Tommy's new one, 1970 Morris 1800 mk2

No doubt there's a chance our steep hills may give trouble that won't show up in flatter places. I dont' really notice anything wrong when going flat.

I've tried another coil. No difference.. It was really bad today, lacking lots of power and hesitating. I think I'll have to install the vacuum gauge permanently to diagnose further. I just don't know what else to look for and it's so annoying when it starts behaving badly.. I really should get to the bottom of this soon..

Tommy.

Good job he's stopped smoking

David

Hi all! Time to say hello, as it's been a long time. Busy times at work so I haven't done much to the crabs. I've also been using the Rover as my daily transport, as it has had far too little use. One brake caliper seized and so on.. Also, it's been very warm here lately, so the comfort of air conditioning and sun roof is appreciated:-)

At least the valves on the white one seem to behave, after I changed all the pushrods. I recall the valve clearances on this one were far to tight when I first got the engine, so they could have been slightly bent perhaps.

Also, I'm quite sure there was a jet/ needle issue so it would starve from fuel under certain conditions. It refused to idle well unless I had the mixture setting only four flats down from the bridge and I suppose this would give a lean condition at higher revs. In the end I noticed it would stop hesitating if I pulled the choke a certain amount. Though, it would be far too rich at idle at anything more than four flats down. That's too little, as I measured the jet to being as little as 0.5 mm down. It should b around 1.5 I believe.

I've now installed and centred another jet and needle (ZH). It now idles happily with the jet 9 flats down, which I measured to exactly 1.5 mm. I've not had the time to try it on the road but it sounds sweet and the exhaust doesn't blow after revving it, as it used to. So, perhaps it's improved, I hope so.

I have been thinking of selling the white one, to concentrate on the blue. I'm still not sure, but I sure will find a true enthusiast to buy it, should I decide so. It's a pity the blue one is just standing.. For almost two years actually. We'll se. I've decided to sell all my Marina parts though, to a local Marina enthusiast. There are mountains of parts. Getting them out of the way, I'll be able to focus more on the 1800s.

I have taken the blue one out now, preparing it for a MOT. Ironically, it now runs sweetly even on the road. And it can idle beautifully for as long as I like! I guess I've learnt a bit more on ignition and carburation since my previous struggle with it. I'm quite motivated to bringing it back on the road, as I really had forgotten how beautiful it is with its new paint and nice interior and so on.

Updates to come!

Best regards, Tommy

Hi all! Holiday time at last! My better half is still working for a week, so there's been some time for the 1800s:-)

The white one continues to behave very well after the discovery of the exhaust valve playing up. I drive it every day and it's just marvellous. Performs very well and uses little petrol (yes, the gauge works!) We just bought a trailer (very cheap, needed some fixing) and the 1800 pulled it home, as I suddenly remembered the Rover doesn't have a tow bar:-)

I've done quite a lot of work on the blue one too, which is almost ready to get back on the road again after almost two years. It's "MOT"- time on Monday!

I've finished the interior wiring, including installing a period Clarion stereo and Smiths clock, which actually works. I've scraped and undersealed the whole car and fixed the exhaust, as the white one had to borrow its rear boxes. There's now only one, big, silencer. Makes quite a sporty sound when accelerating:-)

I was a bit anxious the other day when I found the front brake hoses were showing sign of wear, and I didn't have replacements. Luckily, Volvo Amazon front ones are a direct replacement and they are available at the local Biltema (kind of Halfords) so got that sorted. I've also adjusted the rear brakes and replaced some of the brake pipes.

I've also fixed some minor rust spots and painted and fitted brand new tyres. Toyo 330, Japanese I think, original size. Got them through a Norwegian online tyre shop at a reasonable price.

What remains now is bleeding the brakes, sorting out the under bonnet wiring and a good clean inside and out and it's ready for the road. Hope the guys at NAF (MOT station) agree:-)

Some pictures of recent acticity:













Cheers, Tommy:-)

Thanks Dave!

Regarding the tyres, I can't say I notice much difference really.

The item on the dash is simply a "trip counter", to manually set the car's mileage when you set off, give it a service or whatever. I usually set it when I fill petrol to find out the consumption.

There's a magnet on the back. I thought it suited the rest of the dash.

It's ready for the test now! Will take it for a test drive at 12 o clock tonight, as I've got test license plates for tomorrow only.

Fingers crossed:-)

Regards, Tommy

Nice work Tommy, looking very smart

-Andrew

Great news Tommy well done!

regards

David