Advice for a New Owner for the Longer Term

Post by **DuncanBeaumont** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 12:14 pm

As a new(ish) owner and a new(ish) member of MMOC (I seem to be typing that quite a lot recently), I would appreciate some advice.

A groupof local classic car owners - myself included - are going on a rally to the Isle of Wight in September.

My question is - what should I take in the way of spares? I have :- petrol pump, coil, distributor cap, rotor arm, fuel can and fuel. I am considering change the oil filter to a screw on type and taking a set of hoses, head gasket set and oil.

Anything else I should acquire or have forgotten - not just for the trip in September - but for the longer term? Any advice gratefully received.

Post by **ferret76** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 12:33 pm

Maybe a set of plugs and a torch. I always seem to break down in the dark.

Post by **plastic_orange** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 12:50 pm

AA membership

Pete

Post by **Mick_Anik** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 12:54 pm

Don't foget a funnel if your petrol can doesn't have the long nozzle!

And the phone number of a reputable breakdown recovery service to which you have subscribed. It shouldn't cost more than a pound a week, and is a 'must have' really, with the price of private services these days.

A car charger for your mobile is a good piece of kit. And a tow rope. Remember, we are Morris Minor people and have a duty to always be in a position to help others whilst out on the road!

Like in the old days.

Post by **DuncanBeaumont** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 1:00 pm

Yes, I perhaps should have added, that I am in the AA.

Post by **DuncanBeaumont** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 1:04 pm

I meant to add - how and when/why does ones description change?

I see that I am now 'Minor Friendly', whilst others are 'Minor Fan', 'Minor Legend' or whatever. How does that work?

Post by **bpr81a** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 1:15 pm

Depends on how many posts you have made:
Newbie 0
Minor Friendly 10
Minor Fan 100
Minor Addict 500
Minor Legend 1000
Minor Maniac 5000

Post by **eveline** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 4:26 pm

hi there ,its great the things i learn, i would never think to get a funnel cool

Post by **cormorant** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 5:05 pm

Fanbelt really as well....reasonable tool kit of course, disposable gloves so you don't get messy, couple of rags, length of wire, bit of fine sandpaper, WD40 - and self amalgamating tape is very useful. I carry folding axle stands, they don't take up much room.
I assume the car has its starting handle, wouldn't be without that!

Post by **DuncanBeaumont** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 5:09 pm

What is self amalgamating tape?

Where can I buy folding axle stands?

Post by **eastona** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 5:54 pm

self amalg tape is useful for fixing hoses, it's included in the hose repair kits.

wd40 can also be used to clean your hands after working. Or I usually carry a small pot of swarfega.

Heavy gloves can be handy for hot things. Overalls and a couple of heavy plastic bags for keeping broken dirty things in.

a bottle of water, you'd be surprised how may garages have broken taps (especially when you're losing water!)

jump leads (for other people!).

I usually pack a spare gasket set.

Most of it'll pack in beside the spare wheel.

cable ties are useful.

Exhaust putty.

Andrew

Post by **alainmoran** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 6:09 pm

If you get the 'right' size then the funnel can also be handy for topping up the oil in the gearbox, espcially if you have a six-inch piece of hosepipe attached to the end of it ;)

Instant gasket is also a useful item to have ... if you are packing a head gasket, then you probably also want a torque wrench.

A tub of grease and a set of wheel bearings might also not go amiss.

A torch is an absolutley essential item for your toolbox, a 'head-torch' is ideal as it's small and always points where you are looking.

A selection of split-pins is a nice to have.

Some electrical tape.

Post by **MarkyB** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 6:14 pm

Always good to be prepared of course, but I'd be expecting a nice drive in the country with an enjoyable chat and cup of tea at the end of it.
Be prepared for some fun and don't worry too much about what "might" happen.

Post by **DuncanBeaumont** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 6:20 pm

Absolutly right, MarkyB. A nice cup of tea and then when the driving is over for the day, a glass of something!

Post by **cormorant** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 9:24 pm

I got folding axle stands from Halfords, not expensive. I like the idea that I could work under the car even at the roadside if I really had to. You can get a roll of self amalgamating tape cheaply from chandleries too. No-one mentioned fuses ?

Post by **alainmoran** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 11:50 am

I always have a couple of spare fuses in the holder, although that reminds me I blew one the other day so now I only have one spare.

Yes, a flask of tea, a mobile phone and a roadside assistance subscription is all you REALLY need, apart from maybe a pack of chocolate hob-nobs

Post by **ASL642** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 12:07 pm

You all make "popping out in the Morris" sound as if you're going on an expedition to Mars!

Ok take the phone and RAC/AA cover is a good idea (with all cars these days) but just use the car and enjoy driving it. If it's well looked after and maintained it should be fine

We use ours like everyday cars petrol/oil/water /drive.

I use mine for the weekly shop. Who needs a Thermos to go to Sainburys?

Post by **alainmoran** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 12:51 pm

Depends how far away your nearest sainsburys is ;)

While I do use my minor for going to the shops, I mostly use it for fairly long runs (Wales, Lake District etc...) so being a bit prepared for fixing your car by the roadside is actually pretty useful ... I'd much rather spend a couple of hours getting grubby than have to cut-short my weekend away by being brought home on the back of a low-loader.

Each to their own though.

Post by **ASL642** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 12:56 pm

Agreed, we've done the MOT twice and then you do need a goodly helping of parts, but we do need to strike a happy medium as reading this thread was starting to sound like the cars were unreliable and we don't want to put off new members do we?

Post by **alainmoran** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 2:11 pm

I guess the point to new members should be that you CAN fix your car by the side of the road if you want to, and that there is very little that can go wrong on a minor that cant be fixed by having a relatively small selection of tools & parts in the boot next to the spare wheel.

In very general terms there seem to be two types of minor owner, those that actively enjoy messing about fixing them, and those who dont ... many of the replies to this thread have been from those who get a kick out of fixing their own car in the most inclement of conditions.

Personally given the choice of breaking down atop snake pass & needing to change a head gasket with the rain lashing down almost horizontally, or calling the AA to tow me home .. I'd go for the first one since I'm a masochist and it would give me a great tall story to tell around the campfire