Morris Minor Owners Club

Hello everybody. I've literally just bought my first car a white 4 door 100 saloon. It's fantastic, I love it but it needs a lot of tlc and it's my first car so it's all a bit daunting and confusing. I desperately need advice and help to get the car into the condition I want.

I've been reading through the technical articles on the website and the car also came with a MMOC Technical Manual (series 2) but there's still a lot that isn't covered and that I need to ask. Is this the right place to come for advice?

Luke.

Welcome Luke - yes you have come to the right place! This is the very best 'car' forum of any make that I have found. Can you give us some details of the car - post up some pictures maybe - and best to fill in your location so we know where you are.

welcome def right place

all questions answered

Ah fantastic , I’ll post pictures tomorrow. It's a 1967 white 4 door, Reg: RPH 809F. The previous owner was a member of the MMOC maybe somebody knows the car? There's a garage down the road that buys cars to dismantle for parts or sell as projects. I saw it sitting there and bought it. It's just had its MOT, it passed with a small bit of welding needed under the driver’s footwell.

The car had only come in that day, he didn't even open the boot. Upon opening the boot when I got it home I found, a spare gearbox, a box of spare parts and gaskets (I'll need help identifying them). I also found a booklet from the "Charles Ware's Morris Minor Centre" Where it was bought in 2002. It's the only bit of history I have of the car.

It's in a very sorry state it almost seems like it's been neglected since it was bought in 2002. I'm going to need to buy tools so I can start to work on the minor, what do I need to cover the basics?

Mechanical or bodywork? - Congrats, btw

Thank you. It needs both but my initial plan of action is to give it a full service and it seems to have a whole host of mechanical niggles for me to fix, I'll make a list of the niggles tomorrow as the car only had it's first drive today. Bodywork will come once the car is fully serviced and I'm 100% happy with it so I'm not really worrying about it at the moment.

Can you tell the mechanical condition of a second hand gearbox quite easily?

The mechanical parts of the car mostly need 'AF' spanners (Across Flats) and the body parts tend to need Whitworth spanners. There are NO metric nuts/bolts on an original car - although someone may have used them in repairs. So - best to start off with a set of open-end/ring combination spanners - and if possible a small socket set. However - sockets can be bought individually as you need them - and added to any existing set you have. Despite 'metrication' - socket sets are still imperial square drive (1/4", 3/8", 1/2" etc) and so AF sockets will be useable on a metric socket set ratchet/T bar etc. Main ones to get you started are 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8. All AF sockets - you can add larger ones later as you need them.

if its got a mot,it doesnt seem you have much of a task on your hands .Welcome to the board,we are all here to help

Cheers
John

Welcome aboard and enjoy your new purchase.

hello there... a good service is teh perfect starting point, plugs, rotor arm, points, oil and a good grease up. add a grease gun to your list of tools and a pair of old clothes... essential.

Pictures:





I've made a list of tools I think I'll need;

Brake Bleeder (that thing with a one way valve for easy bleeding)
Grease Gun (does any gun fit the moggie grease nipples?)
Hydrometer (will I really need this if I already have a multimeter?)
AF Spanners
AF Sockets
Ratchet
Feeler Gauge (will I be OK with a metric one?)
Screw Drivers
Battery Charger (Is it worth getting one of those automatic smart ones?)
Jack Stands
Timing Light

Will I need anything else?

I suggest a good trolley jack. Never use just axle stands when working on your car. Lovely pictures. Enjoy your car.

Yes - trolley jack and ramps are useful too. No need for hydrometer or battery charger or timing light! Metric feelers will do - just convert gap sizes.

A standard grease gun should be fine

Hydrometer (will I really need this if I already have a multimeter?)

A Hydrometer is for checking the battery and has nothing to do with a multi meter and is not essential if your battery is OK although it can be a useful addition to your toolkit.
If you want to get a battery charger it doesn't need to be a high tech one and a timing light is also useful.
The correct feeler gauges dont cost much have a look on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Feeler-Gauge-26-L ... 286.c0.m14
The service items are available cheaper from the Moggie specialists rather than a local motor factor.
Just take your time doing the servicing and if you are unsure about anything just put a post up in the relevant section, also if you want a manual these are normally on ebay quite cheaply.