Morris Minor Owners Club

I'm going to fit a new bypass hose by removing the water pump. Do I need to remove the fan blade and/or radiator to get the pump off? In other words what's the best way to do it?

Yes - remove the fan and pulley - only 4 bolts ! Then the pump - be sure to have a new gasket in stock...and no horrible 'gasket-goo' .....please... Rad can safely stay in place - but take care not to bash it - perhaps slide a bit of cardboard in to protect it from flying spanners... And NOT a hopeless 'concertina' bypass hose, unless you want to be doing the job again at the roadside in a few months time......

As above but check the condition of the bypass hose stub in the head whilst you have the pump and hose off the engine. They have a tendency to corrode away.
https://www.minisport.com/12a2075-cylin ... e-kit.html
The Mini Sport stub does have the correct thread.
Phil

I wouldn't attempt it without removing the radiator. The core is very fragile and easily damaged. It is only held in with 4 bolts and you're draining the coolant anyway so why leave it there in your way and risk damage?
I agree that the concertina hoses are rubbish. Just cut a piece of heater hose to the correct length. It'll last much longer.

I've bought a silicone bypass hose which is thick and rigid despite having a concertina appearance - I assume these are OK?

NO. Use a straight /thick piece of heater hose (and certainly never a 'kevlar' hose of any description). There are risks to moving the rad - just take care to NOT damage the radiator - there's plenty of room.

Is it 1/2" ID hose?

Yes, standard 1/2" heater hose.

bmcecosse wrote: There are risks to moving the rad - just take care to NOT damage the radiator - there's plenty of room.

More risk to the radiator if you leave it in place though. And less visibility of the job in hand. This is someone with limited experience (sensibly) asking advice on the best way to tackle the job as a novice. The best way would be to remove the radiator

Up to them - it may get 'racked' on pulling it out - the fixing screws may jam.... the job can be done on a Mini without popping the rad - and there is MUCH less room there! If I felt I was clumsy with the sockets I would just just slide a bit of cardboard down the front of it... But as ever - each to their own! I do advise though to NEVER use the drain tap/plug if there is one fitted.

If your going to remove the radiator now would be a good time to give it a flush out

And inspect/renew the hoses....