REMOVING THE FIXED GLASS

The windscreen, rear glass and rear quarter windows on the Morris are fixed glass.  They are secured only by one-piece rubber seals.  Fortunately, new seals for the rear quarter windows were found in the boot.  The windscreen and rear window seals were ordered from Mini Mania in California.  

After removing the glass and seals, Bill cleaned and polished the interior side of the frames.  The finish is in very good condition.  Now the window openings can be masked with paper.  This will protect the interior of the car from dust and overspray.

Stay tuned...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

ENGINE COMPARTMENT WORK CONTINUES

Bill did a terrific job cleaning and sanding the engine bay.  However, sanding exposed some minor rust spots.

Today, I treated those rust spots with Ospho; a product designed to neutralize rust.  Tomorrow, I will be applying primer to the engine compartment.  

More photos tomorrow...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommmystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

PREPARING THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOR PAINT

Restoring the engine compartment is time consuming.  Most engine bays that have been neglected for a long period of time are nasty; a combination of oil and dirt that is very difficult to remove.  

As you can see, in the photo to the right, this engine bay is much cleaner than most.

After the engine and transmission was removed, the frame, firewall and inner fenders are exposed.  

The wiring harness, cables and grommets were removed.  Aside from a few spots of surface rust, the sheet metal is in excellent condition.

Bill spent the day cleaning and sanding the engine bay.  Tomorrow I will prep the rusted areas.  Then the polyester primer will be applied.

This is a great little car...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

INSTALLING THE FUEL TANK

After the fuel tank was restored, rubber tape was applied to the mounting flange.  The tape replaced the seam sealer that was used originally.

Next the tank was placed in the opening and secured with stainless steel sheet metal screws.  The fuel line was connected and all the outlets of the tank were sealed.  

Bill and I also cleaned and refinished the wood floor panels for the boot.  They will be fitted to the channels shown in the photo to the right.

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

RESTORING THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT

Today, Bill and I removed wiring, cables and grommets from the engine compartment in preparation of its cleaning and refinishing.  Tomorrow, weather permitting, we will be cleaning these surfaces to remove all dirt and grease.  The engine bay will then be sanded with 40 grit wet or dry paper and primed with polyester primer.

I took photos of the electrical connections at the fuse block and voltage regulator prior to its removal.  We will be installing a new wiring harness and these photos may be helpful.  It is better to have them and not need them, than to need them and not have them.

We removed the original exhaust pipe and muffler.  The high performance engine we will be installing requires a larger,  more efficient system.  

Stay tuned...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

REPLACING REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS

After bleeding the braking system again, I noticed the additional pressure created by the new master cylinder caused the rear wheel cylinders to leak.  Fortunately, I had a new set of wheel cylinders in stock.  First, the brake drums, shoes and defective wheel cylinders were removed.

The new wheel cylinders are then fitted to the backing plate.  

The new cylinders are held in place by a rubber boot that protects the mechanism from road debris.  The hydraulic fittings were cleaned thoroughly.

Next, the brake shoes, springs and retaining clips are refitted.

Finally, the brake drums are fitted and the initial wheel cylinder adjustment is made.

Before the brakes system can be bled again, two defective brake lines must be replaced.  This should be a simple task...wish I hadn't said that.

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

REPLACING THE BRAKE SYSTEM MASTER CYLINDER

When we attempted to bleed the brake system hydraulics, we noticed the master cylinder was not operating properly.  

The master cylinder is located inside the frame rail supporting the driver's side floor pan. 

You can see the pivot of the brake pedal in the upper left hand corner of the photo to the left.

After receiving the new master this morning, we removed the original cylinder and cleaned the inside of the frame rail.  Fitting the new cylinder was not difficult.  

Tomorrow we will replace the wheel cylinders on the rear wheels and bleed the brakes again.  

I love this car...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

FUEL TANK RESTORATION IS COMPLETE

Although the fuel tank was in exceptional condition, a cosmetic restoration was required.

First, the paint and rust was removed from the outside of the tank.

After the surface was cleaned with grease and wax remover, a special coating for fuel tanks, from the Eastwood Company, was applied.

Finally, the tank is coated with a quality rubberized undercoating.  The tank looks new.  

Thanks for tuning in...

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

Your comments and questions are greatly appreciated.  By the way, we now have viewers from France and the United Kingdom.  

PRESERVATION

There is a movement in the car world that can best be described by the word "preservation".  Car shows, both local and national, are now emphasizing the importance of patina; that is the preservation of visible signs of use and wear. This indicates that the car has been carefully maintained and not overly restored.

Obviously, most automobiles cannot survive forty-eight years without bumping something unless it has the  continuous protection of several armed guards. Bill and I spent several hours today straightening and polishing the original bumpers and overriders on Morris.  The finished product was astonishing and reflects the new trend toward patina.  Additional photos will follow.

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

BRAKE INSTALLATION COMPLETED

Today, I completed the installation of the rear brake shoes and drums.

Next, the brake pads were fitted and the hydraulic lines attached to the new front disc brake assembly.  Bill cleaned the front suspension components and prepped them for paint.

Tomorrow we will be changing the brake fluid in the master cylinder and bleeding the braking system.  If all is well, all the components will be torqued as specified and the wheels remounted.  

On schedule...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253