Morris Minor Owners Club

If it was the original engine from the '67 then it should be a 1098. They changed from 948 to 1098 in about '61 - '62.

If the engine number starts with a 10 then it's a 1098, if it starts with a 9 then it's a 948. If you can tell us your engine number we can say for sure what it is.

The engine number is on a small riveted plate on the spark plug side of the engine, near to the front where the head joins the block.

The '60 tourer should have a 948 tranny & diff. If it's casing is smooth then it's a 948 type, if it has ribs on it then it's a 1098 type.

The diff will make it a better cruiser (the trannys have the same 4th gear ratio of 1:1), but if you want a real cruiser then see if you can get hold of a 5-speed 'box from a small in-line car. We use the UK spec Ford Sierra type 9 gearbox which has a 0.82 5th gear ratio which makes cruising a lot easier!

With regard to the brakes, if you can, then fit discs but otherwise fit the 8" drums off the '67. Don't leave the 7" '60 drums on as they struggle to stop the 948!!

Yep, she's a 1098.

The main difference between the trannys is the strength. The smooth case (948) tranny was designed to handle 37 BHP whereas the ribcase one was designed to handle 48 BHP. If it is in good order and you don't gun it everywhere then it might be OK, but if I was you I would swap it over for the 1098 one (easy enough job) if you already have the engine out.

You can just change the diffs, but the filler points on one of them is on the diff and the other one it is on the axle case, so you will either end up with no filler plug at all or 2 filler plugs!! not sure which way around it is now, but you will be able to tell straight away!

I THINK the filler on the 1098 is on the casing and the 948 is on the diff, so you might have to swap the axle, which means unbolting the leaf spring U-bolts and uncoupling the rear brake flexi hose.

just put the 1098(rib cased ) tranny and the 1098cc engine in and leave the 948 diff. would this be ok?

Yep, that will be fine, you will have better acceleration than a standard 1098 but the same top speed (ish) as a 948. It should do 55-60 MPH no problem.

In any case if you find it unbearable (which I don't think you will) you can always change it at a later date.

No, you don't have to change the drums to 8" to do a disc conversion, as you remove everything anyway and replace the backplates.

For more stateside info contact Randolph Williams he will have all the info that you need as what is available over there
morrisminor1000@aol.com

We use Morris Marina or Ford Sierra bits, but I honstly don't know what American vehicles (if any) would be suitable (because they are so much bigger!!). Maybe you would have success with a scrap Japanese import or a British car if you can find one!! although you might have to go to a specialist breaker.

Like Kevin says, have a word with Randolph Williams, but you could always order conversion parts from the UK although the shipping costs might be a bit expensive.