Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Fitting a start switch to a 2014 Roadster

I can remember starting handles! Had one on my Bedford HA van (first car). Handy in winter to turn the cold engine before using the modern KEY to start.

I once was at a hotel in Cheshire in a very bad winter in the early 80s. There was my Vauxhall company car, a flashy Merc and an even then old Morris Traveller . I think it got down to -25c.

All 3 of us left at the same time.
Merc man who had a 200 diesel swaggered out in his best suit. But alas couldn't start it (no doubt UK diesel wasn't designed for winters like this).
I eventually got the Vauxhall going , first on 1 cylinder then finally 4.
The lady who owned the Morris simply opened the bonnet, removed the blanket over the engine, closed the bonnet & it started first go.

Blanket over the engine, paraffin sump heater underneath...cardboard in front of the radiator.
That was my Ford 107E Prefect in 1970.
Open the bonnet, remove the blanket, if not freezing remove the card but if VERY cold leave the car and a good squirt of Bradex Ready Start into the air filter.

Assured start!!

Only real problem was that the car had no heater, it was an optional extra.

There's some great vids of Russian truckers lighting serious bonfires under their fuel tanks in the winter .... dodgy stuff, but needs must! 🙂

K

Yes you know you are in trouble when you visit country like Finland with cars fitted with electric oil heaters.
I have seen the Russian version in action many times.

What do you buy the man who already has everything ?...An engine start button

Looks great John, like the use of the MSCC 'blanking plug'

Thanks Jon it keeps me amused

A quick update. Today on a whatsapp video my great nephew aged 2 said he wanted to drive Duncle Dohns Morgan followed by lots of beep beep & brm noises. They are coming to us once they can so I thought I should test if once started and released the start button engages the starter. The answer is it doesn't which is one up on the ignition switch.

I still love the drama of pressing the button & it adds to the grin factor immensely.

Ultimate Morgan Satisfaction?

Now I have also installed a start button, quite unnecessary but what a feeling 😜 Have discovered that if the engine stops for some reason, just step down the clutch and press the start button.