Update on the restoration of my MM

[Multiphonikks]

Onne, did you see the sidevalve engine on ebay???

[Onne]

well, no I didn't actually. I don't know what the red is, but that also on the inside of the gearbox and on its outside at some places. It is very solidly stuck on, this paint, realising it ha s dealt with at least 20 years of oil splattering round

[Scott]

I'd never realised the oil scraper rings were so low on a sidevalve.

Or are they an add on?

There's 2 oil scrapers.
One in the usual spot, the other right down as you can see.


Onne, are you planning any modifications while it's all apart ?
Little things like lightening the flywheel or a bit of port work ??

My gearbox is red also inside the bellhousing - can't remember if my engine was but I've seen others that are red inside like yours.

[Onne]

I don't intend to do any mods. I'll keep it standard, to enjoy my 27 horses and shetland pony. Idling at 450-500 rpm. Joy!

Wouldn't lightening the flywheel make it weaker? Since it is not a rev-mad engine in the first place?

[Scott]

I've taken around 1/4 to 1/3 of the original weight off mine. It improves acceleration no end.
Add a slight port job & it will keep up with (or out accelerate) a standard 948cc engined Minor.

While playing around with a rear main seal on mine, I had the engine running for a while without the flywheel fitted. The pickup of the engine when the throttle was opened was amazing.

[Onne]

How do you actually port it? Do I need to keep in mind it hasn't got a waterpump fitted?

[Scott]

The engine machine shop did mine while carrying out the rebore & crank grind.

The porting was nothing too serious. He just matched up the block ports to the manifold & enlarged them slightly for a better flow.
He'd had a fair bit of experience with the sidevalves in the '50s & '60s so he knew what he was on about (I didn't know too much about them at the time).
They can also be bored out to 0.160" oversize if you want even more "power" (I went to 0.060" oversize)

[Onne]

I am not going for an oversize, just new rings and crank grind. And subsequentially new bearing shells

[chickenjohn]

Another saturday flew by, so another couple of pictures.

We removed the A-post today

*snip*
...

Looks like you are doing a good job- but don't cut too much metal away at once! Weld some new pieces in or brace the door gaps, to help the car keep its shape!

[Onne]

Car is very solid John, pity it's almost all double plate. Why on earth would one want to weld over sills using perfectly fitting original panels?

I am going to brace the car though, just for safety. We are doing one side at a time. The weldathon should start next week

[Multiphonikks]

Dunno about you - but I see a picture of Herman from the Musters in that rusty metal sitting by the wheel in your MM onne!

[Onne]

Who is that?

[jonathon]

I can see a bearded bloke with sunglasses, top left of gearbox cover

[Onne]

Now I see! Scary...

Mommy there is a bearded bloke in my car!!!

[Multiphonikks]

It's a miracle. Quick... Sell it to the vactican!

(If it isn't Herman that is;) )

[bigginger]

don't think even Herman had a jaw as big as that Surely it's John Belushi out of the blues Brothers. Without his hat on...

[Multiphonikks]

And he's on a mission?

[bigginger]

From whom might that be, then? Just checking if there's a full tank of gas and half a pack of cigarettes in the car, 'cos it's dark and he's wearing sun glasses

[Onne]

There is a full tank of petrol at that time, and there was a lighter actually, to light the burn-your-underseal-burner

[Multiphonikks]

ROFLOL

I just love a good thread hi-jack, don't you ???