oily plugs

[myoldjalopy]

I have been looking for a good 948 for that sort of money for a few months now, and nothing has come up. The shells cost about £50, and undersize ones can be had for less. The rings are good (compression is ok). Only done a couple of thousand miles since the engine was rebuilt with new rings.

To be honest, i dont feel competent or strong enough to swap engines myself anyway. But thanks for all the kind words.

There's got to be one lying around out there somewhere.....plenty of people have swapped their 948 for a 1098, or bigger. Try posting in the 'wanted' section here. Look online, put an ad in your local paper etc. Maybe there is someone in your local MMOC branch that could help you - some people actually enjoy getting dirty, banging their heads and and skinning their knuckles working on old cars!
Its not a hugely complicated task and if you undertake it with someone's help who knows what they are doing, just think how pleased you will be with yourself!

[philthehill]

Do not just limit yourself to looking for a Morris 948cc engine.
The Austin A35 948cc & Austin A40 948cc engines are the same as the Minor as are the MG Midget 948cc and Sprite 948cc..
They are out there!

[liammonty]

Have you phoned around any of the numerous Minor specialist who advertise in the club magazine? Over the past 10 years, I’ve bought 2 used 948s for less than £150 from my local specialist, both of which have been super. My suggestion is not to restrict your search to the internet . If you do get one, I’m sure that you could get some help to get it fitted. I’d imagine a specialist would do it for not too much - it’s only a few hours’ labour.

I’m sorry if you think replies have been unkind. I think that people are trying to recommend spending once on a repair rather than spending time and money cobbling it up only to be back at square one in no time. I’ve been there myself with an 803 engine... I would say though that even if you’ve compression tested the engine and it’s ok, that doesn’t mean the oil control ring is ok.... I honestly don’t think that an o-ring would cause a plug to foul up - it’ll either be the ring, or a really worn valve guide.

[pde2000]

I have belatedly come to see my folly. Spent half of today under the car to fit an undersize shell to the damaged big end (10thou) but found that of coarse the worn bearing is not round any more as the force is greatest at top of stroke. The 10thou under size shell went on fine but there's still loads of slop in the up down direction (none side to side). So still knocking and low pressure. I am an idiot. If only i had replaced the bearings when the pressure fell, and not taken it up to speed on the dual carriage way.

Anyway the only solution is a rebuild or replace. Seeing as lying under the car made me feel very unwell (old and fat) I will look around for someone to do the job for me.

I hope anyone with low pressure benefits from my mistakes and fits themselves a set of new shells- cheap and easy (relatively).