Morris Minor Owners Club

Yours seems to have been modified - it just needs opening up at the main bearing hole - and at that top dowel........... And yes - the fly should bolt on with six bolts - otherwise why drill 6 holes.............. I suspect some bodgery....... have you checked the condition of the engine ?? Centre main tells all !!!!

Hi,
I am just doing the same conversion here too.
Pig to find a flywheel but the backplate was easy.
The bit that goes over the end of the crank is too small, you can get this plasma cut out, it should not cost much.
I will let you know what else I find on my journey.
;)

You will also find that the heater tap fouls the battery tray (discard and use a stub pipe) the thermostat housing is at the wrong angle for a standard Minor top hose (use MGB housing) and the starter motor dog may foul the flywheel (needs spacing to clear in disengagement). I didn't come across any other problems as long as you are mating to a 1098 box....

The Birmingham Minor centre thermostat housing (12M220) is actually a better angle than the pre-1967 MGB housing. The bracket from the engine steady bar to the head may need a notch filed.
Regards
Declan

The pre '67 MGB housing is a better angle but is designed for a larger diameter hose!

I have to disagree with you Minor_hickup. Although the angle on the MGB thermostat housing is not bad,it is not better. It is still slightly off and you can see this in the photos below. Although I don't have a 1275 engine, I do have the 12g940 head on a 1098. I have compared both thermostat housings and the Birmingham one has the better angle. I haven't fit it yet but by placing the Birmingham one simply on to top of the other as can be seen in the third photo, you can clearly see the difference. In my case both thermostat housings require a spacer to line up in the vertical plane, but this could be my rad being slightly high.

MGB Thermostat is slightly off in the horizontal plane[frame][/frame]
Different view-MGB thermostat[frame][/frame]
Birmingham thermostat housing below (supplied green but painted silver) lines up better[frame][/frame]
Regards
Declan

a lot depends on what rad you have. from my experience 'reproduction' rads have a slightly different angled top pipe, in which case the mgb one might line up better, but with a standard or reconditioned radiator i think the special housing would line up better. i can't imagine someone went to the trouble of modifying a minor housing for the 1275 head and not get it dead perfect!

Great stuff guys really usefull info..............I have mahanged to crack teh main bearing today no wear but how do I know if ists standard?

The bearing has 12AT349

G DE D

On it

if it doesn't say 010 or 020 etc then i'd guess it's standard. or grab a vernier, i'm sure someone might know the journal size off the top of their heads

i had an engine that someone had very helpfully written 'M20 B20' on the end webbing pointing out to me that the mains and big ends had both been machined down 20thou. look out for something like that... you could be lucky!

Shells would be stamped if oversize. Mains are 2" as standard.

Thanks again see attached I have removed from end cap the main bearing seems little wear and I am guessing but I do not think the sump has been off!



number as stated previous no others[frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

Errr - that shell looks pretty knackered. Some 'pitting' -and the brown marks - or is that just oil?? Hope you are going to fit a new set ...... Picture of the crank journal ?? And yes - STD size if no markings.

oil marks and flash I do intend to fit a set of mains and big ends

Hope to get a piston out tomorrow

Indeed - 'they' say you should never refit old shells - if the bearing is disturbed new shells should be fitted. Not sure if this absolutely necessary - but at least in recent years (maybe not when I was a poor student!) I have always done so. I'm sure you know to mark the caps and keep them all with their respective con-rods.