Morris Minor Owners Club

Colin,
Thanks for the info. I've just ordered some Admiralty grey engine enamel http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120845621045? ... _813wt_689 if it helps! It looks about right.
Rob

Similar to the one I went for. ICI had a factory in Birmingham so they supplied to people like BSA and merely changed the name so you might find that MM engine colours were just ICI standard tints from the era. They will still mix and match colours from the original paint codes. I bought some Mist Green (aka Bantam Green) last year along with some MM Thames blue that I used to blend in some paint chips invisibly. Not cheap, though.[frame][/frame]

Great detailing Rob, looks really good. My water jacket is shot so I need a new one, I had toyed with the idea of polishing it like yours, now I definitely will!
Rob

Both Robs
Thanks for the advice and pics.
Rob, did you paint the sump? cannot see it on this shot. Ray Newell says yes. Others say no.
SMC look like worth knowing about, prices include postage, very reasonable.
Colin

Why paint when you can polish??? This one has a nice satin buffed finish but it is only mirror finish on the front timing cover, so far.

Anyway, paint keeps the heat in so a bare alloy sump cools much better. Same story with VW and aircraft engines.

I've done the front cover on this pre-war Minor engine but might have a go at the sump later on.[frame][/frame]

PS Don't get carried away.[frame][/frame]

OK, I've taken delivery of the second sidevalve engine and have pasted some photos below. This engine came from a 1952 car that was scrapped, and as you can see was a replacement engine which was painted dark green over gold. On the top face of the block there is a number which looks like an attempt has been made to erase it with gouges from what looks like a centre punch, but you can still see the number, it looks like 122391. My assumption was that this was a factory reconditioned unit and they wanted to erase its previous identity.
The pictures show the engine fitted with the generator front cover, I have already removed the generator (marinised) head and manifold. The frame it is sitting on is presumably the one the generator engine came on.
[frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame]
The bores actually look in reasonable condition so now I have to decide which engine to use again! I was settled on the generator engine but now I know this one has been reconditioned I think I had better strip it and examine the bores/rings/crank more closely.
Rob

Update - I started to strip the second engine, and the sump contained a lot of unbelievably black sludge so I've cleaned it out because I will use this sump on whichever of the two engines I end up using. A coat of paint next I think.

The parts I need the most are the alloy water jacket/dynamo mounting and a gasket set. Both are available but very pricey - the water jacket is £80 from EMS. I am considering getting the old one reconditioned by welding new aluminium into the corroded parts and machining flush afterwards - has anyone done this?

Rob

Use the car sump with the drain plug in the centre, not at the side. The generator sump has no oil pump pickup well and the dipstick is incorrectly calibrated.
If you use the generator block you must also use the crankshaft

Mike,
Yes when you have the two engines on the bench in front of you the differences are clear! Unfortunately I have just found out that the car oil pump is broken - the casting is fractured just below where it goes into the block. The generator pump looks beautiful though so I was wondering how I could modify it to pick up oil from the well casting in the sump. If I attempt it I will take some pics and post them.
Rob

I origally used the generator engine with the pump and sump, everytime I went around a bend the oil pressure disappeared.
If you strip the pump down you may well find that the innards are very similar and you can build up one pump from the bits

I took a look at the innards but it is a very different design. I was thinking of modifying the collection canister by blocking up the existing holes in the base and welding an angled tube on the side to pick up oil from the well.

[frame][/frame]



This generator engine really does look good, the oil was clear and the inside of the block is still painted red - and all of the components look good.[frame][/frame]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MORRIS-8-ENGI ... 2c65ca7795

Might this help?

I found also one in my box of spare parts, when you need information about this one, I can help.[frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MORRIS-8-ENGI ... 2c6603ebd1

Another one?

If the price does not rocket it is probably worth buying it then selling it on if no good.