Morris Minor Owners Club

My vans shockers are in a shocking state and need replacing, should I go for the stock replacements, or are there better (cheaper) alternatives, eg Ford Escort .

Secondly whilst pressure washing the fuel tank, it sprang a few leaks (it was full of water as it was out of the van) again, have heard that a Ford Escort Mk 2 estate tank will fit with modifications, any truth in the rumour?

There are better (but not cheaper) alternatives - such as the Spax kit (available from most Minor centres).

When you say, Ford Escort, do you mean the standard types that fit at an angle?? - if so, then they (and the van) might need a bit of modification.

I dunno, it was just a rumour, obviously wrong. Thanks for the SPAX advice though.

Are original replacement shocks and tanks (new or used) hard to come by? or why are you looking at alternatives?

Just interested as I'm sitting on a couple of each.

Fweddy said:
"Just interested as I'm sitting on a couple of each."

There are easier ways to firm up the drivers seat you know

Regarding fuel tanks, I remember one of the regular morris parts suppliers was offering a larger fuel tank option not so long ago.

The fuel tank on my Morris was causing some problems about six months ago, I had patched it twice, so I wanted to fit a new tank. At the time the original pattern tanks were out of stock and it looked like I wouldn't get one for a while.
I was offered a larger tank which was slightly cheaper and was told it was an Escort tank. I don't know which Escort though. It required a bit of work to get it in my 4-door saloon, but it's still in there and I am very happy with it.

If you go to the link below they do the Standard tank for £72.00 and the larger 9 gallon tank for £79.00
www.morrisminor.co.uk/index.htm

I think the larger capacity tanks are larger above the boot floor, so there may be a problem fitting the spare tyre in (on a saloon), not too sure what this would mean for a traveller or van though.

Maybe worth asking the question before purchasing?

Good point Cam had not thought about that,
So I rang East Sussex Minors and spoke to John and he said they have not had a complaint about fitting the spare wheel back into a saloon, but as I had raised the question he opened a set of instructions and also compared the tanks, and the top dimesions appear the same although the opening does need some adjustment this applies to both Saloon and Traveller and he said a 155 section tyre still fits, the Commercial one now only comes in the larger capacity and is different to the other one.
He even offered to send me a copy of the fitting instructions if I was at all concerned, how helpful is that, all I can say is thanks to JOHN at East Sussex Minors

Cam is right. I think my tank is larger above the boot floor, and consequently the spare tyre doesn't fit in the gap easily. I was warned about this before I bought the tank.
All the best
Mechanix

Yes Ford Escort rear shocks do fit the moggie van/pickup, but only from the mk1 & mk2 escort.
The shocks from the spax conversion for the moggie saloons will not work on the van I've already asked this to moggie specialists. the van shocks are angled anyway and match perfect to escort.

As for the fuel tank I thought it was a Ford Cortina but can't remember.
Might have a spare tank in the shed Daddsie will have a look.

Yep, they are Mk 2 escort estate shockers £38 for the pair, they extend 9 mm less than the Moggy ones.

Right, now onto the fuel tank.