Morris Minor Owners Club

1962, 4 door 948 cc,
I've recently put a new Diff, new rear brake drums. drive shaft seals, a service and new Distributor on Gladys.
Got a problem in that when I push clutch pedal down, engine revs drop and when I select a gear, engine stalls immediately.

I've checked that the back brakes aren't binding and that the handbrake isn't jammed.
On axle stands, both rear wheels turn freely by hand.
The new Diff turns in time with the wheels, and I can turn the propshaft by hand, too.
Gears select easily.
Treble checked gearbox oil, rear axle sump oil, brake and clutch fluid.

Moved Gladys backwards a few feet, with plugs out, in reverse gear on the starting handle and she moves really well.


Is it the case that I've done something to cause the problem during all the work, or has the clutch chosen the exact same moment to go?

Advice most gratefully received

sloopjohnrb wrote:1962, 4 door 948 cc,
I've recently put a new Diff, new rear brake drums. drive shaft seals, a service and new Distributor on Gladys.
Got a problem in that when I push clutch pedal down, engine revs drop and when I select a gear, engine stalls immediately.

I've checked that the back brakes aren't binding and that the handbrake isn't jammed.
On axle stands, both rear wheels turn freely by hand.
The new Diff turns in time with the wheels, and I can turn the propshaft by hand, too.
Gears select easily.
Treble checked gearbox oil, rear axle sump oil, brake and clutch fluid.

Moved Gladys backwards a few feet, with plugs out, in reverse gear on the starting handle and she moves really well.


Is it the case that I've done something to cause the problem during all the work, or has the clutch chosen the exact same moment to go?

Advice most gratefully received

You might want to start by changing the title of your post - I nearly ignored it because I thought it was about pedal cars!

Sounds like a really badly adjusted clutch. With all wheels on the ground, the bonnet up and the ignition off (VERY important!), get someone to sit in the drivers' seat, put it in reverse gear and tell them to hold the clutch down. Then give the car a push backwards and see if the engine turns - if it does then it sounds like your clutch is still engaged. Check the clutch linkage adjustment, there should only be about 3/4" of free movement of the clutch pedal before you feel any resistance.

Revs will drop very slightly anyway when you put it in gear. Try upping the tickover speed, can you drive it at all then?

It sounds like the crankshaft thrust washers are badly worn.
This is caused by "riding" the clutch, holding it down while you are waiting for the lights to change for instance.
Sump off, centre cap off and replace, piece of cake, Roy would do it in a pit stop .

Hello,

I've upped the revs shamefully, and even with full choke she stalls like a good 'un.

Thank you for your advice so far, so possibly thrust washers, then?

Engine on, foot on clutch, 1st gear, handbrake off.
Does the car move?

Hello Sloopjohnrb,

what isn't clear to me is are you able to select the gear, or is it grinding and you're forcing it in so stalling the car?

Alec

hello,
No problems selecting a gear at all, as the gearbox oil was drained and renewed, the gear stick glides around the box effortlessly.
Engaging a gear drops the revs and when one tries to bring the clutch up , the stall.
The engine is running a bit rough, and does not have the rev range it usually has.

I don't know if it's something on the clutch preventing the engine from performing properly or the engine not producing enough torque to take the load from the clutch.

I should say that I spoke to a mechanic friend about the problem, which lead to him scrtching his head for an hour.

Best wishes
John

Sort out the rough running first, you hadn't mentioned it before.

Check, and double check the timing and firing order, if it still won't run right refit the old distributor.

Hello Sloopjohnrb,

it's quite easy to mix up the firing order if you have installed a new distributor and cap?
As Mark says you need to get the engine running well, particularly it should rev up easily on no load?

Alec

Hello Right, will do, I'm working on her today.
best wishes

Check that all HT leads and wires are tight in the dizzy and coil. Set dizzy on fastest tickover. Check mixture adjustment.

Don't worry - it won't be the 'thrust washers' - not at this stage anyway! I'm with the engine not running correctly idea.
But - simple check - person in car select 1st gear(engine OFF) - you wind it on the starting handle - does it move ? Thye then press the clutch down - you wind again - does it MOT move now ? If so - the clutch etc is fine.