Morris Minor Owners Club

This is my latest barn find. A 1951 four door Minor saloon.

I’ve traced its history to the early 80s and it spent that time on Cape Breton Island in the north of Nova Scotia.

The engine is out - no compression on cyl 3 which is due to a burnt exhaust valve. I’ve had the valves trued up by a lad at work and I’ve got a seat cutter on order.

The pistons and bearings are standard, so no major overhaul in the past, and previous inspections tend to make me think the 34K on the odometer is correct.

The bodywork is remarkable. I’ve worked on cars and trucks for the past 30 years and I’ve never seen one as complete and original as this. Especially so as the municipalities just love their salt here in the Maritimes.

I think it has survived due to the fact it doesn’t have a heater - and despite being a North American spec export - has never had one! This means it will never have met salt as it was unusable in winter (minus 30 C is not uncommon...

It does have an induction heater between the carb’ and the manifold.

Anyway, expect a few questions in the future. Parts for these cars are near impossible to get in Canada.

Mick

Hi Mick and welcome!

Car looks great, hopefully will be easily re commissioned!

Check out the series mm website and do please send us the register info form so we can addit to the list of remaining cars. http://seriesmm.mmoc.org.uk/

We also have a very active facebook page that has posters from all over the world
https://www.facebook.com/groups/139924039959670/

Reagrds

David

Here is a picture of induction heaters which are fitted between carb and manifold.
Export models could also be fitted with a damper pot heater.

This is the induction heater. And in position on the engine between carb and manifold. Haven’t tested it yet, but I doubt I’ll ever need it as once this is back on the road it won’t be going out in winter! Attached photo from one March a few years back! Brrr...

Not much been happening.

Engine on hiatus pending dismantling to go to machine shop for valve inserts.

I’ve freed off the brakes, replaced the front wheel bearings. Now got a rolling shell with minimal braking.

Despite my initial thoughts about the body and enthusiastic probing with my big screwdriver there is some corrosion in the outer sill bottom, drivers side.

Also the gearbox cover plate is toast. It’s been sawn, grinded, bent and generally abused in the past 70 years so I’m on the hunt for a new one.



Had a friend visit too, which is always nice...