[OT] Prius bashing
 

Now they've become quite common - in London at least, due to the
artificial tax advantages - just watch the way they are driven. Despite
claiming to have nippy performance they in practice accelerate like a side
valve Morris Minor - the owner obviously with his eyes clamped on the
economy gauge. And are always at the head of the queue, in the middle of
the road. Perhaps they should be sold complete with flat cap and pipe?

--
*Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

[OT] Prius bashing
 

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...

claiming to have nippy performance they in practice accelerate like a side
valve Morris Minor

You are clearly an idiot troll, please eff off.

[OT] Prius bashing
 

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
Now they've become quite common - in London at least, due to the
artificial tax advantages - just watch the way they are driven. Despite
claiming to have nippy performance they in practice accelerate like a side
valve Morris Minor - the owner obviously with his eyes clamped on the
economy gauge.

Which touches on an old thread. (IYR?) I'd bet that the Minor achieved a
similar or better MPG than the Prius, and you could probably manufacture two
or three Minors with the materials needed for one P. It may pollute a little
more out of the exhaust pipe, but it's always worth keeping a clear
distinction in the mind between pollution and green house gas.

My dad had many Minors and Travellers, I'm sure he always got mid 40's MPG -
can't ask now because he's dead. I do remember that he always tried to thin
the mixture off as much as the engine would tolerate by turning the big nut
on the underside of the SU carb.

Julian.

[OT] Prius bashing
 

Julian wrote:
"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
Now they've become quite common - in London at least, due to the
artificial tax advantages - just watch the way they are driven. Despite
claiming to have nippy performance they in practice accelerate like a side
valve Morris Minor - the owner obviously with his eyes clamped on the
economy gauge.

Which touches on an old thread. (IYR?) I'd bet that the Minor achieved a
similar or better MPG than the Prius, and you could probably manufacture two
or three Minors with the materials needed for one P. It may pollute a little
more out of the exhaust pipe, but it's always worth keeping a clear
distinction in the mind between pollution and green house gas.

My dad had many Minors and Travellers, I'm sure he always got mid 40's MPG -
can't ask now because he's dead. I do remember that he always tried to thin
the mixture off as much as the engine would tolerate by turning the big nut
on the underside of the SU carb.


Yup. The old A series with an SU carb in a minimally equipped 50's body
on skinny tyres would turn in around 45-50mpg.

If you kept it down to a daring 55mph or so ;-)

Which, considering the cooling, engine wear, adhesion and brakes, was
only wise.


Cat converters knocked about 15% off fuel economy, which was largely got
back via fuel injection and slightly lighter cars.

Modern low profile tyres reduce it a fair bit more.


Julian.

[OT] Prius bashing
 

HI All

On Wed, 04 Jul 2007 13:11:26 GMT, "Julian" wrote:


"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
Now they've become quite common - in London at least, due to the
artificial tax advantages - just watch the way they are driven. Despite
claiming to have nippy performance they in practice accelerate like a side
valve Morris Minor - the owner obviously with his eyes clamped on the
economy gauge.

Which touches on an old thread. (IYR?) I'd bet that the Minor achieved a
similar or better MPG than the Prius, and you could probably manufacture two
or three Minors with the materials needed for one P. It may pollute a little
more out of the exhaust pipe, but it's always worth keeping a clear
distinction in the mind between pollution and green house gas.

My dad had many Minors and Travellers, I'm sure he always got mid 40's MPG -
can't ask now because he's dead. I do remember that he always tried to thin
the mixture off as much as the engine would tolerate by turning the big nut
on the underside of the SU carb.

As it happens g - I've just taken on a '64 Traveler, and (lacking an
in-car consumption computer !) I've been keeping a rough tally of the
mpg - which has been round about 35 - 40 so far.

Now we don't tend to drive very fast out here (too many sheep /
tractors / & old bu**ers in Moggies in the way) - but a lot of our
motoring is fairly short journeys, and / or up and over the
mountains. I'm not sure I'd consider a Moggie as practical transport
on UK motorways - but out here it's fine.

In terms of 'life cycle costs' I guess the fact that this one's still
going 43 years after manufacture (albeit with an unspecified number of
rebuilds, spare panels etc) must count for something.

For me, the attraction is the overall simplicity of the thing - which
equates (I hope!) to low maintenance costs....

It's also great fun to drive g

Regards
Adrian

[OT] Prius bashing
 

In article ,
Julian wrote:

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
Now they've become quite common - in London at least, due to the
artificial tax advantages - just watch the way they are driven.
Despite claiming to have nippy performance they in practice accelerate
like a side valve Morris Minor - the owner obviously with his eyes
clamped on the economy gauge.

Which touches on an old thread. (IYR?) I'd bet that the Minor achieved a
similar or better MPG than the Prius, and you could probably
manufacture two or three Minors with the materials needed for one P. It
may pollute a little more out of the exhaust pipe, but it's always
worth keeping a clear distinction in the mind between pollution and
green house gas.

My dad had many Minors and Travellers, I'm sure he always got mid 40's
MPG - can't ask now because he's dead. I do remember that he always
tried to thin the mixture off as much as the engine would tolerate by
turning the big nut on the underside of the SU carb.

My father had the first Morris Minor in Scotland fitted with the Austin
803cc OHV engine - in 1953. It being a business car, he kept accurate
records of the fuel used over the three years he had it. And that averaged
out at 53 mpg. He was averaging about 12,000 miles a year and much of that
open road motoring, and of course traffic wasn't so heavy. But then the
roads were less straight and level than today.

--
*Born free - taxed to death *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

[OT] Prius bashing
 

In article ,
Adrian wrote:
It's also great fun to drive g

Yup. The steering feel of a Minor is quite superb. Something denied to a
Prius driver.

--
*The average person falls asleep in seven minutes *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Prius bashing
 

On Jul 4, 11:14 am, "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote:
Now they've become quite common - in London at least, due to the
artificial tax advantages - just watch the way they are driven. Despite
claiming to have nippy performance they in practice accelerate like a side
valve Morris Minor - the owner obviously with his eyes clamped on the
economy gauge. And are always at the head of the queue, in the middle of
the road. Perhaps they should be sold complete with flat cap and pipe?

If you're talking about the Prius then they are hardly common in
London. While I respect your otherwise informed posts, you really are
heading into Jeremy Clarkson style fantasy land here.
The only thing that has ever frustrated me is just crap drivers, I've
yet to see any correlation between Prius drivers (on the rare occasion
I've seen one) and holding traffic up.
All those black London taxis accelerate like lightning, as we all know.

[OT] Prius bashing
 

"Julian" wrote in message
...

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
Now they've become quite common - in London at least, due to the
artificial tax advantages - just watch the way they are driven. Despite
claiming to have nippy performance they in practice accelerate like a
side
valve Morris Minor - the owner obviously with his eyes clamped on the
economy gauge.

Which touches on an old thread. (IYR?) I'd bet that the Minor achieved a
similar or better MPG than the Prius,

The Minor did 0-60 in 30 mins. Please get real.

[OT] Prius bashing
 

In article ews.net,
Doctor Drivel wrote:
Which touches on an old thread. (IYR?) I'd bet that the Minor achieved
a similar or better MPG than the Prius,

The Minor did 0-60 in 30 mins. Please get real.

That is real? Seek treatment now. Please.

--
*The man who fell into an upholstery machine is fully recovered*

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

[OT] Prius bashing
 

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ews.net,
Doctor Drivel wrote:
Which touches on an old thread. (IYR?) I'd bet that the Minor achieved
a similar or better MPG than the Prius,

The Minor did 0-60 in 30 mins. Please get real.

That

Please eff off as you are a worthless idiot troll.

[OT] Prius bashing
 

On Wed, 4 Jul 2007 14:09:50 UTC, "Doctor Drivel"
wrote:

"Julian" wrote in message
...

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
Now they've become quite common - in London at least, due to the
artificial tax advantages - just watch the way they are driven. Despite
claiming to have nippy performance they in practice accelerate like a
side
valve Morris Minor - the owner obviously with his eyes clamped on the
economy gauge.

Which touches on an old thread. (IYR?) I'd bet that the Minor achieved a
similar or better MPG than the Prius,

The Minor did 0-60 in 30 mins.

Better than your Prius then.

--
The information contained in this post is copyright the
poster, and specifically may not be published in, or used by
http://www.diybanter.com

[OT] Prius bashing
 

"Bob Eager" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 4 Jul 2007 14:09:50 UTC, "Doctor Drivel"
wrote:

"Julian" wrote in message
...

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
Now they've become quite common - in London at least, due to the
artificial tax advantages - just watch the way they are driven.
Despite
claiming to have nippy performance they in practice accelerate like a
side
valve Morris Minor - the owner obviously with his eyes clamped on the
economy gauge.

Which touches on an old thread. (IYR?) I'd bet that the Minor achieved
a
similar or better MPG than the Prius,

The Minor did 0-60 in 30 mins.

Better than your Prius then.

It that wit? Please give advanced warning of funnies so we can try and work
it out.

[OT] Prius bashing
 

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Julian wrote:

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...


It being a business car, he kept accurate
records of the fuel used over the three years he had it. And that averaged
out at 53 mpg. He was averaging about 12,000 miles a year and much of that
open road motoring, and of course traffic wasn't so heavy. But then the
roads were less straight and level than today.

My dad did too. He was a freight manager for a large shipping company, (now
part of P&O) and travelled the length and breadth of the country in his
Minor on a regular basis meeting customers etc, also often travelling to the
far east - but in a VC-10! Weekends often partially spent servicing it.
(front lower swivels need regular grease) I also remember that he kept two
or three paving flags in the boot in winter and used proper winter tyres on
the rear - snow came every winter in the 60's. The world's moved on a fair
bit since then and I don't think people today would tolerate driving such
huge mileages in a basic vehicle. Having said that he seemed to laugh and
smile a good deal more than people in similar positions today.

Julian.

[OT] Prius bashing
 

On 2007-07-04 14:34:04 +0100, Adrian said:

As it happens g - I've just taken on a '64 Traveler,

There's quite a few of those in Ireland :-)

[OT] Prius bashing
 

HI Andy

On Wed, 4 Jul 2007 16:05:03 +0100, Andy Hall
wrote:

On 2007-07-04 14:34:04 +0100, Adrian said:

As it happens g - I've just taken on a '64 Traveler,

There's quite a few of those in Ireland :-)


g
you've visited then...?

Adrian

[OT] Prius bashing
 

"Adrian" wrote in message
...
HI Andy

On Wed, 4 Jul 2007 16:05:03 +0100, Andy Hall
wrote:

On 2007-07-04 14:34:04 +0100, Adrian said:

As it happens g - I've just taken on a '64 Traveler,

There's quite a few of those in Ireland :-)


g
you've visited then...?

Adrian

Don't they call them Tinkers as well?

[OT] Prius bashing
 

HI Dave

On Wed, 04 Jul 2007 14:59:30 +0100, "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote:

In article ,
Adrian wrote:
It's also great fun to drive g

Yup. The steering feel of a Minor is quite superb. Something denied to a
Prius driver.

Kind of a 'direct' relationship with the road....
you get very adept at spotting / remembering the little imperfections
in the Irish country roads, and taking evasive action..

Bumps that you wouldn't even notice in my RAV4 become
quite 'noticeable' in the Moggie....

....hence the need for those d-ring luggage retainers to stop my
market stall & associated bits from joining me in the front seat...

On the subject of Moggies - anybody know why mine has a tendency
to 'run on' for a few seconds after the ignition has been switched
off? Somebody told me it was to do with the unleaded fuel - she's
originally a leaded engine that the Morris Minor Centre in Bristol
'unlead-ised' with the aid of a 'magic' thingy that fits in line with
the fuel - apparently they've been fitting them for 20 years..

Not a big worry - the 'running on' - fairly comical, actually...

Regards
Adrian

[OT] Prius bashing
 

Adrian wrote:
On the subject of Moggies - anybody know why mine has a tendency
to 'run on' for a few seconds after the ignition has been switched
off? Somebody told me it was to do with the unleaded fuel - she's
originally a leaded engine that the Morris Minor Centre in Bristol
'unlead-ised' with the aid of a 'magic' thingy that fits in line with
the fuel - apparently they've been fitting them for 20 years..


I had a similar thing with my Metro which also used the A series engine.
I was told that it was 'Dieseling' and that this was caused by carbon
build up on the cylinder which heated up to the point where it would
ignite the compressed mixture without a spark (in the same way that a
Diesel engine works). So after turning off the ignition and depriving
the engine of a spark it would continue to ignite and hence 'run on' for
a short while.

There are however people on this group much more knowledgeable about
cars than me and I am sure they will be along in a moment.

Andrew

[OT] Prius bashing
 

On 2007-07-04 16:39:07 +0100, Adrian said:

HI Andy

On Wed, 4 Jul 2007 16:05:03 +0100, Andy Hall
wrote:

On 2007-07-04 14:34:04 +0100, Adrian said:

As it happens g - I've just taken on a '64 Traveler,

There's quite a few of those in Ireland :-)


g
you've visited then...?

Adrian

Can I interest you in any clothes pegs?

[OT] Prius bashing
 

In article ,
Adrian wrote:
On the subject of Moggies - anybody know why mine has a tendency
to 'run on' for a few seconds after the ignition has been switched
off? Somebody told me it was to do with the unleaded fuel - she's
originally a leaded engine that the Morris Minor Centre in Bristol
'unlead-ised' with the aid of a 'magic' thingy that fits in line with
the fuel - apparently they've been fitting them for 20 years..

Oh dear. That 'magic thingy' does precisely nothing - lucky you didn't pay
for it.

Unless the exhaust valve seats have been modified to incorporate hardened
inserts you're in for problems sooner or later if running on unleaded only.
The A Series engine is one of the worst around for valve problems with
unleaded unless modified. But don't worry - it won't actually break down
totally so you can wait until it shows symptoms before doing anything. A
sensible choice would be to have a modified cylinder head standing by.

As regards the running on many fit an electrically operated valve
connected to the inlet manifold after the carb which opens and lets in air
when you switch off. But you should first check the ignition isn't
retarded and that the mixture isn't too weak - either can cause running on.

--
*If you think this van is dirty, you should try having sex with the driver*

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

[OT] Prius bashing
 

In article ,
Andrew May wrote:
I had a similar thing with my Metro which also used the A series engine.
I was told that it was 'Dieseling' and that this was caused by carbon
build up on the cylinder which heated up to the point where it would
ignite the compressed mixture without a spark (in the same way that a
Diesel engine works). So after turning off the ignition and depriving
the engine of a spark it would continue to ignite and hence 'run on' for
a short while.

It can be carbon, but the combustion chamber is sort of heart shaped and
the peak between the two valves can glow red hot causing the petrol to
ignite without a spark. Relieving this peak by grinding can help.

There are however people on this group much more knowledgeable about
cars than me and I am sure they will be along in a moment.

--
*Seen it all, done it all, can't remember most of it*

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

[OT] Prius bashing
 

HI Andrew

On Wed, 04 Jul 2007 16:51:48 +0100, Andrew May
wrote:

Adrian wrote:
On the subject of Moggies - anybody know why mine has a tendency
to 'run on' for a few seconds after the ignition has been switched
off? Somebody told me it was to do with the unleaded fuel - she's
originally a leaded engine that the Morris Minor Centre in Bristol
'unlead-ised' with the aid of a 'magic' thingy that fits in line with
the fuel - apparently they've been fitting them for 20 years..


I had a similar thing with my Metro which also used the A series engine.
I was told that it was 'Dieseling' and that this was caused by carbon
build up on the cylinder which heated up to the point where it would
ignite the compressed mixture without a spark (in the same way that a
Diesel engine works). So after turning off the ignition and depriving
the engine of a spark it would continue to ignite and hence 'run on' for
a short while.


Ah - that rings a bell somewhere in the back of my mind.....

Thanks

Adrian

[OT] Prius bashing
 

HI Dave

On Wed, 04 Jul 2007 17:14:51 +0100, "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote:

In article ,
Andrew May wrote:
I had a similar thing with my Metro which also used the A series engine.
I was told that it was 'Dieseling' and that this was caused by carbon
build up on the cylinder which heated up to the point where it would
ignite the compressed mixture without a spark (in the same way that a
Diesel engine works). So after turning off the ignition and depriving
the engine of a spark it would continue to ignite and hence 'run on' for
a short while.

It can be carbon, but the combustion chamber is sort of heart shaped and
the peak between the two valves can glow red hot causing the petrol to
ignite without a spark. Relieving this peak by grinding can help.

Ah - thanks......
Adrian

[OT] Prius bashing
 

HI Dave

On Wed, 04 Jul 2007 17:12:22 +0100, "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote:

In article ,
Adrian wrote:
On the subject of Moggies - anybody know why mine has a tendency
to 'run on' for a few seconds after the ignition has been switched
off? Somebody told me it was to do with the unleaded fuel - she's
originally a leaded engine that the Morris Minor Centre in Bristol
'unlead-ised' with the aid of a 'magic' thingy that fits in line with
the fuel - apparently they've been fitting them for 20 years..

Oh dear. That 'magic thingy' does precisely nothing - lucky you didn't pay
for it.

OK - I did query it - but they seemed convinced (and they do know
their Moggies)

Unless the exhaust valve seats have been modified to incorporate hardened
inserts you're in for problems sooner or later if running on unleaded only.
The A Series engine is one of the worst around for valve problems with
unleaded unless modified. But don't worry - it won't actually break down
totally so you can wait until it shows symptoms before doing anything. A
sensible choice would be to have a modified cylinder head standing by.

OK - I'll put that on the 'shopping list' g


As regards the running on many fit an electrically operated valve
connected to the inlet manifold after the carb which opens and lets in air
when you switch off.

Ok - that's a thought....
doesn't really bother me, the running on, just curious....

But you should first check the ignition isn't
retarded and that the mixture isn't too weak - either can cause running on.

The car was set up by the MM Centre about 6 weeks ago - so will be due
for a service before too long. Will take the opportunity to check
timing & mixture then...

Thanks
Adrian

[OT] Prius bashing
 

HI Andy

On Wed, 4 Jul 2007 17:05:58 +0100, Andy Hall
wrote:

On 2007-07-04 16:39:07 +0100, Adrian said:

HI Andy

On Wed, 4 Jul 2007 16:05:03 +0100, Andy Hall
wrote:

On 2007-07-04 14:34:04 +0100, Adrian said:

As it happens g - I've just taken on a '64 Traveler,

There's quite a few of those in Ireland :-)


g
you've visited then...?

Adrian

Can I interest you in any clothes pegs?


No - but have you got any of that Lucky Heather ?
(and that must be a cue for a joke.....!)

Regards
Adrian

[OT] Prius bashing
 

Adrian wrote:

No - but have you got any of that Lucky Heather ?

Just a leg.

But she's busy sueing a photographer at the moment so I can't get my
hands on the other one.

[OT] Prius bashing
 

"Adrian" wrote in message
...

On the subject of Moggies - anybody know why mine has a tendency
to 'run on' for a few seconds after the ignition has been switched
off? Somebody told me it was to do with the unleaded fuel - she's
originally a leaded engine that the Morris Minor Centre in Bristol
'unlead-ised' with the aid of a 'magic' thingy that fits in line with
the fuel - apparently they've been fitting them for 20 years..

You can often cure the problem by reducing the idle speed, reduce it as much
as you can , but stop short of it staling on you all the time.

Ford had a real problem with this with their Kent (escort etc) engines years
ago. They provided a retrospective modification kit which was an
electrically powered air solenoid valve that was plumbed into the intake
manifold - switching off the ignition removed power from the solenoid and
air flowed into the manifold, the mixture was weakened and it didn't run on.

Julian.

[OT] Prius bashing
 

"Adrian" wrote in message
...
On the subject of Moggies - anybody know why mine has a tendency
to 'run on' for a few seconds after the ignition has been switched
off? Somebody told me it was to do with the unleaded fuel - she's
originally a leaded engine that the Morris Minor Centre in Bristol
'unlead-ised' with the aid of a 'magic' thingy that fits in line with
the fuel - apparently they've been fitting them for 20 years..

And ripping people off for 20 years then too.

http://www.pumaracing.co.uk/

http://www.pumaracing.co.uk/unlead01.htm

http://www.fuelsaving.info/catalysts.htm

A complete con. Tin pellets in a black tube. Tin isn't soluble in petrol to
start with and even if it was it wouldn't do anything constructive. You're
running OK on unleaded because the valve seats are hardened from years of
use and the engine isn't in a high state of tune. The black tube is doing
feck all to help the situation. A series engines tend to run due to
combustion chamber heat which is why the A+ SU carbs had a fuel cut off
solenoid operated by the ignition switch.

[OT] Prius bashing
 

HI Julian

On Wed, 04 Jul 2007 17:20:11 GMT, "Julian" wrote:


"Adrian" wrote in message
.. .

On the subject of Moggies - anybody know why mine has a tendency
to 'run on' for a few seconds after the ignition has been switched
off? Somebody told me it was to do with the unleaded fuel - she's
originally a leaded engine that the Morris Minor Centre in Bristol
'unlead-ised' with the aid of a 'magic' thingy that fits in line with
the fuel - apparently they've been fitting them for 20 years..

You can often cure the problem by reducing the idle speed, reduce it as much
as you can , but stop short of it staling on you all the time.

OK - that would be an easy one to try....

Ford had a real problem with this with their Kent (escort etc) engines years
ago. They provided a retrospective modification kit which was an
electrically powered air solenoid valve that was plumbed into the intake
manifold - switching off the ignition removed power from the solenoid and
air flowed into the manifold, the mixture was weakened and it didn't run on.

Sounds complicated (in relation to the remainder of the vehicle !)

As I say - not a big deal - just a bit comical when people watch
'admiringly' as you arrive, and then look a bit confused as yu kill
the ignition and the beast coughs and splutters for a few seconds
before finally deciding that 'stop' is a good plan....

Regards
Adrian

[OT] Prius bashing
 

In article ,
Adrian wrote:
Ford had a real problem with this with their Kent (escort etc) engines
years ago. They provided a retrospective modification kit which was an
electrically powered air solenoid valve that was plumbed into the
intake manifold - switching off the ignition removed power from the
solenoid and air flowed into the manifold, the mixture was weakened
and it didn't run on.

Sounds complicated (in relation to the remainder of the vehicle !)

It's actually pretty easy. The biggest problem may be providing a suitable
outlet in the inlet manifold if the car doesn't have a brake servo (many
Minors have had one added)
If it has you use a T piece and rubber tubing to the valve and then simply
wire it up to the ignition. It is closed with the ignition on, open when
off, so lets air in to stop the engine when you switch off.

--
*All those who believe in psychokinesis, raise my hand *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

[OT] Prius bashing
 

Adrian wrote:
HI All

On Wed, 04 Jul 2007 13:11:26 GMT, "Julian" wrote:

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
Now they've become quite common - in London at least, due to the
artificial tax advantages - just watch the way they are driven. Despite
claiming to have nippy performance they in practice accelerate like a side
valve Morris Minor - the owner obviously with his eyes clamped on the
economy gauge.
Which touches on an old thread. (IYR?) I'd bet that the Minor achieved a
similar or better MPG than the Prius, and you could probably manufacture two
or three Minors with the materials needed for one P. It may pollute a little
more out of the exhaust pipe, but it's always worth keeping a clear
distinction in the mind between pollution and green house gas.

My dad had many Minors and Travellers, I'm sure he always got mid 40's MPG -
can't ask now because he's dead. I do remember that he always tried to thin
the mixture off as much as the engine would tolerate by turning the big nut
on the underside of the SU carb.

As it happens g - I've just taken on a '64 Traveler, and (lacking an
in-car consumption computer !) I've been keeping a rough tally of the
mpg - which has been round about 35 - 40 so far.

Now we don't tend to drive very fast out here (too many sheep /
tractors / & old bu**ers in Moggies in the way) - but a lot of our
motoring is fairly short journeys, and / or up and over the
mountains. I'm not sure I'd consider a Moggie as practical transport
on UK motorways - but out here it's fine.

In terms of 'life cycle costs' I guess the fact that this one's still
going 43 years after manufacture (albeit with an unspecified number of
rebuilds, spare panels etc) must count for something.

For me, the attraction is the overall simplicity of the thing - which
equates (I hope!) to low maintenance costs....

Depends on how you cost your labour replacing engine bearings every 30k
miles.


It's also great fun to drive g

Regards
Adrian

[OT] Prius bashing
 

Adrian wrote:
HI Dave

On Wed, 04 Jul 2007 14:59:30 +0100, "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote:

In article ,
Adrian wrote:
It's also great fun to drive g
Yup. The steering feel of a Minor is quite superb. Something denied to a
Prius driver.

Kind of a 'direct' relationship with the road....
you get very adept at spotting / remembering the little imperfections
in the Irish country roads, and taking evasive action..

Bumps that you wouldn't even notice in my RAV4 become
quite 'noticeable' in the Moggie....

...hence the need for those d-ring luggage retainers to stop my
market stall & associated bits from joining me in the front seat...

On the subject of Moggies - anybody know why mine has a tendency
to 'run on' for a few seconds after the ignition has been switched
off? Somebody told me it was to do with the unleaded fuel - she's
originally a leaded engine that the Morris Minor Centre in Bristol
'unlead-ised' with the aid of a 'magic' thingy that fits in line with
the fuel - apparently they've been fitting them for 20 years..

Not a big worry - the 'running on' - fairly comical, actually...


It's red hot exhaust valves, or carbon thereon.

You get a sort of glo-pug compression ignition.

Probly needs a decoke and a shade of ignition advance..that keeps the
valves cooler. Set the gap correctly, and then loosen the distrubutoir
and rotate while idling until it start to slow down, then set it as far
advanced as possible without slowing..a shade of over-rich also helps
keep the valves cool.




Regards
Adrian

[OT] Prius bashing
 

In article ,
The Natural Philosopher wrote:
For me, the attraction is the overall simplicity of the thing - which
equates (I hope!) to low maintenance costs....

Depends on how you cost your labour replacing engine bearings every 30k
miles.

There's something very wrong if you have bearing problems on a Minor 1000
at those miles. More than double that would be a decent average. The
earlier 803 cc engine didn't last long, though.

--
*Women who seek to be equal to men lack ambition.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

[OT] Prius bashing
 

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Adrian wrote:
Ford had a real problem with this with their Kent (escort etc) engines
years ago. They provided a retrospective modification kit which was an
electrically powered air solenoid valve that was plumbed into the
intake manifold - switching off the ignition removed power from the
solenoid and air flowed into the manifold, the mixture was weakened
and it didn't run on.

Sounds complicated (in relation to the remainder of the vehicle !)

It's actually pretty easy. The biggest problem may be providing a suitable
outlet in the inlet manifold if the car doesn't have a brake servo (many
Minors have had one added)
If it has you use a T piece and rubber tubing to the valve and then simply
wire it up to the ignition. It is closed with the ignition on, open when
off, so lets air in to stop the engine when you switch off.

If there's no easy way to plump into the inlet manifold then there is anther
method. (used by Chrysler on Carter carb equipped engines amongst others)
It's an electromagnetic solenoid acting on the throttle stop, it maintains a
high (normal) engine speed with the engine running and allows the throttle
to close to a low (curb idle) speed position with the ignition turned off.
having said that it's still prolly more trouble that it's worth to fit.

You could just switch the engine off with it in gear and simultaneously
switch off and raise the clutch pedal. (other foot on brake)

[OT] Prius bashing
 

"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message
...


Depends on how you cost your labour replacing engine bearings every 30k
miles.

I'm not sure if this is a serious comment - sorry if it's not. The A series
engine will easily do at least 70k with regular oil and filter changes. And
when it needs re-building you can DI(mostly)Y for pocket money.

Julian.

[OT] Prius bashing
 

HI Dave

On Thu, 05 Jul 2007 00:01:04 +0100, "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote:

In article ,
Adrian wrote:
Ford had a real problem with this with their Kent (escort etc) engines
years ago. They provided a retrospective modification kit which was an
electrically powered air solenoid valve that was plumbed into the
intake manifold - switching off the ignition removed power from the
solenoid and air flowed into the manifold, the mixture was weakened
and it didn't run on.

Sounds complicated (in relation to the remainder of the vehicle !)

It's actually pretty easy.

I meant 'philosophically' rather than 'practically'... g

The biggest problem may be providing a suitable
outlet in the inlet manifold if the car doesn't have a brake servo (many
Minors have had one added)

Not this one - she's still on the original 'no servo / drum brakes'
setup. Heavier than the servo'd RAV4 on the brakes - but perfectly
OK...

If it has you use a T piece and rubber tubing to the valve and then simply
wire it up to the ignition. It is closed with the ignition on, open when
off, so lets air in to stop the engine when you switch off.

Understood.
I did ask on the Morris Minor Owners' Club forum (they were equally
scathing about the 'magic catalyst' !) and the general consensus
seemed to be mixture or timing first, with a de-coke next...

Somebody suggested a quick blast up the motorway - sadly not an
option.
Don't know where I'd need to go to find a motorway - the nearest
traffic lights must be 30 miles away g.

Lots of the travelling is done at (relatively) slow speeds - and
there's a daily trip to the local village which must be all of 8 miles
round-trip (and it's downhill all the way there) - so maybe a longer
trip every so often might help to blow away the cobwebs...

Many thanks
Adrial

[OT] Prius bashing
 

HI Julian

On Thu, 05 Jul 2007 06:08:30 GMT, "Julian" wrote:


"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Adrian wrote:
Ford had a real problem with this with their Kent (escort etc) engines
years ago. They provided a retrospective modification kit which was an
electrically powered air solenoid valve that was plumbed into the
intake manifold - switching off the ignition removed power from the
solenoid and air flowed into the manifold, the mixture was weakened
and it didn't run on.

Sounds complicated (in relation to the remainder of the vehicle !)

It's actually pretty easy. The biggest problem may be providing a suitable
outlet in the inlet manifold if the car doesn't have a brake servo (many
Minors have had one added)
If it has you use a T piece and rubber tubing to the valve and then simply
wire it up to the ignition. It is closed with the ignition on, open when
off, so lets air in to stop the engine when you switch off.

If there's no easy way to plump into the inlet manifold then there is anther
method. (used by Chrysler on Carter carb equipped engines amongst others)
It's an electromagnetic solenoid acting on the throttle stop, it maintains a
high (normal) engine speed with the engine running and allows the throttle
to close to a low (curb idle) speed position with the ignition turned off.
having said that it's still prolly more trouble that it's worth to fit.

Now we are starting to get complicated ! g

I've got an instinctive aversion to fitting 'things that stop an
engine and have to be energised to make it run normally'....
IANL I was involved in 'fail-safe' design...


You could just switch the engine off with it in gear and simultaneously
switch off and raise the clutch pedal. (other foot on brake)

I *could* - but it's a bit brutal g - don't think I've not thought
of it !

Many thanks
Adrian

[OT] Prius bashing
 

HI

On Thu, 05 Jul 2007 00:23:41 +0100, The Natural Philosopher
wrote:

Adrian wrote:
HI Dave

On Wed, 04 Jul 2007 14:59:30 +0100, "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote:

In article ,
Adrian wrote:
It's also great fun to drive g
Yup. The steering feel of a Minor is quite superb. Something denied to a
Prius driver.

Kind of a 'direct' relationship with the road....
you get very adept at spotting / remembering the little imperfections
in the Irish country roads, and taking evasive action..

Bumps that you wouldn't even notice in my RAV4 become
quite 'noticeable' in the Moggie....

...hence the need for those d-ring luggage retainers to stop my
market stall & associated bits from joining me in the front seat...

On the subject of Moggies - anybody know why mine has a tendency
to 'run on' for a few seconds after the ignition has been switched
off? Somebody told me it was to do with the unleaded fuel - she's
originally a leaded engine that the Morris Minor Centre in Bristol
'unlead-ised' with the aid of a 'magic' thingy that fits in line with
the fuel - apparently they've been fitting them for 20 years..

Not a big worry - the 'running on' - fairly comical, actually...


It's red hot exhaust valves, or carbon thereon.

You get a sort of glo-pug compression ignition.

OK - understood


Probly needs a decoke and a shade of ignition advance..that keeps the
valves cooler. Set the gap correctly, and then loosen the distrubutoir
and rotate while idling until it start to slow down, then set it as far
advanced as possible without slowing..a shade of over-rich also helps
keep the valves cool.


Grand - thanks !
If it wasn't such a foul day (we had the dry spell overnight !) I'd
have a quick look at it today....

They're promising better weather for the weekend

Regards
Adrian

[OT] Prius bashing
 

Hi

On Thu, 05 Jul 2007 00:20:32 +0100, The Natural Philosopher
wrote:

Adrian wrote:
HI All

On Wed, 04 Jul 2007 13:11:26 GMT, "Julian" wrote:

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
Now they've become quite common - in London at least, due to the
artificial tax advantages - just watch the way they are driven. Despite
claiming to have nippy performance they in practice accelerate like a side
valve Morris Minor - the owner obviously with his eyes clamped on the
economy gauge.
Which touches on an old thread. (IYR?) I'd bet that the Minor achieved a
similar or better MPG than the Prius, and you could probably manufacture two
or three Minors with the materials needed for one P. It may pollute a little
more out of the exhaust pipe, but it's always worth keeping a clear
distinction in the mind between pollution and green house gas.

My dad had many Minors and Travellers, I'm sure he always got mid 40's MPG -
can't ask now because he's dead. I do remember that he always tried to thin
the mixture off as much as the engine would tolerate by turning the big nut
on the underside of the SU carb.

As it happens g - I've just taken on a '64 Traveler, and (lacking an
in-car consumption computer !) I've been keeping a rough tally of the
mpg - which has been round about 35 - 40 so far.

Now we don't tend to drive very fast out here (too many sheep /
tractors / & old bu**ers in Moggies in the way) - but a lot of our
motoring is fairly short journeys, and / or up and over the
mountains. I'm not sure I'd consider a Moggie as practical transport
on UK motorways - but out here it's fine.

In terms of 'life cycle costs' I guess the fact that this one's still
going 43 years after manufacture (albeit with an unspecified number of
rebuilds, spare panels etc) must count for something.

For me, the attraction is the overall simplicity of the thing - which
equates (I hope!) to low maintenance costs....

Depends on how you cost your labour replacing engine bearings every 30k
miles.

Ah - I know a man who can g

Regards
Adrian