Morris Minor Owners Club

Hello chaps, is there any way of identifying marina van torsion bars over the marina saloon ones? Also how do they differ? Thanks.

The torsion bars differ in size.
They are:-
Pt No: 21H 5747.................Torsion bar - 19mm (0.75") dia ................Normal use. No stronger than a Minor torsion bar.

Pt No: 21H 5437.................Torsion bar - 20.6mm (0.812") dia.............Heavy duty. This is the one you want.

There are references to a 21mm Marina torsion bar but there are no part numbers listed in the BL Parts list AKM 0034 for that size of bar.

In the Marina workshop manual AKD7555 & workshop (commercial) manual AKM4580 there are references to a torsion bar at 20.63mm dia which may be one and the same the same as the 20.6mm bar.

Both the 19mm and 20.6(2) diameter torsion bars are used on the 1.3 and 1.8 Marina - only the setting heights are different

The parts list references the 10cwt Marina van but does not list a separate torsion bar for the 10cwt van only the two torsion bars quoted above.

The two diameters of torsion bars are also referenced in the BL Marina 440 & 575 van and 575 pickup workshop manual.

If you are lightening the car - the Morris Minor torsion bar is more than adequate.

To measure the torsion bar it should be measured mid position on the bar with all the paint/crud removed.

That explains it all thanks again Phil great description, top man!

I was digging through the shed, uncovered these, pretty sure they're Marina.



So on philthehill measurements these are the Van bars and the preferable ones?


If they are then I'd like to fit these to my project and I understand I'd need an adaptor for the end, would anyone have a set to sell or pictures so I could fabricate similar?

They are Marina and appear to be the right thickness.
I have sent you a PM regarding the information you require.

A.M. 04/04/2017.......Information sent.
Phil

Received and in the process of being absorbed, many thanks for the help on this Phil

Removing the arms off the torsion bar are proving quite the challenge... any tips?

Soak in diesel for a couple of days, then use a soft hammer. Worked for me years ago. Using heat on torsion bar steel is not good.

You may find that in the process of grit blasting the torsion bar assemblies grit has got into the splines and is now making it difficult to remove the front and rear levers.
If you are not going to use the rear reaction lever it is possible to carefully grind the lever away from the bar and it will get to a point that the lever will come free.
The Marina front thick arm is the same as the Minor thick arm so again it can be carefully ground away.

Many thanks chaps, I get the possible issues from grit blasting but not really fond of heating the bars. Going to try a bucket of diesel for a long soak.

Doesn't the Marina torsion bar need a bit cutting off the end?

Did the diesel and soft hammer do the job?

dp
If the Owen Burton adapters are used with the Marina torsion bars the Marina torsion bar has to be shortened to about 10mm less than the Minor torsion bar disregarding the stud on the end to allow the adapters to be used. The overall cut length should be approx. 942mm. Cut from the rear of the torsion bar (circlip end).
The Owen Burton adapters are pictured below.

Owen Burton fitting instructions:-

Owen Burton fitting instructions Pt 2.

After a long old soak... no, still in there tight and i'm loathe to apply heat as we've discused.

Perhaps i'll bring them up to Tulley's Farm where the much-maligned "Nationals" will be held and organise a STRONG MAN competition, the first to seperate them gets a keg of beer

As I suggested above.
Leave the front lever/arm in place and carefully grind away the rear lever/arm.
If carefully done and with not too much pressure the bars will not be effected by heat.
You can always finish the job with a file.

Yes that does now seem the only viable option. I'll update later today after work if i get a moment down the shed

I have released the torsion...







Even exposed as much as i did, they still had to be smacked off the remaining splines!

Well done in getting the bar released without marking the torsion bar.