Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Bonnet Side Louvers

This is not an issue item, I am just curious.

While at Brooklands I was asked why the Bonnet Side Louvers on our Lellow Mog are pressed inwards with the opening facing forward. I did notice one other young car on the Test Hill the same.

On most of the other cars there the Louvers are pressed outwards with the opening facing backwards?

I had never noticed the difference before and looking in this months Miscellany, among the photos, there is a mixture of both styles.

The Centenary Roadster is quoted as having Traditional Side Louvers but that manifests itself as only five each side instead of the 'normal' eight, all pressed outward.

Is there a pattern to these switches from out to in etc.

As I understand this Frank, the number of louvres has varied over time. Where there are 'none' like runabouts or base spec 4/4's there must still be a handful (four each side?) for the heater intake in front of the bulkhead. I've always believed that until the advent of the Roadster the louvres all face backwards, so the air is 'extracted' on the move (with the exception of the heater louvres which, being in a high pressure zone admit air even though they face the 'wrong way'). The Roadster had reversed louvres on the sides only because the Series One takes air in from the nearside. The Series Two does not have the same intake system so presumably can revert to conventional louvres. Mine has eight a side.
Why (some) 4/4's are like that I don't know. Maybe all models were like that from 04 for a while? Looking at my collection of 'nice Mog' pictures, the later cars all seem to have reversed side louvres.

Frank,
On my 4/4 ( 2000 car), for each 'half bonnet' I've got eight side louvres all pressed out and backward facing and 28 top louvres again, all pressed out and rear facing.

I think I'm right in saying that the Runabout had less louvres( Nigel Puttick could shed some light?) and I know some of the older cars had five per side but the in/out thing is a conundrum
I've just had a quick squint at John Worrall's book " Original Morgan" and as far as I can see, there is only one pic of forward -facing louvres and that is the air scoop for the Webers on the Supersports- but that's no suprise because it's very purpose was to get air to the carbs anyway

Hopefully someone can give some info?

Regards

I think I beat you to the draw there GLLHG!!!!

Just.....

Dave,
I was in the middle of emptying my money box!

Cheers G

My 2005 runabout (and I think also the basic spec 4/4s that followed) has 10 louvres per side on the top only. The rear 6 are over the heater intake box.

With the 4-cylinder engine I don't think any more are needed for cooling - the air inlet/filter box is at the front, behind the rad but with a cold air intake pipe below. A secondary benefit of having fewer louvres is that water doesn't get onto the cam cover and plug leads.

Full louvres look nice of course but I can't say I feel deprived. I did wonder (briefly) about having them added but have got over it!

I did notice that the "anniversary" 4/4 with full louvres had one missing to accommodate a sheepskin bonnet strap. Sensible I suppose (if you like straps - I don't) but would look odd if you left the strap off! The anniversary model I saw also had 8 louvres per side, pressed inwards, with the strap running over them. Perhaps that's the reason for "innies" - if they are positioned where a strap would rub. The position of side louvres does seem to vary with the model.

The 4/4 Sport seems to have no side louvres in some photos and 8 in others.

Nigel

And to leave enough room for the carbs too allegedly

Cheers,

GLLHG,
Emptying the money box??????? Does this mean you are about to purchase an Aero 8??

Cheers!

Graham,
Yes I definitely think so. DCOE 42 or 45 Webers ( with trumpets) must have been a heck of a tight fit!

I recall seeing photos of the 'standard' Plus 4 using Strombergs with no air filters/ trumpets at all- just an open intake?

Cheers

Not sure- although the comments from Brian, Andy Simon, Shooter et al have allayed a lot of my fears.

Think I'm a trad man at heart( you know, old, grey-haired, tweed jacketed academic etc etc) but the Roadster looks attractive. I made the mistake of sitting in that anniversary model they had at Newtown and the thought has been nagging at me ever since

Anyway, it's a very small money box!

Regards