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Re: Introduction - and a question
Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2022 6:49 pm
by unclealec
Will do, after I pick it up, maybe by the weekend.
That would explani why it has a big ring pull rivetted to the roof.
Re: Introduction - and a question
Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2022 9:10 pm
by unclealec
Hey, thanks jagnut66, I bought the first link in your helpful post. The vendor was easily persuaded to lower his asking price. I am due to collect it tomorrow.
Re: Introduction - and a question
Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2022 11:44 pm
by POMMReg
XLW 505G is a duff
WOT 509H re-registered engineers' van - Soton notorious for corrosion
Re: Introduction - and a question
Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2022 11:59 pm
by unclealec
POMMReg wrote: ↑Sat Jan 29, 2022 11:44 pm
XLW 505G is a duff
WOT 509H re-registered engineers' van - Soton notorious for corrosion
You could have told me before I bought it!
Originally TOW 23H I believe. Looked reasonably sound when I inspected it. No great looker, but as a runabaout I think I can keep on top of it. Only time will tell.
Probably some pics tomorrow. And some brake-related questions.
A couple of things I need educating about. What is "Soton? And what does "duff" mean?
Re: Introduction - and a question
Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2022 1:13 am
by POMMReg
Soton short for Southampton
XLW 505G is the post 3/71 van with a 68 regn....surprised ManyMinor's posted it as I had mentioned it is an ID swop.
Re: Introduction - and a question
Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2022 7:52 am
by unclealec
Thanks. As it turns out, I didn't need to ask about Soton - I knew it to be a corruptive of Southampton, but haven't heard of the location causing undue corrosion. I thought it would be an obscure Morris-van-related technical term.
As I have mentioned elsewhere - I have much to learn.
Maybe some pics later!
Re: Introduction - and a question
Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2022 8:33 am
by ManyMinors
POMMReg wrote: ↑Sun Jan 30, 2022 1:13 am
Soton short for Southampton
XLW 505G is the post 3/71 van with a 68 regn....surprised ManyMinor's posted it as I had mentioned it is an ID swop.
I didn't. You're confusing me with somebody else
Re: Introduction - and a question
Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2022 10:36 am
by POMMReg
Apols Mr.MM, t'was Mr.Jagnut.
Re: Introduction - and a question
Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2022 6:04 pm
by unclealec
And yur tis.
Not quite concours.
- IMG_20220130_134542064_HDR.jpg (331.01 KiB) Viewed 1408 times
This plate is attached to what seems to be a metal door trim panel:
- IMG_20220130_134714184_HDR.jpg (309.48 KiB) Viewed 1408 times
There is a chassis no.plate on the bulkhead with an unreadable number, and this:
- IMG_20220130_135817312.jpg (578.13 KiB) Viewed 1408 times
Is this the body number?
and finally a quick shot of the disc brake conversion:
- IMG_20220130_135508932.jpg (491.39 KiB) Viewed 1408 times
Looks Fordish to me; anyone care to identify? Hopefully rebuildable.
More tomorrow after I have done some stripping.
Re: Introduction - and a question
Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2022 7:03 pm
by les
If you remove all of the paint from that bulkhead plate you should be able to see a number, it should be to the right of the raised number and finely stamped in, and not raised. Look carefully. You’ve got some work to do on those brakes! —— I don’t recognise the prefix stamped into the door plate (AE5) maybe Chris can help
Re: Introduction - and a question
Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2022 7:37 pm
by jagnut66
XLW 505G is a duff
Apols Mr.MM, t'was Mr.Jagnut.
I had no idea, I was just trying to help him find a van.
Anyway he has bought WOT 509H from the picture, so not an issue in this case.
And yur tis.
Not quite concours.
And very nice too (IMO), a few bits that want attention but it looks very useable.
A good excuse to trawl the autojumbles! 
Best wishes,
Mike.
Re: Introduction - and a question
Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2022 7:52 pm
by philthehill
The disc brake conversion looks to be Ford with its floating/self cantering calliper.
There does seem to be a stone guard fitted so a clear view of the disc condition is not possible. Only when the wheel is removed will the true condition of the disc be seen.
Re: Introduction - and a question
Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2022 8:22 pm
by unclealec
Thanks guys - I have much to learn.
I want a starting handle - are they all the same, or do I need relevant measurements?
More photos and questions after some stripping.
and jagnut -that is its good side!
Re: Introduction - and a question
Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2022 10:01 am
by myoldjalopy
I'm not sure about the handles from the side-valve engines, but starting handles between any of the A-series engined Minors are interchangable (or even from another car with a A-series engine). But the early ones supplied with the 803cc engines are better, in that they have a sleeve around the handle which makes cranking easier and more comfortable.....
Re: Introduction - and a question
Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2022 10:20 am
by unclealec
Thanks for that. The hunt, er, starts.
A chap I drink with brought one to our local for me, but the landlord wouldn't let him in; he said it looked like he was going to start something.
All my cars have a starting handle; I find them invaluable for servicing and diagnostics. It is often overlooked that they are a perfectly valid compression tester.
Re: Introduction - and a question
Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2022 2:46 pm
by POMMReg
M•AE 5 early engineers, from the first batch of 4k.
Z37923-4 = 1968-72 GPO/PO Minor van
Cab number will either be late 41xxx, early 42xxx - the "4" prefix denotes t'was Nellow from Yew!!
Missing PO jacking points from lower arm, might see indentations each side.
Lucas date may be on the side of the blk control box cover, to the left of the BS1965 seatbelt plate....
Owt else just ask, cannot guarantee I'll be able to answer, but will have a stab at it
Re: Introduction - and a question
Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2022 3:11 pm
by myoldjalopy
unclealec wrote: ↑Mon Jan 31, 2022 10:20 am
All my cars have a starting handle; I find them invaluable for servicing and diagnostics. It is often overlooked that they are a perfectly valid compression tester.
Not to mention their primary purpose - very useful when you have a flat battery!
Re: Introduction - and a question
Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2022 4:23 pm
by unclealec
POMMReg wrote: ↑Mon Jan 31, 2022 2:46 pm
M•AE 5 early engineers, from the first batch of 4k.
Z37923-4 = 1968-72 GPO/PO Minor van
Cab number will either be late 41xxx, early 42xxx - the "4" prefix denotes t'was Nellow from Yew!!
Missing PO jacking points from lower arm, might see indentations each side.
Lucas date may be on the side of the blk control box cover, to the left of the BS1965 seatbelt plate....
Owt else just ask, cannot guarantee I'll be able to answer, but will have a stab at it
You're doing very well so far; many thanks.
If you date the wiper box the same as ones on Rileys, it is from 1969.
It has inertia seat belts - will these be aftermarket?
Re: Introduction - and a question
Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2022 7:48 pm
by unclealec
The brakes were better than I thought. Once the spiders had been brushed away and a wire brush applied to the visible bits, they looked useable. I can see some rust on the visible bits of the pistons, so I may need to find out their original application.
Anyone recognise them?
I will send a photo to ESM and askthem if they sell rebuild kits.
- IMG_20220131_130244967.jpg (342.91 KiB) Viewed 1286 times
- IMG_20220131_125957612.jpg (363.62 KiB) Viewed 1286 times
By the way - should I be posting this in a technical sub-forum instead of general discussion?
Re: Introduction - and a question
Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2022 8:21 pm
by philthehill
I suspect that the disc brake kit fitted to your Minor is the same as that sourced by Morris John.
viewtopic.php?f=8&p=676299#p676299
It may be to your advantage if you contacted him for source details.
The manufacturer/supplier of these these disc brake kits periodically lists the kit for sale for sale on e bay. They can be contacted on
yateschevy@btinternet.com.