Morris Minor Owners Club

As the bodywork was coming on fine, it was time to turn my attention to the engine. The car originally came with an 803cc engine. This wasn`t the original engine fitted to the car. With the cost of refurbing an 803cc being so high, it was decided to refurb a good 1098cc engine that I had. The engine was completely stripped and cleaned. The head was taken to be converted to unleaded fuel, while the crank and block were taken for reboring and regrinding. With the parts back from the machine shops, all the other parts were ordered.

New bearing shells were installed and the nicely ground crankshaft was fitted. Rebore and crank grind was done by Bates engineering of Mapperley, Nottingham. I`ve had several engines machined by them and they`ve always done a cracking job.



New oil pump fitted and the new pistons fitted to the conrods



Pistons installed, together with camshaft and new timing chain kit. Everything torqued up with new lock tabs and the engine is ready for the head.



The cylinder head was converted to unleaded by Peter Burgess of Alfreton, possibly the finest engine builder in the land. It was skimmed, pressure tested, had new guides, hardened valve seats, valves, springs and modern style stem seals fitted.



Head, pushrods, rocker shaft fitted and torqued down. The engine was turned regularly at the different stages to make sure it was still free, but with the correct amount of tightness expected from a newly machined engine.



The rest of the engine was then built up. A new water pump and hose fitted, new distributor electrics fitted, full carburettor kit and the engine was then run on a test frame. The engine cracked up first touch of the wire, ran like a wristwatch, with no smoke or oil leaks (as would be expected) so the engine was then fitted to the vehicle, connected up and filled with anti-freeze mixture (bluecol of course)



The engine will have the tappets reset, head re-torqued and carb, ignition check and oil & filter change at 500 miles

Which brings me pretty much to the end. The rest of the car was put back together. New front grille, bumpers and valances, new headlight bowls were fitted, new style indicator units to the front, the rear we kept as it came because it looked fine. We fitted new laminated windscreens, refitted the badges, which we kept as the originals, not just for the cost, but it was nice to keep some original parts on the vehicle.

A full interior was ordered and all the seats reupholsteredand fitted, new front and rear door cards/panels were fitted together with a new headling. The car originally came with a bright red interior, but I went for the maroon colour when I placed the order. My mate wasn`t keen on it at first, but he changed his mind when it was all fitted and he conceded the maroon looked classier than the bright red in a black car



A new set of radial tyres were fitted and it was time for a drive. Wow, Away he went. I drove it for about 5 miles and it was great. Everything worked as it should, the brakes pulled up straight and the engine pulled like a train up hills. It was then back to the garage and a few tweaks done to the timing and carb, then the next drive was up to the M.O.T station. The car had a great reception up there as the guys had seen the project in it`s various stages and couldn`t believe it was the same car we dragged in all those months ago. The car passed with flying colours and the only thing was to adjust the headlights with the beam setter. Monty was ready for the road. I have taken it to show various people who have seen the car being done and were keen to see it completed and it really gives you a warm feeling when they give the posative comments on the results

These last few pictures are of the completed car and were taken about an hour before the customer came to pick it up. I know we did this, but I have to say I`m so pleased and proud by the way it has turned out



Oh yes, a picture of that all important M.O.T certificate

That`s me done then. That`s another "Moggy" rescued and put back on the road. It has been a long road, with plenty of ups and just as many downs. I`ll never forget the sinking feeling felt when we ripped it apart and saw the full extent of the rust, I`ll also never forget the feeling of pride when I drove it for the first time and got "Those" looks from the general public.
It has been a massive learning curve, never underestimate the task ahead, never thing you`ll get the project in under budget, be prepared for the unexpected and always take time to stop and think about the next stage.
Did we make mistakes? Of course we did. We went at it a bit of a bull at a gate stripping it, which made a few things a bit difficult on rebuild, especially the windscreens and headlining. Next time, we`ll take pictures
When I`ve built engines in the past, I have used ESM for my parts and have been very pleased with them. However, while putting together the quote, I found that Bull Motif were the cheaper option overall, especially when you consider the total parts bill was over £4,000. However, we did use ESM for some bits and I have to say that I found their parts to be of a better quality in general than Bull Motif, so next time I will quote on their prices instead.
I just said next time
Would i do another one? Of course I would, I`m looking for a new project as I write this. If it turns out to be a Moggy, then I`ll put it up here

Thanks for looking in

Rob

Well done Rob, time to buy one for yourself

Well done Rob, you must be really proud

The customer won't be able to stop smiling

As David says, time to buy one for yourself

Nick

Thanks for the comments guys

I`d love one for myself, but it`s the same old excuse, can`t find one for the right price. Those I have seen that catch my eye are all miles away. I`m in Derby and all the cars seem to be on the South Coast
Nice trip out by he sea for a day, but not in my tow truck, It wouldn`t make it out of Derbyshire, let alone a good trek

Seriously though, if anyone does come across a Moggy that needs some TLC that`s not too far away from me, then give me a shout.

Well done, looking really good.

Very nice work! That looks fantastic.