Morris Minor Owners Club

Where have all the old school garages gone,I need to have my clutch changed soon and all the modern clutch centres either give you an odd look as if you have three heads or dismiss it immediately without thought. In my younger days I would have given it a bash myself,but alas nowadays I don't have the facility,time,health or space to do it. I know I'll get a lot of replies saying do it yourself etc,but to be honest I would rather someone do it for me,have a guarantee and piece of mind it's been done properly. I can't be the only classic owner who gets the elbow from these modern clutch centres. I can't believe that someone wouldn't have a go,how else are the new up an coming young mechanics supposed to learn. I think regional problems are at fault,as I live in Liverpool and I think it may be easier to find a giant mammoth in your garden than a competent clutch fitter. Any way I digress,and shall search the local ads in the hope of a shining light. Happy motoring everyone.

It’s not good really. There are a few Old School garages still around, but as you’ve discovered, they need hunting down. I think the need for electronic diagnostics has driven a lot of them out. I use a small independent for our modern, run by a guy in his 40’s who can do old school stuff, although modern is his bread and butter. Because he covers any make of car, the software maintenance fee for his diagnostics kit is £500 a month. That’s why a lost specialise in a single make.
I know the club has a list of advertisers, but maybe we need a list of the type of garages you need, based on member experience, not paid for advertising.
I hope you are successful in your search.
All the best.,
Paul

I agree with you on the matter that the club should list competent garages,I'll just carry on pulling what's left of my hair out in the meantime , cheers

The problem is that the 'old-school' mechanics have now mostly retired or died......there was a brilliant mechanic who lived in my street which was super handy. He wasn't expensive but he was extremely quick, efficient and knowledgeable. He retired about 15 years ago and since then it has been harder to find someone with the same knowledge and experience to deal with those jobs that are either beyond my capabilities or that I don't have the required specialist tools/equipment for......

It's a shame really as there was so many good blokes(and ladies) who could do things with there eyes shut and no sucking in of air in shock. I honestly would love to do the job myself,but as I say circumstances are different now and would willingly travel to get the work done, what this space I suppose.

So far no one has suggested doing it yourself, so although temped, I won’t be the first but I will say apart from the difficulty of finding someone to do the job, your assumption of piece of mind and guarantee, by handing the work over, is not always the case. There is a place around here but that doesn’t help you, unfortunately. Good luck with the search.

Is Bootle nearby ?
https://bootlemotorco.com/services/classic-car-repairs/

I feel quite lucky actually, there’s a garage near me where I used to take my mother in law’s car, and they were always very honest and reliable… thought I’d ask them how they are with servicing/ repairing classics just so I’d know for future reference. Turns out the guy is a bit of an enthusiast himself and owns a classic Fiat so he will be more than happy.
Having spoken to a few other people I realise that this is not always the case and a lot of modern garages will not have the first clue on taking care of an old car. It’s all computers nowadays

Yes,Bootle isn't that far,I'll pop the car over at the weekend and see them,I also got another message off a garage who couldn't help,but gave me another possible garage,also in Bootle. Looks like I may have a busy weekend, thanks all

Off Topic slightly, but relevant to the competence and technical standards of the modern workplace....
I took my modern (it's 15 years old) to have the rear tyres replaced, it was a fitting only job at a tyre fitting 'chain', for a major online seller.
The supervisor/manager type came out to the waiting room to say my locking wheel bolt key was worn and I needed to get it replaced.

Sensing the relevance of him saying they stocked them, I declined and he said they could still do the tyre change.
A few minutes later, I saw some little Oik hammering the wheel nut key on...
Why hammer it on if it's worn?
I hadn't seen them do it on the far side of the car from the observation window, but I went out round to the front of the open bay doors and 'had a word'.
He's already got the nut loose by then.

Basically their problem was using the locking key on the locking bolt after removing the other 4 bolts, so all pressure was on the single bolt.
Also using the Windy on it, which is likely to slip...
I instructed them NOT to torque the locking bolts, that I would do it.

Out in the car park, I had no problem using the Locking Key with the extending hand brace....
Having dressed out the damage they did to the key, I've used it several times since without problem, using a hand brace...

Next tyre change I'll remove the locking bolts and explain why I've done so...

I do the same thing with the moggie now when it needs tyres,tell them to tighten the nuts using a brace as I had the misfortune of one of the 'expert tyre fitters' shear a bolt with the windy gun and told me I would have to wait a week for a new bolt to come through. Needless to say I told them I would replace the bolt at there expense. I got a set for £10 and told them the bolt was a tenner with postage. Happy days I thought.

Those types are just not interested in their job. I’ve taken a wheel off before now and taken it to the place for a tyre repair.

i reckon all courtesy had gone in most of these garages as I'm sure I'm not the only one who has heard titters and sniggers off the younger mechs who can't get there childish heads around the fact that people actually enjoy old cars instead of driving around in brainlessly fast cars. Remember,we are the elite.

I was vey lucky when I had a clutch issue. The place where my every day car is serviced gave me the phone number of someone who restores older cars. less than 10 miles from where I live. I did ask them, initially, if they worked on old cars. "If metric tools are not used, we don't."
The restorer did an excellent job over a weekend. He did have to phone me to ask how the bonnet was opened though! I supplied all the parts and he charged for 10 hours labour at £30/hour. He had to remove the brake mater cylinder because one of the captive nuts came loose when removing the gearbox cross member. It was also incorrectly (has a 1098cc engine and ribbed case g/box)fitted with a 948cc clutch, backplate and flywheel. It now has a 1098cc flywheel, backplate and clutch.
There's no way I was going to raise the car, support it and crawl around on my garage floor. However, I did remove the large access cover from inside the car plus the passenger seat before taking it to him.
That was over two years ago.,,