Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi Guys,

Does anyone have any experience of the 1275cc engine mated to a "standard" 1098 4 speed gearbox?

I'm in a quandry now as to wether to modify my '56 splitscreen to a 5 speed ford 'box.

Any opinions/

Regards

John

Yes, that is exactly my set up in the black Trav you see below. I also run a 3.9 diff and I don't see the need for a 5 speed box for the use I have. Maybe if you do lots of motorway miles you could justify the cost but at around £500 (minimum) for a 5 speed conversion compared to around £80 for a 3.9 diff.......

Thanks PSL,

I was going to 'rod the '56 and bought the Ford 'box and adaptor kit. Trouble is, now I'm not sure I want to cut the splitscreen up, or at least not yet.

i could put the 1275cc and Ford box in my '69 4 door as that's my daily driver. Need to do some serioius soul searching now

Cheers

John

A final drive change is very much easier - and easily reversed too if you don't like it. But of course the Ford box will be stronger - but it needs a hydraulic clutch connection I believe ?

sorry to steal the thread but im doin the same putting a 1275 up to a standard box, ive been told to take it easy in gear1 because it has no syncro, is this true

thanks tom

It is a straight cut gear - the 'taking it easy' is when engaging that gear - best to NOT do so on the move - unless you are competent at double-de-clutching. From rest - you may find it's best to pull the gear lever into second gear (this stops the gear train rotating) - and then push forward into 1st gear for moving off. And of course - since the car has a carbon thrust pad in the clutch - DO NOT sit in gear with the clutch held out! The carbon will wear away in no time. Always sit in neutral - with foot OFF the clutch - and only engage gear when actually moving off.

If you gear it up a bit with either a 3.9 or 3.7 diff the drivetrain will have an easier time and less risk of snapping a halfshalf due to the extra power of a 1275 -softer start.

You can always fit the 5 speed later if you need to....and have a super overdrive

I ran a 1098 box on a 1275 Midget engine. The ratios are wider than the 1275 box and probably suited my Traveller better than the 1275 box I now have.

The Midget 1275 engine block has a slightly larger spigot (like a dowel) between the top 2 bolts on the gearbox/backplate area. You can either lathe down the Midget spigot or drill oversize the hole in the top of the Morris bellhousing. Same size on the 1275 Marina/Ital engines and I've a feeling that the later 1098 Midget engine (10CC serial number) also has this unthinned spigot. You can pull the Minor 1098 one out if you are careful and drive it into the similar hole in the 1275 backplate.

I think the engine is already fitted the "correct" engine adaptor plate to suit the 1098 gearbox. Still need to sort out a suitable flywheel after having the first one b*ggered up by a "professional " engineer.

Trouble is, where do i get a 3.9 or 3.7 diff?

Regards

John

Breakers yards or MG Forums. You'll pay more on ebay that you can get them elsewhere

3.9 and 3.7 diffs on Spridgets - and 3.7 in Wolseley 1500 and Riley 1.5. Note the half shafts from the Spridget are too short for a Minor - but the W and R ones are same as Minor. Just in case you can get the complete axle cheaply! Spare half shafts are always worth having nearby.

jaguar68 wrote:Hi Guys,

Does anyone have any experience of the 1275cc engine mated to a "standard" 1098 4 speed gearbox?

I'm in a quandry now as to wether to modify my '56 splitscreen to a 5 speed ford 'box.

Any opinions/

Regards

John

Hi John I have that setup and its fine with no problems although I do have another diff to fit one day.

Somewhat belatedly I ran a 1275 with the standard diff for quite a while, was a pleasant combination although was still obviously just as thrashy at motorway speeds. My 1275 it turned out was a little sickly, probably even when I fitted it.

I am, however, sticking with the 4 speed minor box but now have a 3.7 diff just to make life a bit easier since my commute is mostly motorway.