Advice for a new morris owner

Post by **Tris** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 3:35 pm

Hi guys, i'm intending on purchasing a 1968 traveller and i would like some advice on general bodywork maintenance... at the age of 17 my knowledge of these cars is a bit slim!

Post by **Matt** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 3:43 pm

Hi Tris, welcome to the board.

Morris minors are pretty simple to maintain and you can do as much or as little maintainance as you want.

I suggest you buy a descent set of A/F sockets and spanners, screwdrivers and a hammer!!! (if you don't have them already that is!)

If you want any advice on any problem/how to do any maintainence someone on this board has almost definately seen it/done it before!

Happy Minoring!

Post by **Cam** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 4:24 pm

Hi Tris and welcome on board!

The biggest problem with the traveller is the wood, so make sure yours is in good condition as replacement wood is expensive (unless you can do it yourself of course!). Make sure that the underside of the car is pretty good too. It can all be replaced or repaired, but if you have to pay someone else to weld your car up then you'll find it a bit expensive.

Mechanically Minors are very simple, but they need regular maintenance (greasing, servicing etc). Get yourself a Haynes manual, set of spanners, sockets, etc and get stuck in!

Post by **chrisd87** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 8:28 pm

I bought my Minor when I was still 16, and now being 18 and having had it for about 18 months I can say that they do make great first cars. I'll always remember the first time I drove it - nearly threw myself through the windscreen - the clutch was slightly sharper than I had imagined.... It's been my daily runner ever since and has never actually broken down on me.

You'll probably have heard this a thousand times before but body wise do buy the best one you can. Also, if possible, keep it in a garage (like I do), as it can help to prelong the life of the body. Although I haven't needed any doing yet (next MoT probably - gulp), given that hourly rates for welding are very dear indeed, anything to help stop the rot can only be a good thing!

Mechanically it's really very simple in comparison to most modern cars. I only have the most basic of toolkits and knowledge, yet I have replaced the dynamo, carburettor, water pump, distributor and starter motor. I've also serviced it myself entirely. The real beauty of it is that basically as long as you have the enthusiasm and the will to give it a go you can do pretty much anything yourself. The Haynes manual is really good, too.

Good luck!

Post by **richard.baker707** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 9:44 pm

chrisd87 wrote: keep it in a garage
!

whats one of those? all my work is done on the drive and if it rains I improvise a shelter from 3x3 and a tarp to keep the worst off

Rich

Post by **bigginger** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 9:53 pm

Hooray! Another true Mog owner...

Post by **Pyoor_Kate** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 10:53 pm

My car was round at Nikki's today when I noticed the broken exhaust strap, so we did all the work in her garage; it was *so* civilised. Really enjoyable actually. Shut the door, switched the heater on, got the tools all ready and set to.

Post by **bigginger** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 10:56 pm

Luxury...

Post by **moggyminor16** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 11:06 pm

what is this "working on a moggy in the warmth of a garage "its not heard of

Post by **bigginger** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 11:09 pm

I'd heard stories about it, but until now I'd never believed them

Post by **moggyminor16** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 11:10 pm

me neither i recon somone is playing with are minds

Post by **Pyoor_Kate** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 11:23 pm

No! Really! It was sooo nice. I may have to do all my maintainance round there now ;)

Either that or maybe consider clearing enough of my garage to actually get the car into it...

Post by **chrisd87** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 11:56 pm

Pyoor_Kate wrote:switched the heater on

That consists of a tumble drier for me! (Not good condensation-wise I know)

Post by **moggyminor16** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 11:57 pm

but you not cold

Post by **richard.baker707** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 12:09 am

moggyminor16 wrote:but you not cold

you could always try thermals army issue ones are good (-10 on salisbury plain last jan)

Post by **moggyminor16** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 12:11 am

well just come off there i hate that place always raining but when you come off the plain its nice

Post by **richard.baker707** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 12:17 am

are you Regs or TA

Post by **moggyminor16** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 12:17 am

Post by **richard.baker707** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 12:27 am

i've p.m'd you

Post by **Multiphonikks** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 4:38 am

Pyoor_Kate wrote:No! Really! It was sooo nice. I may have to do all my maintainance round there now ;)

Either that or maybe consider clearing enough of my garage to actually get the car into it...

... and left my poor traveller in the torrential rain...

Actually, it was really nice doing the work in the garage!

Tris, welcome to the board! I've just recently purchased a traveller and I'd say that regular underbody protection is essential as is good wood (you'll be wanting to treat it regularly) and a garage if this silly weather continues (I've just been woken up by the torrential rain battering down outside)

If you can also get a set of wheel ramps and a decent trolley jack and axle stands you'll find the service time will be shorter and you'll find working on the car a lot more civilized too.

Welcome!

Nikki