's only just now getting done.
That's not to discourage you -- rather, I mean to bolster you for whatever may come. This looks like a bigger project than it appeared at first, but that'll make the final product all the sweeter.

[brucek]

Agree with you Fin My convertible was last on the road in 1995. I've managed to get working on it now but sadly, it won't be ready for the club overseas trip this year as I had planned - cash flow a bit of an issue that said, its great to work on the car again and, all being well, it will appear at some point towards the end of the summer/early autumn.

That's looking like a really good project gyro, as Fin says, enjoy the 'fun' of restoring and forget the timeline for now. You'll only put pressure on that might encourage you to cut corners and spoil what will be a superb little car when completed. Good luck