Morris Minor Owners Club

To put it in perspective. The 803cc power-train was designed for the Austin A30 which weighed 102kg LESS than a 4-door Minor. As already covered, the gearing is very low and is noticeable but still manageable once you get used to it. IIRC the 803 engine has white metal crank bearing shells whereas 948/1098cc engines have lead-indium bearing shells. White metal shells generally won't last as long and have to be replaced like for like. That said, regular maintenance following the handbook instructions should give you long life provided you don't drive the car flat-out all the time. Oil/filter changes every 3000 miles are essential. If you do less than 3000 miles annually, then 2 oil changes and 1 filter change a year are still the best idea.

My Minor makes a good case study as I have a lot of service history with it. New in August '56, the first 500 mile service/oil change was carried out (late) at 1000 miles approx. Whilst there are bills for other work, no mention of oil/filter changes again until July '61 (29,990 miles). Invoice for changing oil/filter and 'inspect engine for noise'. Next, two months later, an invoice for supply/fit Gold Seal recon engine. This being the 948cc engine I'm using today.

I have no doubt that, with regular oil/filter changes between 1957 and 1961 theres a chance I'd still have the original engine under the bonnet.

I'm still indecisive ...... even more so now . As a matter of curiosity, would you rather the original 803 engine instead of the 948 ?

I'm probably equally indecisive. The main attraction for me is the rather 'olde worlde' charm of an original-LOOKING split-screen car. From a purist viewpoint, I'd like to put an 803 back in Max... BUT.... I'll probably end up getting the current 948 overhauled when the time comes and get a gearbox and axle to go with it.

Max does very low mileages. Less than 800 miles in the past 14 months, with the longest journey so far this year being a 76 mile round trip to the Shropshire branch rally. With such mileages the current set-up I have is perfectly adequate.

When BMC formed, joining Austin and Morris, the A series engine was made available for the minor but it was still in 'development'. The white metal bearing shells are able to absorb debris, allowing for a lack of 'full flow filter' that was promised on the sales brochure for the series II. Once a proper filter was made available the bearing metal could be replaced with harder, longer lasting type. I think it is fair to say the bypass filter of the first series A engine is practically worthless and the only solution is to regularly change the oil - which you have to do even if you do insist on spending money on new filters.

If you ever have to grind in a valve, make sure that the carborundum is completely washed away in a paraffin bath before reassembly because a single particle of the grit can score the bearing metal allowing an increased flow of hot oil, lowering the pressure. My car was bought and cared for by a very conscientious fellow, who kept all the paperwork. With regular oil change, more frequent than for a modern engine, he kept the performance up to spec for 39,000 miles. Then i got it and it all went downhill.

The 803cc engine is a part of history, and mine is working for now, but for a useable car you really are better off with a 948cc.

The 803cc engine gets a lot of flak, and not surprisingly. I would agree a 948 cc in a splittie does make it more 'useable'. However, if you just want a hobby car to tootle around in occassionaly, and don't mind the lack of guts, an 803 in good fettle isn't as bad as some make out. But you will have to accept its limitations and drive accordingly. Back in the early 80's, I had one for a few years as my only car and it was OK as the engine and box were in tip-top condition and I didn't have to drive long distances daily. But with the amount of traffic on today's roads, and if you need to do longish daily/regular drives, an 803cc powered Minor is not really practical other than a fun second car........

My every day car is a Honda Civic and I currently have a 1969 convertible of some ten years and over the last 35 years I have owned a 1956 four door splitty, 1968 two door saloon, Triumph Mayflower, [ now that car was under powered with a big, heavy body, three speed, 1247 side valve engine!],Triumph TR4, Austin Cambridge MK 1. I only use the convertible locally and the furthest I've travelled in her is to a show this year and last year which is about 20 miles away. I tend to stick to very local shows so she's only used to tootle around my local town and 9 miles down the road to the local harbour for a pose.