Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi, I'm thinking at the moment that maybe in the summer holidays I'm going to find an old A-series engine and try and rebuild it, mainly just to learn with (I didn't dare strip down my car's engine as it's running perfectly fine!) but I was just wondering, how easy is it to start and engine and test it when it's not fitted into the car? what do you need?

You need the engine v. firmly crated - special metal crates are available, a battery, radiator and an exhaust system if you don't want an ASBO from the neighbours! Oh and a pretty sound-proof garage.

When I rebuilt my engine, I wasn't sure whether the timing was 180 degrees out and I wanted to be sure before fitting the engine. It was sat on a home made wooden trolley, I attached a battery, filled the carb from a tube and funnel and fired it up. I only ran it for a few seconds due to no cooling, but with a exhaust and radiator it would have run ok for longer. I was surprised by the lack of movement of the engine even on a flimsy trolley.

Just lash it to something solid - like a work bench - or even maybe a clothes pole!