Engine

[Stebbings21]

Good afternoon all,
I would like to ask you all some advice, I have a 1952 spilt screen Morris minor which I got with a flat head engine in bits, I would like to know what your thoughts would be on having the engine rebuilt as is or swapping the engine and gearbox for one out of a later car ? I have been told the engine in my car have no power and would not keep up with modern traffic, but is that such a bad thing ? I don't want a racing car LoL part of me says keep it original and part of me understands the advantages of having a more powerful engine.
Any thoughts on the do and don't would be very helpful, I am new to classic cars so this is my first and I would like to get it right.
Stephen

[philthehill]

Personally If possible I would rebuild the original engine.
Saying that until you have stripped and examined the original engine and determined what repairs are required I would keep an open mind as to the way ahead. The repairs may not justify the expense of keeping the original engine/spec in that case you could consider changing the engine and gearbox to 948cc items.

[myoldjalopy]

It all depends on what you want from your car - originality, a car for occasional pleasure trips or something that goes beyond the car's original limitations. Personally, I would keep it original, but others on here will tell you to fit an engine from a racing car and then add all the whizz-bang gadgets and gizmos you can think of until you have a car Dr. Frankenstein would be proud of. Only you can decide in the end.

[Stebbings21]

Thanks you guys for replying to be honest that’s the answer I wanted. I’m not sure as you said of the cost of rebuilding the engine but that will be my next port of call and I will go from there. My thoughts are keep it original also.
Stephen

[Mr Spigot]

I also have a 1952 MM with the original sidevalve engine. As you have been told, it is not a performance engine, but copes well on most roads. In modern traffic you will often not need to go much above 40mph! Mine will cruise happily at 45-50mph. That said, avoid motorways and steep or long hills. It soon runs out of power on a slope and you have to keep the revs up and change down sooner than with a more powerful engine. There is a certain charm to these little engines and they are very reliable if properly maintained - I recently did a 550 mile round trip without any problems. However, they are best enjoyed if you have plenty of time and take the scenic routes.
For parts, try Bryan Gostling at the MMOC, who specialises in the MMs.

[myoldjalopy]

Interestingly, the little 803cc SII engine seems to get more flak than the old sidevalve engine......

[philthehill]

That is because the side valve engine in my opinion is a much better engine than the 803cc 'A' Series.
Over the years the side valve engine has been tuned, supercharged, converted to OHIV (over head inlet valve) - SVE (side valve exhaust) and used in all sorts of application and not always in a Morris Minor.

[Keith]

I agree with Phil, the 918 sidevalve is an excellent engine.

[svenedin]

I know this engine from my friend's Morris 8 cars. Lovely engine. Also used as the auxiliary power unit in Centurion, Conqueror and Chieftain tanks! Very reliable and solid.

Cars that haven't had a later A-series transplant are getting scarce. I would keep the original running gear.

Stephen

[myoldjalopy]

So one possible upgrade for the SII might be to swap from an 803cc OHV engine to the sidevalve!

[Stebbings21]

Thank you all so much, I am going to keep the car as original as possible, I am looking forward to getting her on the road.

Stephen

[Stebbings21]

HI all, can anyone surges a good man I can talk to about a possible engine rebuild?

Stephen

[MM1949]

If you use Facebook, the Series MM register has a group, also check the Morris Eight group.