Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Roadster 3.0 sump

I had mine done by Mulfab back in 2013. Never had a problem. I prefer an extra 20mm clearance over a skid plate

I have air conditioning on my Roadster and the radiators are set really low at the front of the car, further reducing ground clearance from the original build height. Mine has SSL front suspension fitted which can be adjusted to give about one inch additional ride height, plus the modified sump supplied by Sifab.

I'm still very circumspect about sleeping policemen and gate stops in the middle of driveways. Whilst the sump may now clear more easily, there are plenty of other low slung protrusions that can catch. When the original sump was removed there were grounding marks and scratches all over it, so there had been some very lucky close calls/escapes, for a car that had only done 6k miles and spent most of its life in storage.

Thank you all for your advice. I will be getting one from Sifab as soon as the next oil change is due. Mulfab no longer make one because it was concerned about the porosity of aluminium welds, but will be producing a new one with greater clearance later in the year. Cost: around £1000 (!).

The prospect of a new casting is intriguing.................

Mine are already made from new castings
And the Mulfab one will never happen…
Rakeways (Mulfab) are reknowned for saying stuff like this…

I would not wait. Get one fitted asap

I agree with John, do something as soon as possible, Murphy's law rules. I also agree that getting more clearance with a new sump is the ideal solution - but it comes at a price. I bought my car in the spring of 2017 and immediately got an aluminium skid plate fitted. Custom made by the Morgan guru garage here in Norway, covering the whole engine from the front cross member back to the beginning of the bell house. It does reduce ground clearance, but it has really never been an issue. In those five years I have just touched a sleeping policeman a few times, so I do slow down and take care. I can also touch when driving on a dirt road with an elevation in the middle, but there has never - never been contact when driving on the road, even at high speeds and uneven surface. The skid plate has some scratches, but no deformation and the bottom line is that it works quite well and is considerably cheaper. Cost me about 300 £ five years ago if I remember well. I agree that a new sump is the better solution, but the skid plate isn't bad either.

Robbie, would be interested to see a picture of your full undertray protection

As an update, I have just returned from France, where speed tables are everywhere in built up areas. Has I been in the Roadster, i would have chunked it several times no matter how slowly I drove. The order is in and I hope an extra 20mm will work.

Jon, I will - but give me a few days. First I have to take some pictures that really shows something, which might not be easy as the car is on the ground. But I will do my best. Secondly, I will have to teach myself how to upload photos taken with my cell phone, might be the biggest obstacle....