Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi all,

this is just for my curiousity: Please, can anybody tell me what those domes or bulges or whatever you call it in the boot floor are for? I understand the middle one gives space for the differential, but the ones on the sides?

My Milly is from 1957, perhaps there was a different kind of rear suspension in earlier models. But I can't find any picture of something like that neither on the internet nor in the workshop manual.

Thanks and regards

Frank

Maybe clearance for suspension, no idea really!

I would agree its to compensate for a fully loaded vehicle,luggage and passengers then allowing for suspension movement and eventually worn springs to avoid any suspension/body interference.

help prevent drumming?

May have been to do with the independent rear suspension that was proposed but discarded.

philthehill wrote: ↑Wed Nov 18, 2020 1:42 pm May have been to do with the independent rear suspension that was proposed but discarded.

That sounds very interesting. Where can I read about it? Have you got a link or can you recommend literature?

Picture - page 130 of Paul Skilleter's book The Worlds Supreme Small Car - Morris Minor. ISBN: 0 85045 344 5. Published 1981.

I did read of someone producing a version of the IRS way back but have never heard any more.

I would say they're for the exhaust pipe.

philthehill wrote: ↑Wed Nov 18, 2020 2:45 pm Picture - page 130 of Paul Skilleter's book The Worlds Supreme Small Car - Morris Minor. ISBN: 0 85045 344 5. Published 1981.

I did read of someone producing a version of the IRS way back but have never heard any more.

For me this seems to be the most plausible explanation. I'll ask Santa Claus for that book.

I think the Minor was originally supposed to have rear torsion bars as well as front?

Also the exhaust needs some of that space on one side or the axle would hit it when the suspension is under load.

culp wrote: ↑Wed Nov 18, 2020 11:28 am help prevent drumming?

I'd rather think: support drumming.

Monty-4 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:04 pm I think the Minor was originally supposed to have rear torsion bars as well as front?

I think that is what philthehill meant by independent rear suspension.

exhaust bulge for left and right hand drive.

Could be a left over from the proposed flat four engine which would require twin exhaust pipes which would run either side and above the rear axle.

Could it be for added strength to the floor pan,rather than a flat floor maybe?

philthehill wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 8:54 am Could be a left over from the proposed flat four engine which would require twin exhaust pipes which would run either side and above the rear axle.

Giving me naughty ideas involving two standard exhausts...

hello all,
As already mentioned, my money's on both giving a bit of clearance for the exhaust and stiffening up the floor structure. And if you're doing it on one side, why not do it on both to make it symmetrical. Just an opinion though.

kennatt wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 8:38 am exhaust bulge for left and right hand drive.

Don't think changing to lhd involved changing the cylinder head, but as I'm sure Kennatt knows that, I'll treat it as a humorous suggestion!

Well done:D Thought phill would have spotted it (Probably did but too polite,hes probably correct in his suggestion)was going to also suggest for the fitment of a 2.8 v 6 ford lump, but that would have been a bit to obvious as a wind up.

philthehill wrote: ↑Wed Nov 18, 2020 2:45 pm I did read of someone producing a version of the IRS way back but have never heard any more.

This car has got a rear suspension „five linked with coil over shocks“: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qh9_iYAm5bU …

kennatt wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 7:51 am was going to also suggest for the fitment of a 2.8 v 6 ford lump, but that would have been a bit to obvious as a wind up.

… and a Fiat 131 engine – a little bit modified.