Introduction

[MColes]

Don't forget to take a look in the Young Members section and join our facebook page!

[charlie_morris_minor]

if you get stuck and want to look at another car for reference I am just up the road in aldershot and will happily let you have a look.

[Alec]

Hello Whoosh,

"She is missing the dizzy and the spark plugs at the moment but if you spot anything else please let me know"

The distributor is in place, what else is missing is the coil (which fits on top of the dynamo), distributor cap, High tension leads, with plug caps.

Alec

[tomas.geoghegan]

Clarendon Grey finished in 1956 Tomas I'm almost certain it's Rose Taupe (1962 - open gloveboxes - like mine with no covers)

Hi Mines a 1960 model and is claridon grey?
Tomas

[Daddybear1984]

Hello whoosh looks like you have your work cut out for you in terms of woodwork, give a panel a good scrub and take a picture then we should be able to say which colour it is for sure

[WHOOSH!]

Thanks for the help guys.

I now have two questions

1. How do I replace the distributor cap and the coil?

2. How would i go about unsiezing a "possibly siezed" engine?

Charlie thats very kind of you and im sure once the actual resto gets under way I might be needing a hand

[Dean]

Thanks for the help guys.


2. How would i go about unsiezing a "possibly siezed" engine?

Like BMC says get some 3 in 1 and some diesel, pour a small amount of both down the spark plug holes and let it soak.

You could purchase another engine off ebay quite cheaply if you can't get it to work.

[charlie_morris_minor]

Thanks for the help guys.


2. How would i go about unsiezing a "possibly siezed" engine?

Like BMC says get some 3 in 1 and some diesel, pour a small amount of both down the spark plug holes and let it soak.

You could purchase another engine off ebay quite cheaply if you can't get it to work.

it is worth adding the diesel / thin oil mix before trying to find out if the engine is seized

[tysonn]

Going back to the colour I don't think Clarendon grey finished in 1956 as someone said.My '59 is that colour from new.

[tomas.geoghegan]

Hi tyson As i said mine is a 1960 and mine is claridon grey
Tomas

[WHOOSH!]

Okay I will pour some in

Also instead of rocking it is it worth using the crank handle to crank the engine gently to free it up?

[MarkyB]

If you can turn it on the starting handle it isn't seized.
A big spanner on the crank pulley nut will give more leverage.
Try shining a torch down the plug hole to get a glimpse of the cylinder wall, if you see rust it will have to come apart.

[mike.perry]

I would worry about the chassis and floor pan before carpets and trim. There could be some serious welding needed. (See photo)

[WHOOSH!]

The floorpan will need to be replaced but on the support struts there is nothing more than a little surface rust. Im just going to cut out the entire drivers side floor and weld in a replacement panel.

Luckily it seems structurally very sound

Also I had a look at the walls and the top of the cylinders and they look like bare metal (silver) and rust free!!!!

[David W.]

Looks like a great find.
I'm always happy to learn of young proponents of the things I do. Our obsession will carry on after we Old Fa*ts disappear.
My observation of your posting and the replies:
There's a lot of talk about color, carpets, interior etc. You'll have a lot of time to think about those things while you are working out the mechanical issues.
David (taildragger pilot)

[trigger1]

Hi Barney,
welcome to the club, I am also a new member as my daughter has a minor her 1st car!
I am learning a lot from these most helpful members.one thing I will say is before you purchase any item cross referance to ensure you order the correct item for your car.
wish you luck in you project.[frame][/frame]

[MarkyB]

I'd get it running personally, it will give you strength when you are covered in rusty dust, and the weather is freezing, to know the car is a goer.

[WHOOSH!]

Oh im not the giving up kind of guy ;)

When I do get parts there will be great scrutiny of part numbers dont worry but thanks for the advice.

The only problem I have now is I need a garage to keep it in

[WHOOSH!]

Good news!

Turns out the engine is not seized as I expected it to be. The miracles of WD40 prevail once again.

Next jobs will be to tend to the fuel pump and the spark plug assembly etc.

[WHOOSH!]

An Update.

Rear wheels are now sucessfully unseized and the car is ready for transport on saturday hopefully to its new home
in a barn ready for restoration.

Many more required seam welds have been discovered