Morris Minor Owners Club

I have recently bought a tourer that I found to have an Ital engine fitted. It is my intention to fit his engine and the gearbox into my Traveller. One of the things that I have found is that the engine back plate is badly cracked (see pic) any suggestions as to why this has happened will be welcome. It looks like the lower part of the hole where the rear bearing fits through has been cut out with a flame cutter in order to give some clearance for the rear bearing housing which is slightly larger on the Ital than the standard 1098. I dont know if it is related but the gearbox mountings were both broken away and the prop shaft was nearly touching the hole that it passes through in the cross member. For some reason the brackets that support these rubber mountings had the holes in them elongated by cutting one edge to create an open ended slot.
I have found a lot more small problems but will be able to sort them out. As I said at t start any cmments/advice will be welcome.

Hi mate you mention a picture but there is none?

If the backplate has been crudely modified then this might cause it to crack? They are quite substantial so (not impossible) very difficult to crack.

I think the gearbox mountings (standard MM ones) have a slot in them and then a rubber mounting on top. Perhaps if things weren't bolted down properly then these mounting could have worked loose.

Post some pics and your location as maybe a local member could come and have a look at it for you.

I am sure more educated help will be along in a bit.

No Picture

The backplate has to be opened up to clear the larger rear main - and they are known to sometimes be 'brittle' - it's not unknown for standard Minor backplates to crack. You will just need to groove out the cracks - and 'stop' them with a small hole if they haven't run right to the edge - and then have them welded up (do both sides) with a stick welder and ground back flush. Should be fine!

I tried to attach a picture but for somereason it was not accepted. I have just tried again perhaps I need edumakating in the finer arts ofthis yer comptor.

When adding a picture to a message just click on the 'browse' button at the bottom of the message box to find the appropriate picture on your computer. Then click 'preview' and you should see your message with the picture attached. Then press 'submit' to post the message.

Thanks for the info, have tried again but when I download a pic and press preview the green bar fills up and then the screen goes blank.

Obviously - you also have to click on the chosen picture in your drive .......

I've sent you a pm Blodwin. If you e-mail me the picture I'll see if I can post it up.

Done that and the pic title shows up in the box "Upload Picture" when preview pressed the green bar fills up and then te screen goes blank

I've had to reduce and edit the picture as it was too big but this shows the extent of the cracking:<br><br>

Groove and weld! You could add some strength on the gearbox side - provided enough room for the flywheel to spin.