Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi,

I'm part way (and by part way I mean not very far) through my first ever restoration project (a 1959 2 door saloon which has advanced rust woes that I've seen referenced on this site and in the books /articles I've read).

My query is around box sections and specifically the box section that supports the rear spring hanger. Basically I've put in a new section and I'm not sure whether I should close off the end of the box section or leave it open. From what I can see it'll make no difference structurally, but it may help keep any water/moisure out. Conversely of course if I close it off and water does get in all my hard work will be reduced to rust in no time at all. I have tried looking at the other side of the car, but that's so rusty in this area I can't make out whether the section was originally closed off or not.

Help / advice gratefully received.

Welcome to the forum. As standard the end is open in the boot in terms of metal, but blocked off by what could be described as a bit of sponge. The advantage is that it keeps dirt out, but allows easy access to top up the rustproofing (Waxoyl, Dinitrol, etc). No structural advantage to welding s plate over the end - IMO it would just be a moisture trap. Good luck with the project.

Yes leave it open - and regularly inject fresh waxoyl!

Absolutely, leave it open.
Some moisture will find its way in somehow, better to leave a way out than to block it up.

Thanks for the advice guys - I'll definately leave it open. I'm amazed by the speed of responses so thank you and I'm sure that I'll have lots more questions to pose.