Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Bob T]

A couple of days ago I fired up the Morris after several months of inactivity. It took a few turns bit started ok, I then tried to drive it and as soon as I pressed the throttle there was no power!
I checked all thye obvious things to no avail and so today I decided to strip the carb. My car has a air silencer as opposed to a air filter. I disconected the sliencer from the carb first.
I noticed something odd looking in the silencer link to the carb, on closer examination I found it was a cob nut. I proceeded to remove 29 of them from the air intake !!!
Problem solved. All I need to do now is find an effective way of getting rid of the mice!

[TribalElder]

He he he, that's funny. Can you put fine mesh over the air intake to keep the vermin out? My Morris 8 Ser. E has the oil-bath type filter on top.
_________________
Ian from Oz

It's hard to run like an Emu
When you are girt by Numbats

[Bob T]

Time for an update.
AS a result of a trip to the autojumble at Buealiey my car is now sporting two as new front side lights of the correct type and two new (pattern) pork pie rear lights. The original Lucas rear lights are in good condition and just need a paint, I will get round to that at some time and will probably reinstate the originals.
Also I have just had two front headlamp shells painted, they are undented and without rust, and so I just need to swap the reflectors over and my car will be looking good. I will post some pics soon.

Since Jan I have been using my car less and less as intermittent running problems ahe persisted and worsened and I had not been avble to solve the problem until now !!!!!!

I have just fitted a new 123 ignition sysytem, this is a distributor replacement, but it is full electronic without points, condenser, bob weights and springs. But it does have 16 advance curve settings. It was simple to fit and does not look too out of place, again I will post some pics.

The upshot is that starting is now much improved, it ticks over evenly and accelerates (if that is what you call it !) much better and pulls up hills better too.
I am very impressed with the product, I have done more miles in the last two days than in the last two months, it is a joy to drive.

THe system is available for nearly all cars, it was £209 plus vat, which compared to a quote of £185 plus vat to rebuild the old dizzy seems good value in light of the performance improvement.

Regards to all
Bob T

[TribalElder]

Hi Bob. I went a different way with my dizzy. I just replaced the points with a "Hall Effect" Electronic ignition and removed the condensor. It was only $75 delivered from the UK to Oz. Been very impressed with it, utterly reliable and I get to keep the original Dizzy in place for originality.

Original

sensor and ring fitted

Rotor back on

Finished job, showing the black and the white wires added


Mine is a '46 Series E Pos Earth.
_________________
Ian from Oz

It's hard to run like an Emu
When you are girt by Numbats

[kevin2306]

Ive just replaced the ancient Lucas electronic system on the singer for a new accuspark unit (started as a temp fix until a NOS distributor of the correct flavor turns up).
Must say I am chuffed with it, best £60 spent to date.
In the long run I aim to fit the NOS distributor with an electronic aftermarket system installed. This should give me both reliability and the correct advance/retard that the car needs (not that it can be far off now as the car starts and drives superbly well)

Kev

[Bob T]

I had an accuspark electronic system fitted to the old distributor, but it still ran rough.
The difference with the 123 system is that it also does away with the advance/retard mechanical mechanism. The bob weights and springs on my dizzy were past their best and there was wear on the shaft etc.
It has done the job for me, and if it means I get to use the car more often that is what counts.
I can always replace the original system if needed.
Cheers
Bob

[kevin2306]

[goneps]

Bob,

It would be interesting to have pictures of your 123 distributor to see how similar or otherwise it is to the original.

Richard

[Rosco663]

Here is a link for more info. Looks like a regular dizzy - a bit too shiney for me

http://www.123ignition.com.au/

I don't reckon I can justify the AUD 500 at this stage though

Cheers
_________________
Rosco

[bjacko]

I fitted a small round air filter on the right hand end of the air silencer. This keeps out dust and everything else that may wear the cylinder bores.

[peterd60]

Can't wait for mine to be at this stage, struggling to take the body off at the minute, did you make the sills yourself?

[Bob T]

HI Peter,
I bought the sills from a company in Nottingham (I think it was Vintage Carriages), that said they still needed a lot of fettling to get them to fit, but they were a good starting point.
Good luck, I look forward to watching your progress.
My car is by and large fairly well sorted now and a joy to drive, I am sure your efforts will be rewarded.
Cheers
Bob T

[Bob T]

I have been busy with other projects (1969 MGB Roadster) recently, but too the Morris 8 to Helmingham Hall show yesterday, it is about a 70 mile round trip for me and the first proper test since installing the 123 ignition system. I can report that the car went well and was a pleasure to drive.

[Bob T]

I did say that I would post some pics of the new 123 ignition system and some pics of my finally restored lights. So here goes!
As for the dizzy, if the cap was black most people would never notice it was not original unless you were specifically looking at the dizzy.
BUt for me the point is that it works really well and the car is a pleasure to drive.

[TribalElder]

Looking good
_________________
Ian from Oz

It's hard to run like an Emu
When you are girt by Numbats