Morris Minor Owners Club

It failed today, quite exciting for Mrs Johnm (it's her car). This is not the first time it's happened in the 20 years we've had the car, though it's rare. Any advice on source of a sturdy longlasting spring, or should I just carry on fitting anything that works!

There's no reason why you couldn't fit another spring of a similar type if you have one in your bits and bobs tin. Providing it's not so strong as to bend the carb linkage or too weak to return the throttle to tickover fairly efficiently. I've just replaced mine with one from a redundant angle poise lamp!

I would recommend the proper SU springs as they have free moving ends, which may relieve the stress a little and reduce the amount of wear due to rubbing) but either way - a new spring is a much beter bet than a second hand one.

I've also had it happen, and for me it was amusing but for the average driver it could be fairly frightening!

Yes, me too!

Yes buy a new one they are only £1.25
http://shop.morrisminorspares.co.uk/ind ... d6f57c115a

New one to be fitted this weekend I think therefore.

Thanks

While you are at it order a spare Clutch return spring too and
carry it in the car.

For motorsport there must be two springs on each carb spindle - good idea. When mine broke i was in the outside lane of Mway - passing a long line of traffic- discovered the speedo will go right round into the fuel gauge before I was past them all and able to pull onto the hard shoulder !!

What engine have yoiu got then? surely not a humble 1098?

When mine broke i was in the outside lane of Mway -

when mine broke i was coming up behind someone on the motorway. I just turned the ignition on and off to maintain my currenty speed, and carried on until the next motorway services.

That's ok if you are not already committed in the outside lane - with a string of cars behind ! The engine is 1098 - but 12g295 head with high compression ratio and bigger carb. Don't usually drive it that hard - only normally use the extra power for hills. Also - switching off and on the ignition will force a load of unburned fuel into the exhaust - then huge probability of a fantastic backfire when you switch on again !

Also - switching off and on the ignition will force a load of unburned fuel into the exhaust - then huge probability of a fantastic backfire when you switch on again !

he he! I used to do that in my XR3i years ago to make it go 'pop' Ahhh memories........

Daren't do that.... Mate of mine tried it with his Beamer, and exploded £750 of nearly new exhaust..... Althought the Minor exhaust hasn't got three dampers to blow up.....

In a Beamer? Hahahahahahahahaha!

You can laugh andrew, but he sure didn't! Is it safe to try with a well maintained Minor. always did like fire and blowing things up... I weekly burn out my exhaust on the twowheeler. Just for fun..

Also - switching off and on the ignition will force a load of unburned fuel into the exhaust - then huge probability of a fantastic backfire when you switch on again !

True - but it behaved perfectly (It was also a 1098 with big valve head) although standard Carb and exhaust.
Just don't try it on anything modern as even if you don't do £100's of damage to the exhaust/catalyst you shouldn't risk fighting the steering lock at motorway speed (that can have lethal consequences)!

Aye - the exhaust is the big restrictor - does anyone sell a bigger bore version of the exhaust ?