Morris Minor Owners Club

You can change ALL the big-end bearings, but only the centre main bearing. Let's see the pics!

The big end bearings appeared to be fine. We checked the centre main bearing I think and that was the one with a bit of copper showing through. I didn't manage to take any pictures when Dad removed the covers but I will make sure he gets some when we check them again

'A bit of copper' - is not too bad - and won't be the cause of any 'tapping or banging' - mains tend to 'rumble' - but will go on for a long time yet. Don't think that's the cause of your problems - probably not worth dropping the sump again!

The sump is still off whilst the car is sitting sadly in the garage. Sounds like head off is the way to go for now..

Well - if it's off anyway - pop out and take the big-ends off and get some pics!

If I knew how. Dad is out at the moment and we won't have another chance tonight. I would try but I am not sure what he is doing.I will upload some tomorrow night. Thanks

Well - you NEED to know what he's doing - so stick your head right in there when he next has a go at it! Have you read and re-read the section in the Workshop Manual ?

Good advice that. I have asked to learn more about how it all works, what the problems could be etc. and he showed me the parts. I will read the manual though so I can know. I just have less of an understanding so don't want to screw anything up

stephenpolhill wrote:........don't want to screw anything up

Screwing "up" is clockwise on a normal thread. You probably want to be screwing down to remove those big end fixings

Go and have a lie under the engine and just soak up the engineering- you'll soon be confident enough to strip the old girl yourself!

Love it!
Before I got into classics, I was only into specs of cars etc. But having been around a couple of family classics and now my own moggy, I am really appreciating and enjoying the mechanics of cars. And today being the first chance of seeing first hand inside my engine and its workings I am amazed. I really want to strip the car (unnecessarily) just for the fun and to clean everything, however it's the putting back together. Dad is doing most of the work while I learn how it is done and also following in the book to understand terms.
I am still glad I bought my car, despite the faults. I love it to bits and want to spend more time on it. It is just finding the time besides work and school.
Enough of the emotional jazz, I will keep you posted with what is happening with the head removal etc and what our decision is next.

Hello again. After a day at work, I came home and Dad had removed most bits in the engine apart from the block itself. Now we have to remove the bumper and grill or get hold of an engine lift. That way we can replace any gaskets (the engine does leak a bit) and possibly the bearings if they go. It is also a good chance to properly clean the engine bay.
I am uploading pictures to my facebook which I will keep updated when I can. The link is below
Steve

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=1 ... bc64c7805b

Thats a serious way of checking for a blown head gasket!!

Good luck, you will soon be amazed at how little is involved in making a car go!

It's one way to check everything I suppose. Nice to know the original head gasket is fine though.
Thank you, I just like looking at it, let alone taking it apart and putting together

No need to remove the front end off the car - Split engine from gearbox and it comes out sideways...

Ah that could be useful. Is it still possible to lift it that way out without removing the front or is it only good if you have a lift?

It needs to be lifted. Hire a hoist from HSS or similar or use that old garden swing with some sturdy rope....

I would also check the little ends once you have it apart especially as you say its a more of a smaller noise rather than a knocking one, big ends are rather distinctive.

You can easily get the engine out without a hoist either just grab it and lift - or take the front panel off and slide it out the front, after jacking it up with a trolley jack. Or of course - use that swing!
In all my years - I have never come across any 'little end' problems on A Series engines! <br><br>

bmcecosse wrote:In all my years - I have never come across any 'little end' problems on A Series engines!

A bit like the time you said you had never come across a timing chain snapping not so long ago.

Indeed! Only ever heard of the one and that on here - it must have rattled horribly long before.