Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi guys,

I've got a 1968 2 door saloon with a 1275 mg metro engine and carb. I've never had any issues driving it, but my housemate took it for a spin earlier and it cut out at aome lights.

She was running fine and then when stationary she idled roughly and then the revs dropped off until it stalled.

We then couldn't start her up again for a good 5 minutes or so. I tried to replicate it again by driving her but no issues. No rough idling at lights. My housemate took over again, next set of lights pow the car did the same thing. The only difference I could see between our driving is that my housemate was keeping the clutch depressed at the lights.

Any ideas guys? Could this be a clutch issue?

push the idling speed at idle up a bit its when the clutch is in while idling puts extra drag on engine which lowere the idle speed slightly

The only way to fit a Metro engine is to convert to Front Wheel Drive ! In any case - you MUST NOT sit with foot on the clutch - whether it's Minor or Metro power unit. The extra drag is killing the crankshaft thrust washers - and with the Minor - it's wearing h3ll out of the graphite release bearing. It must be clutch down -into gear and away when the lights change. Keep OFF the clutch as much as possible !

I agree, its a bad habit she's got herself into sitting with her foot. I've changed the idle, though it wasnt a problem when I was driving it and banned the housemate! cheers guys.

is it a front wheel drive then

Still waiting for an answer on that....it MUST BE if it's a 'Metro' engine.

Apologies for late reply, sorry it's a 1275 engine with a mg metro carb not an mg metro engine.

Aaaaaaaaah And head and camshaft, I hope.....