Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) My '60-something +4 two-seater

Hmmm, looks like a pretty straightforward restoration to me, I've restored plenty a lot worse. Why the caginess as to the chassis number, is this some 'bitsa'? It certainly does not look like one. You allude to the 'transmission' being later than 1960, how do you know this? You can find out exactly when the axle and gear box were made by checking the numbers! Salisbury axles are stamped on the underside of the casing nose with a code. Thus 'A-60-020' would be axle number 20 made in January (month A, Feb month B and so on) 1960. Moss gearbox numbers are all listed and catalogued. I have Norton Gabb's (he built most of them) full list, as has the Morgan Registry, ask them. If you know the chassis number (which you purport to) and all the numbers you can very easily find out everything about your car and any others of which it is comprised even down to the colour of Chalie Curtiss's underpants when he tested it, which he surely will have! I wouldn't worry about the engine rebuild, that's the easy part! Most Plus Fours have had a transplant or two in their lives. I expect the original engine is bean-cans by now, but you can easily replicate it. PM me is you want some further info, but I will need a bit more from you also.
When you have finished that, try this!!
Ripe for Restoration!  

Colin M.

Thanks for the info, cornfed, you have a pm

Colin M

By going backwards, I've made progress. . . ?

I removed the under side braces at the front cross-member, both box plates of the mid cross-members, and completely removed the rear cross member. I'll fabricate new bits for what I've removed. The mid cross-members had quite a bit of scale. I'll clean them thoroughly, paint, and use welding primer on the flanges. Frame will need bracing and alignment due to ~1/4" kick-up.

While I was dirty and had the tools out, I cleaned the rear axle housing and transmission. Rear axle disassembly, cleaning, paint, new axle bearings, and new brake hardware are the projects in cue. The pinion and carrier bearings are tight and the oil was clean in the case, so I won't fuss with them.

Clickable thumbnails

Have you found (and cleared) the vent hole on the rear axle? I haven't found it yet on my 4/4 despite two rebuilds. - And thanks for keeping us updated.

Frank

I didn't notice a vent hole, but I wasn't looking for one. I'll post a photo if I find it.

Capturing progress in a single location helps keep me motivated by receiving praise and criticism from the community. It's nice to see the project progress. Who knows, it may encourage somebody to undertake a major project themselves.

The initial photos you posted reminded me of a giant 3D jigsaw puzzle - not a bad thing; however, I take my hat of to you because I believe the project will take more patience and DIY-ability than I currently have.

I look forward to your updates and wish you the very best with the restoration. I am sure that the sense of accomplishment when you are finished will be worth the time, energy and effort you have spent on it.

I found three vent holes. One for each external axle shaft bearing at the 6 o'clock position. The other is on the right/passenger side axle tube a couple inches right of the differential. The holes were instantly visible after the wire wheel, on angle grinder, passed over them.

Been a couple weeks since an update. Don't fret, I'm still making progress.

Frame rust repair is almost complete. The middle cross-members have been cleaned, weld-through primed, and boxed with new metal. I may have a new rear cross-member fabricated by the weekend.





The rear axle has been stripped of rust & paint. Axle shafts are out of the housing. Axle shaft, hub, pinion bearings, brake cylinder rebuild, and brake hardware will be ordered soon.

Transmission has been mostly stripped of rust & paint. One rear leaf pack has been disassembled and stripped. I'm working towards getting all things chassis & driveline ready for painting this May. I really am considering hiring a shop to dip-strip what's left to do.

[/quote]I found three vent holes. One for each external axle shaft bearing at the 6 o'clock position. The other is on the right/passenger side axle tube a couple inches right of the differential. The holes were instantly visible after the wire wheel, on angle grinder, passed over them. [/quote]

Thanks, very helpful. I will have an other look at my rear axle as soon as I have found and installed new engine mounts for the disintegrated old ones

Frank

Well, it appears out of the three holes the only vent is near the differential case. The end holes are for grease- fill cavity with grease until it escapes the hole.