Mongolia and Back in a M

[MattG]

Albert is a 46 (soon to be 47) year old Morris Minor Traveller. I am a soon to be 60 year old with an itch and we (well me really, Albert hasn't had much say in the matter) have decided to drive from the UK (exact starting point to be decided) to Ulanbataar in Mongolia and back.

We will be doing this next year to raise around £15,000 for charity and I have created a facebook group (http://facebook.com/groups/AlbertgoestoMongolia for those people interested in following during our preparations and ultimately on our journey to there and back! For those of you not on Facebook or who just don't like it I have a blog where you can follow what's happening on too so check out http://mattgivertzdoes60.blogspot.com.

I'm also likely to be looking for advice in getting him ready so anyone with ideas for what I need to do (suspension, gearbox, engine etc) please don't hesitate to let me have 'em. My proposed route is around 15,000 miles over some pretty harsh terrain but I'm sure with the right preparation we can do it

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[busguy]

Hi
There is a brother and sister doing a Mongolia run this month, in a 1954 Minor MOW 109. They have done the preparations and put a blog in place. http://mongoliaeconomy.blogspot.co.uk/2 ... n-old.html

I'm sure you can learn a fair amount from the assembled brainpower on this web site, but if you closely study what 'events' others have encountered in their travels it could help shape your thinking too.

[RichG]

Good luck to you all , and i hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip , and manage to achieve your goals , Richard .

[rayofleamington]

Having done a trip to Gambia in a 54 saloon (and lots of similar/different trips), my best advice is to travel very light!
Less is more! 3 changes of clothes is all you really need on a road trip (one to wear, one to wash, one to dry).
The less you have, the less load on the car in the first place, and the less time wasted "re-organising stuff" instead of enjoying to trip.

Most jobs can be done on a Minor with very few tools. a handfull of whitworth sockets & AF sockets plus a small number of spanners, screwdrivers and thin nose pliers and pump pliers covers many jobs. A starting handle will do your wheel nuts, and isn't half useful in event of a faulty solenoid/starter motor and also if you need to re-check static ignition timing... You'll never be able to carry 'all possible spares' and if something goes badly wrong, mail order parts should be there within a few days. With your distance, you'll need a few re-greasings on the suspension, but the smallest of grease guns is fine!

Use the car very heavily between now and when you set off - no point doing a shake down & finding problems when you're already en route! If the ignition points, and fuel pump points etc.. are all good to start with, you're less likely to have an issue - same goes with brakes and all the other serviceable bits.
A well used, & thoroughly serviced car is pretty low risk - but if you've got an alternator, then sods law says it will break at the worst possible time. A dynamo with oil in the felt washer and new brushes should last 30 to 40 years...

Running all day long at main road speed will be a stress on the valves, so if you're mechanically DIY inclined, get the head off, and make sure all valves & seats are good in the first place, or go for hardened valve seats.
Use a proven fuel additive with octane booster (fuel can be variable on the Eastern end of your route).

Bad roads can lead to more punctures. More than one spare wheel is a definite bonus, and if you take tubes with you, any local workshop should be able to get your spares re-instated.

[The Issigonis Kid]

Lots of good tips in the last reply, an enjoyable read. I must admit, having just done 250 miles in a car that did 100 miles in the last 5yrs, after a good check of the levels and pressures, we took lots of stops and didn't stress the car and everything was fine. Good Luck, it sounds fun. Looking at your route, I hope you've got a temp guage.