Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi

I have a morris 1000 and want to remove the sump. I am having a problem getting a socket or spanner to fit the bolts as they are so close to the sump. I was thinking of buying some box spanners and trying that. Anyone got a better idea?

Normal 7/16" AF socket has always worked well for me - what's the problem ?? If you must - get a 3/8" square drive set , but my 1/2" square drive has always been fine for this job.

The socket I have would fit the bolts but the socket gets larger to allow the 1/2 wrench if that makes any sense?

You need a longer extension, I tend to use a 3/8" socket with both the long and short extensions and an 11 mm socket.
The bolts shouldn't be very tight, little more than nipped up.

The screws are NOT 11mm - they are 7/16" AF. Never had the slightest problem using the 1/2" square drive socket - why do you think this is a problem? There is plenty of room for the side of the socket - sure - it will be touching the side of the sump, but that's ok!

I removed the sump off my 948cc a couple of days ago. To pretty much repeat what BMC said I'm pretty sure I used a 7/16" socket with a 1/2" drive extension bar. I then used a T bar with a 1/2" drive to mate with the extention bar. I had no problem taking the bolts off.

I know the bolts aren't actually 11mm but it's a good fit, unlike my 1/2 drive 7/16 socket which won't sit straight on sump bolts.

Perhaps my 7/16" socket is 'slim' - although it's just a standard Britool set. If it really is a problem - then yes try the 11mm idea (I just don't want folks to get the idea that metric tools will fit) or just grab a 3/8" (or even 1/4") drive socket and long extension and an adapter up to your 1/2" ratchet.

MarkyB wrote:I know the bolts aren't actually 11mm but it's a good fit, unlike my 1/2 drive 7/16 socket which won't sit straight on sump bolts.

I use the same-11mm with two 1/4" drive extension as my AF sockets are also too big.

3/8" square drive socket (11mm or 7/16") will normally fit these - 14" drive socket should be no problems whatsoever.
I've never had a 1/2" square drive socket that was small enough to fit in the gap for the rear sump bolts.

If you're a bit less experienced, then be careful using small sockets on a big wrench - it is all too easy to apply high tightening torque and strip threads without pushing hard.

I managed to acquire a VERY strong 1/4" drive socket set which I now use far more often than my 1/2" set - I only get the 1/2" set out if I need serous torque.

be careful using small sockets on a big wrench

Very good point, smaller spanners are shorter for a reason, to reduce the amount of torque that get applied to smaller bolts.

The same risk is there if using the 1/2" square drive tools........