Morris Minor Owners Club

So,

on removing the 1098cc engine yesterday we found that the bellhousing on the front of the gearbox was more or less evenly coated in black oily crud. The clutch also had a goodly coating of it.

I'm presuming this may have been the origin of the judder - but is it more likely to have come from the engine (which I'm thinking is more probable) or from the gearbox (which I don't recall needing to top up much - ever).

Because it was all *really* oily, it's really hard to see where it could have come from... so, which do we think?

...and gues who had to clean it out... *grumble*

It was actually quite scary how much oil was in there. I think Kate'll have some photos later..

Better put new seals in both !!

Better put new seals in both !!

There isn't a 'seal' on the rear of the 1098 engine - just one of those leaky scroll jobbies which can work when new but leak a lot when the crank is old and rattling around.
On the basis that you were doing 20K miles per year you have to expect a huge build up of oil in the bell housing - I expect all high mileage minors are like that so I don't expect it is photo-worthy - just something you need to expect.

There is still some kind of seal on the rear of the sump though. It used to be cork - don't know if it ever progressed to rubber - as on the Mini.
Also -if the engine block is being pressurised with piston ring blow-by - then it will blow oil out of all the seals ! So - make sure it is under a slight vacuum by connecting the rocker cover breather (check it's clear) to the carb - or directly to the inlet manifold via a 1/8" restrictor hole. This works wonders for eliminating nasty oily smell - and leaks !!

There is still some kind of seal on the rear of the sump though. It used to be cork

The sump is on the other side of the engine backplate so won't leak into the bell housing.

Regarding pressurised crank case - that is a definate way to increase oil leakage and bearing in mind how we were told that this car would go everywhere at 80mph and eventually gave up with badly scored bores, it's fairly likely to have contributed something.

It appears that some members of this board are of the opinion that minors are decorative items incapable of significant use. I do not believe this is the case, choose to disagree, and though some may point to the failure of my engine (after 40k miles with no bypass hose, it'd appear) as some kind of proof of this, I'd say that the plural of anecdote is not evidence; and that people should be wary of making judgements about other car's mechanical failures without all the facts.

[bites tongue before ranting and wanders off]

It appears that some members of this board are of the opinion that minors are decorative items incapable of significant use.

I disagree! I've done it myself and hence know that stuff like 'bellhousings full of oil' and a few unforseen major repairs are what you have to live with ;-)
Can't see the problem with repairing it if you want to do that kind of mileage You've certainly had to fix it a lot less than my Boss's Passat (Which is 4 yrs old and hasn't gone more than 6 months without needing some repair or other ).

Yes I know full well where the sump is - but if it is leaking the oil runs round and gets in everywhere - but I bet this case is blow-by inspired leakage !

Kate dont forget to check the spigot bush where the gearbox input shaft goes as these are often overlooked and will affect the life of the gearbox and are often forgotten when changing the clutch and they are only a couple of quid if you do need a new one.

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It appears that some members of this board are of the opinion that minors are decorative items incapable of significant use. I do not believe this is the case, choose to disagree,

alot of people forget that a minor (or any other old car) used to be used every day when new. Amount of people that have made comments about me driving emily in the rain and snow drives me mad

People just think I'm strange chosing to drive my Minor through the winter, until I tell them my other car is a Sprite!

IMO they're made to be driven, mine does about 10k a year and yes, it does deteriorate and hence need work from time to time but hey, that's my choice. I suspect my clutch is getting oily again, probably from gearbox oil as it needed topping up recently...

I have just swapped emily's 1293 bottom end for a standard 1275 one as she is pulling the gearbox to peices and my bellhousing was full of oil again.