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New Owner
Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:21 am
by DavidJay
Hello,
I am new to Morris Minors (although my very first car was a 803cc split screen one)I decided that I wanted a classic car that I could use as my everyday car plus maintain my hobby of working on cars.
So... I have just bought a 1971 traveller. It's a one owner from new, Teal blue with Limeflower interior. It appears to be totally standard apart from have disc brakes(I assume Marina) fitted.
My plan is to gradually restore it and with apologies to the purists, improve it as I go.
So I am bound to be a regular on here asking advice from the font of knowledge, I know(hope) is available.
One of my first jobs will be to overhaul the brakes. After modern cars, they seem 'dead' to the feel, albeit I have only driven it once!!.
What does anyone think of fitting a servo. I have heard of problems with seals 'blowing'
Anyone got experience of fitting one?
Cheers
David
Re: New Owner
Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:28 am
by bmcecosse
Welcome to the forum - and good luck with your car! And yes - it's normal with disc brakes to have to fit a servo -and a remote reservoir. Two of the snags of having disc brakes!
Re: New Owner
Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 3:06 pm
by DavidJay
Bmcecosse
Thank you for your welcome and very quick response.
Re: New Owner
Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 3:57 pm
by AntB
Older cars require more mechanical sympathy and less in the way of gadgets. Consequentially they have buckets more feel. I drove my over- engined traveller on marina discs for a good few years with no issues. The brakes were more than up to it and it probably helped me out to have no servo.
Suck it and see

Re: New Owner
Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 8:19 pm
by DaisyMayFozz
How about some pictures?
welcome to the Forum
yes a servo is a good idea for discs, its your car you do what you want. the purists can grumble all they want.
Good luck with the car1
Re: New Owner
Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 10:08 pm
by robedney
When I first got Mildred I was very sure that I'd want at least a booster, and perhaps a conversion to disc brakes. After a few weeks now of daily driving I'm no longer convinced of that. I've gotten quite used to things as they are, and the car stops just fine. I've even done some hills, and I've certainly seen some very wet weather. I say give a bit of time before you complicate matters -- you might find that the current set-up works for you. I'm no purist by the way, and I've nothing at all against upgrades.
Re: New Owner
Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 10:22 am
by DavidJay
Thank you all for your comments. I only picked up the car on yesterday (Monday) and drove it back 140 odd miles. Not a single missed beat I was so impressed!!!While the brakes seemed adequate, they are obviously nothing like a modern car.
While I don't want to upset anyone.... I am not a purist and will "improve" the car, as I feel is appropriate, always with a view to being able to revert to standard should the next owner wish it.
My query was, I think, more of a technical one, to see if anyone had suffered any detrimental effects of fitting a servo.
I think one element of the advice given is to drive it more, first, possibly with a complete overhaul of the brakes(it hasn't been driven much over the last few years).
So a very warm thank you for the advice given and I look forward to getting to know the car (haven't thought of a name yet) and using the message board.
I will post more pictures when I have them.
Regards[frame]

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Re: New Owner
Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 11:27 am
by SteveandKelly
Glad you're having fun with him/her David. Looks nice, I have always liked Teal Blue.
Re: New Owner
Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 10:09 pm
by twincamman
Speaking from experience, I've run a Minor with Marina discs & no servo, and if anything the brakes feel lighter than the stock drums. I've actually stopped a modified Minor on unassisted Marina discs (on a private test track!) from 110mph without any drama.
Re: New Owner
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 12:49 am
by StaffsMoggie
Very nice Traveller! Enjoy it, and welcome to the forum.