Morris Minor Owners Club

ohhh the stress....my moggy had a rather large oil leak problem.. my hubby stripped the engine added a alternator whilst he was at it..added some thingymabobs....those cardboardy type cut outs (sorry cant remember the name) and sorted the timing...oh he also snapped one of the cyliner heads bolt things?? (dont ask!)
started her up sounds rather noisey and they fumes are terrible but not as bad as before, and I still have a oil leak! MOT is due May 15th...
now shall I take her to the garage and throw the keys at them and plead my ignorant case of 'I dunno what to do with her' (which is true)
or buy another engine? I like the engine in there as its the original one, can a engine be worth a overhaul...or shall I start a hunt for another one?
what would you do??, I want to use her not have her on my drive looking like she should have flowers planted in the engine bay

moggy_moo wrote:my moggy had a rather large oil leak problem

Could it be a breather problem?

moggy_moo wrote:my hubby stripped the engine added a alternator whilst he was at it..added some thingymabobs....those cardboardy type cut outs (sorry cant remember the name) and sorted the timing

Would they be 'gaskets?

moggy_moo wrote:oh he also snapped one of the cyliner heads bolt things?? (dont ask!)

Buy a decent stud extractor, it'll soon come out.

moggy_moo wrote:MOT is due May 15th

Mines due on the 25th

moggy_moo wrote:now shall I take her to the garage and throw the keys at them and plead my ignorant case of 'I dunno what to do with her' (which is true)
or buy another engine? I like the engine in there as its the original one, can a engine be worth a overhaul...or shall I start a hunt for another one? what would you do??

depends where from and how much oil leaks, I personally would start with the breathing system and work my way through looking for reasons why it's leaking.

moggy_moo wrote:I want to use her not have her on my drive looking like she should have flowers planted in the engine bay

I have 2 like that, it's just having the time lately

gaskets!! thats the word!
you make it sound so easy!
the oil leak is coming fron the bottom, and its the sump,
dunno what to do....I think the gaskets, need taking out and putting in again..as he didnt do something...so a mate told him,...sorry cant remeber what he said now
I am feeling really disheartend and what her ready YESTERDAY, and after looking round Ripon show and seeing some beauties and beasts, I think my baby is well worth the tears and heartache

If it's the sump gasket was it a new one? If so cork or rubber? His mate is probably right if it's new, sump gaskets can be a pain in the #$*!!! Still check the breathing system. Try running it with the oil filer cap off and place the palm of your hand over the hole and feel how much pressure builds up and how quickly.

I'll second that - sounds like definite "some work needed" territory to me. Don't lose faith

An engine is/can be worth overhauling, the advantage being you are in control, although a rebore etc will have to be farmed out. Buy your husband a manual next time though!

les he has one
bless him he was only trying to help....
maybe I will take her to the garage (when her tax free disk comes in the post) see what they say and what it may cost

if you have the original engine still in place it would be nicer to rebuild it (if that is necessary). You can get other engines cheap but you will never know what will go wong with them!

A good rebuild would not cost much more than a good second hand engine. its simple to work on and most of the cost is labour getting it in and out. remember to do things like the clutch as that will only be the cost of the parts at that stage.

at 38 years old if you engine has never been rebuilt before its a fair lifespan. a rebuild should see you right for another 30 years or so ;-)

hope it all goes well.

Or, why not see if you can get a cheap motor - I used one for about 2 years with no problems, then you can take your time getting the original motor reconditioned. I would recommend you join the nearest moggie club, and ask around to find out who does rebuilds the best - more expensive is not always better, and by joining you may find someone with a spare motor. Us morris people usually have a spare or 2 - OK I have 4 spare (I think) and a flathead. Would give you one, but postage might be a tad excessive from NZ.

John

well....went to my brothers mates scrap yard...there in the corner on top of a astra, sad a lonely sad very rusty blue 2 door saloon....it had been sat for over 35 years in someones yard, before its final journey to the scarp yard....anyway I have the engine,,,,god only knows what it will be like...but it was £50, I am also taking the steering wheel which is black with a spoked design....I am keeping my own gearbox and all the other stuff..my other half has gone to collect it, I will post a photo later
shame about the old blue moggy but it was well past saving

Is the replacement engine the same size as your current one?

yes its the same just very dirty and covered in cobwebs

What's more to the point, does it actually turn over or is it seized solid?

here are some photos, no idea (yet) if she turns over! crazy eh!! but what the hell, Moggies are a die hard car tough as boots and I throw caution to the wind (gulp)
here is a photo of it, before a wash, amazing what a jet washer will remove
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/g ... f/eng2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>
and after, well still washing...

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/g ... washed.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>
looks like a bag of cr^p to me, but my brother and the scrappy and my hubs thinks its worth ago.....wish me luck

omg I am so sorry the photos are HUGE! by the way the engine or car said 39k on the clock