Morris Minor Owners Club

afternoon all, unfortunately the time has come to replace my thrust washers, I have a 1098 1965 saloon and I was hoping for some guidance on getting the right ones as I've seen a lot of "oversize" and problems with people having to shave them down! ideally I'd like to get the right ones straight off and I know you lovely lot would be the first port of call!

You don't know what you need till you install the crank. Are the old ones damaged ? If not - fit the crank with just the centre main cap (and old thrusts) and then measure the end float, If it's more than 6 thou, then you need to consider a pair of +3 thou thrusts to fit on the front side of the engine. Otherwise standard thrusts are fine, if you really think you NEED to renew them.

engine is still in, currently being used daily until discovery of the movement in the crank today, will be condemned tonight until the new washers arrive and I'll be leaving the engine in to do it!

You should be able to slide the new thrusts round into the block after the centre main cap has been removed. I suggest thrusts from eg Minispares are more likely to be correct specification. How much movement does the crank show at the moment ? Put the new thrusts in at the front of the main.

i could only tell you "too much" movement currently as I only had a quick look and it was noticeable to see let alone feel on the pully against the starter handle whilst someone pressed the clutch! and when you say put the new ones infront of the main, do you mean just do one pair?

Well - if there is wear, it will be on the front ones due as you see to the pressure when using the clutch. So if the movement is say 6 thou, you would fit a pair of new 3 thou oversize washers in the front , reducing the float to 3 thou. Just be sure to put them in right way round - with the wearing face towards the crank. Don't laugh - there have been disasters where people have fitted them wrong way round.