1953 (March) Series II Restoration
Forum rules
By using this site, you agree to our rules. Please see: Terms of Use
By using this site, you agree to our rules. Please see: Terms of Use
-
- Minor Fan
- Posts: 399
- Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:51 pm
- Location: Usually on the naughty step
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
Deviation my fault so to get back on track - I have the engine and box back together and ready to go in the car.
Next job to prepare the engine bay.
Next job to prepare the engine bay.
- Attachments
-
- C76C1AF4-21FE-46D2-B3AD-ADA29E535EF1.jpeg (2.04 MiB) Viewed 8499 times
-
- 61D2C416-27B2-42EA-98A5-6F7E238E848F.jpeg (1.76 MiB) Viewed 8499 times
Busy collecting parts for my '52 MM Convertible and 1949 Saloon restorations. :o
-
- Minor Maniac
- Posts: 10811
- Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2012 12:05 pm
- Location: Hampshire
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
Looking good - well done
A slight variance to later 'A' Series engines is that your front engine plate has a large hole in it positioned under the dynamo.
The hole was deleted on later models.
After all that work I would recommend that you fit the restrictor to the oil filter. The restrictor should be available from Declan Burns.
A slight variance to later 'A' Series engines is that your front engine plate has a large hole in it positioned under the dynamo.
The hole was deleted on later models.
After all that work I would recommend that you fit the restrictor to the oil filter. The restrictor should be available from Declan Burns.
-
- Minor Fan
- Posts: 399
- Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:51 pm
- Location: Usually on the naughty step
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
Hi Phil, is the large hole in the engine front plate for for the lower heater hose to radiator routing?
I have previously read Declan’s post on the oil restrictor but I’m not sure exactly how to implement it. Is it placed in the block? And I wasn’t sure about how his metric inset was made and held in place, but I will have another looks the thread.
I have previously read Declan’s post on the oil restrictor but I’m not sure exactly how to implement it. Is it placed in the block? And I wasn’t sure about how his metric inset was made and held in place, but I will have another looks the thread.
Busy collecting parts for my '52 MM Convertible and 1949 Saloon restorations. :o
-
- Minor Maniac
- Posts: 10811
- Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2012 12:05 pm
- Location: Hampshire
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
I have seen the lower heater hose put through the hole in the O/S engine mount tower but never through the large hole in the Ser 2 front engine plate.
I would PM Declan for details of and the availability of the restrictor.
Phil
I would PM Declan for details of and the availability of the restrictor.
Phil
-
- Minor Legend
- Posts: 3635
- Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:28 pm
- Location: Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
Just a bit.With apologies to the OP: His restoration thread seems to have gone off on a tangent rather!
We could argue about the practicalities of enforcing draconian measures to tie a general public, who are used to complete freedom of movement (and expect it to be completely reinstated once this has passed), down to one spot all day but this isn't the right forum for that and I'd prefer to hear / see more about Ian's Minor.
Have you ventured back to the garage yet Ian?
Best wishes,
Mike.
1954 Series 2: 4 door: "Sally" -- Back on the ground with (slave) wheels and waiting to be resprayed......
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
-
- Minor Fan
- Posts: 399
- Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:51 pm
- Location: Usually on the naughty step
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re:Finished a large 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
Finished a large part of my jigsaw puzzle today so can’t put off preparing the engine bay anymore.
- Attachments
-
- 872C7F0F-FD12-4583-84D3-339DA5A7AED2.jpeg (2.03 MiB) Viewed 8454 times
-
- 255C3438-679B-4EFD-9B7B-2B1EAADBFFCC.jpeg (1.98 MiB) Viewed 8454 times
Busy collecting parts for my '52 MM Convertible and 1949 Saloon restorations. :o
-
- Minor Legend
- Posts: 2765
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2014 9:41 am
- MMOC Member: No
Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
Great stuff! Looking good. Going from memory (many years ago) the engine in my old Series11 was a very similar colour to yours. I would think the starter motor would also have been grey originally? The engines - with gearbox already attached - were painted after assembly so everything got covered in paint!
-
- Minor Fan
- Posts: 399
- Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:51 pm
- Location: Usually on the naughty step
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
You are probably right with the engine and gearbox being painted whilst together on the production line. I have seen overspray on gearboxes before as if the painter was concentrating on the engine only. My gearbox didn’t have any paint on at all so I left it.
If you look back through this thread you will see that the starter motor is dated Feb 53 and and may be original to this car. It only had black paint on it so again I’ve just repainted black.
If you look back through this thread you will see that the starter motor is dated Feb 53 and and may be original to this car. It only had black paint on it so again I’ve just repainted black.
Busy collecting parts for my '52 MM Convertible and 1949 Saloon restorations. :o
-
- Minor Legend
- Posts: 3635
- Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:28 pm
- Location: Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
That engine looks really good Ian.
Best wishes,
Mike.
Best wishes,
Mike.
1954 Series 2: 4 door: "Sally" -- Back on the ground with (slave) wheels and waiting to be resprayed......
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
-
- Minor Fan
- Posts: 399
- Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:51 pm
- Location: Usually on the naughty step
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
Couldn’t have done it without your help Mike!
Busy collecting parts for my '52 MM Convertible and 1949 Saloon restorations. :o
Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
beautiful job ian
dave
dave
-
- Minor Fan
- Posts: 399
- Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:51 pm
- Location: Usually on the naughty step
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
Getting back on track again and the engine bay is now stripped of items and cleaned from top down to crossmember.
However, I want to remove the front shock absorbers for a better paint finish, rather than mask them off.
So, I am going to remove the front suspension next. I have to look at the front brakes/hubs/brake master cylinder/steering rack so it makes sense to me to work on these at a bench rather than on the floor under the car.
Shock absorbers do not appear to be leaking, so they are either empty of oil or sound or could be seized?
I won't know until they are on the bench.
.
However, I want to remove the front shock absorbers for a better paint finish, rather than mask them off.
So, I am going to remove the front suspension next. I have to look at the front brakes/hubs/brake master cylinder/steering rack so it makes sense to me to work on these at a bench rather than on the floor under the car.
Shock absorbers do not appear to be leaking, so they are either empty of oil or sound or could be seized?
I won't know until they are on the bench.
.
- Attachments
-
- thumbnail_IMG_4601.jpg (248.9 KiB) Viewed 8326 times
-
- thumbnail_IMG_4602.jpg (220.77 KiB) Viewed 8326 times
Busy collecting parts for my '52 MM Convertible and 1949 Saloon restorations. :o
-
- Minor Fan
- Posts: 399
- Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:51 pm
- Location: Usually on the naughty step
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
I’ve taken the steering column out of the car and I’m just wondering if the column bush has come apart in the process as there is a metal ‘sleeve’ stuck on the column?
Also the gold colour to the column is a more drab shade than I have seen on many restored Minors, is there a reference for this particular shade?
Thanks in anticipation.
.
Also the gold colour to the column is a more drab shade than I have seen on many restored Minors, is there a reference for this particular shade?
Thanks in anticipation.
.
- Attachments
-
- C785EF36-5CA1-48BC-9FED-CA36135B55CB.jpeg (2.41 MiB) Viewed 8290 times
Busy collecting parts for my '52 MM Convertible and 1949 Saloon restorations. :o
-
- Minor Legend
- Posts: 3635
- Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:28 pm
- Location: Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
Hi Ian,
I used Ford Solar Gold on mine but then I've done the whole lot, so it will match. I think it looks good but there is bound to be an exact colour match on one of the main suppliers sites, ESM, Charles Ware, Morris Minor Centre Birmingham etc.
The reason yours looks drab compared to restored cars is age / sunlight and the fact that lots of the restored ones look like they've had about 16 coats of clear lacquer on them for effect. I doubt BMC sent them out that glossy originally.
Best wishes,
Mike.
I used Ford Solar Gold on mine but then I've done the whole lot, so it will match. I think it looks good but there is bound to be an exact colour match on one of the main suppliers sites, ESM, Charles Ware, Morris Minor Centre Birmingham etc.
The reason yours looks drab compared to restored cars is age / sunlight and the fact that lots of the restored ones look like they've had about 16 coats of clear lacquer on them for effect. I doubt BMC sent them out that glossy originally.
Best wishes,
Mike.
1954 Series 2: 4 door: "Sally" -- Back on the ground with (slave) wheels and waiting to be resprayed......
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
-
- Minor Fan
- Posts: 399
- Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:51 pm
- Location: Usually on the naughty step
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
Thanks Mike. I looked on the ESM website and they have the gold paint and recommend you also buy a clear lacquer.
It would be good to see what that looks like if anyone has photos?
It would be good to see what that looks like if anyone has photos?
Busy collecting parts for my '52 MM Convertible and 1949 Saloon restorations. :o
Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
Here’s a pic of my heater painted with gold from ESM, plus laquer.
- Attachments
-
- 9193F263-1D2F-4DBE-85E2-1CE608C19933.jpeg (1.74 MiB) Viewed 8243 times
-
- Minor Fan
- Posts: 399
- Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:51 pm
- Location: Usually on the naughty step
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
Thanks for the photo Ian. I’ve added a picture of my heater for comparison. Obviously not in the sunshine, and I wasn’t going to paint mine. just the dashboard/glovebox panels above and the steering column.
- Attachments
-
- 306AA961-E1BB-4499-AFE7-320704DB946C.jpeg (1.53 MiB) Viewed 8227 times
Busy collecting parts for my '52 MM Convertible and 1949 Saloon restorations. :o
-
- Minor Fan
- Posts: 399
- Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:51 pm
- Location: Usually on the naughty step
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
The last few days I have been working to dismantle the front suspension. WD40 was applied many times in anticipation of the coming struggle but today I have got most of parts on the bench for a clean down and inspection.
I think many of the nuts and bolts haven't been disturbed for 67 years! They were all pretty rusty on the outside but nice and clean on the inside.
I've also taken off the torsion bars - a process which has proved a little more problematic than I expected as the engine and gearbox are still out of the car so there has been no 'weight' on the torsion bars to gradually release the torsional stresses in them.
The attached photo shows my attempt at adding a 'load' to the front suspension. I added a spare engine block, two cylinder heads, a crank and two heavy boxes of parts to the engine bay which helped but didn't quite have enough pressure to release the torsion bars in a completely controlled manner.
Second photo shows most parts on the bench awaiting a clean. Trunnions don't feel bad at the moment in that they turn smoothly. And the shock absorbers also move smoothly and have a a good resistance.
Brake cylinders are in a cleaning/decreasing tub for a few days when I will know if I can use them again.
.
I think many of the nuts and bolts haven't been disturbed for 67 years! They were all pretty rusty on the outside but nice and clean on the inside.
I've also taken off the torsion bars - a process which has proved a little more problematic than I expected as the engine and gearbox are still out of the car so there has been no 'weight' on the torsion bars to gradually release the torsional stresses in them.
The attached photo shows my attempt at adding a 'load' to the front suspension. I added a spare engine block, two cylinder heads, a crank and two heavy boxes of parts to the engine bay which helped but didn't quite have enough pressure to release the torsion bars in a completely controlled manner.
Second photo shows most parts on the bench awaiting a clean. Trunnions don't feel bad at the moment in that they turn smoothly. And the shock absorbers also move smoothly and have a a good resistance.
Brake cylinders are in a cleaning/decreasing tub for a few days when I will know if I can use them again.
.
- Attachments
-
- thumbnail_IMG_4646.jpg (205.53 KiB) Viewed 8137 times
-
- thumbnail_IMG_4647.jpg (316.41 KiB) Viewed 8137 times
Busy collecting parts for my '52 MM Convertible and 1949 Saloon restorations. :o
-
- Minor Legend
- Posts: 3635
- Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:28 pm
- Location: Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
It doesn't look completely dissimilar to the Solar Gold I have used, especially now I have relented and given them a blast of lacquer.Here’s a pic of my heater painted with gold from ESM, plus laquer.
I decided to lacquer the handbrake in an effort to protect the fresh paint, as it is the one painted item that I will handle quite a bit and I was concerned that sweat etc. transferred from my hands would wear through the unlacquered paint faster.
So having done one item I had to do the rest to match......
Still not as 'high gloss' as some I've seen though......
Best wishes,
Mike.
1954 Series 2: 4 door: "Sally" -- Back on the ground with (slave) wheels and waiting to be resprayed......
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
-
- Minor Fan
- Posts: 399
- Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:51 pm
- Location: Usually on the naughty step
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
I managed to dismantle the remaining parts of the front suspension and removed the steering rack today so I will have full access to the engine bay for painting.
The rack has split rubbers and I am going to replace the track rod ends before refitting. On first examination the steering rack does feel a little 'notchy' but I won't know what the internal condition is like until it is stripped down.
Now that the shock absorbers are off and cleaned I can clearly read the date codes stamped into them. One is 10/52 and the other is 12/52 so they could also be original items to the car. They both operate smoothly so I am going to check the oil levels before I refit them.
I know the lever arms are painted gloss black and have previously seen the bodies of the shock absorbers painted silver but mine aren't painted at all as I don't think they have ever been reconditioned. I would like to leave them 'bare' so is there any product I should be using on them like a period wipe down with WD40?
.
The rack has split rubbers and I am going to replace the track rod ends before refitting. On first examination the steering rack does feel a little 'notchy' but I won't know what the internal condition is like until it is stripped down.
Now that the shock absorbers are off and cleaned I can clearly read the date codes stamped into them. One is 10/52 and the other is 12/52 so they could also be original items to the car. They both operate smoothly so I am going to check the oil levels before I refit them.
I know the lever arms are painted gloss black and have previously seen the bodies of the shock absorbers painted silver but mine aren't painted at all as I don't think they have ever been reconditioned. I would like to leave them 'bare' so is there any product I should be using on them like a period wipe down with WD40?
.
- Attachments
-
- thumbnail_IMG_4652.jpg (218.69 KiB) Viewed 8065 times
Busy collecting parts for my '52 MM Convertible and 1949 Saloon restorations. :o