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From Journal: Kristian Bassilios's Journal
Author: Kristian Bassilios
Posted on: The Morris Minor Forum
Post Date: Thursday May 16, 2013 5:35 PM
Well, I gave it a shot and had really nothing to lose. Hoping for just a sticking ring on piston #4 was a long shot. After soaking it for 10 days in some Marvel Mystery Oil then fumigating the neighborhood while the last of the oil residue burned off, I took the car for a nice drive to get the engine up to temp and hopefully release that stuck ring. The engine ran great but no change in the cylinder compression. The fix will involve removing the head and the sump to take the piston out. Given that everything is running well, I'm in no hurry and this may wait indefinitely. The upshot is I'm not noticing as much oil leaking out of the engine as I had before. I'm not sure what has changed, and yes I made sure there was still oil in the sump. Could be some of those old seals have started to swell again now that it is being driven but I doubt it. I'll continue to keep an eye on it. While inspecting for oil leaks, a new leak has developed in the cooling system. There is a small ribbed/accordion hose that connects from the cylinder head below the thermostat to the water pump for the thermostat bypass. It leaks fairly constantly while warming up but slows down when at temp. The crack down the seam of the hose is pretty obvious. New hose is on back-order at Moss, so I'll just start carrying more water/coolant than normal. A cursory inspection of the plugs and cylinders while testing compression revealed that things were pretty filthy. On the advice of several...
From Journal: Jason Harvey's Journal
Author: jason harvey
Posted on: The Morris Minor Forum
Post Date: Sunday May 12, 2013 11:35 PM
I've been thinking of using a minor van for house calls with my auto repair business. Not sure if it is a wise decision but my thinking is that I get advertising and transportation all in one package. I am hoping that it will bring me much more vintage work. I also wonder if it will pull my Lotus Europa on it's small trailer. Hummm.
From Journal: Kristian Bassilios's Journal
Author: Kristian Bassilios
Posted on: The Morris Minor Forum
Post Date: Monday May 6, 2013 12:54 PM
Currently I'm running a perfectly serviceable generic aftermarket solid state fuel pump (pic included). Based on the marking, it was installed in 2007 and I'm unlikely to have any trouble with it, at least not in the near term future. The thing is, with a car that has been kept so original, it seemed natural to seek out an original fuel pump for the car. You can buy new ones, but they are pricey. So I started the hunt for a used one. I put out the word to several Morris boards (including here) and email groups and was rewarded with a failed unit in Vancouver for the paltry sum of $20 plus shipping. The previous owner was unsure of all the problems but for $20, what did I have to lose? When the unit arrived the first thing I noticed was a cracked plastic points housing, likely from over-tightening the securing nut. Inside it became obvious that the external securing nut was the least of the issue. The pedestal that the points mount to was cracked and no longer providing a flat platform. Once again, this appeared to be tied to over-torquing of one of the screws that secures the pedestal. After disassembling the whole of the pump, I was left with a pedestal in three pieces. Perusing the Internet, I was surprised to see how few sites that offer Morris replacement parts offered the pedestal. And for those that did, I was looking at a a tidy sum of nearly double what I paid for the dead pump in the first place either for the part itself or because of the overseas...
Post contains 3 images.
From Journal: Kristian Bassilios's Journal
Author: Kristian Bassilios
Posted on: The Morris Minor Forum
Post Date: Monday April 29, 2013 10:57 PM
In the last few days I've managed a few small tasks. FIrst was the reinstallation of the driver's seat. Due to the complete lack of support from the seat base, it is like sitting in a bucket, not a bucket seat but an actual bucket. My wife saw me drive away and said I looked like a little kid. New Pirelli straps are on order from Bull Motif as I type this. I'll be stopping by the upholstery shop to pick up some seat foam as well later this week. Next was an oil and filter change. The spin-on filter was firmly stuck in place. After wrestling with it by hand, with a strap wrench and a pipe wrench, I finally resorted to the old pound-a-screwdriver-through-the-filter approach which allowed me to break the seal. Thereafter the pipe wrench was still required due to the limited space to rotate with the screwdriver in place. It may have been the longest oil change I've ever attempted. While bringing the engine up to temp and while running after the oil change to check for leaks, I noticed for the first time a small amount of smoking from the exhaust. This was followed by several items in and around the gearbox. I drained and replaced the gearbox oil. I adjusted the engine steady cable which had so much slack that it was buckled in compression (picture attached). I then spent some time addressing the vague shifting by replacing of the o-ring at the base of the shift lever, the anti-rattle plunger and spring, then cleaning and re-lubricating the end of the shift leve...
Post contains 2 images.
From Journal: Dugald Taylor's Journal
Author: Dugald Taylor
Posted on: The Morris Minor Forum
Post Date: Tuesday April 23, 2013 12:43 PM
Car came with some aftermarket continuous flow fuel pump, doesn't sound right. Miss the "tickticktick tick tick ...tick ......" after I switch it on, also can estimate fuel burn rate while rolling by listening to the pump. Changing it out to stock pump with points, etc.; just need to remember to brighten up the contacts every so often. Did same with electronic ignition, now back to points. Adjust gap every 10,000 mi. At 250 mi/yr, it will be a while.
From Journal: Kristian Bassilios's Journal
Author: Kristian Bassilios
Posted on: The Morris Minor Forum
Post Date: Monday April 22, 2013 10:30 PM
So, the original owner of my Traveller must've been especially short of stature because there was a small bar welded to the rear "feet" of the driver's seat that effectively tilted the seat forward. In addition to the worn and stretched seat straps and the flattened and compressed foam it makes for a rather uncomfortable ride, especially for drives of more than 30 minutes. So yesterday I took out the angle grinder and removed this modification. A little sanding and some Rustoleum flat black and I'll be ready to put the seat back in later this week. A minor fix but one that should provide a little relief to my back and posterior.
Post contains 3 images.
From Journal: Transforming A Minor
Author: Roger D
Posted on: The Morris Minor Forum
Post Date: Sunday April 21, 2013 5:23 PM
Several ideas for this, but finally got it figured out.
Post contains 2 images.
From Journal: Victor AULESTIA's Journal
Author: Victor AULESTIA
Posted on: The Morris Minor Forum
Post Date: Thursday April 18, 2013 12:37 PM
After two years of owning My Morris 1000 I finally find out the type of engine it has. It has a 1275 Spridget Midget engine. Somewhere I read that the brake shoes have to be replaced when using this engine in a Morris 1000. I wonder why? The gas pump regulator leaks when I start the engine (see pic)
Post contains 1 images.
From Journal: Kristian Bassilios's Journal
Author: Kristian Bassilios
Posted on: The Morris Minor Forum
Post Date: Tuesday April 16, 2013 6:22 PM
So I spent most of the day on Friday washing and polishing the car. What a difference! Hard to tell from a photograph but in person the dull, flat paint came up to a nice healthy glow. There's still plenty of crazing, chipped paint and rust showing here and there but it shows a lot nicer than it did. A quick pass with the vacuum and a rag through the interior helped, but nearly fifty years of dirt and grime doesn't come up that easily. The carpet is not likely to ever come really clean and given that it is torn and heavily stained in various spots it will need to be replaced at some point. That seems to be the main source of the old musty smell from the interior. Sunday was the Queen's English Car Show at Woodley Park in Los Angeles. I attended in the Traveller and met several other Minor owners that were tremendously helpful. Most were very impressed with the originality of the car and what good shape it was in overall. I left with some great contacts and several good next steps and checks to do, including but not limited to adjusting the tension of the engine steady cable (which is currently in compression), trimming the torsion bars to even ride height, topping off the dampers at both ends, and an offer to inspect the entire undercarriage on a lift, free of charge. Below are a few photos from the show.
Post contains 4 images.
From Journal: Kristian Bassilios's Journal
Author: Kristian Bassilios
Posted on: The Morris Minor Forum
Post Date: Monday April 8, 2013 7:02 PM
I've been hunting for a Traveller for the last four years. It seems that whenever I found one worth looking at the funds were not available and vice-versa. Last summer I went to look at one on the way back from a weekend road trip. Cosmetically rough, it had been the daily driver for an Air Force wife that had been stationed in England in the 60's. When they were relocated to Southern California in the 70's, the car came with and she continued to use it as her daily driver until 2010 when she finally succumbed to the desire for the little luxuries most people take for granted in their modern vehicles, like a radio. She sold the vehicle to a woodworking enthusiast who, between family and work was unable to find the time to dedicate to the car. That's where I came in. I found it hard to part with my money and opted to pass on the deal. Browsing Craigslist 8 months later I was surprised to see it still listed for sale. This was destiny. I took my opportunity to reach out again only to hear that another interested party had called the day before and had the intention of purchasing it the following week. I told him to keep me in the loop if things fell through. Lo and behold, the next week I was told that it was still available and I didn't let the opportunity pass again. I picked up the car yesterday and drove it back the 115 mile stretch of highway between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, a true testament to the car that had been taken in maintaining this car over...
Post contains 4 images.
From Journal: Gerald Crawford's Journal
Author: gerald crawford
Posted on: The Morris Minor Forum
Post Date: Monday April 8, 2013 2:20 PM
I bought this car from Juan Carlos Pares @1302 west 2 ave.Hialeah,Fla.33010.I live in Slidell La.He put this car on E-Bay for bids and I got it for $5500.00 This car was to be a turn key car,all Original with clear title.Well all his ad was a lie from the work that he did to the car.He told me and I trusted him cause I couldn't be there to see the car with my eyes.RUST was cover up with fiberglass didn't remove the rust.In 1959 seats didn't have head rest these did and they suppose to be original had holes all in them.The list goes on plus it took me three weeks to get the title clear from another person.I just wont you members never deal with this person.When I got the car I was shocked,call him and told him this is a project car worth around 2500.00 not a turn key ready for a ride.There is a lot I have to do to this car that this person put in his ad he had done .Not true.If any member care to see the ad he put on e-bay and the pictures of a nother car to match this one.My number is 985-649-1140.ican back all I say about this man and his Lies.His # is 1-786-287-6020.He wont take my calls but going to place charges for fales sale of a auto this week and try to get at lest 3000.00 back. Wish me good luck members and thanks for reading.Today is 4/18/13 and the more I get in to this car the more I dislike that rat.Will see what goes on.He is a snake and all other name I can think of to call him.I guess his kids are the same.He is a crook and will pay up am from the south,old so...
From Journal: Yvette Ollerenshaw's Journal
Author: Yvette Ollerenshaw
Posted on: The Morris Minor Forum
Post Date: Sunday March 3, 2013 9:26 PM
My baby has arrived! Esmeralda is a 1951 Morris Minor with a split screen windscreen. She is green (well kind of faded at the moment!) I know absolutely nothing about cars so this is going to be a very steep learning curve for me but she cost me nothing and she doesn't need a lot to get her going...eventually she will need alot I'm sure. After all once you start....Looking forward to learning how she runs and taking her out. Today I washed her down. She hadn't had a bath in about 4 years so I'm sure she was happy, after all every girl likes to feel good. Started cleaning out the carburator today and now I think I'm the one that needs a bath....goodbye nails, hello grease!
From Journal: Transforming A Minor
Author: Roger D
Posted on: The Morris Minor Forum
Post Date: Thursday February 28, 2013 3:36 PM
The back of the fenders had all the rust cut out and the outer brazed to the inner structure and then bondo over everything. NOT acceptable!! I rebuilt the inner support, and then the outer. Nearly done the drivers side. Also found some rust around the headlights, so will be cutting it out and replacing metal.
Post contains 10 images.
From Journal: Oddbits Journal
Author: Eddie Fisher
Posted on: The Morris Minor Forum
Post Date: Monday February 25, 2013 2:50 PM
I wonder if anyone can help. My Morris Traveller keeps dying. I am happily trundling along and suddenly for no reason loose power, then the engine dies. I try to start - nothing. Leave it for a while and then it starts. It then goes for a while and goes and goes and then does it again. Trouble was got it going again the other night went round the block and then it died. Our classic car policy includes Axa recovery - well took them nearly 2.5 hours to a priority call as it was freezing cold, I had my 10 yr old son cold, hungry, crying to go home and wrapped up in a picnic rug... and no idea what to do.. Any suggestions. (Mum said the similar thing happened to her 1950's VW Beetle, but can't remember what it was as that was in the 60's)
From Journal: Barry Knowles's Journal
Author: Barry Knowles
Posted on: The Morris Minor Forum
Post Date: Tuesday February 19, 2013 7:07 PM
My car was first purchased from Citadel Motors Ltd Carlisle UK on the 4th of July 1963 to a Mr Rayner.She now lives down here in New Zealand. Went for a Warrant of Fitness yesterday and the tester said the car was like new. Not bad for a 50 year old. This weekend she will be on display at the Galaxy of Cars in Auckland City. We are members of the Auckland Morris Minor Club.
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