Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi,

Having removed the two chrome rings from the speedometer (1969 car), the front ring has a sealant between it and the instrument glass that has oozed out and gone hard. Can anyone say whether this was originally a rubber gasket/ring or some form of mastic sealant. Any suggestions on what I can replace it with? I don't want to go to the expense of sending it to an instrument restorer.

Thanks in advance.

I've seen mention in the past that the original wasn't a huge O ring, but a hot poured mastic.
There's places on ebay that sell 'rubber cord' of the right size. Just search for 'Smith Speedometer Bezel seal' and I'm sure you'll find something.

Mine has a rubber O ring, I’ve assumed it was original. I’m sure it would be a quicker solution in production, just a guess !

les wrote: ↑Wed Aug 25, 2021 2:54 pm Mine has a rubber O ring, I’ve assumed it was original. I’m sure it would be a quicker solution in production, just a guess !

I've found a place where it's mentioned as a sealant. Whether it's true or not, I can't say. Certainly I've seen some where the 'rubber o ring' seemed stuck in and totally perished.
https://www.mgcarspares.co.uk/smiths-technical-32-c.asp

When these instruments were made the void between the bezel and glass was sealed with a sealant. .We are unsure whether this was hot poured rubber or a sealant. This material hardens hardens and also seeps out onto the glass. We have found a sponge cord is the best replacement is available in our shop.

I guess it depends when the gauge was made, I've seen another comment that the guy found a paper gasket under the bezel.....

Hi
I have a good seal, you can have it if you PM your details, or are you attending any events.
I am at S70, if you are nearby.
Regards Win

Thanks for all your swift responses. The description from the MG instrument page describing the sealant melting and oozing out onto the glass and bezel is exactly what has happened with mine, to the extent that i thought the bezel was severely corroded. Upon dismantling and closer inspection the crud just chipped/scraped off.

As you can see this is my first post (classed as a 'Newbie' despite 39 years of owning our Morris), so now i have to figure out how to PM Win.

Thanks all for your help.

Hi Stag-gered

Welcome to the message board.

I have refurbed quite a few of these speedos. I think it is likely that they all had rubber seals. They (the seals) break down over time and begin to ooze and then dry out to form a brittle, hard substance. I replace them with rubber seals with circular cross-section and of exactly the right size that I source from China on eBay (I couldn't find any other source). I do the same with the Smiths 2" instruments.

If you are taking the glass off, you might consider servicing the working parts of the speedo mechanism while you are in there. The original lubrication hardens and eventually causes failure. Don't try if you are not used to working with delicate instruments, though.

Don

Thanks Don. That sounds like good advice re the lubrication. i had assumed that as it was all working okay when taken off the road, that everything would still be fine.

Alan

i had assumed that as it was all working okay when taken off the road, that everything would still be fine.

It might well be fine for years to come without any maintenance. I only mentioned it because to my way of thinking, it is good opportunity while the speedo is out and apart. In my experience, the odometer mechanism tends to seize, causing the speed mechanism to misbehave.

PM me if you want further advice.

Don

stag-gered wrote: ↑Thu Aug 26, 2021 10:26 am Thanks Don. That sounds like good advice re the lubrication. i had assumed that as it was all working okay when taken off the road, that everything would still be fine.

Alan

When I brought my car the Odometer was busted, and had been for 7 years. It had been getting regularly MOT'd but the mileage never changed 2010-2016.
Who knew a working Speedometer was a legal requirement, but not the odometer.

I took it apart and found the small plastic gears on the odometer broken, because the grease was rock hard and they gave out.
Hence I now have a reconditioned Speedo.

Annoying because I had the skills to fix, but not the parts......

Hi,
I found these options for those in a similar situation:
https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DCh ... RBE&adurl=
https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead ... RBo&adurl=
https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DCh ... AAQ&adurl=
Best wishes,
Mike.

Hi Alan (stag-gered)
I have replied to your PM.

Don

Hi Don,

i have sent another PM relating to the next stage of dismantling.

Thanks,
Alan

i have sent another PM relating to the next stage of dismantling.

Reply sent.

Don