Morris Minor Owners Club

My son was on the phone tonight. He was moaning about a problem with his 1991 Mini 1000. The details were a bit vague, but here is the jist of the story:
He says that the big washer on the alternator pulley (just below the big nut) is fouling against the side of the radiator.
So much so, that it's actually gouged a little dent in the rad housing. Now, I've not seen under the bonnet of a Mini for a long time...can anybody offer a possible cause for this problem?

Thanks in advance, folks.

are the rad/ engine secure?

Has he removed and then refitted the alternator the wrong side of the mounting brackets so it's moved it closer to rad ?
First question I'd ask, over the phone, is if the pulleys are all in line to confirm if its the alternator or rad which has moved.

Paul Humphries

Thanks, guys.
I'll get back on the phone to him. To be honest, he knows next to bugger all about cars and it's hard to get clear info.
I suspected the alternator position, can't imagine the rad being in the wrong place!
A local garage has done some work on this wee motor, and from what I've heard so far it's been diabolical. It went in to get a new thermostat gasket, as there was a water leak at that point. All was fine for a few hours, till the leak returned. I got a glimpse on Saturday night, and the thermostat housing has never been off that car for a loo-ong time, if at all. Looks like it's had a little silicon sealent smudged around the joint, which has simply given up after a short period.
Just got the Mog ready for the summer (ha, ha) so it looks like I might be tinkering with a Mini for a while....should feel like an old friend (or a ****!!!! nightmare)

Dont these thermo stat covers corrode from the inside to the outside giving the impression that the cover is ok ,For what it would cost and a simple job Id go there first and fit a new gasket at the same time. 2 nut 1 hose clamp clean face replace done

Yep, I'll do the thermostat gasket first. It's a fairly old car, so I'll pray that the 3 nuts will yield without snapping the studs. Don't fancy trying to dislodge bits of broken stud, never had to do that patricular little task in my puff. I suppose a good soak in release oil beforehand will help.
I'm wondering now if the top bracket from rad to thermo housing might be a little bent in the middle, drawing the rad too close to the alternator pulley. I'll ask him to take some pics with his phone....

I suppose a good soak in release oil beforehand will help.

Always worth while doing, plus gas is probably the best if you have some.

having cursed and scraped knuckles over my cooling system in the last few days I think the following might be happening...

the rad is held from above and below by 2 brackets, one bolted to the thermostat housing and one to the engine mount. both have rubber grommets to allow give but to keep things stable. now if the rubber grommets have perished away they may be too much movement causing the fan or the lower engine pulley to score the radiator, or if the rubber in the lower engine mount is giving up the lower bracket may well be flexing too much and again causing the rad to move.

so

check upper and lower mounting brackets are secure, that the bolts are sufficiently tight, and that the rubber grommets are good. Also check the engine mount is still sound by giving the engine a good shove and see how much movement that might cause.

Here's the pics, as promised.



The actual rubbing





C'mon chaps, what's the verdict?