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Hello and question

Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2013 9:58 pm
by brambler
Hello everyone, first post about my first Minor. 1959 948cc Tourer bought last Nov at auction. Factory soft top according to the VIN and all the old reg documents. Colour not original I guess but likeable. Chassis good, floor and panels previously replaced / patched but seem mostly sound.

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Engine, replacement Goldseal unit, not sure how old. Running but needed some tlc. Low compression, duff dynamo, leaking rad, blocked waterways, dodgy clutch etc. Took it out and been fixing it up slowly at weekends since buying. Never done this much with an engine before and most couldn’t have been achieved without the advice and tips found on here so a big thanks up front for the great resource.

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Now with decoke, new valves, a really good flush, an alternator, a few other new parts and a lick of paint the engine is back in and seems to tickover ok.

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Wheels, tyres, interior, etc next... Money pit; Maybe. Regrets; None. Not one. Haven't had this much fun with a car in years. And that's before driving it !!

Anyway, aside from saying hello, I have a question. To the left to what I now know to be the headlamp dipswitch there’s another lever switch thingy tucked up against the heater duct (see pic). I can’t find reference to this anywhere. Can anyone tell me what it is please? Many thanks in advance.

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Re: Hello and question

Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2013 10:13 pm
by lambrettalad
Hello and a nice looking car you have there :D

regards the switch what is on the back of it? wires ? tubing? and where dothey (if any ) go? :-?

Re: Hello and question

Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2013 10:43 pm
by beero
Welcome to the forum. I like that colour, and I like the colours on the air cleaner too!
That switch, it's not for the nitro boost is it??

Re: Hello and question

Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2013 10:45 pm
by orb596
The colour looks like Smoke Grey which is an original Morris colour.

As for the switch - it's definitely not an original fitment and I've never seen one before. As already suggested try to see if there are any wires attached and see where they go?

Looks like a nice car and I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun with it once you've got it all up and running. 2013 is a good year to enter the Morris world with it being the Morris Centenary. There are a lot of special events on this year and this years National rally is looking like an event not to be missed.

Re: Hello and question

Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2013 11:49 pm
by irmscher
Maybe old dipswitch was corroded in and replaced with new one without taking old one out

Re: Hello and question

Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 2:14 am
by IaininTenbury
I would suggest that it is a screenwash pump. As its obviously a very early Minor 1000 it wouldn't have had a standard fitted screen washer so when it became a requirement older cars had whatever aftermarket extras the owners chose. That looks like a foot operated screenwashpump with a rubber bellows bit behind the pedal. Goes with the water 'bag' on the bulkhead and the jet mounted on the bonnet.
Looking again at the before and after pics, I see you've replaced the waterbag with a bottle and electric pump, which will obviously work a lot better, so theres probably no pipes going to the old footpump now. It was an unusual choice, if it was mine I'd leave it fitted just for curiosisty value :)

Re: Hello and question

Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 7:41 am
by brambler
Many thanks for the warm welcomes and replies. As to the funny lever, on reaching around behind the engine there are no wires but there is a length of black plastic pipe attached to it that has been cut of and pushed back over the bellhousing. Didn't spot it when I had the engine out. :oops: The lever also does have a bellows between it and the floor so I guess the old screenwash system is favourite. As suggested will leave it in place for posterity. Thanks again.