Morris Minor Owners Club

So you will need to either get a carb that does - or make the connection. Used to be able to get spacer plates with vacuum connection built in.

.... A further thought has dawned.....


About a year ago, the front section of exhaust fell off.... You know.... The bit with the big silencer (there are two on big bore pipe). It was replaced in an emergency with a bit of straight thru pipe.... Sounds awesome but have never been able to tune properly since... So proper pipe is on order (sorry neighbours, you will have to set an alarm to wake you now)... Let's see what difference that makes what with the extra back pressure etc....


Just a thought....

Order an AAU needle.... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLASSIC-MINI- ... 27fd500bac

bmcecosse wrote:Order an AAU needle.... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLASSIC-MINI- ... 27fd500bac

..... It's on its way!

I'm not sure that dizzy is ideal for your engine - it appears to be from 1970 ? A more modern dizzy will be less worn and better matched to the engine - and you really DO need to get the vacuum advance working. Either make a connection - or get a carb that has the connection built in. I fear Burlen have unloaded old stock on you.....

I have contacted Burlen. They said I could send it to them and they would fit it or they would send me the part free of charge. It's a simple drill and push in job. Part is on way. Also taking opportunity to change distributor for new one.

Well done. I'm sure it will be worth it.

bmcecosse wrote:I'm a little bit surprised to see such an early dizzy on a Marina engine - but as long as you connect the vacuum advance (and check it's working') it should be ok.

Sorry to jump in on the thread but in relation to your above quote I too have a marina 1275 engine in Boris Minor with a screw fit vacuum connection and numbered 41148A / 01-69.

Does that mean it's a 1969 dizzy ? did they do Marinas then ?

Pretty sure it is indeed a 69 dizzy.... Probably worthwhile getting something newer.

She's in the garage now... Having a new electronic dizzy fitted plus the vac advance. Likely an AAU needle too. Have discovered possible source of the mystery white smoke.... Slight leak in brake servo. Who da thunk that?!

Updates later.....fingers crossed please!!!!!

Burning brake fluid does indeed give white smoke. Easy fix - ditch the servo! It's only a light car - it doesn't need a servo....

Exactly 950KG according to local weigh bridge! I will probably replace the servo.

Before you buy a new one try disconnecting the connection to the manifold on the old servo and blank the manifold connection off. If the white smoke has gone then the servo is at fault - otherwise need to look elsewhere
If the servo is at fault then the smoke would normally be seen when the brakes are applied.

Or just after.... seriously - a servo on a Minor ??

Right.... FINALLY I'm on the road again and running well.

AAU needle fitted. Bit down on power I feel, but feels solid and reliable.

Purchased a Powerspark electronic ignition distributor. It ran for 5 mins before stopping. Then, once cool, ran for another 5 mins before stopping. Contacted company and after running through helpful diagnostics with them, a replacement unit was sent rapidly. Runs faultlessly.

Has been set up and is perhaps a tiny bit rich. I think the smoke may be bore wear, but it only seems to happen just after the choke has been put in in the morning, long the same stretch of road (sorry anyone who is behind me! It can be a bit James Bond esque at times)!

I can live with the smoke, knowing that it's only at certain times and is prob when oil backs up somewhere it shouldn't. I will disengage the servo to see if that has much of an affect. Other than that, (whispers-) all ok now. thanks for all the useful advice as ever.