Morris Minor Owners Club

hi everyone
having problems getting 1st gear at times. it feels a bit sticky as some times it will go in and other have to try several times.
could it be the remote on the gearbox worked loose on the selector?
or a simple clutch adjustment, (clitch isnt slipping or dragging)

It's normal to pull the box into second gear - to stop the gear train turning -and then push forward into 1st. If it's 'grinding' then perhaps the clutch is not freeing enough. How much free-play is there at the clutch pedal ?

ill have a look later
when we slow down and change down into 2nd it sometimes crunches even though the clutch is fully depressed. i think the clutch side of it is fine. i think the remote has free play in it. would you agree??

Adjust the clutch pedal so that there is about 3/4 -1 inch free play at the top of the pedal travel then try it out.
There is no synchromesh on 1st / reverse gears, and on the others it is a luxury.
Follow Roy's insrutctions for gear selection

Best to double-de-clutch into 2nd gear - or not select it on the move at all. Each time you let it crunch - a little bit more comes off the dog-teeth - and it's a little bit nearer the point where it will start to jump/fall out of gear. Use the brakes to slow down - not the gears. Unless you are really good at the double-de-clutching, never attempt to engage 1st gear on the move!

we use the brakes to slow down but only change down to second when going up step hills ect
my brother was telling me that his driving instuctor says to use your gears to slow down aswell as the brakes. but hes driving a modern and not a moggy.

I use both to slow down and use the lower gears to hold the speed downhill, especially with a trailer. I learnt to drive double de clutching in a Morris Minor.

i would be inclined to use both, but rather than "block shifting" straight from 4th to second, as my instructor recommends, i will be changing down through the gears, into 3rd between the two. he says its not a bad idea, and he has a moggie too. i helps slow the car down, especially with good ol' drum brakes.

Using second going downhill also gives you that lovely distinctive exhaust boom!

Just get decent 9" Wolseley front brakes - no need for 'gears' to slow you down then!

my box seems to be fine. i can changed down into 3rd and 2nd whilst on the move. i hardly ever use 1st, unless i'm on a hill