sideways engine?

[tlavazzi]

I 'm considering a 1970 traveler for purchase. The the Morris engine ("Morris" on valve cover) is mounted sideways--even the radiator is on the side, rather than front behind the grill--is this common? how does the radiator get enough air flow? also, I assume this would be a different drive train setup; is this something to avoid?

Thanks!

[midengineracer]

Sounds like someone decided to install the driveline from a mini. I hope they knew what they were doing.

[MarkyB]

Is this the one that was on sale vie Ebay recently?
I'd say avoid unless you are very experienced at modifying cars.

[tlavazzi]

Yes--it was on Ebay; an pumpkin color "Estate Wagon"? a "Morris Traveler Luxury Edition," according to the listing. So you don't think this the drive train is OEM? It does still have UK plates...

[IslipMinor]

If it's this eBay listing 111204601061, it is the USA, but RHD, and is a Mini Traveller, not a Minor. It refers to it being a 'Luxury' edition because it has the wood surrounds at the rear - interesting piece of marketing by BMC?

[bmcecosse]

Watch out for sill rot, floor rot - especially the rear crossmember, rear subframe rot - and petrol tank rot. Ohh - and also look out for rot just about everywhere on the body........ The 'timber' is purely cosmetic - not structural as it is on a Minor Traveller.
Edit - just looked at the listing (now finished) and it looks a fair enough Mini Traveller - and a fair price - would probably have been more expensive in the UK.

[tlavazzi]

Yes, that's the one.

Are these more susceptible to rot than the Minors?

The reserve is 9k, which apparently the market is not sustaining--so what would be a decent price for this one? the more popular ones seem to be those with the larger, dual carb engine? Much of a difference?

BTW--any idea about comfortable cruising speed and MPG in this one?

This is RWD or FWD?

Thanks!

[MarkyB]

It's definately FWD, Minors are RWD, cruising speeds and MPG will be comparable as the engine is basically the same, MPG will be good by US standards, of the time at least.
Interior space is very different, if you are over 6ft a test drive may be in order for the Mini.
The amount of rust probably depends more on which states the car has lived in than anything intrinsic in the design.

[tlavazzi]

thanks --unfortunately, I don't have much of a basis of comparison, not having owned a Morris previously--30+ mpg? comfortable cruise an 65-70? Wondering about my little trips between NY and FL...

Any advantages/disadvantages to RWD v FWD?

Should I be joining a different club? Morris Mini v Morris Minor? So many different lines, here--Morris Minor, mini, mini minor, austin mini mini minor... mini cooper, marina (well, I guess that is a diff story--saw one of those for 5.4k--but a coupe, not an estate wagon--what's you opinion of those? it is a '73, 1.8 engine...

[MarkyB]

30+ mpg? comfortable cruise @ 60 MPH I would say, could easily be 40 mpg.
Less headroom but better acceleration with a Mini.

Any advantages/disadvantages to RWD v FWD?

Big topic, applies to hard cornering mostly, probably not such an issue in the US.

For Minis you may do better with a Mini forum than here, this is not to say there isn't Mini experience here, but you may detect a little bias

[bmcecosse]

The Mini is lighter - and thin metal - they ROT everywhere unless kept in a 'dry' State... The small engine is pretty weak - the large engine better. With the small US gallon - 30 mpg would be a reasonable average. Tend to be noisy and bumpy ride- but handle like a Go-Kart! Not ideal for long journeys I suggest.