Morris Minor Owners Club

Not all cars have the buffer spacers… another variation was the upright part of the battery tray just had a rectangular piece of thin black plastic stuck to it, and the clamp likewise to insulate it.

les wrote: ↑Fri Feb 10, 2023 10:24 pm I don’t know if all models had the buffers, I would have thought so though. Check if you have the appropriate holes to retain the buffers.

Basil, being a SII, has the Big Rubber Bung fitted in the hole behind the battery and that gives ample spacing from the metalwork.
However, he does have the spacer mounting holes too. I might fit some at a later date.

I took the clamp off and slid the battery sideways to see if the holes were there. I knew the bung was...
You'll note that a PO has fitted a length of split hose or similar to the lip on the top of the battery tray. I've not seen that listed anywhere so I assume a PO addition... .
.
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I just took a look at the AKD3541 and found to my surprise that the Bung, which ESM say was only on MM/SII continued to be fitted to the 'Disabled person's cars..... [Edited to correct a couple of typos...]

JOWETTJAVELIN wrote: ↑Sun Feb 12, 2023 11:13 am Not all cars have the buffer spacers… another variation was the upright part of the battery tray just had a rectangular piece of thin black plastic stuck to it, and the clamp likewise to insulate it.

You're sure the buffers weren't just missing? My own car has the thin black plastic and the buffers is why I wondered

Chief wrote: ↑Sun Feb 12, 2023 2:01 pm

JOWETTJAVELIN wrote: ↑Sun Feb 12, 2023 11:13 am Not all cars have the buffer spacers… another variation was the upright part of the battery tray just had a rectangular piece of thin black plastic stuck to it, and the clamp likewise to insulate it.

You're sure the buffers weren't just missing? My own car has the thin black plastic and the buffers is why I wondered

I'll just direct you to the AKD3541 extract I post above.
Admittedly only covering 1000 models, not MM/SII, but my SII had the holes for the Spacers.
But you'll see that the 'Cushion - Battery' does not have a change point, only a change of Part Number. I would therefore assert that they were, from that document, fitted to all 1000 models and almost certainly those that went before them.

Nope. Just a sheet of plastic stuck to the bulkhead.

Well mine had this sheet of plastic stuck to the bulkhead and the buffers in front, fitted by passing through to the appropriate holes behind.

My SII has both the big round bung and the two small buffers fitted.......

All cars are different in their own special way - a bit like the owners.

ManyMinors wrote: ↑Fri Feb 10, 2023 11:02 pm I reckon the buffers were always fitted. I have 2 Minors more than 10years apart and they both have them

How far do the two buffers push the battery forward?

geoberni wrote: ↑Sun Feb 12, 2023 12:51 pm Basil, being a SII, has the Big Rubber Bung fitted in the hole behind the battery and that gives ample spacing from the metalwork.

How far does the big bung push the battery forward?

The reason I ask is that my battery is already at the front of the battery tray without the buffers or bung.

KeithL wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2023 6:28 pm

ManyMinors wrote: ↑Fri Feb 10, 2023 11:02 pm I reckon the buffers were always fitted. I have 2 Minors more than 10years apart and they both have them

How far do the two buffers push the battery forward?

geoberni wrote: ↑Sun Feb 12, 2023 12:51 pm Basil, being a SII, has the Big Rubber Bung fitted in the hole behind the battery and that gives ample spacing from the metalwork.

How far does the big bung push the battery forward?

The reason I ask is that my battery is already at the front of the battery tray without the buffers or bung.

I can't speak for the buffers, and if you look at the drawing I posted previously, it seems there may have been 2 slightly different sizes of 'Cushion - Battery'.
But Basil's bung give a spacing of around 9mm or 3/8" from the rear wall to the rear face of the battery case.

geoberni wrote: ↑Thu Jun 22, 2023 10:44 am But Basil's bung give a spacing of around 9mm or 3/8" from the rear wall to the rear face of the battery case.

Thank you.

Out of interest...earlier SII's had different battery straps which clamped front to back and incorporated rubber corner clamping pieces. They also had the large rubber bung, the two smaller 'cushons' ...the battery itself sits on a spirit blacked plywood and hardwood tray which is bolted to the cars steel battery tray.




Taupe

taupe wrote: ↑Thu Jun 22, 2023 11:14 am Out of interest...earlier SII's had different battery straps which clamped front to back and incorporated rubber corner clamping pieces. They also had the large rubber bung, the two smaller 'cushons' ...the battery itself sits on a spirit blacked plywood and hardwood tray which is bolted to the cars steel battery tray.

Taupe

Wow, that seems a very over-engineered battery mounting. I have seen the occasional MM /early SII battery installations but didn't realise the wooden tray was itself bolted down to the metalwork. No wonder they redesigned it.

That's an interesting illustration of a period battery; the interconnecting straps between the cells are quite different from those usually seen.

geoberni wrote: ↑Thu Jun 22, 2023 11:32 am That's an interesting illustration of a period battery; the interconnecting straps between the cells are quite different from those usually seen.

Yes its from the Series 2 parts list I obtained recently.....

The ply bottom sheet needs a little repair on mine...though you cant see the damage with the battery in place


Here are some relevant battery images
You can also now get kits to disguise your modern battery!
Taupe

Made me have a look at my own negative earth but my posts seem more central on the battery casing so well clear of the securing strap.

taupe wrote: ↑Thu Jun 22, 2023 12:59 pm You can also now get kits to disguise your modern battery!
Taupe

We're really off on a tangent here, but I've made a 'fake top' for my modern battery; it didn't cost much to get the bits.
When I get the time I'm going to make a brief video for youtube about how I did it.

I'm quite pleased with the overall effect.
Vintage/Classic Battery look without the risk of shorting it out and causing the sparks to fly....
Before and after.

That's impressive.

taupe wrote: ↑Thu Jun 22, 2023 11:14 am Out of interest...earlier SII's had different battery straps which clamped front to back and incorporated rubber corner clamping pieces. They also had the large rubber bung, the two smaller 'cushons' ...the battery itself sits on a spirit blacked plywood and hardwood tray which is bolted to the cars steel battery tray.


IMGP0001 (6).JPG




Taupe

I'm not sure when this changed. The difference between 'early' and 'late' SII cars is most obviously distinguished by the dashboard design and that of the front radiator grille, both of which which changed in October 1954. I can confirm that my 'late' SII (registered January 1955) has the battery arrangement described by 'taupe' ...........

According to the parts book at car number 426870 (less 430001-430034)

Taupe