Vintage Minor Register

Phew, in between all the work on the new house I've managed to get crack on saloon block repaired and I'm about to re-fit the engine, the tourers axle oil leaks are fixed in time for the mot and all I need to do is test run him round the block and fettle the brakes. If they still made Minors it'd be easier to buy a new one

Good job, Toby. I've been quiet last week because work went crazy. Our sales are actually UP! We make and sell retrofit avionics for business jets, regional airliners, etc., and we think that operators are upgrading their existing aircraft rather than buying new ones - it's an ill wind ...

Which car are you bringing to the Summer Rally?

Next couple of weeks will be manic work to get M 133 and the Yearbooks all out by the end of this month, and then its full speed ahead on Summer Rally detailed planning. All good fun.

What's everyone else up to?

Ian

So here we are with nearly all the cars and bikes and bicycles on the road, except the 34 tourer project. Time to start a different project, sell the 34 tourer project and buy a 32 4 seater to restore. UX 9251 Has been off the road since the 60s and at some point appears to have been kept outside. More photos will follow but to test my resizing on photobucket I shall post a couple of "the ox" sleeping in situ before being liberated. It has some interesting stuff with it that gives a hint of its history, including 1935 tax discs that will need conserving some how, and an oil painting! Most parts are wrong or need repair but I hope that I have enough bits to do this, advice will be taken on the body-does anyone do off the shelf minor ash frame parts?

Toby,

What a save - superb! Remember that Harry gas 1932 4-seater tourer drawings. But it looks like the patterns you have will be of more use. Nobody has off-the-shelf Minor ash frames or parts. You're on your own there I'm afraid! But there are plenty of ash frame specialists who would be happy to sort the frame for you.

Great stuff! Probably a good idea to start an Our Cars thread specifically for this car if you plan to get on with it straight away.

Incidentally, that oil painting is fascinating - must be a great story behind it. Definitely slated for M 134!

Phew, new shocks, tyres and springs for the saloon to improve handling plus new kingpins and brake shoes to try and solve the judder on the 2 seater tourer. Not much budget left for anything else so hope this will solve all the problems!

Despite new king pins, pulleys, backplates, different drums and shoes, and a faultless test drive the judder returned on the way to MOT! This time I could keep up pressure on the pedal without my foot being thrown off. I have considered any factor that has been present everytime it occurs, bearing in mind it first did it 28 years ago and I havn't owned the car for a period (during which the owner has had new shoes, presumably to cure the problem!). The only constant when you take out the changing of components bit by bit is that it did it in the rain and after it was washed! I have now fitted brand new shoes and changed the drums as the replacements had rust pitting that i originally thought might help grip Also I have filed a chamfer on the leading edge of the shoe as the person who suggested king pins now thinks this might be the problem!!! my last resort will be skimming a spare set of 8 drums with the waterproof flange and trying those. I have also re cut the curve on the cable adjuster nuts, and fitted new springs, as they were flat and I can't see what else to do!
I still can't believe no-one else has ever come across this problem

Toby wrote:Despite new king pins, pulleys, backplates, different drums and shoes, and a faultless test drive the judder returned on the way to MOT!

I judder every time I take a car for an MoT. I find a good stiff Martini helps.

As you only have the problem when it's raining or after washing it I suggest that you only use it in the dry and don't wash it. The problem must be related to water getting onto the linings, does it go off after a bit of use, when the linings have dried? I had a similar problem on a 1935 Austin, I used to drive it with one foot on the throttle and the other on the brake to get heat into the brakes to generate enough heat to dry them out, if used in heavy rain this had to be done every couple of miles.Fitting the later type drums could well be the answer.

Nice idea but the vibration through the pedal renders it undriveable, any attempt to brake will throw your foot off the pedal! I am having a pair of the flanged 8 drums trued up (but of course these will only have one fixing screw and the wheel to hold them on) as well as another couple of drum, have ordered brand new brake return springs and a Bentley owning friend has suggested the leading edge on the shoe needs to be quite big. He has also volunteered to help but with the problem intermittent it often returns once you think you've fixed it and are setting off on an event! (such as the summer rally last year) Have found wear in the track rod ends so maybe that might not help. It seems to go on and on, with our season of events starting in 2 weeks and everything still off the road! Better pull out all the stops!

If you think the track rod ends are worn - tighten then up really stiff and try it down the road. I cannot see that is the problem but what is the problem??!!Highlander.

JUDDER TRACED TO SLIGHTLY WORN BUSHES IN REAR BACKPLATE!

Awesome!