Morris Minor Owners Club

Hiya folks,

Well, having stuck 20k miles on my 'unknown condition' 1275 it's started to get, well, rough as hell and noisy as sin. And it appears to be getting worse (I suspect the 40 miles a day - almost all motorway - isn't doing it a lot of good). That and it's getting through oil somewhat quicker than previously.

So I've got this spare 1275 block that's kicking around (actually it's an entire spare engine) - and I was wondering how much I'd have to pay to get someone locally to rebore, skim and rebuild the block (or more accurately, what would be a fair price). Also, are there any improvements that should be made at the same time (istr someone mentioning a better oil pump). I was planning to pinch the ancilleries of my current 1275, and then rebuild that one myself... at my leisure... at a point when, say, I have a kitchen and a bathroom in my house

Given that I know very little about rebuilding 4 stroke engines, is there anything I should look out for, ask for, or... anyone got any recommendations for places near slough?

Cheers m'dears.

£60 -£15/bore for the rebore
£110 pistons and gaskets
£30 New shells big end and mains
£15? skim
£18 Oil pump
£80 if the crank needs a regrind

£Dunno Labour to rebuild probably 1 days labour

Sorry it looks like a lot of money but there is no easy way round it.

's okay, I'm not after cheap, I'm after good... But there's this problem with being a girl - which is that a lot of blokes (particularly those in skilled trades (builders, plumbers, mechanics)) assume that they can rip you off.

So, if I know how much I should expect to pay, then if they say vastly more than that I presume they're not the kind of company that I want to deal with (on the basis that any company that thinks it can get away with ripping off women just because they're likely to know less is the kind of company that doesn't get my cash (see my experience with powdercoating motorcycle wheels)), and if they suggest vastly less then I wouldn't trust them to do the job anyway.

I kind of don't want someone else to do it, that's the frustrating thing. I've been looking forward to learning about it, and just getting the block rebored/skimmed - doing the rest myself. Then redoing it with the second engine and laying that one up as my 'spare'. But now I think time is agin' me... We'll see. I've also been thinking of mailing a friend and picking up a ratty runabout for a few months, so as to give me time to do Rebecca properly.

Cheers

Incidentally, is that a Pipercross airfilter on your engine there?

Its a K&N copy I think. There is a logo on it I'll have a look later.

Is the half engine you have 'in stock' definitely no good as is ? Maybe it would be ok with just rings and new shells ? Worthwhile taking it to bits for a look-see. Otherwise the prices listed are ok - maybe be a bit higher in London area. There is not normally any reason to 'skim' the top of the block - unless you have doubts it will hold a gasket, or you are looking for the ultimate high compression ratio. You will need to allow a sum for having the new pistons fitted to the con rods (NOT a DIY job !) . And if you can chase up an MG Metro camshaft (or the SW5 that everyone raves about) and some duplex timing gear then all the better too. Worth while trying to find an MG Metro cylinder head too - with the bigger inlet valves - and then doing some basic fettling of the valve throats à la Vizard, to release a few extra horses.

Nah, the half engine was probably okay before the water got to the top of it. From memory, I'm pretty certain it wouldn't hold a gasket, so it will need a skim.

I've got one metro cylinder head (which is on the car at the moment); I'm mid debate about whether I should get the other head reconditioned at the same time. I probably should...

Hi Kate
I knew there was someone near you that may be able to help and offer suggestions of local machine shops etc and today I found it.
http://hometown.aol.co.uk/teamspellbound/GMQ.html
Also have a look at his slow Moggie on his home page I think it has taken over from Nick Mann as the Legal Street Car

http://www.oselli.com/ are very good, near Oxford. They have done a lot of engine work for me.

John

Crikey - Oselli - a name from the past! And indeed I see they claim 44 years in the business - almost as long as me !

Yes indeed . I used to race against a mini prepared and sponsored by them in 1968.

Did you beat it ?????

Cheers John, have e-mailed them today