Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi folks,

If all goes to plan tomorrow will be my first drive in a moggie when I see and hopefully pick her up from granddad...

Firstly, can I get a recommendation for a petrol additive and where to buy it...

Secondly... Any advice for a dumb blonde who is mechanically challenged... I do have breakdown cover!!!

So excited!

CeeLou

for petrol additive.. ask grandad which one he uses... i seem to recollect that you should choose one additive and stick to it to ensure they build up a coating on the valve seats which is all the same.

second bit any advice... have fun with your new car

Hi Ceelou,

This thread discusses additives but there's a common view that unless you are doing high mileage there's no need to add an additive:

http://www.mmoc.org.uk/index.php?name=P ... sc&start=0


Good luck with the car!

Lou

Looks like a nice Moggy, you should be fine

One tip I would give you is to go easy when filling it with petrol. Don't put it in too quick as it may spit a bit back out when it gets full - its not a big tank.

Thanks Mr Benn - good tip! The last thing I want is a petrol shower!!!

Lou - I'll read the thread now...

Prior to fitting an unleaded head I always used Castrol Valvemaster as an additive. Highly recommended, easy to use, and good value. Available from most car spares places.

You'll get used to what the gauge reads and therefore how much petrol you need to fill the tank. Once you know that, put the correct quantity of additive in whilst at the pump, but add the petrol second. The swirling action helps mix it all together.

Other advise: Join your local branch to meet like minded drivers with years of experience; and come to a few rallies. Very enjoyable.

Thank you simmitc, you may wells ee me out and about in her in Essex as I am originally from Maldon but now living in NW London!

Good luck with your new venture

be kind to first gear ie remain stationary when engaging first gear and take it steady to start with you will soon get used to and most of all have fun.

thanks marc... getting excited now

I always used Castrol Valvemaster

I'll second that... I've always used it in all of my classics over the years and had no problems..

Just sit back, relax and enjoy your drive home

Mal

Don't waste ANY money on petrol additive ! Really NOT necessary unless planning high speed/long distance motoring. The ONLY additive worth considering (if you are doing hard motoring) is Tetra-Boost - it's the ONLY one with Lead tetra-ethyl - and therefore the ONLY one that makes the petrol 'leaded'. All the other additives are various mixtures of sodium + potassium + hocus pocus!! They don't do anything worthwhile !

Thanks for your advice people! If the current owner is using an additive and I then don't.... what could/will happen? It is 125 miles home from her current home to mine which we will do tomorrow afternoon but in no great rush....

Just add what additive and what amount you feel comfortable with Ceelou, everyone has there own ideas what's best and what isn't.

I personally wouldn't worry about a single 125 mile trip. But, if it's your regular car after this, I would add something just for peace of mind. ;)

mal wrote:

I always used Castrol Valvemaster

I'll second that... I've always used it in all of my classics over the years and had no problems..

I'll third that.

The FBHVC tested some additives a good while ago in a controlled environment using an A-series engine (same as the moggy) and Castrol Valvemaster plus proved it's worth along with some others.

They also measured the Valve Seat Recession (VSR) when not using any additive and it's very real indeed. It just may not show up for a good while if you don't do many miles and/or potter about at low revs.

If (like me) you are running an original leaded head and do lots of miles at high RPM then it's a real issue and protection is needed!

Lead is not the only material that can protect the valve seats!

I agree though that I would not worry about the first 125 mile trip. Just enjoy!

Best of luck with your car ,its beautiful

Hope it went well CeeLou, I picked mine up for the first time a couple of weeks ago and had a 200 mile trip. I bought the Castrol stuff (more by luck than judgement as it was all that they had in Halfords!) but it is very easy to use. I seem to recall that the owners manual states that a Moggie has a 29-ish litre fuel tank and that it is not good to overfill it, so I stopped to stick another 10 litres in every time it got to half full. Of course most of this subsequently ended up on my garage floor, but that's another story...Should be getting my Moggie back from Minor Medics of Milton Keynes next Saturday, minus fuel leak and plus brake servo and rear seat belts, woo-hoo!

Hi folks!
Well we made it home a minor hitch with the fuel switch - it was on when we left the car park after seeing friends oops! All sorted though and a lovely 130 mile drive home!
She drives like a dream and I am completely in love with her and off to Halford tomorrow so I can tidy her up a bit inside and shoe her some TLC
I am now a very, happy, proud owner of a Moggie

and after 26 yrs like me It will still feel as good actualy better because you have,nt wasted money on the modern stuff

Glad you made it home safe Claire, I knew you would enjoy the drive

Mal