Morris Minor Owners Club

Looking at the question of what modern parts to put into my '63 1000 saloon. Changing my dynamo to an alternator. Will this improve performance? I've read about brake servos and changing to discs and so on but what IS worth changing to get better performance? Any suggestions from those that have had this question themselves or have done these changes and seen the advantages...

It depends entirely on how often you run the car and how you run it (ie heated screens etc). I fitted one and never looked back, but mine is used every day. A dynamo is fine for less frequent well regulated use.

I am looking at using Hugo everyday to work and back when he's ready to roll...hoping not to be a fair weather driver...may be naive wishful thinking but lets see. Thanks for the post. What are the advantages in having an alternator opposed to a dynamo?

Will this improve performance?

In a word, NO.
Start with a full service, plugs, points, oil, filter and valve clearances. Don't forget the air filter either.
Make sure the carb piston rises easily and falls with a clunk you can hear and that the vacuum advance in the dizzy works (suck on the tube and check for the points plate moving).
The brakes take more effort than a modern car, get used to it or fit a servo.

Alternators charge the battery more effectively at lower revs ,second mod I made ,never had a problem (3 yrs) and the moggie was outside all winter and used sparingly,even with heated rear screen .

Cheers chaps

Yes - for a frequent use car - especially in winter - an alternator (and halogen headlights) is worth doing.. MUST convert the car to negative earth...... Disc brakes - expensive - and if you drive sensibly the 8" drum brakes on later cars are fine if in GOOD condition - a servo is an unnecessary complication - and doesn't make the brakes any 'better'......

Other than a good set of radial tyres, a post 62 minor 'as it left the factory' should be more than capable of daily use & commuting.

What are the advantages in having an alternator opposed to a dynamo?

well, you'd be more likely to get some use out of your breakdown service..
On a standard Minor, that's about the only benefit - unless you get stuck in more than half an hour per day of stationary traffic in winter, in which case you'll keep the battery charged better.
Personally I'd rather use a mains charger mid winter if using the car for commuting.

Servo'd disks would make the car much much more like a modern (can be useful if you're swapping between cars a lot). Standard brakes (after 62) are good enough for daily commuting as long as they're kept well maintained and you get used to leaving braking space.

Some swear by electronic ignition, which in principle is fine but I much prefer the simplicity and visibility of the points.

Halogen headlights are certainly worthwhile - the standard 7" lights (as per classic mini, landrovers, Minors etc..) are definitely inferior to what you get used to on a modern car.

The upgrade I've never done and used to get stuck with... fitting a headlights warning buzzer via the door switch! I've had at least 4 flat batteries from that and a few near misses.

I think it all depends on how well your car is kept in tune, I use my car everyday for work, lots of little short trips and as long as your voltage regulator is well tuned and you have a strong battery then it never lets me down.

My Morris is completely standard 1959 and I do everything with it from motorway trips to towing trailer tents and trailers, it all keeps up with traffic and the brakes are superb! Just make sure its all maintained well and standard is fine .

I agree with the post about if you want to add extras though, the only extra electronics I have are a stereo, the dynamo keeps up with this fine but much more e.g. heated screens, halogen lights etc would probably require an alternator.

You can buy alternators that are built into a dynamo casing... you get the alternator performance but keep the original look.

Happy motoring!

Halogen headlights actually use slightly LESS current than sealed beams......so no worries there.

Thanks for all the advice chaps. Let you know what I 'fit' into Hugo.