Morris Minor Owners Club

Does anyone know the purpose of the hole (approx. 1 cm in diameter) drilled into the radiator fan shroud (the part that is often stencilled with a warning notice about removing the radiator cap slowly)?

As depicted here:

It is there to make you ask the question of why it is there.

Joking apart I am certain it is the hole that is used to hang up the radiator when the radiator is being sprayed on the production line.

------and at last it worked!

To save metal?.....

It does not exist on all radiators - probably cheaper to not have to drill/punch/cut it out.

Thanks for the replies! Yes, I can see the painting hanging theory makes sense.

I have previously also found it very handy for retaining screwdrivers and bolts while working in the engine bay (not with the engine running, of course.)

"Destined to be Issigonis’ take on a racing chassis, this unique car was the product of several years of hard work by Issigonis and his friend George Dowson. They started the build back in 1933, when Issigonis was employed at Humber in Coventry, so not far from the site of the museum. The car began life as a sketch on the wall of Issigonis’ garden shed at his house in Kenilworth – where else do all these fantastic projects begin, but in the humble garden shed? Amazingly, they set about building the car with only hand tools, with the basis being to use Austin Seven parts. The car was built around a stressed aluminium monocoque, with a plywood chassis. As you can expect, building a car in your shed has limitations, and the fully independent suspension was made from large rubber bands to save weight, and the wheels were Elektron castings. Elektron is a magnesium alloy, so making it effectively lighter than aluminum.The car was painstakingly riveted by hand, much like the construction of a Spitfire. When the funds ran low, the pair spent their time lightening the chassis by drilling holes into the car ( and radiator? ) to make it as light weight as possible, giving it the name sake, Lightweight Special. Possibly something that inspired Colin Chapman with his famous mantra, simplify and add lightness."

John

The hole is to put your finger in to lift the radiator out at the end of the removal procedure

Screwdriver access to 803 waterpump grease point?

It's the ideal size to hold a spark plug when taking one out. That's how I've always seen it.

Good call, must try it sometime...