1965 Morgan +4 Project

[cornfed]

Well, I haven't posted this here yet, so here we go.

Here's my very long-term project I acquired last month. The car was disassembled around 1980 and left outside since. Preservation methods were used for the chassis, but the body was left to the elements. Sadly, few if any wood is salvageable and most the tub sheet metal will need to be replaced.

Anything bolted to the frame has been removed. The frame needs minor repair, stripping, and painting. While I do that, the machine shop is going through the engine. If the block and head are salvageable the engine will undergo a complete overhaul. We shall see. . .

Enjoy the photos. Feel free to comment parts ID. At this point I have to reference parts catalog illustrations to ID the parts. I'd like to sell what I don't need but am afraid to let anything go at this stage.

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Welcome to the BCF, and what an ambitious project you have there! This is a great place to find assistance and camaraderie. Having the TR engine, if you have any questions about it, be sure and post in the TR section.


Mickey

 

[vagt6]

Cornfed, welcome to the fray!

You obviously have good mechanical skills, that's a big project, building from the ground-up. But boy, what a great choice of cars to build. Morgans are sexy, fun and valuable. Prices seem to keep going up and up, especially on the sixties models.

Please keep us posted on your project. Your photos here on the web may help many others who attempt such a project. And, not many folks I know have done a Morgan like yours.

Good luck! :thumbsup:

 

[DrEntropy]

Original Michelin X front tyres, I see!

That is a serious undertaking. Welcome to the forum, We'll be expecting to see progress pix!

 

[drooartz]

Welcome aboard! You are a valiant man to dive into a project that large. Morgans are worth it, though.

 

[eschneider]

wow. I assume you are familiar with Mogs if you are taking this one on. Obviously what you have there is a post-64 Plus Four. If the strombergs are stock, I would guess a '66.

I'm in the Morgan specialist business - if you need any help, lemme know.

The 2 master cylinders aren't stock - there should only be one, bolted through the frame rail (no mounting bracket).

The thermostat housing is TR, (different than Morgan).

Some of the hardware ALMOST looks like it's from a drophead coupe door latch, but hard to tell. Drophead bits are becoming super scarce. (windows, door hardware, hoods)

You can order a skinned tub (anything but a drophead), ready to bolt on. A bit spendy, but unless you really, really like woodworking and skinning sheet metal, it's well worth the cost.

If you have to order the bonnets or wings, expect a LOT of fitting and fiddling. Unless it's paper-thin or wadded into a ball, do whatever it takes to restore the originals.

Also, make sure the frame is SUPER solid. The frame does a lot of twisting and flexing. New replacement frames are relatively cheap in the grand scheme of things.

Best of luck with the old girl.

 

[cornfed]

wow. I assume you are familiar with Mogs if you are taking this one on.

Nope, not at all. Completely jumping in to the deep end of the pool on this one. It wasn't until a couple hours after I picked it up (given to me by a relative of a friend) that I first laid eyes on a complete car- and got to sit in one to boot!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Obviously what you have there is a post-64 Plus Four.[/QUOTE]

According to the title, it's a '65. Chassis was built in 1960. Story goes that I'm the 3rd owner. 2nd owner got car from original owner in '68.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]If the strombergs are stock, I would guess a '66.[/QUOTE] Not sure which carbs are stock. Engine definitely is not stock, and was donated by a '67 TR4A. A receipt for the donor vehicle was included with my document package.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]I'm in the Morgan specialist business - if you need any help, lemme know.[/QUOTE]
Thanks, will do!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]The 2 master cylinders aren't stock - there should only be one, bolted through the frame rail (no mounting bracket).

The thermostat housing is TR, (different than Morgan).[/QUOTE]

Good to know.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Some of the hardware ALMOST looks like it's from a drophead coupe door latch, but hard to tell. Drophead bits are becoming super scarce. (windows, door hardware, hoods)[/QUOTE]
Which hardware and any way to tell for certain?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]You can order a skinned tub (anything but a drophead), ready to bolt on. A bit spendy, but unless you really, really like woodworking and skinning sheet metal, it's well worth the cost.[/QUOTE]

That's the route I'm planning to take. The wood and tub metal are too far gone for use as templates. I expect saving for the tub will take the most time for this project.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]If you have to order the bonnets or wings, expect a LOT of fitting and fiddling. Unless it's paper-thin or wadded into a ball, do whatever it takes to restore the originals.[/QUOTE]

At a glance, the bonnets, wings, and grille are all salvageable. I won't know how thin the wings are until I strip them down. I'll probably get to that this fall.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Also, make sure the frame is SUPER solid. The frame does a lot of twisting and flexing. New replacement frames are relatively cheap in the grand scheme of things.[/QUOTE]

I've unbolted everything from the frame and will begin stripping and repairs this weekend. Photo angle makes the frame appear to be twisted. I'll have to check the frame with a straight edge for twist, flex, etc.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Best of luck with the old girl. [/QUOTE]

Thanks.

Here's a photo of it in hibernation.

And in it's current state:

 

[Silverghost]

If you find yourself in need of inspiration, be sure to watch the Wreck Rescue episode on the Frogeye Sprite. Here's the first segment from YouTube:

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[PAUL161]

Since the old Morgans were a mixture of parts, what is the transmission out of? Kind of a rare setup. PJ

 

[cornfed]

It's one of the Morgan-specific parts.

Moss Gears Ltd. built 5102 gearboxes for Plus 4s and Plus 8s Morgans between the years 1950 and 1973. <span style="font-style: italic">reprinted from Format from a reprint from The Blurb 1975, Tim Cree</span>

 

[Marvin Gruber]

Yep, you are a glutton for punishment. I've done some pretty trashed projects but your Morgan has me beat. I've wanted a +4 for long time, just haven't found one that was local enough. From your pictures, you have parts from a couple of different cars. I agree there's some TR4A parts in there. Best of luck. If you need TR parts let me know, I may can help.

Marv

 

[eschneider]

to answer your question - a drophead coupe would have suicide doors and a wooden top frame bows (as opposed to tubular steel).

If it's not a drophead, the critical bits will be limited to the wings, bonnet, rear axle, gearbox, windscreen frame, and gauges. Interior / top / tonneau will have to be custom made / fitted to the car when done. Most everything else can be readily sourced or made.

 

[cornfed]

By going backwards, I've made progress. . . ?

I removed the under side braces at the front cross-member, both box plates of the mid cross-members, and completely removed the rear cross member. I'll fabricate new bits for what I've removed. The mid cross-members had quite a bit of scale. I'll clean them thoroughly, paint, and use welding primer on the flanges. Frame will need bracing and alignment due to ~1/4" kick-up.

While I was dirty and had the tools out, I cleaned the rear axle housing and transmission. Rear axle disassembly, cleaning, paint, new axle bearings, and new brake hardware are the projects in cue. The pinion and carrier bearings are tight and the oil was clean in the case, so I won't fuss with them.

Clickable thumbnails

 

[elvacar]

I wish you the best of luck - My first Elva looked the same

and it was the reason for the second complete car.

But I collected a lot of parts in the process.

and the original car lives a new life in vintage racing

 

[eschneider]

Wow.... looking GREAT!

 

[drooartz]

Well done. I won't say it's looking like a car yet, but those bits do sure look better.

 

[eschneider]

Frame will need bracing and alignment due to ~1/4" kick-up.

BTW, very common. The frame tweaks a little at the axle cutout. You may wish to invest in a copy of Cuthbert J. Twillie's "A yank in Malvern" and Fred Sisson's "Bedside Reader".... Cuthbert has an article on how to brace the area, although it's fairly intuitive.

https://www.thenetworkinc.org/dssbhdpcboss8.html

 

[cornfed]

I received a copy of each on Saturday. I'm very glad to have them now, instead of waiting until I got deeper into the project.

 

[PAUL161]

I've always wanted an old Morgan to restore,but after seeing this project, I'll have to decline! Looks like they didn't have much of a chassis under them, from what I'm seeing. PJ