Morris Minor Owners Club

Noticed today whilst looking under the bonnet of a van at Middle Wallop that the L/H (N/S) tie plate Pt No: AAA4804 had a cut out of about 6" length by about 1/2 wide which I have never seen before. The cut out resulted in that there being no contact with the top inner flange of the chassis rail along the length of the cut out which means that the tie plate could not be spot welded to the inner chassis rail top flange. Reaching down and running my nail along the edge of the cut out indicated that there was a gap between the tie plate and the chassis rail which would allow water and detritus to enter into the chassis rail. There were no signs that the top flange of the chassis rail had ever been welded (spot or otherwise).
The R/H (O/S) chassis top rail flange and R/H (O/S) tie plate edge were spot welded together and bent upwards as expected to allow for the fitment of the oil filter housing.
I did look under the bonnets of a couple of other vans today at Middle Wallop and they were complete in that the L/H (N/S) tie plates were without the cut out.
Speaking with the owner of the van in question he believes that the chassis rail and L/H tie plate are original.
The cut out was perfectly formed and looked as if it was done at the factory.
I did say to the owner that I would make some enquiries as I had never seen this arrangement between the two panels before.
Can anyone cast any light on the need for the cut out or why it should be as it is?
Phil

My van has no such cut out Phil and if it did, there would be no way water of other could enter the chassis rail, as the van/pickup chassis has a top plate welded on, sealing the box section until past the engine bay. Hope I’m interpreting your post correctly.

Les
Many Thanks for the reply.
Having looking at photos of van chassis before posting I had an inkling that the the top of the chassis rail was boxed in but was convinced that after running my nail along the edge of the cut out there was nothing below the edge of the tie plate i.e. the boxed in top of the chassis rail.
Looking at the van parts list I can find no listing for a tie plate with a cut out as seen today. So I am still no further forward on understanding why the tie plate had the cut out.
Phil

No, I can’t help with that one, interesting though, pity you didn’t take a picture, although that might have been seen as too intrusive.

My 1970 pickup tie plates are original and have no cut out on the near side.
The tie plates were never spot welded to the chassis rails.
If the tie plates are original the near side one should still have the Nuffield Metal Products plate attached.

Regards John

John
Many thanks for the reply.
Unfortunately I cannot remember if the NMP plate was in place.
Interesting point about the tie plates not being spot welded to the chassis rail.
Phil