starter clicking, rarely turning

[MarkyB]

Do you know what the friend's teenager did to the car?

[CaliMorris]

friend sold it to me in a million pieces, and assured me it was running before her son took it all apart to restore it. besides that I don't know anything about it. I haven't run any fuel through it at all. I have been putting oil and penetrating oil into the cylinders, and then lightly trying to turn the crank about once a day. If it doesn't free up in a day or two, I'm going to take the engine apart for an overhaul. I'm praying that the rings are still ok

[MarkyB]

Do you have a manual?
I'm sure someone here will help out.

[CaliMorris]

I have a Haynes manual, but it is somewhat sketchy in areas of wiring and repairing of the mechanics. Mostly it's how to restore parts, and how to tell when a part needs replacing. Not exactly the kind of manual I was expecting. Usually Haynes manuals are pretty good at step by step instructions for this kind of thing. The one I had for my Malibu was awesome.

[MarkyB]

That doesn't sound like the workshop manual, maybe it's the restoration one?
There is a link to the Morris workshop manual floating around, Hint Hint Roy?

[IslipMinor]

Here's one I found using Google the other day. It's for the 14th Edition, dated 1970 so covers everything right up to the very last Minor production.

[MarkyB]

The very thing!
Thanks IslipMinor .
"A million pieces" suggests the engine was in bits too, The only thing I can think of at the moment that would give a bit of movement, the lock the engine, is having the connecting rods the wrong way round, did you check that everything was moving OK as you went?
Always a good plan.

[bmcecosse]

Ooooohh - i've been chastised in the past for putting up that link......

[IslipMinor]

Why? It's one of the first hits in Google if you put in 'Morris Minor Manual' - that's all I did last week.

[bmcecosse]

Indeed - but read the 'Copyright' thread........

[CaliMorris]

my god, this manual is perfect! thank you!

[CaliMorris]

walked outside, and lo and behold, the engine turned easily on the crank handle! However, the starter still only goes click, but it will only turn the engine anywhere from half a rotation to 3-4 times if helped with a strong nudge on the crank handle, and only with a strong nudge on the crank handle. I have a charger hooked up to the battery set to max, so I know it's not a lack of battery power. When removed from the car, the starter seems to spin very well.
Any solutions?

[MarkyB]

I think a slightly bent starter shaft would give this symptom.
Wrong number of teeth on the bendix might do something similar.
Does the engine turn over OK on the handle with the plugs removed?

[bmcecosse]

Sounds like knackered battery now - try another - or jump leads from another car.

[CaliMorris]

The engine turns over very well now that the spark plugs are out.

I just tried it with a different battery and jump leads, no luck there.

If the starter shaft is slightly bent, can I fix it? or do I need a new starter?

[MarkyB]

Another starter I should think, very common item on cars of that age including minis.

The top Google hit for "Morris Minor Manual pdf" finds the manual as do several others.
Maybe someone should Telex them on BMCSERV Oxford 83145.

[Pilkie]

Rocking a seized engine in gear = sure fire way to break the rings. Don't do it!!

Never happened to me in 37yrs!
Yes ive broken rings while trying to unstick them, or remove them from the piston,and even being careful putting new ones on the odd one has snapped!
Whether you use the starter as a sudden hit/thump of power,a gentle turn of the starting handle or gentle rock of the car,all will put force on the stuck rings,so whatever method you use there is a possibility of rings breaking!
Youve got more chance of breaking the rings once you have freed it off,popped the pistons out and try freeing off the rings that are gummed up tight on the pistons!
With any seized engine,the worst case will be its knackered and wont free off,or it will and there is damage that needs recon anyway,so if you happen to free it all of without any damage and it runs ok then thats a bonus!
The last 2 cars i've recently freed off were a 25yrs laid up 1967 VW Karmann and a 17yrs laid up 1970 Rover 2000,both were running sweet when parked up,and once freed off ran just as sweet!
Sadly the traveller wasnt to be,but it was obvious it had problems when it was parked up anyway!!