Morris Minor Owners Club

I thought I’d start the van the other day for no particular reason, turned the key, pump started ticking and didn’t stop. Under the bonnet there was a jet of petrol shooting out from the base gasket. So removed the pump and thought for a minute, now usually I’d mess about dismantling and making gaskets etc. This time I thought no, and phoned ESM and ordered a brand new SU pump. Arrived quickly, fitted the same day. All ok. It’s taken me years to discover the easy way!! . I’ll probably repair the original pump some time, so I’m not completely cured !

I think you made exactly the right move. Are you also someone who buys parts that you don't immediately need when you see them at a good price? I bought a used carb and air filter housing last week, just because it was cheap and will mean that I can swap them over with minimal downtime in future. Easy.

My workshop is full of bits and pieces that may come in handy someday.
Deep down I know that they will probably never be used but still nice to have

I did the same and bought a new pump after failing to get the original pump working properly with an overhaul kit, turned out expensive
As for squirreling away stuff that will come in handy one day - I'm in the process of re-arranging my garage/workshop and embarrassed with some of the absolute junk I've kept buried at the back of shelves and under benches. Ted the traveller has done several trips to the tip to get rid of most of the rubbish so now I'm on the second round of culling in an attempt to be able to fit everything back in, I'm sure the walls are made of elastic as it all went in before

To answer rocco, no I don’t buy if I don’t need it, maybe once but not now. Hoarding is a way of life for some and not limited to motoring needs. Nature or nurture, I lean towards the latter, although once the former, you learn by example I think. I remember my dad taking some garden clippings to the local tip, and removing a programmer from a hoover keymatic, thinking it might come in handy if ours packed up ! Things we different in those days, folk used to repair stuff. I picked up on this, and to a point that’s where I’ve been. However I’ve changed and now want to travel light, not easy and not sensible going to extremes but I see the beauty in less clutter. I’m trying to throw one thing away a day!!
On a holiday in Scotland a few years back, looking up, I drove by a man sitting in front of his house admiring the view, high up on the side of a hillock. That’s where I want to be !!