Project3 - Restore my old lady

[milinda1973]

Dear Friends,
I am Milind and I live in Dubai. I have a Morris Minor which I purchased in India (Kolkata) in the year 2006. Its in running condition and I fondly use it whenever I am back home for vacation.

I am attaching some pics, and hope I will get some information from you experts.[frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][frame][/frame]


I am planning to start a full restoration job. My plan is to restore it completely by this year and go for a all India tour for a month on this. (Incidentally, I have a 1973 Yamaha motorcycle which I completely restored and did a full north India tour for almost a month in 2010). And for this, I need to collect as much information as possible before starting the work.

Thanks and regards

Milind

[stevey]

Very nice series 2 CKD (export kit). Nice to see it still has its 803cc engine. keep us posted on your progress.

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Dear Milind,

this is such a beauty in original condition I would strongly advise you to keep it as it is. It appears in very good condition and is unlikely to have the rust problems we usually get.

The engine bay is a timewarp and apart from needing a new oil filter (looks very old) and giving regular servicing I would leave it.

P.S. Contact Declan Burns on this forum for an oil restrictor which will prolong the life of your 803cc engine.

[chesney]

Lovely
Can't help but notice the mechanical fuel pump. Was this standard for export/CKD models?

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Might have been for hot climates to counter fuel vaporisation.

Note the oil-bath air cleaner, horn and the built-in (home-made?) inspection lamp.

[George Smathers]

Very nice.

George

[milinda1973]

The path taken by my car to reach Kolkata (India) from the Oxford (UK) Factory.....approx. distance 7500 nautical miles.[frame][/frame]

[milinda1973]

Hi Friends

After a few quires, its now clear to me that my old lady is the the159th Series II produced.

Production of the 803cc engined Series II four door saloon started 1952 in limited batches for export, alongside the Series MM.. They were 159190 - 159201 (11 cars), 160001 - 161021 (1021 cars) and 170001 - 171000 (1000 cars).

A friend expressed doubt about the engine - according to him it appears to have a 948 or 1098cc engine and gearbox. But, as I know the previous owner who was a very close family friend, I called him today morning. He said time and again that the engine was never been fully opened, never changed.

Now, can you experts please tell me what you think looking at it. Is it a 803 or 948 or 1098 cc engine.

Thanks

[milinda1973]

[frame][/frame]

This is the route I am planning to take. 8500 km. Its quite ambitious, I know. But when a Scorpio is riding a Bull .... anything is possible.

[ASL642]

When are you planning to start your journey?

[stevey]

Now, can you experts please tell me what you think looking at it. Is it a 803 or 948 or 1098 cc engine.

well it has the correct spin on filter for the 803cc and the correct long gear lever for the gear box. without closer pictures, it looks correct to me.

[milinda1973]

When are you planning to start your journey?

1. Plan I : Feb 1, 2013 - March 31, 2013 : Finish gathering all information
2. Plan II : April 1, 2013 - April 30 2013 : Designing the interior, planning the mechanical improvement like disk break, radiator change, electrical changes etc.
3. Plan III : May 1, 2013 - June 30, 2013 :Start sourcing all the required spares. I have to buy them online because nothing is available in India anymore.
4. Plan IV : July 1, 2013 - Nov 30, 2013 : Finish the restoration work


5 : Dec 15, 2013 - I have the plan to start the journey.

Someone may think why so much time required. But I want to go for a detailed work, so that I don't want to face any problem while restoration or while doing the trip. This is the way I did my motorcycle trip back in 2010 also....))))

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-tra ... rd350.html

[TvdWerf]

To check if it is the original engine, check the engine number..
It is a low number on the metal plate, this number should be found somewhere on the engine.

My own '51 car has also his original engine, so it is always possible.