Morris Minor Owners Club

Recently purchased here in New Zealand .. so a newby question ! Was ostensibly a 1957 (has a split windscreen) and have referred to a couple of sites including http://potteries.mmoc.org.uk/Identification.htm to positively identify series numbers , engine size etc. Any advice/help received would be appreciated. Firewall plate is the one on left hand side bulkhead (viewing from front of car) and is the two-plate smaller above and larger below - type. Numbers are CAR No FAH55/ 41633 ENGINE No 287889 (which matches the stamp on the engine block).
There is also a single number 5 stamped on the cylinder head front piston near the thermostat. I have not removed the rocker cover as yet but hope I can ID some details first. ....another question is that the original filter arrangement has been changed to a "Ryco" spin on type (number ZA2) directly to the block - I cant see any spin-on conversion kit present at first look. Ryco tech tells me this filter was (although popular) - discontinued and was the male-type with a shaft/thread which went directly into the block (unsure). I don't want to remove this as yet until I can decide which way to go. I sure hope the old ZA2 comes out cleanly without too much fuss. What would the other filter alternatives be after removal be ? The air filter is the wire-mesh/oil type not element ..

You're a digit short on the chassis number - "41****" on a 287*** 803cc is correct.

I work off the Cowley production date plus 7mths for CKD assembly, makes yours early 1957(?)

9M 287*** = 2/59

I hope this helps....probably makes it worse!!

Ah thanks POMMReg... yes that does help and does confirm ... so an 803cc then ...and yes early 57 with split windscreen which is what it was advertised as. The chassis plate is in very good condition and I cant see another digit (even a faint number) .. strange. I will take another close look. As I am not yet set up for image upload can I email you the photo directly ? It has got the "Minor 1000" sidebadge ! ..... the 2/59 reference = 2/57 ??

The screw on filter is standard for an 803 engine - it's not a conversion. Problem is that modern replacements have too large a hole, and leak away too much oil (it is a by-pass filter running oil directly back to the sump) - so you need to contact 'Declan' on here who can provide a small adapter to limit that oil leakage. Without it - the engine oil pressure will be too low and will slowly destroy itself.

Rabbitt wrote:Ah thanks POMMReg... yes that does help and does confirm ... so an 803cc then ...and yes early 57 with split windscreen which is what it was advertised as. The chassis plate is in very good condition and I cant see another digit (even a faint number) .. strange. I will take another close look. As I am not yet set up for image upload can I email you the photo directly ? It has got the "Minor 1000" sidebadge ! ..... the 2/59 reference = 2/57 ??

2/59 is when the 948cc 9M reached 287***, so yours should be an APHM 803cc.