Morris Minor Owners Club

I can't deny that I've started looking at the usual sites but I'm still haunted by the mutation of my '67 MGB.

In fact I've still got the old 3 synchro box from when I fitted o/d.

My names Pete and I'm an addict...........

My names Pete and I'm an addict...........

There's no cure I'm afraid....................... unless the wife enforces one......

Currently coming second in the debate over a Morris Garage's 2 seat rag top

In the mean time I've been honing my metal work skills on the road kerb and achieved a coincidence of radii that now prevents the exhaust from catching the bulkhead aperture.

Any tips on how to free the gearbox drain plug?

My matching set of Chinese sockets is now depleted by 1 [frame][/frame]

Firstly buy a decent socket (my sets tend to end up with all the commonly used ones replaced with good quality hex sockets), heating the alloy case with hot air gun or blowlamp arond the plug may also help.

I'm pretty sure the Chinese only make Metric socket sets,no use on a Minor, a good quality socket set will last your whole life, invest in one!

Kevin/Marky

Thanks for the advice.

I got a generous off-load of dubious tools when my father had a clear out and feel duty bound to abuse them.

It never ceases to amaze me the variety of shapes that hammers come in

Which reminds me of a little known engineering fact - the reason Prof. Xania Posidrive invented the cross head screw was to ensure that users would know exactly where to hit them with a hammer.

I found a post about freeing stuck drain plugs on this site somewhere and solved matters with the delicate application of a pair of stilsons and a metre of steel pipe. If the slimey stuff does its job, I won't need the bespoke 17 face socket for 6,000 miles

Also rather surprising how much more oil fits in than comes out

Next stop diff oil, then I need to get on with painting and fitting the replacement front wings.

Any advice on painting over existing paint for those born lazy?

Pete

You will need to find out if the new paint is compatable with the old, try an area and see if it reacts, if all is ok and the exiting paint is in good condition, flat it back with something like 400 grit paper, prime, flat back with 800 grit then topcoat, severel thin coats are better than overdoing it. Let it dry for a week then cut back with 1500 grit paperback then cutting paste and finally polish.

Kevin,

Thanks for the advice, I'll give that a go once I've stripped out the lights and cleaned up the insides.

Do you know if there are codes that will match the original colour to current types or can I still get the original (smoke grey)?

Pete

Smoke Grey BU15 ICI code 1301

Lou,

That's great thanks. I'll buy a bit and see what happens.

Pete

Boris is now in daily and over-enthusiastic use and has taken to singing along to the rise and fall of the engine revs.

Sadly it's a rather discordant high pitched whine with a quieter supporting bass growl.

I'm guessing either fan belt and dynamo bearings, water pump possibly or maybe a bit of dizzy cam?

Any musicians out there with advice while I start at the cheap end with a fan belt (actually water pump grease is a cheaper start).

Thanks

Pete

Not too complicated - fan belt absolutely shot. Not sure about dynamo bearing until I can get it under some load. Drive end bearing is so cheap I ought to do it any way.

Very ugly end of thrust bearing noise also appeared.

Unless there is some miracle adjustment available in the clutch pedal it's engine out time [frame][/frame]

Threw in the towel last night after kicking the metaphorical cat twice round the garage . Dynamo in pieces, blunt instruments not best for interference fit of shiny new drive side bearing on commutator shaft.

Bit of dreamtime inspiration, early start and all together again. Pull black button and enjoy my favourite noise.

All good (by my extraordinary low standards).

Photos show two little bolts and one substantial ny-lock that now replace the 3 rivets for the bearing plate, fingers crossed for longevity.

Dash now to 100th anniversary bash to meet long travelled friend and hopefully to make new ones.

And to by an alternator conversion .

If I break down at least I know it won't be the coil

Pete, dashing to the shower.[frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

Jagnut,

That's the result of saving time with an angle grinder. The new bearing was no problem to fit but the noise persists although rather less frequent.

Having deployed the screwdriveroscope I've invested in a new water pump which I will fit ahead of an alternator kit - starting cheap and working upwards.

The new Moss exhaust is enjoyable but near unbearable on the motorway. Its fully sealed and issolated but droningly loud. Does anyone else have bad experience of this?

Thanks.

Pete

A persistant red light on the speedo informed me that my 'good' work changing the dynamo bearings whilst a useful learning curve was clearly not a cure.

Failure of the dynamo has provided the chance to 'upgrade' to an alternator - increasingly necessary to support halogen lights, radio, impending fitment of iPhone charger and at some future date a heated rear window.

I bought a kit from ESM which has all the bits (strangely including a water pump gasket) and due to a recent accident which limits my movement set about directing my daughter in the fitting process. As the following photos:

As was with dynamo[frame][/frame]

Wiring as 49 years ago[frame][/frame]

[frame][/frame]

Coil and leads removed[frame][/frame]