Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) 3.7 Roadster bought at last!

It’s taken quite a while, but after going to see several 3.7 Roadsters over the past 12 months or so, I’ve finally managed to find a suitable one to replace my treasured 1999 +4 that I sold earlier this year after 9 years of ownership. So thanks to Phil & Joyce Ledgerwood, and a big hole left in my savings, it’s now sitting in my garage!
Now, after using it for a couple of weeks and putting a few hundred miles on it, I can give my impressions so far:

Performance is very impressive! I can now understand how easy it would be for the ‘inexperienced’ driver to be taken unawares, especially in the wet. But overtaking is a joy, and almost effortless thanks to all that grunt. And it’s so easy to drive normally, that it makes for a far more relaxed driving experience too.

This one has the Suplex front suspension system fitted, which makes things a little more compliant than some of the others I tried, although I don’t think it’s improved the ride quality any better than when I shortened the rebound springs by 20mm on my +4. Some of the other Roadsters I tried also had a very sharp ‘turn-in’ which I found a little disconcerting, but this one feels precise and predictable. Some of this might be down to the Suplex kit, I suppose. I know that some owners have found the power steering to be a bit lacking in feel, but I find it pretty much perfect. I’m just waiting for the thicker-rimmed MotoLita wheel to arrive now, so it’ll feel even better then.

To my surprise and delight, the rev-hang issue that seems to affect some 3.7 Roadsters does not appear to be too much of a problem on this one. I’m not sure if anything was done in this respect by the previous owner, but all I can say is that it’s a joy to drive and in my experience the gear-changes have been smooth and slick, even when pressing-on a bit. Of the other Roadsters I have driven, 3 of them had this issue and I found I had to alter my driving style slightly to allow for smooth and graunch- free changes, so it would appear that not all 3.7 Roadsters are the same. Maybe I’ve been lucky with this one - I certainly hope so!

On some less-positive notes: On my previous Morgan I had the Symmonds Windstop fitted, and this improved considerably the level of buffeting and exhaust fumes experienced, especially as I arranged the hood so that it folded down and onto the windstop, effectively sealing off the rear luggage area completely from the cockpit area.
On the Roadster, with no windstop fitted, there is a little less buffeting than in my +4, but what I do experience is a big increase in the amount of exhaust fumes coming into the cockpit. Surely I can’t be the only one to notice this, as it must affect all Trad owners to some degree as the basic design is the same??

So I’m now in the process of mackling-up a windstop based on one from an MGF (£40 off ebay) to try and alleviate this issue. I’ve taken inspiration from Minikeefy’s previous posts on this, but I don’t really want to drill through the leather on the wheel arches to support the mounting brackets if I can help it, so I’m exploring other options.

I’ve - sort of – accepted the speedo being way off to the left, and I suppose I’ll have to get used to turning to look at it, but the indicator warning lamps are a bit of a pain to see and the relay isn’t really loud enough to hear properly, so another project is to see if I can install duplicate lamps on the dash directly in front of me and reposition/replace the relay to save any embarrassment.

And then I’ve got to replace the ridiculously short seatbelt catch straps with longer, stemmed versions, as it’s a real struggle to find them when they disappear down the sides of the seats. And then fit my Wingliners!

But overall I’m very pleased with the car and looking forward to lots of smiley miles and hours of tinkering.



PS
On the NHS website, regarding carbon monoxide poisoning, it states:
“Long-term exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide can also lead to neurological symptoms, such as difficulty thinking or concentrating and frequent emotional changes – for example, becoming easily irritated, depressed or making impulsive or irrational decisions”.
So I’m wondering if there were more exhaust fumes coming into the cockpit of my +4 than I thought!!

Be careful with the wiring - it's canbus and doesn't like add ons!

Oh and about fumes.....I haven't noticed fumes in any of mine.........although I do use the windstop.

Thanks for the Can bus info, Dave.
Looks like my ScotchLoks are destined for the bin!

A friend of mine also did not get on with the positions of rev counter and speedo in his 2012 plus 4, but found that they were easily interchangeable. The loom wiring was generously long enough to reach. (Guess loom may be made up to cope with LHD versions as well?)

Well done, that man..!

And well done Phil & Joyce, too. Good team up there..

Does your car have a spare wheel fitted, Sid..? Just wondering. I find the fumes disappear when the cat warms up, and in the meantime I open both windows a little to disturb the airflow, hence the question about the spare (mine hasn't one..)

Tempted to take an inch off the gearstick height on mine, but..??

My Brooklands wheel may look nice, but it's giving me cramped knuckles after a few hours & the thought of a thick leather rim again appeals..!

Cause of fumes entering the car is due to the position of the exit pipe with the car body.Had this with a Tvr and after adjusting the exit pipe it stopped it happening. On another point , if you are interested in having a switchable exhaust on the 3.7, Krazy Horse dealership have just completed testing their 3.7 which i have driven .

[quote=Stringers)

Tempted to take an inch off the gearstick height on mine, but.

Me too!
I am determined to reduce the length of my gear stick as well (no smutty comments please) and Tim Ayers of New Elms thinks this can be done fairly easily.
Has any other owner done this?

andymot has shortened his I think - he's in the trade so knows what he is about, he may even have done Craig's as well.

There is a thread on here somewhere that G00gle will find for you..

On the Roadster, with no windstop fitted, there is a little less buffeting than in my +4, but what I do experience is a big increase in the amount of exhaust fumes coming into the cockpit. Surely I can’t be the only one to notice this, as it must affect all Trad owners to some degree as the basic design is the same??

So I’m now in the process of mackling-up a windstop based on one from an MGF (£40 off ebay) to try and alleviate this issue. I’ve taken inspiration from Minikeefy’s previous posts on this, but I don’t really want to drill through the leather on the wheel arches to support the mounting brackets if I can help it, so I’m exploring other options.






[quote]

Hi Sid I fitted the Williams wind stopper a few weeks ago, it certainly does the job, but unfortunately you do have to drill through the wheel arches, it’s no big deal though if you treat the wood where you drill for before bolting it up.

Interesting write up. I do have the rev hang issue although you learn to live with it. Can't complain about fumes despite a fair number of the 2,500 miles covered so far being with the roof off.

Buffeting is not an issue providing side screens are used, indeed at anything above country lane speeds I find it uncomfortable without them.

Like yourself I've found after market front shocks, AVO in my case, afford a more controlled front end. The damping on the coil sprung rear on mine seems very firm so will leave that alone. Steering is light with good turn in, aided by Wolf rebound spring bearings.

As with my M3W I often drive on the tacho on motorways although once you allow for parallax the speedo is surprisingly accurate. Sixth gear is very high (35mph/1000rpm) so despite all that power you really need to change down to overtake swiftly on motorways. Fourth will give you 133 mph! and in fifth you will have hit the published top speed well before the rev limit is hit.

Finally note the average mpg readout is geared to US gallons. When converted I'm getting 31 mpg at the moment.
Hope you continue to enjoy yours as much as I do