Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi everybody. It's been 21 years but I've finally got meeself another Moggy! A '67 2 door will soon be gracing my garage. I've got to admit I'm a little giddy at the thought but as it's been a while I have some dumb questions! Electronic ignition. Worth it if so what type? Same question regarding alternator vs dynamo. And finally.... toying with the idea of converting to a rag top (I've always wanted one). I know CW in Bristol will do it for about £1600 & I'm guessing will do a lovely job but it would be nice to get other quotes anyway. Thanks in anticipation.

p.s. expect more stupid questions in the future

Welcome to the Forum! For a low power engine like the A series in a Minor - best keep to nice simple standard ignition. Just keep it in good order. Unless planning huge extra lights etc - stick to the dynamo - it's very reliable. Hacking down a saloon to make a convertible will be expensive - and may not increase the value of the car. Only true convertibles attract higher valuation. Perhaps worth doing if the roof of the saloon has been damaged - otherwise think carefully - and get several quotes.

I beg to differ about the electronic ignition. Fitting the Magnetronic unit was the best thing I ever did for my engine.

It's well proven (Vizard et all) that it makes no difference in power output on a relatively standard engine. Up to you if you feel it will be more reliable........ At least standard ignition can be easily fixed at the roadside if it goes wrong - electronic ignition is a nightmare if it goes wrong!

Thanks chaps. I'm not planning on any current hungry devices just a radio but I did wonder if the electronic system might be more reliable & less prone to damp etc. Regarding the conversion. I'm not too concerned about the value as I'll never sell this car! I'm just aware that it's fairly major surgery & I'd want the best job possible with all necessary welding & guarantees etc. Anyone had this done & by whom?
TTFN

There are plenty of companies who will chop your roof off, some better than others. The largest bill is not necessarily the best job. Look at some of their products, particularly the door shut lines and remember it is easy to chop the roof off, not so easy to fit it back on if they make a mess of it.

Dampness attacks the HT side of ignition - so changing to 'electronic' makes no odds! It's all down to cleanliness/waterproofing. Not usually a problem on Minors - more of a problem on Minis!

Oh God!! We can't even agree on simple things, wait til he mentions brakes!!!
Having driv my Traveller through the winter, local trips/ short journeys, with the headlights and wipers on, I can assure you the dynamo is definitely NOT up to this kind of work! Mid-January was the point at which I gave in and fitted an alternator, in the snow. Listen not to all the "if it breaks down..." comments- alternators have been proven for some fair few years now! And currently available NEW for about £40!
Same sentiment re electronic ignition- highly unlikely to fail, unlike the rubbish contact breakers on the market nowadays. I found it embarrassing fiddling at the roadside with temperamental sparks while the passing drivers were smirking at my old crock! (There is a method of fitting the late Metro/ Mini electronic ignition distributor which is what I did, simplish and relatively cheap if you can track down a breakers yard!)
I live in the south and use my car as a serious daily driver so don't see the objection to simple reliability mods, however, as you get further North, you may find peoples attitudes to things changes

Now, about the brakes.....

I live as far north as most members are likely to get and an alternator is No1 on my purchase list. Dark by 5 o'clock (with 2 months to go till the shortest day), halogen lights, wipers on, heater going full blast means the dynamo (and before you ask its working perfectly and the regulator is correctly adjusted) just doesn't cope
Fit an alternator

Funny that. My next post was going to be servo or not servo! Thanks anyway chaps. Anyone got any names of reputable firms who'll take my top off?

You definitely don't need a servo on a wee car like a Minor.
Funnily enough - I agree with the others re alternator - IF you are going to do winter motoring with all lights/heater/wiper on. Even then - the dynamo will cope provided you are moving along - where it falls down is when stuck idling in traffic - but then I always switch off my headlights and wipers - and don't sit with my foot on the brake pedal! I can also agree to an extent about the elctronic ignition - I have it on my TR7 - and it behaves faultlessly. I just don't believe either mod is a first priority 'must have' mod - especially if the car is just a week-end run-about.
Better to just buy a TR7 if you want open top motoring - it's far faster than a Minor - and has a much better heater!

bmcecosse wrote:...... I just don't believe either mod is a first priority 'must have' mod....

Come on then Roy- what would you consider to be a "first priority must have mod"?

88 or 92 degree thermostat!

Convertible - DIY - Bull Motif do a kit.