Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) 3.7 roadster - any known issues? and Battery life

After three roadsters and a P4SS I now have a Sigma 4/4 for five years. I had a S1 with St220 engine and the Getrag gearbox, a S2 with only 204 hp and Ford Transit gearbox and a S3 Roadster Sport with the same Transit gearbox but more power. If I had known how good the S1 was, I might still be driving it today. But today I'm a fan of the 4/4 for reasons of balance and empty weight.

If it were a roadster again it would definitely be an S1 with St220 engine and Getrag gearbox.

Ok, there were problems with the cat seals and the steering but time forgives.

Heinz, I do not what you are referring to about the cat seals? Regarding the steering - yes, there was a certain bump steer, but this I eliminated by putting on a Mulfab steering damper. Fiddly, as I had to modify the right overrider bracket. Very happy now, can drive with two fingers resting on the steering wheel.

It's been 12.5 years since I had given up the series 1 Roadster, so the exact memory has faded a bit. But there is a connection with a flange gasket. Either it was between the manifold and the catalytic converter or behind the catalytic converter I can't remember exactly. This gasket (on both sides) never lasted longer than 4000 km. You can hear it immediately when it blows and the performance is significantly lower.

I was satisfied with the general performance of the steering. But the steering rod of serie1 had a needle bearing at the direction of the steering wheel. In my case the needles fell out and blocked the steering. Fortunately, I noticed a sluggishness and a strange crackling while steering. So I still had about 30 minutes before the steering was totally blocked and I was warned to drive very carefully and slowly. But it wasn't enough to go home and the car was towed away.

Maybe DaveW knows more about this needle bearing. My workshop once said that the later models didn't have needle bearings anymore, but one made of Teflon or similar.
This experience had not let me drive Morgan for almost two years. But the memory of the beautiful moments was so strong that since the end of 2008 (re-entry with series 2 Roadster) I enjoy driving Morgan again continuously.

I sympathise with you Heinz. That's the most dangerous experience I've heard of on a Morgan except perhaps seized BB on an M3W

Hope other Roadster S1 owners (with similar bearing) are aware of this!

That is scary Heinz, I hope DaveW (Roadster Guru) mentioned it in his book for the unwary to be aware.

I have driven a 2000 +8 back to back with a 2005 Roadster. The +8 Low Rev Torque is awesome, But the balance of the Roadster is so much better than a +8 that I would choose the Roadster.

Don't let this put anyone off, my 2004 S1 Roadster covered 50k miles in 9 years and the only issues I had were rear shock brackets cracked (known issue), lumpy front discs (cured by Mr Rutters skimmer) and the annoying bump steer & continuous steering wheel 'twitch' (it's a Mog live with it), I carried out numerous tweaks & upgrades over the years like many of us do - but the base car, engine & 'box (oh and ECU) were great

In hindsight the upgrade to a 3.7 last year may not have been the best move

Nothing against the super harmonious and well tuned Series 1 Roadster. Just one point to check.

I love my S1. It has it's foibles but it goes well & is a great grand tourer.

It's the first I've heard of a needle bearings issue. The bump steer was fixed when the stub axles were upgraded somewhere around 2006, when the bushes went back to metal. My car was upgraded by the first owner in this respect. My steering is so light that any bearing decay should become apparent. Is this in the universal joint or base of the steering column Heinz???

I'm at 20,000 miles and so far no problem with the cat seals.