The V8 Owners Forum -

Love that Moggy! Is it a 1949 or 1950 car?

I learnt to drive in a green one from 1950 that was still going strong when I passed in1980.

I bet your's has more power than my old engine

Ian

That Minor is actually a 55 model but with a lowlight front panel and wings. I do have a proper lowlight (1950) which I've had since 1972 and is currently undergoing a full rebuild with LS1 power- see here:

http://morrisminorowners.co.uk/about1082.html

I've also got 2 others - one with Fiat twin cam and another ex show winner from 1974 (Astral Traveller) with 302 fitted (whole car needs refurbed as it was 'lost' for nearly 35 years until I bought it last year).

Pete

Hi Pete
I don't supose you have been to Sri lanka on your holidays? Just I think Morris must have exported the low light minor factory out there when they stopped making them over here, there are loads of the things out there!
Best regards
Mike

Wings, front panel, grille and headlight rims are like hens teeth here - may be worth a visit.


Pete

Hi
They are probably made in 12 gauge steel, the cars out there are expected to last! I suspect you could find a place to make you new ones from the original dies if you had the time to develope the contacts.
It is a good place for a holiday, we recon about the same price as 2 weeks in Greece high season, the food is really good and the people are very friendly. Columbo is an engineers' paridice with lorry/ truck/ minibus "recycling" on a scale you would not believe! just avoid the busses!
Best regards
Mike

Engine out today and I decided to fit my SD1 front cover to the new engine to see if it pumped oil. To my surprise it primed instantly (better than the one it was fitted with) and went over 40 psi at lowish revs.
I then fitted the new engine's front cover to my old engine and whilst it primed ok, there wasn't much flow to the cam followers - seemed like I was getting cavitation when I upped the drill revs.
I'll whip the sump off my original engine and see if there's any shells left, and hopefully find out why it's been misbehaving.
My original engine is a really clean unit compared to the new one, so it will be decision time soon. Looks like my new cam is still in one piece though, so can be swapped if need be.

Ian Anderson wrote:Love that Moggy! Is it a 1949 or 1950 car?

I learnt to drive in a green one from 1950 that was still going strong when I passed in1980.

I bet your's has more power than my old engine

Ian

I too passed my test in a side valve Moggy. 'Private' driving instructor's car.
Our car was a company one.
Test was at 2.30 on my 17th birthday. I already had a full bike licence.

Took the sump off the original engine today to see if I could see the problem. It was immeditely obvious once I took the baffle plate off - the pickup gasket hadn't been fitted correctly and masked half the intake hole. That's why it started to rattle when at higher revs - not enough oil getting to top end.
I then took off a big end and it didn't look too bad, but when I took a main off it was down to copper. Crank also has a bit of back and forward play, so the thrusts must be worn.
I'm thinking that I'll just reuse this engine and will whip the crank out without disturbing the top end (seems ok), get it ground and fit new bearings (I have +10 clevite 77 bearings to fit).

pics:

TWAt, yc

Indeed

Pete

Crank is oot - off to get it reground.

Engine back in now with good oil pressure and no rattles - job done .
Crank grind I thought was a bit pricey at £230 though.

Pete