DPO issues with donor cars as well as project cars

[Paladin1962]

We're all familiar with DPO bodging, I'm removing some indeterminate IFS suspension from my '57 2dr and got in a '60 4dr donor car, not entirely dissatisfied with the donor as it providing plenty of good parts, except the important part, the actual front frame and chassis legs. It's got the torsion bars, rack, trunnions, etc, but it's all attached to box section tubing welded onto the car. They lost the ability to use the in-rail master cylinder as well as the pedal itself.... Anyway; a spare rear axle and springs and full front suspension and steering is a fair return as well as a smooth case gearbox and a questionable 948cc A series.

[les]

I’m not familiar with DPO bodging.

[geoberni]

I’m not familiar with DPO bodging.

DPO is common USA term for 'Dumb Previous Owner'..... hence all the comments about what he's found wrong with the Donor car.

Whereas us Brits just call them all PO, because there's always something we find that's a little strange after 70 years of different owners DIY efforts. .

[les]

Ah thanks, got as far as presuming it was an American term but no further !

[Paladin1962]

I’m not familiar with DPO bodging.

DPO is common USA term for 'Dumb Previous Owner'..... hence all the comments about what he's found wrong with the Donor car.

Whereas us Brits just call them all PO, because there's always something we find that's a little strange after 70 years of different owners DIY efforts. .

We're blunt but not quite so gruff as to say "Dumb", just "Dreaded"! I was caught out by not being able to inspect this particular car in person; I'm in no way truly disappointed with it per se, just confused by their intentions ( and, what plans they actually had for braking....)

[geoberni]

We're blunt but not quite so gruff as to say "Dumb", just "Dreaded"! I was caught out by not being able to inspect this particular car in person; I'm in no way truly disappointed with it per se, just confused by their intentions ( and, what plans they actually had for braking....)

I'm sure there's a few terms beginning with 'D' which could be substituted as required depending on the severity of the issue.....
When it affects braking, I can think of some choice terms...

[Paladin1962]

Donor car no1 has no braking system other than the service brake. (O) Spring hangers, floors, bodged up. Front chassis legs, also bodged up, no locating rods. no finisher plates from leg to fender liner. Radiator support bodged up battered and beaten to conform to from crossmember. Rotten as a pear.
Fortunately it has provided several pounds of hardware and switches, speedo. wiring harness, etc.as well a a good rear axle and front suspension, visors, mirror, column and wheel, seats, boot lock and handle, good bonnet and ornaments for same.

[Paladin1962]

Lest anyone be exceedingly concerned with those pictures; here is the actual project car, a 1957 2 door US export. At one time a DPO had installed a Chevy v6 and 4 speed with a Toyota rear axle. These infractions are being dealt with.

[rocco]

I’m not familiar with DPO bodging.

I'm not familiar with indeterminate IFS suspension. Can't be the only I can I?

[Paladin1962]

It's got the stock Morris parts (mostly, excluding the locating stay rods; not sure why they didn't put those back on), so I have the suspension the 2dr needs. DPO is Dreaded Previous Owner; that fellow responsible for all the bodging and ill-advised modifications...

[Paladin1962]

Managed to get in a little work last night removing the Toyota rear axle from the 2dr... the longer I looked at the leaf springs, the more I realized that they were in a bad state. Fortunately, the donor car's rear axle and springs are still together, so I'll drop the '57's springs and swap in the '60 axle. I wouldn't be able to get the Toyota axle out with the springs in situ anyway, the pumpkin and drums are too big. Side note: my other '60 donor car should be delivered late today or tomorrow.

[Steve Phillips]

I’m not familiar with DPO bodging.

I'm not familiar with indeterminate IFS suspension. Can't be the only I can I?

Independent front suspension.
In the hot rod / custom world it's a common swap to use an IFS. In the UK we used donors such as the triumph herald / vitesse. HA Viva from vauxhall or in later years the ford cortina or Granada.

In America the Mustang 2 was a common donor for an IFS, now there's lots and lots of rod shops offering IFS conversions. Some are still based on the Mustang setup while some are designed from scratch.

A well designed IFS with good geometry that's setup correctly will transform a vehicle. But a bad one... Well goes without saying.

[Paladin1962]

Got my donor car; loaded with bitsa this and bitsa that. Been bone-picking the other donor so I can get it cut up and disposed of. Still got the engine, trans, front suspension and rear bumper to pull off. Trying to get the catches off the B pillar and they will not shift. Nor the door pegs and pockets.
Pulled the fascia off donor 2 and found the engine free to spin; a great comfort.

[philthehill]

Well I do not know what you would classify me as because there are very few standard parts fitted to my Minor and it still fits the classification of a modified production car.
Mind you all of the modifications are very carefully thought through with not a DPO in sight. Mind you it did have two very careful elderly lady drivers before me.

[Paladin1962]

Phil, I'd certainly not refer to most of our brethren here as DPO... we seem at least to want to know the right thing to do! I had some time last evening to do some more picking and got a fair amount of felt window packing salvaged, as well as getting the headlights off donor 2. Have been making an effort to keep from removing too much from donor 2 as far as the body itself, as I will need to make a major cut through the bulkhead and floor to get the section I need for the '57. Somewhere in donor 2's life it was pulled with chain hooks in the tie plate holes (grrrrrr) and the two frontmost holes are buggered. Fortunately, not so badly that the front cross member is ruined.
Oh; and it seems that the fuel tank is good on donor 2. Always nice to see parts I don't have to buy new....

[Paladin1962]

Okay; another hot weekend in the Florida sun plugging away at the '57. Got the heater out of Donor 2, looks great, should clean up nicely. Got the Toyota axle and ruined rear springs out of the '57 and transferred in the axle and springs from Donor 1. DPO ruined the '57's brake cables, so I need to recover them from Donor 1 and install them. Also been establishing the cuts I need to make to remove the front section from Donor 2 and clean up the cut lines on the '57 to mate them up. Got the brow off the grille from Donor 2 losing only one stud; not too bad; but the chrome is refusing to clean up. That seems to be an issue with all the chrome on that car; all of it is dull and doesn't seem to clean up with polish. The stainless bezels from the headlights refuse to shine up either.

[Bill_qaz]

I’m not familiar with DPO bodging.

I'm not familiar with indeterminate IFS suspension. Can't be the only I can I?

Independent front suspension.
In the hot rod / custom world it's a common swap to use an IFS. In the UK we used donors such as the triumph herald / vitesse. HA Viva from vauxhall or in later years the ford cortina or Granada.

In America the Mustang 2 was a common donor for an IFS, now there's lots and lots of rod shops offering IFS conversions. Some are still based on the Mustang setup while some are designed from scratch.

A well designed IFS with good geometry that's setup correctly will transform a vehicle. But a bad one... Well goes without saying.

A standard Morris Minor is already IFS

[Paladin1962]

My project came with a setup I do not recognize and is being refitted with original Minor equipment. easiest way possible given the circumstances.

[Paladin1962]

The weather broke a little last evening so I was able to do a bit more scavenging on Donor 1; pulled out the plywood floor from the boot; it's got warpage but I think it will be okay to use. Also sanded down the heater box and duct and gave them a few coats of lacquer. Anything to move things forward and stay out of the house in the heat!

[Paladin1962]

Made some cuts to the '57 in preparation for the front clip transplant, evened out some ragged edges; made the corresponding cuts to the donor (at least a good start anyway; amazing how quickly cutting discs go!), stopping before cutting the floor as I need to remove the seats, shifter, and column. Using the parking brake forward locating bolt as a reference point to help align the clip for installation. Also using the circular hole next to the front dampers for same purpose. DPO of the '57 welded steel tube right over the torsion bar locating holes in the crossmember so I will be sectioning in the donor crossmember.

20250601_180153.jpg (2.3 MiB) Viewed 111 times