Morris Minor Owners Club

Much to my surprise the battery has been drawn down due to the car door staying open for a few days (in the garage with the interior light on!) So I'm going to charge the battery and see if that will work or I'll be shopping for a new battery. Here's a pic of my 1967 Morris 1000, 1098cc battery. I'd like conformation that I do have a Positive Earth battery connection. When I remove the battery do I remove the red cable first? When charging, will I still connect red to red and black to black?
If I do need a new battery - can any 12v battery work as long as it fits in the battery hold-down clamps?[frame][/frame]

Hi
Looks to me like you have negative earth which is good. You need to look for the + and - symbols on the battery to connect red charging lead to + and black lead to -.
On your photo black lead (-) is going to the chassis meaning it is set up as negative earth and the red (+) lead is going to the starter solenoid.
Hope this helps.

At first sight it does appear that you have a negative earth setup, but given that the battery terminals are at the front ie. close to the restraint bar it would be best to check the markings on the battery.

Terminals should really be at the back, adjacent to the bulkhead.

I would not bother with that fuel filter, the fuel pump has a built in filter which is capable of cleaning the petrol.
If you buy a new battery do not ask for a Morris Minor battery, they will give you one with the terminals the wrong way round.
For neg earth the terminals should be at the back with the neg (-) terminal on the right nearest to the fuel pump

It's impossible to tell from that picture - yes - a red lead has been used (red is usual for +ve) - but that may just be 'chance'. The battery terminals are dangerously close to the holding clamp - if the terminals touch the metal clamp , there could be an explosion......As others have explained - you need to look for the markings on the battery to determine +ve and -ve. The +ve terminal is actually slightly larger than the -ve - but that may not be too obvious.

Thanks all for the replies. Your feedback and experience is very helpful and most appreciated, and the best teacher!
I've removed the battery and have it on a charger. Yes, it is a negative earth setup.
I understood that the MM 1000's were set up as positive earth. Because this is a 1967 LHD model was the
negative earth setup a standard for exporting to USA? Or maybe this has been modified by previous owners.
The battery is date stamped 04/2009, so I'll probably buy a new one with the terminals located close to the firewall,
that way it will be installed and secured correctly.
The current battery is stamped: Group size 34, CCA@ 0 degrees F 500, CA @ 32 degrees F 625, RC 90 min.
I don't know if this is the correct battery size and specs when purchasing a replacement. Any suggestion?

Just try it and see! The size looks near enough correct - and treated well (ie shut that door!) - batteries can last 10+ years these days. So don't rush in to a new battery just yet!

Hi Jim,

I'd suspect it has been modified by a previous owner.

'CCA@ 0 degrees F 500, CA @ 32 degrees F 625'. This indicates the cold cranking current(A) available at the given temperatures. Easily enough for a Minor engine

Alex

Thanks Alex for the conformation. I'm wondering what else I might find that's been modified, hopefully for the best!

I'd suggest you re-route the red battery cable so it isn't rubbing on any cables or metal, eventually the insulation will wear away with dire consequences

And DO SOMETHING to take the terminal clamps AWAY from the clamp bar!!