Morris Minor Owners Club

Leyland,

Hmm,

My copy of the book, which is a first edition with different page numbers shows detail differences from his photos. For instance, He shows a later model blue 948 on page 66 of my copy with a Cooper paper air cleaner assembly. The distributor is not too clear, but I agree that it does appear to show a side entry cap . However this picture shows a breather pipe going from the rocker box cover into the carburettor body. On my car the pipe goes from the rocker box cover into the 'handle' of the saucepan. Also, the washer bottle is shown affixed to the passenger side bulkhead. On my car it is a round bottle attached to the inside of the drivers side front wing, as shown in a picture of a green 1098 on my page 89 which says 'This is a 1098 A series engine, features include the 'elephants trunk... etc. Finally, nitpicking but if you are looking for fine detail I suppose necessary, the 948 picture has the engine mount support for the engine steady bar attached upside down.

I have taken my details from the original 'buff coloured' log book which was passed on to me. However the current green document has the same details. Assuming your details are correct, this shows that while my chassis number is only 230 greater than yours, the engine number is 12,117 greater than yours. So perhaps while my car may resemble the green 1098, your car may resemble the blue 948. That's the problem with what I call the crossover cars. BMC appeared to use whatever items they had to hand as they were gearing up for the 1098 production run.

So there may not be a 'definitive version' of a late model 948. Perhaps you might have to settle your mind on a particular configuration and go with it, unless anybody else on this site can provide further supporting evidence one way or the other.

Happy hunting!

Leyland,

I omitted to say on my previous post that while the Blue 948 shows the side entry cap. The 1098 which has a couple of detail items closer to my car does not show the cap. So I suppose the jury's still out on that one.

Leyland,

I realise that I missed the main point of your last post. I answered it last night during one of my bouts of insomnia and while the comments are correct, they don't particularly answer the question about the distributor cap. Now, at a more reasonable hour, I have turned up page 123 and see what you mean. I have all of the equipment listed and as you say the distributor does show a side entry cap. I think I would take it that the equipment shown on page 123 with the distributor model number I posted represents the correct equipment for a late '62 948.

Robin

(memo to self, Next time I post late at night a) answer the question, and, b) try not to write scribble..)

Hi woo
Thanks for all the detail. Like you, I ramble when I go passed midnight.
The transition cars could be a pain regarding research. You are right about BMC using whatever was at hand. At least they kept in sequence with the chassis numbering.
Like your car my breather house from the rocker cover into the saucepan, and also my washer bottle is in the same place as yours - inside of driver's side front wing.
Keep in touch if you come up with anything else. Maybe others will get some benefit from all this research!!!!!!
cheers
Ty

I too use smooth Hammerite,( I can't imagine anyone using hammered
finish Grainger)! You can even paint the wheels with the tyres on if
you coat the tyre walls carefully with neat washing up liquid first, it
washes off as clean as a whistle afterwards. I finish off my wheels
with a couple of coats of clear Acrylic laquer as used on metallic finishes,
which gives a pretty good shine.

Hello Leyland,
all 25D4's look the same , it is only the internals that differ hence the variation in part numbers. You need to get the right type or your engine may well not run as it should. Holden (www.holden.co.uk) would be able to supply you with a reconditioned unit of the correct type. If you are feeling adventurous, the salient setting for a 40849B is 15 - 17 degrees, and 41124 & 41148 11 - 13 degrees. The latter two also have a slightlier greater initial advance. If you look on the bottom of the rotor you will see that the advance is stamped there (below the base plate). It is possible by either filing the end of the stop plate or welding metal on, to vary the mechanical advance of the distributor. You will see that the two springs are different to give a two stage advance, it is not easy to play with those with accuracy without a special rig to see what you are adjusting.

Alec

Thanks for the info, Alex. Most helpful.
My problem was having no information to start with. The dizzy on my car had been replaced with a much later one. As I am trying to restore the car to original spec it was difficult ascertaining which original model was fitted. Woo has a car with a chassis no within a couple of hundred of mine and was pretty certain his dizzy was original. Hence he was able to give me a number.
I am now certain that my late 998 engine was fitted with a 25D4 side entry cap, and I now having something to go to Holden with.
thanks
Leyland

Leyland,

The centrifugal advance cams swing out until they hit a Stop. The stop has a number stamped on it which is the number of degrees that the centrifugal advance is limited to. My distributor cams are limited to 13 degrees, hence 13 is stamped on the stop. Two springs control the advance curve. Different springs equals different advance curves. I would suggest that any springs for a 25D4 originally supplied for a Morris Minor would be sufficient. I can't find any part numbers for mine but there must be records of what spring numbers went into the 40770A distributor which I should imagine Holden (or there suppliers) should have access to.

Also, I suppose, for complete accuracy you would need to ensure that the vacuum advance unit is of the correct type. The advance unit will have a part number on on the 'bell' of the unit. Unfortunately mine is too worn to be seen so I can't help you there. The vacuum units started and finished their advance at different suctions (displayed in inches of mercury) The total vacuum advance was about 4 degrees. Again for Super Authenticity you would need to know this as well. For practical purposes any Vacuum unit originally fitted to a Moggie will do.

Woo