Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Smiths Round heater

I do wonder Phil, whether you'd be better to source a heater from a later ('74 or 5 on) heater. As you'll be aware, the old round heater wasn't known as a fug stirrer for no reason!

Yeah, I'll persevere for a bit, but if it fails probably plumb in one of those aftermarket 5kw+ ones from car builder solutions. Should be pretty simple!

I think my thermostat was sticking - yesterday the temp went very high, and then suddenly dropped back down to half way. I imagine if it's sticking closed it would also be pretty sticky open as well.

Fitted a new stat, and certainly getting a lot more warmth out of her.

Another “lack of regular use” symptom that will not recur now you have changed the thermostat and started to use the car regularly. This phase does not last long. Our 1985 4/4 had different issues when we first got it in 2003. Less than a year into ownership and all was sorted.

Fingers crossed! Put over 1000 miles on her since I picked her up and she's definitely loosening up nicely. Just had a small PPI windfall so will get a new battery in the next few weeks.

Checked the anti-freeze I put in a couple of weeks and realised I stuck in OAT stuff in error. Flushed the system a few times and then had a closer look at the radiator.

A few years ago it had a rebuild by a 'non-morgan' restorer, and there are aspects where I think he didn't have a clue. As a result, the radiator was raked back, so the top of the radiator was much higher than the filler cap. The triangular top mount was bent down at a 45 degree angle. So straightened the mount, unbolted and swivelled the mount bar, and refitted. The top of the radiator now gets warm!

I think that will help get rid of any airlocks in the system and hopefully get it much warmer. I imagine if I'd been running in the summer, I may have had some overheating issues.....

(and what a joy to get home in the daylight, and be able to do an hour or so of work before it gets too dark outside)

You must have a good job

I have! Start at 7.00am but usually leave by 4.30pm

And 13 weeks holiday

My job's better - I retired last September.
Just a change of management really - I am after all married

You can check the function of thermostat by placing in a pan of water and heating slowly whilst monitoring temperature. There will be a temperature at which it begins to open and another where it's fully open, usually close together. It's possible to buy a thermostat which opens slowly though, check with your local motor factor.

I have a nominal 90°C one which starts to open at 65°C. Ironically this allows the vintage diesel in my narrowboat to run cooler than with the original 72°C one.