How To: Restore a Morris or keep fit

[Mike K]

The sun was out today, I had a spurt of energy and dragged out the spare engine.

This is a pre-war civilian engine from a 1937-39 Morris truck . The pistons are dome shaped and the head is a different shape , plus the water jacket side is completely open . Other than that its identical to the CS8 engine. On the good side, its in very good shape, nil wear in the bores. This block is a good candidate for a bore out to +20.

After Morris aquired Wolesely ,the acronym MOWOG appeared , cast on many parts. It means "Morris Wolesley group" Ive been informed. This was before political correctness was heard of !

I took a pic of the oil pump dissy drive at No. 1 TDC

[Mike K]

The green civilian engine has been pulled down. The crank and its bearings are in excellent condition and can be reused after a clean up.

I have the block soaking in a drum of molasses. The block will be taken to Bunyip to be bored and decked . The head studs came out easily thank god . Valve guides were drilled , then a drift made and a few mild blows and they came out .

interesting pic of a Morris https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C356131?search

[Mike K]

Seems like Morris 6 engines were being salvaged .

This scene was at TOLGA ? Is that in QLD ? A PU8 Morris wreck, with four chaps doing something, I don't know what .

[Mike K]

I have new Morris 6 valves , got them from Cox & Turner years ago .

As an experiment, I had a go at refacing the worn and pitted exhaust valves that were taken out of the original CS8 motor. I used a 4 jaw chuck and a HSS tool in a lathe. A few very light cuts and a polish with emery cloth . These are not hard stellite valves that would normally need a grinder.

The refaced valves are good enough to use again but I will be using the new valves because they have more " meat" on them.

[Mike K]

The Morris engine block is back from the engine machinist . The cost of the boring job really surprised me, these engine places charge like a wounded bull. I had the block and head re-surfaced and the block dipped in a bath to clean it out. I should have got a quote but would that have made any difference ? It seemed like a rippoff to me and I'd like to know what others have been charged .

Does anybody know what the average cost of a rebore and hone is these days ? per cylinder ?

[Ian Mastin]

Hi Mike,

Can you tell us the name of the engine machining shop that you used please? Reason I will be looking for someone to machine my Ford Flathead V8 out of my Fordson WOT in time and also Mike could you Pm me what it cost you please just to give me an idea on cost.

Regards
Ian

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by Ian Mastin

Hi Mike,

Can you tell us the name of the engine machining shop that you used please? Reason I will be looking for someone to machine my Ford Flathead V8 out of my Fordson WOT in time and also Mike could you Pm me what it cost you please just to give me an idea on cost.

Regards
Ian

Hi Ian

I won't name the engine rebuilders but I've sent u a PM . I've discovered the block hasn't been dipped as he said he would, its in exactly the same uncleaned as when I dropped it off to him.

It cost $1650 for a bore and hone and the deck re-surfaced and the head re-surfaced.

Also found 2 small cracks in the block next to a stud .