Search found 102 matches
- Fri Jan 15, 2021 12:15 pm
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: Regular engine runs during winter storage?
- Replies: 12
- Views: 291
Re: Regular engine runs during winter storage?
There's not a lot that can be done to prevent sticking clutches Wedging the clutch pedal down with a length of two by four up against the driver's seat? You could, but I'd be concerned about the effect long-term on the pressure plate spring strength. But maybe I'm overthinking it! I used to be conc...
- Mon Dec 21, 2020 1:45 pm
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: Spark Plugs
- Replies: 16
- Views: 492
Re: Spark Plugs
"Spark" plugs is an Americanism. They were "Sparking" plugs when I was a lad

- Thu Dec 17, 2020 1:26 pm
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: Fuel pump
- Replies: 10
- Views: 312
Re: Fuel pump
Assuming you've plumbed-in the petrol feed, it's supposed to stop clicking anyway once the float chamber is full.
- Tue Dec 01, 2020 1:07 pm
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: RADIATOR MUFFLER
- Replies: 14
- Views: 853
Re: RADIATOR MUFFLER
Radiator mufflers were in common winter use when most cars didn't have thermostats. An engine which was designed to be adequately cooled by thermo-syphon in high summer would tend to run too cool in winter. A diligent driver would manually fine tune the amount of muffler by keeping a close eye on th...
- Tue Nov 24, 2020 1:28 pm
- Forum: Off-Topic
- Topic: MO Traveller in 1956 advert
- Replies: 1
- Views: 201
MO Traveller in 1956 advert
Nice shot of Minor's big bro in this Jan 1956 US ad in National Geographic magazine. Notice the price of B&B !
- Fri Oct 23, 2020 10:41 am
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: Hardtop for convertible?
- Replies: 3
- Views: 276
Hardtop for convertible?
Back in the seventies there were any number of hardtops available for MG Midgets, Spitfires etc Does anyone know if there was ever a hardtop for the Minor?
- Wed Oct 21, 2020 2:59 pm
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: ETHANOL CHANGES
- Replies: 11
- Views: 709
Re: ETHANOL CHANGES
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Millers-Octane-Booster-Additive-Treatment/dp/B07M5HBD34/ref=asc_df_B07M5HBD34/?tag=bingshoppinga-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=&hvpos=&hvnetw=o&hvrand=&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583451671516265&psc=1 I've been using MillersVSPe Powe...
- Sat Oct 17, 2020 12:14 pm
- Forum: Mechanical
- Topic: Ignition Timing *again!*
- Replies: 12
- Views: 406
Re: Ignition Timing *again!*
I've always fancied a manual advance/retard control on the dashboard, as fitted to many pre-war cars. It could be used to find the timing "sweet spot" while climbing a moderate hill in top gear, then locked until next needed - eg after an overhaul, or change of petrol grade. Alas not - it needs to ...
- Fri Oct 16, 2020 11:46 am
- Forum: Mechanical
- Topic: Ignition Timing *again!*
- Replies: 12
- Views: 406
Re: Ignition Timing *again!*
I've always fancied a manual advance/retard control on the dashboard, as fitted to many pre-war cars. It could be used to find the timing "sweet spot" while climbing a moderate hill in top gear, then locked until next needed - eg after an overhaul, or change of petrol grade.
- Fri Oct 09, 2020 10:46 am
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: Bike on a traveller?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 398
Re: Bike on a traveller?
You can now get a bike rack that fits onto a tow ball there very good and really secure I have used one on my motorhome for a few years with no problems. You obviously need a tow bar fitting and the racks aren't cheap https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOWBAR-TOW-BALL-MOUNTED-BIKE-CYCLES-BICYCLE-CARRIER-RA...
- Mon Aug 03, 2020 12:07 pm
- Forum: Mechanical
- Topic: Strange whirring noise under bonnet
- Replies: 5
- Views: 221
Re: Strange whirring noise under bonnet
Good advice above.
Could also be buzz from exhaust contacting underbody upon deceleration. This would fit with the noise disappearing under acceleration.
Could also be buzz from exhaust contacting underbody upon deceleration. This would fit with the noise disappearing under acceleration.
- Wed Jul 29, 2020 5:12 pm
- Forum: Mechanical
- Topic: blocked engine drain tap
- Replies: 24
- Views: 778
Re: blocked engine drain tap
I read somewhere that fresh water does its worst to the innards of the block and then becomes effectively neutral. In other words, fresh water is the enemy and breeds rust; old, used water is good. It was suggested that old coolant water should be retained when draining the system for maintenance, a...
- Mon Jul 27, 2020 3:32 pm
- Forum: Mechanical
- Topic: Knocking sound in 948 Minor
- Replies: 8
- Views: 490
Re: Knocking sound in 948 Minor
Also, could be something else completely random. You say it's only under acceleration. This changes the engine position in its mountings, sometimes enough to allow contact by, say, the exhaust against bodywork.
Do the easier checks before taking things apart !
Do the easier checks before taking things apart !

- Mon Jul 27, 2020 11:46 am
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: worst year for minors
- Replies: 20
- Views: 948
Re: worst year for minors
In fairness to Minors, they were one of the bangers of choice for the typical young buyer 50 years ago. Friends and I were quite canny about what was available at the bottom end of the market. Among Ford Prefects/Populars/Anglias, Standard Eights/Tens etc the Minor stood out for its handling, econom...
- Sat Jul 25, 2020 10:55 am
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: worst year for minors
- Replies: 20
- Views: 948
Re: worst year for minors
What on earth makes you think that :-? According to Wikipedia: "For a short time in 1968, the thickness of the steel used in the bonnet and doors was decreased from 1.2 mm to 1.0 mm to act as a form of crumple zone, but as the wings continued to be made of 1.4 mm mild steel, the modification was po...
- Sat Jul 25, 2020 10:28 am
- Forum: Mechanical
- Topic: 'A' Series engine
- Replies: 3
- Views: 273
Re: 'A' Series engine
Excellent article. Some of the readers' comments are especially interesting, particularly by ex-BL insiders.
- Sat Jun 06, 2020 1:31 pm
- Forum: Off-Topic
- Topic: Charging battery of modern car
- Replies: 13
- Views: 1098
Re: Charging battery of modern car
Follow-up report: yesterday we needed to use a car for the first time since lockdown. As anticipated the Morris fired up instantly and the Toyota failed to start - tried until the starter would no longer turn. Connected my 25 year-old charger (having disconnected battery earth lead from car) and kep...
- Sat May 30, 2020 11:51 am
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: Spotted today.
- Replies: 2178
- Views: 359270
- Tue May 12, 2020 4:24 pm
- Forum: Electrical
- Topic: Cup-type battery connector - drill post?
- Replies: 4
- Views: 352
Cup-type battery connector - drill post?
Just bought a new battery. My Minor has the old lead "helmet" or "cup" type negative clamp. Clamp has a hole in the top for a self-tapping screw to insert into the post, as on the old battery. But the new battery post doesn't have the necessary hole. Am I OK to drill a suitable hole in the post (not...
- Mon May 04, 2020 9:56 am
- Forum: Off-Topic
- Topic: Charging battery of modern car
- Replies: 13
- Views: 1098
Charging battery of modern car
Our Diesel Toyota Avensis has been idle during Coronavus lockdown. Never a great starter, I anticipate difficulty when the time comes to use it (unlike the Morris which bursts into life after weeks lying dormant) so I'd like to charge the battery. Internet is full of dire warnings and contradictory ...