Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi all

I am new to this forum so sorry if this has been covered before.

I have a 64 Minor saloon and I am considering fitting front discs and was wondering if there is a direct replacement that will bolt straight on and keep the same stud pattern? Many moons ago I got a conversion kit From Minor Maina in Mill Hill but this meant machining the hubs using Marina brakes. Someone has said Healey Sprite should be a direct swap but does anyone know for sure?

Many thanks

Jason

Sprite brakes are tiny and arguably less effective than the 8 " drums you should have on a 64 car. What's wrong with the brakes ? Unless you are modifying the engine for a lot more power - these brakes (in good working order) will be more than adequate for any sane Minor motoring. Kits are available of course from the usual suspects.. by the time you add new master cylinder/servo/remote reservoir you will be getting close to £800 - and then there's the repiping and fitting costs (£200?) if you can't DIY.

I found that overhauling the brakes, new decent shoes, drums and Mintex pads made a big difference. I also have a brake servo and wider van wheels with decent modern tyres on. Whilst many argue that a servo does not improve braking, only makes it easier to lock wheels, I found it to be a considerable improvement over non-servo, with the feel and response more akin to a modern car. I paid approx £160 to have my servo fitted, so not too bad? Brake parts aren't overly expensive. Van wheels are more costly, you may still be able to get 'new' ones? Or find some LP936 ones like I did and get accused of ruining your car with wide wheels in pub car parks!! Tried explaining that technically they were a period mod....

I changed from my '59's original 7" drums to a disc setup using MGB calipers and ESM's Ford discs and caliper bracket about six months ago. It does not have a booster (servo). I have a weak leg, but the pedal is not too firm for me to push; emergency stops are easy now, though of course the pedal is firmer than on any modern car. Virtually maintenance free, too. I am very satisfied with my investment.

I intend fitting discs. So much better than drums.

No need to be adjusting them regularly.
No problem soon after wading.
Easy to check visually without removing more than the wheel - some have tell tales for those that need a reminder that the pads are getting thin (a bad habit, IMO, as they don't always work as designed).
Faster (usually) to change the friction material.
Seemingly less likely for friction material separation with pads than shoes.
A greater range of pad materials available.
Faster recovery from brake fade, should it occur.
More and more cars are fitted with discs all round these days. That alone must be a good indicator of something.

We always threw out the front drums on Anglias, Cortinas and Mk1 Escorts and fitted discs with servos. Cannot see that drum technology has moved on the same as for discs. There will always be some posters who think drum brakes are perffect, I suppose.

If you have decided to fit disc brakes to your Minor - the Marina type disc brake conversion from Bull Motif (Pt No: MOD210C) will satisfy all your braking needs and it is relatively cheap at £329 plus the usual.
The Marina brakes are easy to fit, easy to maintain and spares are plentiful.
I have a similar Marina disc brake conversion on my Minor and they have always stopped me from speeds much in excess of what a normal Minor can attain.
As regards brake pads - the standard pads are more than adequate and you would be hard pushed to fade the brakes.
Unless you are going to be going up and down mountain passes at great speed vented disc brakes are over kill and subsequently over priced for what you get and need.
Phil

Thanks guys for the advise