Morris Minor Owners Club

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Morris-minor ... SwvxBd7li8

Also, a novel battery clamp ?

(Edit: It's the last picture in the ad )

I must say it is ingenious but not the best way of steadying the engine - with that broken engine steady battery tray bracket it is just crying out for a Grumpys engine steady kit.

https://www.morrisminorspares.com/engin ... it-p830094

If the battery has a front foot the clamp will suffice otherwise it needs an original type clamp set up.

Is that steady trying to pull the shocker off?

The car starts easily and sounds fine, idling soon after starting.

even if the Dissy has the Vacuum Advance broken off....

I'd also love to know where the main battery earth disappears to.....

Certainly makes you wonder what the underneath is like.....

I think the first thing I'd do is the relocate the petrol pipe/filter to the other side of the throttle cable. Looks a bit too close for comfort to me, nestling as it is, right over the manifold.

Among the interesting ‘modifications’ I noticed this, any ideas anyone?

If you follow the wire back it is the earth wire or earth wires as it appears to be made up from a piece of heavy duty twin core mains cable.

Whilst not original there is nothing wrong with the cable(s) being used as the earth cable.

The lack of vacuum advance will not effect the engine running at idling. The Cooper S distributer never had a vacuum advance fitted and it idled ok.

philthehill wrote: ↑Sun Dec 15, 2019 2:51 pm
The lack of vacuum advance will not effect the engine running at idling. The Cooper S distributer never had a vacuum advance fitted and it idled ok.

Absolutely, as long as the pipe is plugged and therefore not able to draw air into the carb - that will affect the mixture, depending on the location of the vacuum pick up relative to the throttle butterfly. It either needs blanking or repairing

it is just crying out for a Grumpys engine steady kit.

Hi,
That kit looks like a good solution to a common problem, duly noted.
Best wishes,
Mike.

philthehill wrote: ↑Sun Dec 15, 2019 2:51 pm
Whilst not original there is nothing wrong with the cable(s) being used as the earth cable.

Maybe, but it doesn't bode well for the standard of work in the rest of the car.

PoolGuy wrote: ↑Sun Dec 15, 2019 4:09 pm

philthehill wrote: ↑Sun Dec 15, 2019 2:51 pm
Whilst not original there is nothing wrong with the cable(s) being used as the earth cable.

Maybe, but it doesn't bode well for the standard of work in the rest of the car.

And since it's not connected to anything, you wonder how they started the engine.....

I thought it was bolted to the bellhousing? Unconventional but as long as there’s a engine-chassis earth it’d work.

The earth wire from the battery is fastened to the bell housing as red ringed by Banned User above.

And those last two posts neatly answer your earlier conundrum 'geobernie' I'd also love to know where the main battery earth disappears to.....
Its a solution, even if not a very neat one...........one could call it a bodge of sorts

PoolGuy wrote: ↑Sun Dec 15, 2019 4:35 pm I thought it was bolted to the bellhousing? Unconventional but as long as there’s a engine-chassis earth it’d work.

Ahh.
I couldn't make out any connection to the bell housing, I thought that was just the cut off end of the cable floating around the engine bay. Just trapped under a bolt head presumably.....

Stuffed under a bolt head would fit in with the rest of the handy work

I've never fitted the steady and there doesen't seem to be any problems. It does have a hydraulic clutch though.

It appears also that the heater matrix has been bypassed.

It appears also that the heater matrix has been bypassed.

Possibly means the matrix leaks...………
Though I can't actually see if there is still a heater fitted from the interior picture. Something else to fix then...…….
Wonder if there's still a thermostat under the housing?

Is that water cress growing out of the drivers side glove box?
Best wishes,
Mike.

The heater is in place if you look carefully.

That is not watercress but what appears to be plastic decorations, possibly left over from a wedding.

I have to say I do not know what people are expecting for the price being asked especially as the car is at least 53 years of age.

As it says in the 'e' bay listing 'Come and have a look is best'.

You may be surprised to find it better than expected even if you have to do some work to get it all back as it should be.

Phil

I have never bought a Minor that hasn't needed work of some kind (cosmetic and mechanical) to address neglect/bodges/deterioration etc. to bring it back to my satisfaction