Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi everyone,

I bought a '68 1000 saloon back in December. Really happy with it except for one thing - it's really, really noisy! By which I mean, when starting up, neighbours are looking out to see what all the racket is, and it is almost impossible to hold a conversation at anything over 30mph. Aside from the noise, it seems to be running fine - I drove it back to Carlisle from Harrogate, where I bought it, without any problem, and have used it most weekends since. I can't see any damage or leaks on the exhaust pipe either.

The seller did tell me the noise level was because 'of the stainless steel exhaust' - is this likely to be the case, or should I be checking something else?

Cheers for your advice!

Tom

The SS exhausts do sometimes resonate - and I suspect the internals of mine were perhaps not stainless - and pretty much disappeared after a few years although externally it was fine. If you are sure the noise is from the pipe exit then the only option is a new system.

Check tappets and timing chain if there is a lot of rattling noise from the engine.
Also the joint between the exhaust and manifold often leaks and needs attention.

Thanks both - I'll investigate further! To be fair the exhaust looks fine but I've no idea how long its been on there, so it may be worth investing in a new one anyway.
Cheers,
Tom

The SS exhausts look 'fine' - but often rot away internally till they are little more than an open pipe.......

The SS exhausts look 'fine' - but often rot away internally till they are little more than an open pipe.......

Which is absolutely fine if it was guaranteed to 'last the life of the car' which is still going!

I guess it depends on your definition of "noisy". Compared to modern cars which can often be so silent you can't even tell if they're running, a Morris will be quite noisy. But from what you describe it sounds as if your exhaust is at fault in some way. My exhaust is a very old original non-stainless one and the car is not that noisy at all really.