fitting front disc brakes

[DonHeaney]

I have recently acquired a 1969 Morris Minor 1000. It is in good shape, mechanically sound, fully roadworthy. I believe it is possible to fit front disc brakes - would appreciate any advice on sourcing these and possible problems/ tips for fitting. I was advised also that it is possible to replace the original generator with an alternator, is there any significant advantage to doing this?

Regards and thanks in anticipation
Don

[tysonn]

Plenty of info about both subjects on here,just use the search facility.

[bmcecosse]

69 Minor has the larger 8" drums - they are more than enough for any sane Minor motoring! Budget ~ £1000 for discs with servo and remote reservoir , brake pipe re-routing and a new master cylinder suitably modified for use with discs... Alternator only necessary if going rallying with extra lights! Or perhaps - if you intend to use the car in stop/go town traffic during winter with lights and heater on all the time. I think kits are about £70 or so - certainly more affordable then the discs.....

[Trickydicky]

As Roy says a 8" braking system in good order is good enough for the minor but it's your money, out of the two upgrades the alternator will be the most beneficial upgrade. http://morrisminorspares.co.uk/shop/pro ... d63004adbb

[bmcecosse]

Just grab a Mini alternator from a scrappy!

[svenedin]

But an alternator just looks so wrong.....

[kennatt]

But an alternator just looks so wrong.....

Only if you have a see through bonnet

[DonHeaney]

Thanks, guys, didn't realise expense of fitting discs. Useful info all. Many thanks.

[bmcecosse]

You may be able to pick up some secondhand discs, although they may come with problems of their own - but it's really not necessary for a standard car. Just make sure what you have is working as intended!

[svenedin]

But an alternator just looks so wrong.....

Only if you have a see through bonnet

Depends how much time you spend under the bonnet....

[alexmcguffie]

If you go the route of using Escort donor parts then you can get disks+pads for £30 (why bother with second hand at that price) and new calipers can be bought for £50 each. I'd imagine JLH would sell you the remaining hardware - hubs, brackets, modified master cylinder etc... If its an everyday car then its not an extortionate expense.

[bmcecosse]

When I posted 'second hand discs' I meant of course - complete kit second hand - 'ready to fit' - not just the discs.....which are of course the very least of the worries when converting a Minor to disc braking!

[alexmcguffie]

There's no 'worries' fitting disk brakes, it's all 'nuts and bolts'. Given the costs involved I would never fit second hand brake parts.

[bmcecosse]

I agree! Hence my original suggestion to budget £1000 for the job...

[alexmcguffie]

I'm sure it would help Don make his mind up if he could see a breakdown of the £1000

[bmcecosse]

It's been listed many times before....I'll let him do the research...if he is still interested. there is however the very much more affordable option of a nice set of 9" Wolseley front drum brakes on ebay right now ! Again - budget for cylinder overhaul kits and new linings (say £100) - and these brakes fit right on (1 hour per side max ) and need no servo or remote reservoir or modified master cylinder...... fantastic brakes - I have NEVER been able to fade them...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wolseley-1500 ... 3ce8909c48

[tysonn]

Must agree about the effectiveness of the Wolseley conversion.Well worth doing.Ask the seller to send them using Hermes if you're not able to collect,will cost under a tenner.

[bmcecosse]

And if the swivel pins are any good -a Wolseley or Riley owner will buy them from you.

[tysonn]

LOL I'm tempted to buy them myself for my next project!

[aupickup]

i can collect them