Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi Chaps,

Has anyone else noticed that various parts don't fit? I've recently bought both a magnetic sump plug and the tab washer which holds the 2 bolts for the main bearing cap under the timing chest cover.

The sump plug is incredibly stiff and started to strip, the sump tapping may be dirty, but i wouldn't have thought it would be that tight.

The lock washer is just unbelievable, the holes are in the wrong place!!! This isn't the first problem I've had with lockwashers either. I replaced the tab washers on the main bearing blocks and had th file them to get the holes to line up and then, to add insult to injury, discovered that the bit you bend up to secure was very short and an absolute nightmare to bend up properly.

Regards

John

Is the sump plug definitely sold for a Minor?? Does the old plug fit nicely? I would send it back!

You sound surprised, save that emotion for when parts fit.

The sump plug was bought from ESM, so it should fit the sump, I've also bought another standard sump plug, which again won't fully screw into the sump. I can try to clean out the thread with some white spirit on a rag and try to screw the plug in again. Obviously I won't try to force the plug into the sump. Does anyone know what the thread is incase i have to tap the sump to clean the thread out?

I am aware that certain pattern parts will require a certain amount of fettling to fit, but I'm suprised that basic engine spare don't fit considering how many A series engines there are still about, especially in the classic Mini world.

Regards

John

You don't say if the old plug screws in ok? Maybe it has been stripped in the past - and repaired with a different non-standard thread.

The original sump plug won't screw in either, so I guess it's just grot in the thread of the sump.

Or - you have damaged the sump thread using the magnetic plug if it has wrong thread......

Why fit a magnetic sump plug? Usually only fitted where gearbox is in sump OR in the gearbox itself to catch swarf knocked off by gears

Yes, the magnetic plug is essential for front wheel drive (box in sump) A series engine cars, but not for the Minor as the engine oil is not shared with the gearbox!