Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms The Ownership Experience

Thanks for the info, John. If Gomog, Lorne is correct the ladder frame change was in 2004.

https://www.gomog.com/allmorgan/LoweringBlocks.html

So I would be looking for a car up to 2003 as the lighter frame would be my main concern. And also I would have a galvanized frame around 2003. BTW both existed I have learned, the 1.8 Zetec and later on the 1.8 Duratec but only together with the heavier frame.

Thanks for sharing your experience, Nick. So what I had seen in 2005 was a pale blue Runabout like yours because I think there were not 50 shades of blue re this model. Yes a Roadster was another beast but I have heard that the 1.8 Zetec engine can be tuned without too much efforts to get around 150 HP which would be more than enough for me today.

Burton Zetec engine tuning

https://www.burtonpower.com/tuning-guides/tuning-guide-pages/ford-zetec-e-tuning-guide.html#

As far as we can tell, 2004 was the end of the Plus 8, Introduction of the Roadster and reintroduction of the Plus 4, after a break in production, (from 2000), and this is when the chassis was commonised.

Thanks for the link, John. To be honest, I didn't think it was possible. But since this thread from Dave has been here, I've somehow been spurred on. Crazy, I never thought I would want another Morgan. But it's such a feeling of very late fulfillment after having other very nice Morgans. I feel the same way about other things that a change is happening again at my age. And I know that it could be the right decision. I also have the impression that it's now or never. This spring I found vintage Klipsch horns from 1973 and have since restored them. I wanted to have them when I was 15 years old, but then I always ended up with more modern speakers when I could afford them later on. Or I restored old Quad amps in the Covid era and listen to them with great pleasure, the ones I had 35 to 40 years ago. Or my ES335 1960 anniversary, which I've only had for 14 years...for 30 years before that there were always other guitars on my way, but it was always going to be an ES335.
So with my 2014 4/4 I am very close to my ideal. Only, a 2000 to 2003 4/4 would be even more “what” it could be. The price trend doesn't matter, I get less for mine and pay less for an older 4/4. It would be yet another new adventure. Especially as my 4/4 has become very perfect over the years. With a Runabout, for example, I could tinker and modify, somehow it's part of the fun of starting again.

Nick, can you remember if the Runabout (or normal 4/4 from the same time) had a 4.1 rear axle? I have found no way after a lot of examination to change my 3.7 axle, even thinking about a Mazda 6 speed box but it is too wide for the tunnel, and that is a motivation as well to finally change the car again.

I found this pics, colour called bulldog blue.

https://melvyn-rutter.co.uk/cars/2003-morgan-4-4-fresh-into-stock/

Same car with nice pics.

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/17498934

Sources claim that the Zetec was 4.1:1.

Duratec 3.71:1 with optional 4.1:1

Some of those earlier 4/4's had a quick rack, 3 turns lock to lock. Keith at BHM told me that the quick rack cars can be a bit twitchy.

Just one caution on the pre 2004 Zetec / Duratec 4/4. Some, if not all, had a hole pierced in the chassis for the exhaust to pass through. The chassis has been known to crack in this area. I know of at least one year 2000 car where the chassis was repaired. Worth checking as not all repairs are equal.

Thanks for the tip on the frame, Paul. Is there anything that can be done prophylactically? and Dave, thanks for the info on the rear axle ratio of the Zetec 4/4.

Sorry Heinz, I don't know enough about the problem to advise re prevention.

My 2014 Sigma 4/4 has a 3.9 final drive which I only discovered after purchasing the car, it’s also mentioned in the handbook.
I understand this not the norm for a late 4/4 that was fitted with a 3.7 final drive.
Mine therefore is lowered geared over standard and some back to back testing has confirmed this.
Unfortunately I don’t know reason why or how it came to be but I’m happy with a slightly livelier 4/4.