Morris Minor Owners Club

Hello,

I've just signed up this morning as I wanted to ask a quick question.

My partner and I have a few Morris Minors and although I have never shown any interest in them apart from getting me to the shops and back I did help him swap out an engine at the weekend.

Even though it was raining and I got completly filthy I was pleasantly surprised at how much I actually enjoyed it.

Unfortunatly I've been with my partner for nearly 8 years and through all that time he's been an avid fan of the Minor and I've kind of shot him down at every opportunity of getting me involved.

I think I may be met with some resistance if I tell him of my new found interest without anything to back it up so thought it best to talk with some other Minor owners and ask you guys the questions.

I have my own traveller and would like to do a small job on her today. I'm guessing that all of the jobs ie oil changes etc would need doing as she's not had much done to her for a while now. She's sitting in our barn until I pass my test so I'd love to get her to tip top condition for when I do (4th time lucky?? )

I have all the books and manuals and could find nearly any tool in my partners workshop so don't need a step by step run through but just would like to be pointed in the right direction about a nice basic place to start (not including filling her with petrol).

Thanks for your time
Stacy
xx

The best place to start is to follow the schedule for a 6000 mile sevice which will take you through most of the items which need doing. Important things are checking the brakes and front suspension as these are safety related. Most other things will just leave you stranded at the side of the road.

Hi Stacy, Welcome to the forum! (Be sure to check out the "new member?" thread at the top of this section)


The other thing you could do which isn't too hard and shows enthusiam is to strip and re-varnish the wood - its time consuming but not paticuarly difficult....

Also give the car a good wash and polish before starting - again, another good thing to show enhusiasm. Then having proved that you want to do some things it might be worth asking your partner to show you how to do some basic servicing bits and bobs....

(I'm assuming here that the car is already in reasonable mechanical condition and the brakes etc function correctly)

One of the good things with the minor is that there really isn't anything too complex to deal with - its all pretty straightforwards, and you've always got us lot here to help too!

And if you can think of nothing else clean the chrome. It makes the car
look well cared for.

the morris 1000 is asuper car for starting out if your interest lies in older cars, just about every part is availble next day, nothing like modern day cars to drive but can be fun, i am in my 60s and i get a buzz when i go out in mine. my grandchildren love the classics,, wish you well with your test,,grandad

Thanks so much for your replys!!

I've been reading up on the different services and this seems like a great place for me to start.

I've already done the wood thing when we first got her and it took an age but I think the plan is to get all new wood soon as it does need some work.

I did start to have a go at the service but my children wouldn't leave me alone and I couldn't concentrate on what I was doing so I think I am going to wait for them to go back to school or go to bed before giving it another go.

Hi Stacy just work through one thing at a time and we are all here to help if you get stuck or just want to talk moggies

Welcome, Stacy!

Minor folk are an odd breed, and I don't think anyone here would argue with that. There is something...intangible, about having one and looking after it. They become mates, rather than cars.

I have written before that there is more to a Morris Minor than the sum of its parts. It sprang from the heart and mind of William Morris, who began his career fixing bikes for people. He became Lord Nuffield.

"The spirit lives on in the steel".

Get stuck in. Wear gloves, as many of us do, whilst working, stay safe and discover the meaning of life - if you look after a Morris Minor, the Morris Minor will look after you!

In a roundabout way, they in fact help you to look after yourself. Feeling glum? Grease the kingpins. Bored? Take someone for a spin.

You'll wonder what the problem ever was!

PM sent re useful link!

G'day, - as has been stated above, services or part services are a great place to start. I'd try the following in about this order:

Check battery terminals/connections/earths
Oil change
Grease
Valve clearances
rotate wheels
Thorough clean and polish (take seats out and lift carpets)

I also find that a good "check & inspect" under the bonnet to be a good way to find little jobs that need doing. Check things like accelerator and choke connections, condition of hoses, improper leaks etc.

Good luck!

improper leaks etc

As opposed to the many proper leaks found on a correctly maintained minor* ;)

* Mind, nothing compared to my MZ which likes to drip 2 stroke on the drive when it's sunny.