Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi all, after 15 years having good used and recon engines. Im looking for a proper rebuilt 1098 engine, a good one. Just hard to decide who to buy one of and also trust etc... any one get any ideas or experience or sugestions they would like to tell me about???

DIY is by far the best way! Exchange crank from Bully - and a rebore at your local engine place. Set of new pistons, new oil pump +timing chain (fit Mini type with tensioner if you want quiet) + cam followers, new valve guides (Mini type with ridge to take seals) + seals of course, grind in the valves (new if you must) and Bob is the uncle !! £400 should do it !

I would imagine if want to go down the ready built path, most Minor dealers would have some in stock, quite pricey though but there reputation might give you some kind of reassurance. An independent place could possibly rebuilt one if you had an old unit to give them, not that I can suggest one though. However if you've managed to find good recon units in the past, is there any advantage in going down your proposed route?

I know someone on here recently appeared to have a very BAD experience of a 'reconditioned' engine.....hopefully they will PM you with the details - since of course we are not permitted to write any bad news of suppliers - even when it is blatantly true!

Agree with BMC that DIY is by far the best way - and it's not as hard as you might think as long as you work slowly and methodically in stripping down the old engine, carefully labelling various parts, bolts and washers etc so you can put the new ones back in the right order, cleaning and, if required re-boring the block, then re-fitting new parts as per the workshop manual.

I have rebuilt my 1275 midget engine after about 30 years sat in the garage and in all it has cost just over £450. I replaced some parts that I probably didn't need to but wanted to reduce the liklihood of further engine problems later. It's a very satisfying and therapeutic thing to do have a go - you'll be amazed at what you can do and there is always the Forum to help when you get stuck

Good luck

I used to build the engines with my farther back in the day, he was old school and good at timing them up etc. He since passed away and thought it would be easier and better to get a new one from a dealer all done with warranty.

You might be wise to get the block rebored before getting the pistons. Also, you will know doubt need access to a vice! Surprised to hear the news from esm.

I would certainly strip the engine down to the bare block and have that sorted first - (a) because the re-bore is the main thing that determines the size of the pistons and rings you will need and you won't know that until it's been done, (b) because you will also be able to inspect the condition of the main bearing carriers and big ends and decide if any of these parts need replacing - this will also inform what size main and big end shells you will need (c) because you will also be able to check the condition of the camshaft bearings and, if these need to be replaced your engine shop can probably do that for you at the same time and (d) you will be able to thoroughly clean the swarf and gunk from the inside of the block and ensure it is structurally sound before proceeding. At the same time, you can also check the condition of the head and valves and make a decision as to whether valve seats need refacing or replacing.

For some reason, I have struggled for ages working on stuff on the floor but this summer I had had enough of that so using about 4 old pallets and three old scaffold boards - helpfully sourced through a friend and 3 x 2.5 m lengths of 3x2 timber to make 6 legs from the red pencil DIY suppliers , I built my own bench with a full length shelf all for the princely sum of £15. It only took a weekend too and it will hold as much weight as any Morris engine I ever want to work on Don't you just luv DIY?

my local machine shop said buy the pistons, ie if its a standard block, buy plus 20 pistons and he will bore and hone it to a piston i supply?

Wow! sounds like a great partner to have - a heated indoor workroom with tea/coffee on tap Make good use of it before you get 'evicted' back to the yard!!

I have several vices but I don't think I used one when rebuilding my engine.
Why is one essential?

DO NOT- buy an engine stand - it's a useless thing. A good bench or table - actually an old office desk is ideal - is much better. A vice ?? What for ?? Just get an exchange crank complete with shells etc - the price is a bargain deal - even better if you have a supplier near you so no carriage costs back and forth. The Mini timing chain with tensioner is FAR better for a standard engine - the duplex is for fancy cam/daft strong valve springs. The cam bearings NEVER need renewing, unless the engine has been ground to a halt with no oil or water - something like that. There is no skill in 'timing up' the engine - it just goes together dot to dot - simples......... Cleanliness (and lots of oil) is however extremely important.

Any tweaks you would do with the engine apart Roy?
I was tempted to have a bit of a polish of the con rods and have a go at balancing the pistons too.

i no you have to dot to dot on the to pulleys, but dont you have to have the pistons on a certain stroke or you 180 degrees out?? this is from memory.

You can always ask for help - plenty of advice here. Don't worry about 180 degrees etc - doesn't matter a monkeys....... Do you have a proper workshop manual?

£99! For something that was nailed together in a shed?
Oak Veneered top must add a lot of value!
An old workmate is what I've used in the past but an old desk sounds like a good alternative if you have the space.

as for a workshop manual i have a haynes. I want to paint the engine up nice aswell, and detail it all.

For those who ask why a vice? Do you really need telling?

les wrote:For those who ask why a vice? Do you really need telling?

Im thinking to push the goodgin pin into the conrod and to put the cylinder head in while lapping the valves in and knocking the old valve guides out??

Nope - no vice needed for any of these ops...... I was thinking of an old desk at ~£10 from a surplus place - or just go round the local 'industrial' estate and see who is throwing out furniture !! And Haynes - oh dear.....i've PMd you with a useful link......