Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Two questions (as usual) this time PLUS 8

Hello Talk-Morgan Gurus,

i still have one place in the garage to fill (what a luxury problem). With the new Plus 4 i am not really sure.
So i went to see something completely different this weekend, two Plus 8.
1. from 1980, needs a complete new painting and piping. A real professional sprayed over the piping and with a horrible qualitiy in addition.
A little bit of oil at the bottom of the engine (but not used withing the last time). About 125000 KM. Unfortunately i couldnt drive because of the weather.
Advantage, cheap.

2. from 1988. Painting still ok, complete new and very exclusive interior including Kauffeld dash and Smiths instruments, a Valance and a cover for the
spare wheel (like the roadster without spare wheel). New hood and full tonneau, other breakes, sports exhaust (very loud). Some oil at the bottom. Regulary used, in total ~100000 KM
I could drive that car some miles. Clutch is hard and comes a little late. Engine was running smooth, a lot of power, suspension better than my 2009 4/4.

I tried to find some more informations about buying an Plus 8, but it looks for the newer cars there is a lot more of info available.

Now the questions (i know, not easy to answer without feeling the car)
- is the hard, late coming clutch normal?
- is the oil on the bottom of the 8 cylinder cars normal?

Hope someone from the Plus 8 owners can help. Still not sure i want to add an "old" morgen to the little green one

Thanks in advance and have a nice sunday evening
Andreas

Andreas,

The sump gasket area is known leakage point and nothing to worry unduly about.

The stiff clutch doesn't sound too good together with late take up point but again it could just be due a fluid change or bleed.

There is a good buyers guide to your era of Plus 8 here at the rear of the book.
If you can't get a copy pm me and I'll scan the pages in and email to you if you wish.

Good luck with choosing your next playmate.

Hi Richard,

many thanks for the fast informations :-)
Was not sure about the gasket, but it looked some of the oil is coming from there.

Seen your Plus 8 is the same color (or at least close to).

I will check if i can get this book here, otherwise i will come back to you because of the copy?

Thanks and BR
Andreas

In 1980 new cars were sprayed with the wings fitted, over the piping.

Really?!? This is unbelievable, you cant remove the wings without cracking the paint.

But i expect there was no inclusions under the paint on the wings.

Hi Andreas. I have a 1980 +8, owned since 1983 and I have done over 250k miles/400k kms in it. I will get back to you tomorrow on my thoughts. Is it a steel or aluminium bodied car?

Hi Stephen,

both are aluminium bodies.

Best regards
Andreas

In 1985, if you specified piping, the wings were painted off the car.

Not all the time. My 1986 car was sprayed wings on, with the piping sprayed too. Maybe just if you wanted contrasting piping?

Andreas. I wouldn't worry about the oil leak as others have said it's usually the sump gasket. Mine leaked and is dripping again. Cheap to fix. Clutch, is only a price problem when it needs renewing as it's an engine out job. There are mods you can do retrospectively to ensure the next time it can be replaced without engine removal. Hopefully it's the fluid and/or cylinder. Mine used to get hard to depress after little use over the winter, but would free up with lubrication.
The 1980 is carbs, no ECU and no cats. The 1988 will be ECU and I am not sure if it needed to have Cats to be Swiss compliant. I am assuming the 1980 is already Swiss registered and compliant. I find carb cars much easier to work on . Others will comment I am sure but I am aware that electronics on 1984 plus cars were an issue. The big issue for me would be the state of the chassis and woodwork. 1980 +8s ash frame wasn't cuprinoled and mine deteriorated rapidly having been used in the wet through the 1980s. Wood work now long since replaced. Chassis on both should be checked carefully. Also check out the edges of the wings. There was metal beading around the inside edges of the wings and mine also an ali car originally got bad catalytic corrosion between the two metals particularly on the rear wing edges.
Hope this helps.
Stephen