Morris Minor Owners Club

No luck with trying to find either a set of Heppolite +40 rings or a new set of +40 pistons at club spares. Bryan has given me a couple of numbers to try, but I've now had to SORN the car and disillusionment is starting to set in! I didn't realise that something like a set of rings would be this difficult. Obviously I'll be trying the leads provided, any other suggestions would, however, be welcomed!

Mike

I will go through my contacts, should be able to find the correct rings Hepolite +.040?
Bryan did have standard liners, pistons and rings which I have in mine, bit of an expensive way to go.

PM sent

ESM have them listed, dont know what make though. I bought my +30 from them and they were Australian made!

http://morrisminorspares.co.uk/shop/pro ... 101a591353

I have a few used +30 and +40 pistons, if anyone gets desperate. Thinking about it, I have a rebuilt (new almost everything)early engine complete except for a flywheel ring-gear. They seem to be NLA at the moment, unless anyone knows of one.

I've no need for the engine but would be willing to trade. Looking for a Shorrock or Alta. (dreeeeeam on, Rob)

Hi Rob
Re engine I dont have an alta head around but when you say an early engine do you mean the one with no water pump mounting
If it has mounting for water pump would you sell for cash and how much
regards Ian

Actually I have one of each in the same condition but have been saving them for trading with someone who has an Alta or similar. I didn't plan to sell them since they are so hard to come by. If you could find me an Alta head, though, .........

DAVIDMCCULLOUGH wrote:ESM have them listed, dont know what make though...

http://morrisminorspares.co.uk/shop/pro ... 101a591353

I'll give them a try, thanks for that - things are getting pretty desperate. I never realised that something as run of the mill as piston rings could put my car off the road so indefinitely, I must admit to have started reconsidering it's long term usability and as such I suppose it's whole viability. Anyway, before I get too gloomy, - at the bare minimum I need two compression rings and the lower oil ring. I've not given up yet......

Mike

*ADDITION SOME TIME LATER......... Have placed an order with ESM, please keep fingers crossed......*

As I said earlier, you could sleeve it back to standard. Club spares should have liners, pistons and rings. Bit of an expensive way to solve the problem but that is what was done to my engine

My bet would be that you have a replacement piston there, probably some oversize. Shine up the top of the piston a bit and you will probably find the oversize stamped there. Something like +.020 or whatever. If the bore is OK and you are stuck for rings (they are sometimes hard to find) there is a very good firm in California called Deves that makes piston rings. Given the bore size and the ring thickness and type they can usually help. (http://WWW.deves.com) I have dealt with them for my own MM.

If that were my car, however, I'd be looking for a set of pistons in the next oversize.

Darrell McDonald

Update. Have now recieved a set of new pistons and rings via ESM. These are also Australian made, they look very good. I have'nt had chance to fit them yet but I will let you know how it all goes. Thanks to everyone for the help and advice so far given, particularly David McCullough for tipping me off about ESM.

Mike

Have you checked the shells whist you have the engine apart?

Mike, take care fitting the rings as we broke one and you cant buy a replacment on its own as you know! I have one piston with an old ring fitted.....

Thought I'd better update on this one! Basically, it's back together with it's new Australian pistons and seems fine though it's only run since reassembly has been from the old cotton mill that it lives in to the MOT station (it passed) - and back to the mill where it is going to stay until the salt has gone and Lancashire has warmed up a bit! The delay in getting it done has been down some unavoidable health-related issues which are harder to fix but more urgent than even the Morris. Thanks again for the advice in connection with this.

Mike

Glad to hear your motoring again! Roll on the summer

Hi Mike - well done and many thanks for the update - it's always nice to hear how things endwed up, especially if they got fixed and finished.

I've sent you a PM about rings...

a bit off topic but were abouts in lancashire im sure ive seen your car or a very simular one

Squeezbox

you in my home town? Leyth, if your local you'll know where! looks like down near the Rugby ground on the Ariel photo.

I only ask because I've a flat head valve spring compressor you can have if your interested.
Nice car and bike by the way
Best regards
Bern

Hello Bern. Thanks for the offer of use of the spring compressor. I'm over in Horwich, which is where the photo was taken. One of those streets that could be one of a variety of places 'round here! The house dates from 1888 when the Lancashire and Yorkshire railway built their loco works here and the town trebled in size. We've been here about 20 years but originate over near Grimsby in darkest Lincolnshire. The MM would arguably be more at home in the Lincolnshire landscape than struggling around the Pennines. It was new to a chap down in the Cambridgeshire Fens at Ely where the sidevalve would have had an even easier life than it would in Lincolnshire! Anyhow, it's taxed and tested now, available for use but probably not going to emerge unless really needed. I may try to go to the Manchester meet at the bus museum at the end of Feb as a first outing.

Mike

Hi Mike
I usually go over to that as well but I might have to go in disguise as I'm a defector to the other side, took my van to the war museum meet in the summer and only one person spoke to me all day, the organiser. seemed very clique
Your car is fascinating never driven a side valve (of any kind) did toy with buying a Pilot but left it to late and the prices have gone silly.
Keep the shiny side up mate
Bern