Morris Minor Owners Club

The Morris I'm restoring has the 803 cc engine( 1955 ) and everyone is telling me I should upgrade the engine for a 1100 Morris engine or the 1275cc midget engine?? I think I should stick with the 803cc but they tell me that it won't be practical for today's roads ?? What's you're thoughts ? Cheers

Depends on what your going to use the car for. For a weekend fun car then the original should be ok, if you want to use it more often then yes a upgrade to 1098 would be ideal. 1275 isn't needed unless you want plenty more mph....

Used an 803 myself for a few years, yes they are slow to accellerate but once you're up to the speed limit and going along it doesn't matter. Hills were always a problem to be ascended at 20 MPH or less, but it was quite pleasant to be on an A-road sat at 50 MPH, not in any particular hurry and able to sit without the restrictions of a seatbelt.

Would I have another? I very much doubt it, but once I'd sorted out that car it was OK.

Note there is an essential modification for the 803 engine's lubrication system to avoid premature serious engine damage. Declan Burns made me aware of this and I am very thankful that he did.

Either struggle along with the 803, miserably slowly and holding up traffic (and you just know that they are cursing you and your Minor) or upgrade the engine. Normal upgrade for an 803 is to fit the later 948 engine - straight swap. Your choice then if you also change the gearbox and/or back axle - you don't have to - but it greatly reduces the 'screaming engine' noise.....

I would add that the only reason I kept mine in situ was because it was the engine it left the factory with - matching numbers and everything. We do need some original cars and 803 equipped vehicles, though.

Cocoon the old 803 safely under the garage bench - it can be refitted anytime if 'originality' suddenly becomes important.

V 6 or v 8 how about a subaru engine ,as the minor was originally designed with a flat four

Tanks for your comments, I just didn't know if by changing engine I would actually lose value on the car, it is the original engine .
The car is mainly going to be used locally and I do have a few hills on my Dailey commute . Was looking on eBay and can't find any 948 engine , there's a few 1098 . So If I look to replace my 803 for a 1098 I would have to get gear box and diff as well?

No -you can fit a 1098 - just use the flywheel and backplate from the 803 engine, and don't thrash the gearbox.... as above - you won't 'lose value' because the 803 can be refitted anytime! You will really struggle with an 803 if you have hills!

bmcecosse wrote:Cocoon the old 803 safely under the garage bench - it can be refitted anytime if 'originality' suddenly becomes important.

Hehe, I did just this with my Traveller's original 1098cc engine back in 1994 after it became a bit rumbly after 100,000 miles, and fitted a rebuilt 1275cc MG Midget engine & box.

Been meaning to freshen it up ever since so it can be swapped back in if required, and went so far as to obtain replacement bearings and gaskets, but it's one of those jobs that gets put off and put off...

However, I do periodically turn it over so it doesn't seize up.

Make sure the ports are sealed with oil soaked rags - and squirt a bit of oil down the bores.

That's why I've asked for opinion from people with more experience with Morris , I'm in the processe of removing the engine ither to take it to work and rebuild it over winter or store it and get un upgrade engine... (No point rebuilding the 803 and then have to buy un upgrade have plenty of other parts to spend money to get car on the road) ... Seeing that I can't do the bodywork in the winter due to weather & lack of daylight . Working on the smaller parts but will have to leave the welding body work for spring time .
Thanks for everyone's comments