Morris Minor Owners Club

trying to cause minimum damage to my engine bay paint work while welding in this last panel. Using anything disposable to hand to mask the bay off.[frame][/frame]

the colour is a near match as Ford Nordic Blue[frame][/frame]

i'm not sure about that fuel line from pump to carb. looks a bit like garden hose to me. be careful with fuel and plastics as certain plastics denature with petrol!

well done on getting that plate in with minimum damage!

Looks like standard '80s and 90's aftermarket sold by the metre generic fuel hose to me. Only problem will be (eventually) age hardening.

Braided fuel pipes are only about £7 well worth it

David, a couple of constructive criticism points:-

1) Flush the "radweld" out, as said it is a get you home bodge and not a proper repair! I would take the rad to a radiator specialist to get any minor leaks done. My local rad specialist repaired a couple of leaks, tested that rad and then painted it in radiator black for £16! Peace of mind and a tidy looking rad is worth it.

2) The petrol pipe to the float chamber does look too tight, as advised, get a braided hose.

Other than that, looks like you did a good job on the seats!

thanks gents.Lots to consider there, this braided pipe would be better then, it came in a box of loose parts with the basket case, The yellow hose was on the original pickup relic, so I'll take your advice and replace it. It does seem more solid a component.[frame][/frame]

yes do replace it, because if the plastic one splits ( which it very well could) fuel will spill over the manifold, and WILL cause a fire. probably ruining all your hard work.

When you replace it, replace it with a new pipe! It costs less than a tenner and these (even braided) do split eventually, they also can put bits of perished rubber or other debris into your carb. That can stop the jet closing also resulting petrol near the manifold. Petrol onto the manifold will not necessarily cause a fire immediately, but is definitely not recommended!

I wouldn't recommend the braided type as you can't see what sort of condition the underlying plastic pipe is in. The one fitted to one of my Minors started leaking, whilst externally still looking as good as new. I only discovered it by accident, investigating the mysteriously high fuel consumption. Turns out it had been dripping petrol onto the exhaust pipe below for a couple of weeks .

Personally I'd just fit a normal rubber one. Make sure you buy a new one though as it's just not worth risking all that hard work going up in flames, trying to save a measly few quid.

Ok i'll order one from ESM next week when I place my order for the grill trim, they should have one in by then. The project is kinda stalled, I can't fit the headlamps till the wings are squared with the front panel, the front panel, radiator and all the chrome can't go on till the surround arrives. When that happens it could take a big step in the right direction. Including the front bumper. Those two of the three main factors creeping in, Money,parts. (time is on my side)[frame][/frame]

David
My spare time has been at a premium recently, rebuilding the front suspension on my pal's Morris 1000, new bushes, wheel bearings, trunions,refilling the dampers, new track rod ends, etc.Then I switched to my other pal's Triumph TR4 getting his engine up and running after several year's slumber.
You did well with the " damage limitation " welding the plate in, excellant job, good result.

I concur with the advice about putting a new fuel pipe on.Fuel lines or brake lines are simply not worth the risk,it could be your life that depends on it.Giving my eldest son help years ago, to restore a Volkswagen Beetle ,I discovered that his fuel
pipe from the tank simply " crumbled in my hands ".Superficially it was very dirty but looked as though it was sound.After
a fire fighting course with the Fire Brigade, you learn petrol fires are to be treated with the utmost respect.

Be patient, your work so far has been great, you'll get there eventually.Then you can indulge in some serious self satisfaction.
Bob

thanks Bob, sterling advice as always. Charlie Morris minor dropped by today to pickup his seat frames, great to know they've found a new home. Had a great natter about Morris minors, Engines, restoration and Morris minors in daily life.[frame][/frame]

hurrah! ESM finally have the chrome front panel surrounds in, at last I'll be able to connect the front together and assemble the whole lot.

finally Ive got my hands on the Parts to reassemble the front end, including the bumper, now I just need a spare day. (or two)[frame][/frame]

keep the new chrome parts away from the winter elements, as they will corrode quite badly

quite common for repro chrome parts to pit within the first winter

A very light smear with vaseline helps keep the moisture away in the winter

thanks guys, handy tips. Fitting the surround was not as straight-forward as I had anticipated. The trim slides into joining pieces that holds the centres together[frame][/frame]

they are then held in place by a series of sliding bolts that are slide in before lining them up with the holes in the panel.[frame][/frame]

seemed simple, but it was quite a fiddle to fit, the bolts are tightened up in this picture but it still needs a lot of adjustment.[frame][/frame]