Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi there - thankyou to everyone who has helped out so far, thanks to you the engine is virtually rebuilt, but i am finding the Morris Minor suppliers either very unhelpful, or only want to sell "A" series parts or do not email back/supply telephone numbers so that you can ring them

I now need a Side-valve head gasket set, clutch and a gear lever detent spring. also the engine machinist has told me that the head has been skimmed and has had a stainless steel head shim made so if any one has a head they can sell please let me know.

Please recommend some suppliers

many thanks

Adrian J Fell

See my comments under Crankshaft Journal Sizes, Page 2.
For cylinder head, need to know which engine is fitted, early or later side valve, the heads are a different design.

If the head has been skimmed - that will raise the comp ratio nicely! As long as there is enough room for the valves without them hitting the head - just discard the shim (??) and use the head!

mike.perry wrote:See my comments under Crankshaft Journal Sizes, Page 2.
For cylinder head, need to know which engine is fitted, early or later side valve, the heads are a different design.

I have an early head available, with the dynamo bracket as part of the casting but shipping from Canada would be expensive.

Darrell McDonald

Let us not forget that a head gasket (if unavailable) can be manufactured from fully annealed copper sheet

No problem with side valve gasket sets, available off the shelf. Solid copper gaskets have the advantage of being re useable but are expensive for one off. Ok if you buy in bulk.

mike.perry wrote:No problem with side valve gasket sets, available off the shelf. Solid copper gaskets have the advantage of being re useable but are expensive for one off. Ok if you buy in bulk.

Amen! You don't want to know what it cost me for one copper gasket and a spare

Darrell

GASKET FOR CLASSICS WEBSITE IS NOT WORKING - anyone got a telephone number

Mr Fell!!

The website seems to be working now. Tel 01908 366435. You need a CA 250 head gasket set

Hi there - it turns out we do need a head - I have emailed Bryan gostling- and i await a reply but just in case he hasnt got one, has anyone in the Uk got one please. it has the one bolt didtibutor clamp- I also need a distributor locking plate if possible

thanks Adrian Fell

What is wrong with the head? There is not normally much can go wrong except cracking.

HI- IT HAS BEEN SKIMMED TO MAY TIMES IN THE PAST AND THERE IS NOT ENOUGH CLEARANCE

One of the options is to use a shim - e.g. 1mm stainless sheet.
I've never done this option myself but I've heard of it being used on these engines.

How about using two head gaskets?

i wouldnt normally but if it works then no probs

Grind out the roof of the combustion chamber until there IS clearance ! can't imagine two gaskets being a success for long.........

The trouble is you can get too close to the water jacket and fracture the head.

Need to try to judge that obviously - by probing through water holes. In extremis - could drill a hole in from the top and measure down - then tap & plug the holes........