Morris Minor Owners Club

Just purchased myself a Traveller. On the way home it developed a top hose leak. I have a new hose from ESM but it's nothing like the right size!. I think the engine is not the original for the car so my thoughts are that the thermostat housing is the wrong type for the rad. anyone any thougths? (car is 1970). Strange though as the hose was obviously far from new so I'm not sure whats going on (I have seen another thread with a simular problem in the past). What to do? Change the 'stat, housing ? Change the Rad?

I'm sure this is going to be the first of several 'teething problems' (there are quite a few oil leaks!!!!)

Thanks in advance for any help.
Jim<br>



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The hose you have been supplied is correct. From your pics the thermostat housing seems to be wrong.....

Thermostat housing should be the flat type one

Strange, I had exactly the same problem (see previous thread) on my 1969 Traveller. The correct housing is very cheap and readily available.
Maybe there was a time when replacement housings were not available and these used instead

Leo

Yes your thermostat housing is from a series 11 car which had a higher radiator top. The two pipes should be almost inline.

is it just me or does the rad pipe look like it's sloping downwards too much?

I thought that as well callum.

Reserve judgement until the correct stat cover is fitted though!

I'm starting to wonder about that rad as well....http://morrisminorspares.co.uk/shop/pro ... a0354debb2
seems to be horizontal - mine definately goes down hill! been damaged do you think.....hope this isn't the start of a can of worms!

old.bodger wrote:I'm starting to wonder about that rad as well....http://morrisminorspares.co.uk/shop/pro ... a0354debb2
seems to be horizontal - mine definately goes down hill! been damaged do you think.....hope this isn't the start of a can of worms!

Looks as though the radiator has been re-sweated at some time and they were a little careless aligning that pipe. If you feel BRAVE you could take the rad off, lay it down and re-sweat the pipe by heating gently with a blowlamp and twisting the pipe round when the solder gives! Not for the timid though!

You desperately need to get that water changed too.

If you look at my thread ''Radiator Top Hose'' January 23rd 2009 you will see correct angle for radiator top pipe connection

Leo

The stat cover is certainly pointing UP, but I agree that the rad top fitting seems to be very downwards! The engine also seems to be quite far away from the rad pipe - they are usually much closer together. Are the engine mounts ok ? Does the engine appear to be sitting squarely (and vertically) between the chassis rails ? may be best at the moment to simply get another hose that fits and keep the car running for now while you ponder the reasons for the non-standard fitment.

Has it got that new antifreeze in it that's made by cadburys
I think that thermostat is a mini type there was one on mine when I 1st got it. Someone may have lent on the pipe at sometime bending it down if it hasn't moved to far or creased should be possible to bend it back up

You haven't got a 1275 there have you? The thermostat is set at a different angle on the 1275.

Angle looks ok - appears to be a 1098. The gap between cover and rad pipe is MUCH more than I have seen.

sorry bmc, i do not agree both angles look wrong to me on the 1098's i have seen

By 'angle' I mean the horizontal rotational angle relative to the rad opening - 1275 engines have the cover rotated clockwise slightly - this one looks ok (but is tilted upwards) , and with the blanking plug below in the head is almost certainly a 1098. Still think it is far too far away from the rad for some reason!

ah sorry missunderstood you.

My 1275 head has the temp gauge in the head below the therm. housing

Yes - but it won't have that blanking plug which is pretty much a 1098 'trade mark' - unless you transferred one from a 1098 head! Every other engine actually USED the temp gauge port - only the poor old 1098 Minor had no gauge, and so the port is blanked.