What was the best thing you got to help you with your Moggy !

[philthehill]

Who is Ron?

[CMG]

In a similar idea, handle stowed it a normal ratchet, when released pumping the handle drives the square drive.
20250604_133825.jpg20250604_133758.jpg
[Never seen one of those before , are they 1/2 Drive ? ]

[Carpet]

I second an impact wrench. Makes jobs much easier and quicker.

Also a trolley jack and stands.

[les]

I don’t think the items mentioned apply solely to the Minor, more to the everyday mechanic. In fact I can’t think of any specific tool unique to the Minor, ———(is there?). Considering the OPs past, I would say he would have all the tools he needs,—— well maybe some imperial spanners.

[Bill_qaz]

As you say Les, no tools are specific to our cars unless you are talking dealer special tools. Personally I've been gathering my tool kit for 55 years and in the past made my living with them. Now just maintaining a friends classic cars and my own vehicles but I still buy tools that make jobs easier or sometimes because I think they could be useful. My last purchase was a power finger file to clean up my welding in a restricted space
Can't resist a rummage through the tool stalls at markets or car meets

[Bill_qaz]

In a similar idea, handle stowed it a normal ratchet, when released pumping the handle drives the square drive.
20250604_133825.jpg20250604_133758.jpg
[Never seen one of those before , are they 1/2 Drive ? ]

Yes it's standard half inch drive, which pushes through to reverse ratcheting direction.

20250604_133758.jpg (360.07 KiB) Viewed 482 times

[philthehill]

Les
The only tool specific to the Minor is Swivel Pin Die Nut Holder (basic tool) Pt No: 18G305 with accompanying Swivel Pin Die Nuts Pt No: 18G305 A.

The tool and dies are somewhat surplus/obsolete to requirements now as the undersize trunnions are no longer made though they do very occasionally come up for sale on 'e' bay. The undersize trunnions are identified by being painted red.
Very rarely does the die holder and undersize dies come up for sale. The last set I saw for sale only had the one L/H undersize die.
All of the other tools listed for use on a Minor can be used on selected BMC vehicles.
Phil

[CMG]

I don’t think the items mentioned apply solely to the Minor, more to the everyday mechanic. In fact I can’t think of any specific tool unique to the Minor, ———(is there?). Considering the OPs past, I would say he would have all the tools he needs,—— well maybe some imperial spanners.
[ You are correct Les I do have a lot of tools for working on vehicles that I have collected over the years , Trolley Jacks , Axle Stands loads of spanners and sockets 1/4 , 3/8 , 1/2 Metric and Imperial and 3/4 Drive for the heavy stuff , I do have a 1/2 Impact Driver which is a good asset , although I prefer the "feel " of using a ratchet , spanner etc . The reason for the question was based upon learning from members of any tools that are required for working on the Minor that make life easier , like for working on the brake shoes /drums as 99% of the vehicles I have worked on have been 'newer' with pads / disc , servo's , alternators , etc . Sometimes there are tools made by the manufacturer or just DIY that make certain Jobs easier ....like the tappet adjusting tool that has been mentioned .

[CMG]

Thank you everyone who has sent in their replies , their are a few things that I already have which is great and some that have gone on the " Birthday / Wish List " .
Nice to have people to ask and get help from .

The Minor I have just got is a 1970 2 Door Saloon in Smoke Grey that has been sat in a Garage since 1986 , my plans are to try to keep this as original as it is now and and get it back out and about again ,then go from there......... so any words of advice or further thoughts on anything that might help along the way would be appreciated.

[Bill_qaz]

Good luck with you Minor It's only an opinion but don't get too wrapped up in originality rather than usability. Unless of course showing it is your main aim, rather than the fun of driving it.

[michael4]

After a lifetime of ruining bleed screws and brake pipes I bought a brake pipe spanner.

[svenedin]

After a lifetime of ruining bleed screws and brake pipes I bought a brake pipe spanner.

Essential!!

[svenedin]

Another very good thing to have if you intend to do a lot of your own maintenance is a decent trolley jack. By decent I mean 2 cylinders (raises much faster) and with a decent size lifting pad. Using such a jack you can raise the front of the car just on the pad avoiding fiddling about with blocks of wood between jack and car. I struggled with an inadequate trolley jack for years until I asked for a good one for my birthday. It actually came from Halfords and is excellent.

Other tools are more as and when required. Various sockets for different jobs, specialist spanners, a flywheel locking tool etc etc. You can usually borrow these from other members of your local MMOC branch.

If there was one thing, other than knowledge as Phil said, I would say decent lighting in the garage and most of all a head torch. Any job is easier if you can see what you are doing properly!

Stephen

[Wes]

Lets not forget the most important tool to have in the car, the humble Mobile phone to call the recovery services

Broke down a few years back in my MGB and i had forgotten my phone. Was surprised at the lack the phone boxes. Ended up in local shop and shopkeeper kindly lent me his phone so i could call for help.

[CMG]

After a lifetime of ruining bleed screws and brake pipes I bought a brake pipe spanner.

Essential!!
[ Good Call they are invaluable sometimes , especially when the unions are tight and an open ender turns the corners over and for the difficult to get to areas ...do you know what size the moggy requires ? ]

[CMG]

Good luck with you Minor It's only an opinion but don't get too wrapped up in originality rather than usability. Unless of course showing it is your main aim, rather than the fun of driving it.
[ totally understand , not driven one before but see the "upgrades " that are available , will be an on going project not going to be a "show" car been there done that with a few cars in the past just want to have a bit of fun but will want it to be safe and as nice to drive as possible .

[myoldjalopy]

Good luck with you Minor It's only an opinion but don't get too wrapped up in originality rather than usability. Unless of course showing it is your main aim, rather than the fun of driving it.

You can have just as much fun driving an 'original' car - although very few are exactly that now, 'maintained to original specs' is more likely after all this time.
In terms of best thing I have for help - I would say the knowledge on this forum and a friendly classic car mechanic on hand for when I get really stuck!

[CMG]

Just got my 1st Minor (1970 saloon) in need of a bit of TLC , just wondered what the best thing you bought / got to make life easier for jobs needed on a Minor . Be it tools , jigs , manuals , something you wished you had got sooner etc and what is was and why ?

A Battery cut-off switch to save battery life when car not in use and also easy to disconnect when working on car
[ I put one on my last Car ( chevy pickup) for the exact same reason thanks for reminding me .]

[CMG]

Knowledge
And it does not cost a penny to acquire.

Plus
'e' bay and the web of course .
[ Hopefully be able to lean on you guys for a bit of that ]

[svenedin]

After a lifetime of ruining bleed screws and brake pipes I bought a brake pipe spanner.

Essential!!
[ Good Call they are invaluable sometimes , especially when the unions are tight and an open ender turns the corners over and for the difficult to get to areas ...do you know what size the moggy requires ? ]

Usually 7/16" AF for brake line union nuts and bleed nipples. A brake spanner is really an essential tool because the union nuts are brass and easily damaged.

Also worth mentioning that for a Morris Minor you need AF Imperial spanners/sockets, Whitworth spanners/sockets and BA spanners/sockets.

If you don't know what spanner you need try all of them! Very occasionally you may come across a metric fastener but this will be a replacement. It depends what has been done to the car over the years.

Stephen