Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi All,

my 1098 Morris tends to pink & be a bit down on power when being pushed up steep hills, but typically this only happens after 10 or so miles since starting. It's also not particularly keen to rev hard at any point

The carb has been re-built, fuel pump is new as is the head gasket - the engine is in good health both oil pressure and compression wise (both checked).
I've checked the advance / retard diaphram as well.

Suggestions most welcome!

Thanks

First I'd check for any brathing problems both with the engine breathers and make sure the air filter is clean so that air can enter effectively. Are you using a K&N type air filter by any chance? After that check that the exhaust is not blocked as this is probably the biggest cause of engine strangulation. You may have to remove it from the car to check it is clear all the way through.....

Thanks - it's a standard filter and clean - never heard of the exhaust blocking - how & where from? again it's all standard but has been on the car for six years.

The baffles can break up in the silencer(s) and block the flow of gasses out.....

When i got my first morris it was gutless (more so than normal). I had to replace the exhaust anyway and whilst doing so noticed some numpty and put a huge dollop of exhaust paste on the manifold, so the poor engine was trying to breath through a hole probably no bigger than a pen! Cleared that lot out and it flew! Well, better than it was!

re. breather issues as possible cause, I'm just wondering if it's related to having had a servo fitted since the engine has felt 'tight' since then? the servo has a pipe off the inlet manifold

If there is a small split in the pipe it will play all sorts of havoc as it will suck in air thats not been mixed with fuel in the carb.

Obvious really if I'd thought about it....and under hard throttle more air getting pulled in / gets hot, then pinks....will check this evening...

Thanks

Ahh now you didn't say that the problem occured after something changed - Remember the very simple rule of problem solving....

"change causes effect"

Well it was a 'professional' fit so I never considered doubting it......

AJT wrote:Well it was a 'professional' fit so I never considered doubting it......

Why the servo ? Is it disc brakes by any chance ? If so - check they are not dragging! If all ok - then what colour are the spark plugs ? Pull them out after a 'spirited' run (ie no slow trip home through traffic) and report. Should be beige/light brown. If white = too weak, if dark brown/black = too rich. Check also the carb piston is free to rise and falls back with a clunk - and is the air filter blocked with oily fume ? Try a run with the filter removed. It's possible the engine is getting too hot - any sign of leakage or loss of water ? You say compressions checked - but what are they ?? And is the mechanical advance in the dizzy working ok - twist the rotor arm -does it spring back ok ?

and, if discs were fitted was the valve removed from the master cylinder as pressure will be held on the brakes if not causing them to drag.....

Hi All,

have now had a tinker: no discs fitted, compressions 155-160.

I did find the suction take-off from the inlet manifold to the servo was wobbling - turns out no thread had been cut into the manifold and it was just pushed in so doubtless letting in air! I've now sealed it up.

Plugs were a bit white so have strengthened it a little.

I'm a bit concerned about the distributor - there is a little play in the spindle from side to side plus whilst it does spring back, it's not with what you might call gusto: should it?

Thanks

Any play from side to side in the main shaft is scrap. Either fit electronic ign or a recon dizzy....

" turns out no thread had been cut into the manifold and it was just pushed in so doubtless letting in air! "
And this was a 'professional' installation ?? They were having you on! Have to wonder too - when they drilled the manifold - where did the swarf go ? Into the engine ?? I would steer clear of that 'professional' in future!!
Engine running that weak could easily have damaged the pistons and/or rings. Wouldn't worry about slight side play in dizzy (unless hoping for 8000 rpm ??) - and as long as it springs back - that's all that is required.

Thanks for the feedback: I'm pretty convinced that it's a combination of weak mixture and worn out distributor since it won't rev / is lacking power - the springs really are dodgy - can anyone point me towards a good thread on setting static timing as new dist is on order.

Thanks
Alan

Hi Alan
If you type "static and timing" into the search you will get about 50 or so threads to read through.....

Have now installed new dizzy & it's much better; the springs in the old one were shot causing the engine to overheat / pink when pushed hard.

Whilst at it, I tightened down the rockers to 12thou - all now very quiet bar one which sounds a bit 'tappy'. Should I be worried?

You should set the exhausts to 15 thou - if you want them to last!