Morris Minor Owners Club

Hey all,
Sorry this is probably a really stupid question and I’m exposing myself as a total noob here… but the couple of times I have started up Nell, when I turn the ignition I hear a blowing fan noise, like the heater is on? Is this normal.
I’ve tried pushing and pulling the heater button both in and out, but whichever way it sits I hear this ‘blowing’ sound. She is starting and running perfectly so I’m wondering is this just a normal sound?

There should be a toggle switch on the heater box, down low. It may have been switched on accidentally.

panky wrote: ↑Sat Jan 10, 2026 10:52 am There should be a toggle switch on the heater box, down low. It may have been switched on accidentally.

Aah ok, I’ll have a look around, thanks! I only got her on Monday so still learning what’s what!

A 1960 car will have the round case heater like my '62? The fan is controlled by a rotary rheostat.
Push/pull heater button?

Mervin wrote: ↑Sat Jan 10, 2026 10:57 am A 1960 car will have the round case heater like my '62? That's controlled by a rotary rheostat.
Push/pull heater button?

I’ve tried that, the fan noise remains whether it’s in or out. I’ll be starting her up in the next few hours ready for my lesson so I’ll look to see if there is another switch under the dash

Does it have an electric radiator fan fitted? I'm wondering if that's what you can hear

Is it like this? That central knob controls the fan - on/off and variable speed. It's rotary, not push/pull.
The other picture shows the air inlet flap control. That is push/pull.

Ooh that’s helpful, thank you, let me finish my cuppa then I’ll nip out and have another look!
She has a push knob next to the steering wheel for the heater, I do know that

If it is like my picture, that rotary knob is turned fully anticlockwise to switch off the fan. Turn slightly clockwise - full speed, fully clockwise - slowest speed.

I have those two.. also have this? This is the one I’ve been pushing and pulling?
The box thing next to it is connected to the Bluetooth speakers

Just fired her up… turning the dial has taken care of the heater noise, thanks!

There is a ticking sound now? Which I guess I never noticed over the noise of the heater… that’s normal right?

Ticking noise probably fuel pump if you leave it a couple of min with ignition on but not started it should slow and stop when carburettor is full.

What's that other knob in the passenger footwell?

Bill_qaz wrote: ↑Sat Jan 10, 2026 12:26 pm Ticking noise probably fuel pump if you leave it a couple of min with ignition on but not started it should slow and stop when carburettor is full.

Aah okay thank you. I was aware that the fuel pump ticked but wasn’t sure if it was supposed to keep ticking. Mind you I’ve not taken her off the drive yet, only sat with the engine running for a few minutes. First proper drive will be this afternoon!
I’m sure once I’m using her regularly I’ll get used to all her little noises!

myoldjalopy wrote: ↑Sat Jan 10, 2026 12:34 pm What's that other knob in the passenger footwell?

Erm… I don’t actually know? Doesn’t appear to do anything. She’s had a few upgrades so still figuring out what’s standard and what’s been tweaked

There’s an extra knob next to the light switch which doesn’t do anything either… not sure if she may have been a pull start at one stage, she’s a key start now

mrs.smith2012 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 10, 2026 12:44 pm There’s an extra knob next to the light switch which doesn’t do anything either… not sure if she may have been a pull start at one stage, she’s a key start now

Do you mean this one? It did have an S on originally.

Bill_qaz wrote: ↑Sat Jan 10, 2026 1:32 pm

mrs.smith2012 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 10, 2026 12:44 pm There’s an extra knob next to the light switch which doesn’t do anything either… not sure if she may have been a pull start at one stage, she’s a key start now

Do you mean this one? It did have an S on originally.
20220310_131744.jpg

Yes that’s the one. Can’t make out if it has any writing on it, the letters are quite faded

The "Push heater" knob controls the flow of hot water from the rear of the cylinder head to the heater. It controls a push/pull valve at the back of the head. This is an upgrade that allows you to control the water flow from inside the car - originally there would have been a rotary tap on the back of the head, but you have to stop the car and open the bonnet to turn it on or off. Arguably that system is more reliable, but the later push/pull is a lot easier to use. Best to leave it pushed right in to get better flow of cooling water around the rear of the head.

mrs.smith2012 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 10, 2026 10:36 am Hey all,
Sorry this is probably a really stupid question and I’m exposing myself as a total noob here…

There are no stupid questions, so don't be ashamed to ask. If you're wondering, someone else probably is too.
There's no shame in being a newbie, we all were once and everyone has to learn. ( Most of us still are...)