1956 Minor stock running gear.

[heathy12]

Can someone tell me the standard stock running gear fitted to 1956 minors?

Im guessing being the last year of sereis one cars the later ones may have been fitted with a range of old and new.

Ive got a 948cc engine confirmed running thru what looks like an 808cc box with a side exit gearstick as opposed to the stick in the middle layout of later cars and the 948cc box.

Yet to have a look round the car to confirm, just trying to judge what the standard was with a veiw to fitting a later 948cc box to the engine as it is - Hoping the backplates between the two models is the same.

Anyone know?!?

Cheers.

[bmcecosse]

Backplate and mounts are indeed the same - as is prop shaft. A 1098 box is better......

[heathy12]

Having driven all things minor Post '57 I have come to the complusion that I prefer the 948cc as fitted to my traveller over all things 1098cc.

Im not sure what model the side exit stick box is on the '56 car ive seen. Am I right in thinking it'd be 808cc box. Yet to have a poke round to find out yet.

[bmcecosse]

803 box - yes if by 'side exit' you mean a long magic wand sticking up from the front of the floor.....

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

The floor has to be cut in order to accomodate the remote change on the 948/1098 box.

[Neil MG]

You are correct in that the Minor 1000 was introduced in 1956 replacing the Minor Series II. But if its a Series II (split screen) then it would only have been fitted with an 803cc engine and magic wand gearbox, if 1000 then 948 and remote. These might be mixed' but not by the factory... It is very common that Series II cars have later engines fitted. In fact it is increasingly rare that they don't! The 948 gearbox can be fitted with the magic wand (803 rear) gear change, so no need to alter the floor.

[heathy12]

Cheers guys.

Whats the magic stick wand like behind a 948cc then?

Im instantly thinking it wont be quite right, ratiowise, speed wise and living with for a daily commute 20 miles will I be regretting sticking with it??

Loved the travellers setup with stock 948 gear, hoping for the same.

[Neil MG]

As it has a 948 engine then it probably has a different (948) diff (and speedo) already. Compared to the 803 the 948 has a much higher third gear. If you have an 803 box and rear axle then 3rd will be incredibly low - maximum around 35mph.

[daveyl]

Having driven all things minor Post '57 I have come to the complusion that I prefer the 948cc as fitted to my traveller over all things 1098cc.

May I ask why? I ask as I have just bought 950 engine for resto.

[heathy12]

Having driven all things minor Post '57 I have come to the complusion that I prefer the 948cc as fitted to my traveller over all things 1098cc.

May I ask why? I ask as I have just bought 950 engine for resto.

I found it a revvier little engine, more responsive and quite nippy. 1098 I found was a little sluggish in comparison. May have had something to do with the gearing .

But then again my 1380's pretty quick....but that's turbo'd so completely different kettle of fish!