Morris Minor Owners Club

I'm installing a non-electrical dual/combined 2" Smiths Oil Pressure and Engine Temp gauge and need to know about the two
adapters to the engine block for the 1967 Morris Minor 1098cc.
My first question is concerning the oil pressure fitting and location. Would I need to use a "T" piece adapter to allow installing
the low oil pressure warning switch along with the oil pressure line screw-in? Does the "T" adapter screw into the hole location of the low oil pressure switch?
Second question is concerning the engine temp fitting and location.
It looks like a slotted plug located just above the engine serial number plate is where I'll screw into the block for the engine temp sensor. Is this the correct location to install the temp sensor? If so, what adapter should I use to screw into the slotted plug location to attach the temp sensor to? Is this plug easily removed considering it's original 1967 and never been removed.
Or, is the location somewhere else? I was reading about a Engine Temp Sender Switch. Was this an option and where is it located on the 1098cc engine? Could this location be used to install the engine temp gauge fitting? What adapter is available for use here?
Any help is greatly appreciated.

Here's some photos showing the location.

1) Pressure
[frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

2) Temperature
[frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

There are a number of different suppliers of the adaptors / T pieces.If you have a really good Motor Factors locally you may strike lucky.
A lot of the classic Mini spares companies, people like http://www.minispares.com ( search for adaptors and T pieces )
for instance will supply what you need.
Bob

Which version of the temperature bulb fitting do you have? There are 2, one with a male fitting and the with a female. Can you post a picture of the end fitting?

Temp Gauge
The temp section of the gauge is a non electric capillary action and car should be taken not to damage the tube. The excess tube should be coiled and stored somewhere safe such as wrapping it in insulating tape and fitting it between the heater fresh air intake and the inner wing.
The blanking plug should be removed from the cylinder head and a double male threaded adapter screwed into the cylinder head. The sensor bulb is fitted into the adapter and the large nut tightened down onto the top of the adapter.
Fill radiator with water, run engine up to operating temp and check for leaks and correct operation of gauge. Drain sufficient water from radiator to add correct amount of anti freeze

Mike,

There are 2 versions of the capillary tube bulb - the one you describe looks to be the same as mine and needs a double-ended male/male adapter, with 5/8" UNF thread one end for the head tapping, and 3/8" BSP the other for the capillary tube nut. It will quite often need drilling out a bit to allow the capillary bulb to pass through.

The second type is probably more commonly available now and has a 5/8" UNF male end fitting, which is the same thread as the tapping on the side of the head - can it be screwed directly into the head? Or does it need a male/female 5/8" UNF/5/8" UNF adapter between the capillary and the head?

Female fitting with double-ended adapter:
[frame][/frame]

Male fitting:
[frame][/frame]
Whichever version it is, you need to be very careful when screwing the end fitting into the adapter, and make sure that the capillary does not twist round and break!

I have the top version with the double ended adapter. The electric sensor fits the head without an adapter.

Me too - I am wondering if the 'male' version of the capillary will fit directly, as the electric gauge sensor does?

The hole in the head (and I have never seen a 'slotted' plug ) is not very deep - so that long bulb shown above will probably need some form of adapter just to get the necessary length - and of course to match up the threads. As others have said - take GREAT CARE with the capillary - and protect it VERY well where it passes through the bulkhead.

Thanks to all for the posts and great photos. It looks like I have the male fitting type.
I'll start looking for the adapters from the mentioned sources.
Attached are photos of the end fitting, "slotted" plug, and my glove box gauge cutout.

Trying to download the pics

You probably need to reduce the size of the pics.....

Here's the temp sensor end, "slotted" block plug, and glove box cutout pics after resizing.[frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

Good luck with that slotted plug - not a standard feature. That bulb does look too long - so an adapter will be needed.

I can see that you may have difficulty removing the plug from the head. The plug normally has a large hex so it can be removed with a socket.
I would also be extra careful when fitting that sensor, it is very easy to break the capillary tube. Been there, seen it, done it!

The thread seems to have 'split' - so I repeat here what I have posted on the other thread.....
I'm wondering if that IS a plug - or is it part of the casting? Don't see any evidence of a seal under the head.... Maybe on engines where no gauge was intended - they eliminated the threaded pocket and hex plug to save a few pennies? Can't see why it would have a 'slot' though - if it's not intended to be removable. Has anyone seen anything like this before?

Currently experiencing great difficulty in removing the slotted plug from the head. Not enough room for vise grips and a screw driver won't turn it. Is there another location on the block? Could I tap into the radiator bottom drain plug? Any ideas?

It does look like a plug, but not one that is likely to have been fitted originally.

Without removing the head, a pair of Stillsons might get at it, if not an 'Easy Out' -
[frame][/frame]

Or a 'manual impact driver' like this one on eBay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-Siegen ... 58a594af45

Where are you? There might be someone locally who can help?

easy outs are great, got me out of many situations

Not always! If the wall of the broken part is too thin - the easy expands the broken part and makes it even less likely to unscrew. Also - if it snaps (all too easy to do) - you are then in a REAL pickle! I'm not convinced that IS a removable plug - the alternative is a thermostat cover with threaded port. Unfortunately they are 'not common' and demand a high price on ebay. They also show the water temp after the thermostat - so not entirely representative...