Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi

I've seen an older Minor for sale near to me which has the old 800cc engine (side valve) and I wondered if this could be used as a daily driver? I tend not to use motorways very much and mostly do town trips.

Any views on this?

All the best,

Tim

30mph or less? You'll be grand I'd say.

Hi Tim,

The 803 cc isn't the sidevalve - it's actually the first of the A-series engines. The bad news is that it's not really any more powerful than the earlier (918 cc) sidevalve, it's considerably weaker, and has a far shorter final drive. Around town it would be OK, but you'll soon find yourself getting frustrated on the open road. At 45-50 mph the engine really is screaming. I wouldn't even consider the motorway (I foolishly did in mine years ago, and the engine protested by destroying a big end!). Great as a show car or for very local journeys, but, in my opinion, not much else. That said, the earlier cars (with the cheesgrater grill etc) are far more characterful in my opinion!

liammonty wrote:Hi Tim,

The 803 cc isn't the sidevalve - it's actually the first of the A-series engines. The bad news is that it's not really any more powerful than the earlier (918 cc) sidevalve, it's considerably weaker, and has a far shorter final drive. Around town it would be OK, but you'll soon find yourself getting frustrated on the open road. At 45-50 mph the engine really is screaming. I wouldn't even consider the motorway (I foolishly did in mine years ago, and the engine protested by destroying a big end!). Great as a show car or for very local journeys, but, in my opinion, not much else. That said, the earlier cars (with the cheesgrater grill etc) are far more characterful in my opinion!

Great answer, I've seen a few older cars with the larger sized engines so these might be more useful for me. Thanks for the replies!

Is there much between the two larger engines or do they perform similarly?

Regards,

Tim

The 1098 has considerably more power, and a lower final drive ratio, so performance is not that much different (in standard form..) although 'cruising' is slightly more relaxed.

What about an 803 car with 1275 ital running gear?


This was our everyday car for years and years.

I'm jealous of that - I'd love another early car. My SII had a 948 engine and running gear in it after I destroyed the 803, and was fantastic, but a 1275 would have been great!

Tim M - like bmcecosse said, there's not so much difference performance-wise between the 948 and the 1098 (948 is far sweeter, the 1098 is gruff but much torquier), but importantly, they're both good strong engines unlike the 803!

Thank you both, that's really helped me out.

Tim

You're welcome!

horologiumwatches wrote:What about an 803 car with 1275 ital running gear?

This was our everyday car for years and years.

Nice looking engine bay. May I ask what the Tippex is for?

Tipex was for the timing marks to use a stobe. Now ask me what the Vaseline was for....

Hehe, I'm guessing to prevent corrosion on the battery terminals?

What does the hose leading from the inlet manifold up past the battery tray and into the bulkhead go to?

Yes, and also the HT lead terminals in the dizzy cap. The hose is for the vacum gauge.

Ahh - vacuum gauge - very important (on a steam Loco...) Better not ask what the length of timber is for......