I need some answers!

[the-green-monkey]

Hello everyone I have lots of questions regarding quite a few different aspects of a 1957 Traveller, hence why I have put this topic into the "Other" section, rather than creating another 10 topics in other places.

Anyway I would really appreciate it if someone could help me with a few things, mostly about keeping my Morris original.

1. Why is there a big hole in the bulkhead behind the battery? What purpose does it serve?
2. My Traveller has a gold seal engine fitted, I don't know when it was fitted, nor do I know the size. Were all gold seals the same size, or did they vary throughout production? Is there a way to find out the size from the engine number?
3. Should there be small holes in the panel where the windscreen wipers fit? I will take a picture to demonstrate what I mean.
4. When I bought the Morris there was a spare gearbox in the back, the one fitted currently is a "smooth" box and the other is "rough". Which one would have been in originally, what is the difference between the two? Is one better than the other?

Thanks, Phil (and John)

[bmcecosse]

The big hole was part of the assembly jig - at least it was on saloons - not so useful on Travs - but since they use the same front half....... Gold seal engines were in all sizes - your car would be a 948 originally - look at the block on the left side - if it has '950' cast in the side the answer is obvious. Ribbed case gearbox is for the later 1098 engine - and is stronger than the earlier smooth case which is for a 948. Holes beside the wipers?? For screen wash jets perhaps?

[simmitc]

He's good and spot on ^^^^^^^^^^^^
The 1098 box can fit to a 948 engine, but you would need to swap the backplate. Probably also the flywheel and clutch - someone who has done it will confirm.

What are the other 6 questions?

[mike.perry]

The hole behind the battery was for inserting a pole with a frame to fit the boot opening for "spit roasting" the saloon in the spray booth

[the-green-monkey]

Brilliant, thanks for clearing all that up. I will try to get a picture of the holes in the front panel because I really can't explain them. simmitc, I had other questions to ask but I can't remember them, hopefully it will come to me tomorrow when I'm working on the car but essentially I was exaggerating when I said I would have to start 10 topics

[the-green-monkey]

Also, would it be worth covering that hole since it's useless?

[bmcecosse]

By all means - may cut the noise slightly.

[the-green-monkey]

I'll measure it up tonight and cut a bit of steel for it at college tomorrow.

[Dean]

I think you want one of these:

http://morrisminorspares.co.uk/shop/pro ... 16cbc7b378

[the-green-monkey]

It needs some welding done to it anyway because there is a big rusty hole, I think cause partially by a battery short/leak, so I might as well just cover both holes in one go.

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

I would hazard a guess at your engine being of 948 capacity, as Gold Seal units were available on a 'service exchange' basis.

[whyperion]

On the engine side of the bulkhead the battery area should have a rectuangular rubber , or vynal cover behind the battery covering the big hole, this is held in place with a couple of rubber bungs (small , looking like oversided grommits or blanking plugs ). On the passenger side there is often a coated run of underlay or similar acting as sound and windproofing , as it runs from side to side it is held in place from the interior side with a number of black plasic clips which push through and locate in little holes on the bulkhead.

The big hole was where the spit roast indeed passed through , but for the 'roto dip' process that I think was for the rust-proofing used for the vehicle ( dont laugh it does last about 10 years that was considered a good life time for a car ).

I think the paint was sprayed and not dipped nor the cars rotated for painting ?

Unipart / BLMC Gold Seal exchange units ( Engine , Gearbox , Rear Axle Starter/Dynamo ) had had a factory rebuild changing or regrinding all wearing parts as required. Silver seal items I think had only bits like seals replaced more service work than rebuilding )