Morris Minor Owners Club

My Grandpa built this tractor in the 60's as best my dad can recall. He built it all with hand tools, cut everything by hand etc. My dad remembers my grandpa working on this every night for months on end. He used it for probably close to 30 years to mow 8 acres of lawn with a 3 gang golf course real mower. It likely has more hours on it then you could ever imagine. Apparently it has been rebuilt at least twice.

Anyway, I know very little about it. I was told the motor is out of a Morris Minor. Other than that I have no idea what motor it is or any other details. It runs ok but not perfect. The carb should be replaced as it is worn out and the float sticks sometimes. Apparently the distributor is wore out too.

My grandpa made a 4 to 1 gear reduction for it which is about right as far as top end goes. It still goes pretty quick. It has no brakes, he never got around to it. However with 4 to 1 gear reduction it slows down pretty quick when you let off the throttle.

I would like to get some parts for it and I would like to be able to get parts in the future as well. I want to keep it in good running condition so my son can and grandchildren can enjoy it as I have. I learned how to drive a standard transmission with this tractor when I was a kid. I plan to clean it up and restore it to as good of condition as I can.

Any information you can provide me one the engine, transmission, carb, distributor etc will be greatly appreciate. There is a lot of sentimental value to this for me and I want it to be around for many years to come.

If anyone is interested I could post a video of it running, driving etc.

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Hi the engine is a side valve so will be from a series MM car, I will move your topic to the Series MM section where you should recieve more direct information from owners with this engine.

The engine appears to be an "USHM3" model from a late series MM car, circa 1953. The engine has the waterpump and oil filter assembly to identify it. There is a strange wiring plug on the right side of the block that may be some form of heater element? Does it get cold where you live?
The gearbox may be a standard one from a Morris but it is slightly different from mine. It may be from an earlier Morris called the Morris 8. No big differences but the holes drilled in the gearbox casing for the rubber mounts is spaced differently. The rear axle casing looks to be a standard early Morris unit that has been narrowed. The wheels seem to be standard ones, assuming that the distance measued diagonally between 2 opposite bolts is 4.5 inches instead of the 4 inches of later Minors.
A company called Burlen Services makes all new carb parts. Worth a try? Located in the UK.

PS. Veeeeeery nice!

email http://www.info@burlen.co.uk They should be able to help with regard to the su carb/correct needle etc.

The side valve engine was used in the Nuffield President tractor. The version I saw used a cylinder head of very similar design to the Vedette marine engine and the WD generator engine. I would guess that your engine is an ex car engine, the gearbox is also from a car, in fact the whole assembly was lifted straight out of a Series MM and dropped into the tractor. Spares should be no problem, if you are looking for anything post a note on this message board.
If you add your location to your profile there might be someone in your area who can help out.

RobThomas wrote:There is a strange wiring plug on the right side of the block that may be some form of heater element? Does it get cold where you live?

Looks like a sender unit for the temperature gauge.

That's great! I have the same engine/gearbox in my Morris which has now done over 134,000 miles.
The H1 carb you have fitted do turn up from time to time on ebay - worth keeping a lookout. The plug referred to on the right side of the block (where a drain would normally be fitted) is I believe what you guys call a 'block heater'?

In the last photo there is something in front of the starter where the block drain tap should be.
There is a sensor in front of the water jacket under the rad top hose and another one above the back of the water jacket, also visible in the last photo..
I have noticed a core plug at the back of the block which the USHM3 engine does not have.
Interesting air filter arrangement.