Morris Minor Owners Club

Ive had rattle when driving from the engine thats been bugging me for quite a while now that sounded exactly like a worn timing chain. I convinced myself this was the fault & replaced it to no effect but has turned out to be the starter motor pinion rattling on its shaft due to wear. fitted a spare motor I had & silence at last

Had the same thing with my Wolseley 15/50, those starter pinions rattle just like a worn timing chain when they get old, its the same tinkling sound!

ahh another job for the rustoscope.

That is a long screwdriver you can probe the components with the sharp end and listen with you ear to the blunt end.

As I've said before I learnt it from my father who listened to the tracks at a sea side railway level crossing using the spade that went with my bucket.

Fortunately there was no loss of life! So there is my proof it works.

as a mechanic I often listen to bearing and grumbling sounds through a long screwdriver to the ear.

Very easy way to find out where they are coming from.