FINALLY, SOME GREEN PAINT

After so many hours of hammering, filling, sanding, priming and blocking; the moment you have all been waiting for arrived today.  We actually applied some green paint.

First, the body must be trimmed, that is, the door openings and door edges are painted.

Also, the boot and bonnet area frames are trimmed.  When the body is painted, the bonnet and boot lid can be fitted and the entire body painted simultaneously.

The engine compartment was  painted.  After the remainder of the body is painted, the engine and wiring harness will be fitted.

The underside of the bonnet...

and the underside of the boot lid were also painted.  These areas will be masked before the final paint is applied to the body.

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843.338.2253

THE BODY IS READY FOR FINAL BLOCKING

Now that the bodywork has been completed, we are ready to apply the final coats of primer.  All the areas where sanding the first coats of primer exposed bare metal were coated with self etching primer.

Next, the Morris was moved to the paint booth so that the final coats of primer could be applied.

Tomorrow, the entire body will be wet sanded with 600 grit paper and any blemishes will be repaired.

Almost green...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843.338.2253

BODYWORK ALMOST COMPLETE

Preston, our newest helper, and I spent the day completing the initial blocking.  I also applied 3M glazing putty to the imperfections in the body and blocked them.

The body is now ready for the final coats of primer.  Then it will be water sanded with 600 wet or dry paper and barring any unforeseen circumstances, Morris will be painted this coming weekend.

Trembling with anticipation...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843.338.2253

BODYWORK CONTINUES...STILL BLOCKING

As we discussed previously, the right side of the Morris is in much better condition than the left.  Today I almost completed the initial blocking.     All that is remaining is half the bonnet and the hood.  The need for filler is minimal...a good thing.  

Hopefully we will be painting by the end of next week.

Stay tuned...

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843.338.2253

ENGINE ASSEMBLY COMPLETED

The bodywork did not continue today due to more urgent matters.  I did however, have the opportunity to complete the pre-assembly of the engine.  

Earlier, Bill and I cleaned and painted the engine and I assembled the newly rebuilt carburetors, linkage and manifold.

I painted and fitted the new water pump and fan assembly.  

On the ignition side of the engine, the distributor has been cleaned and lubricated.  Today, I installed new points, condenser, rotor, cap and plug wires.  The yellow wires are a nice touch.  

We have a new starter but it will not be fitted until the engine is removed from the stand.

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

BODYWORK...BLOCKING BEGINS

Now that the body has been primed, the bodywork can begin.  The first blocking of the body reveals all the low and high spots.  In the photo to the right you will notice numerous dark areas.  This darker color indicates low areas.  These areas must be filled with glazing putty and primed again.

It appears that the left side of the car has sustained substantially more damage than the right side, however, it is limited to very small dents.  

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843.338.2253

FITTING THE CARBURETORS

The newly rebuilt carburetors arrived this morning.  Adapting the 1275 cc engine to the Morris is not difficult but fitting the later model peripheral equipment is challenging.  The twin SU carburetors, replacing the single SU, were easily fitted because they were original to the 1275.  

The fuel bowl vent lines and fuel connecting line will be installed tomorrow.

 Today, I also fitted the point set in the distributor.  Then, I installed the new N9Y Champion spark plugs and positioned the crank at top dead center.  From there, wiring the engine was simple.  The firing order, 1342, designated which spark plug should be connected to a particular wire on the distributor.  The plug wires shown in the photo to the right, will be replaced with new wires.

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Toplesss Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843.338.2253

ENGINE NEARING COMPLETION

Now that the engine block and head have been assembled, the paintwork can begin.  While Bill was cleaning the block and head, I was busy masking the gasket surfaces and plugging the threaded holes.

You will notice that the ends of the oil pan were painted prior to assembly.  This procedure must be followed because the distance between the transmission mounting plate and the oil pan is minimal and difficult to paint after assembly.

The oil pan and those areas visible only from underneath were coated first.

 The engine was then repositioned so the top side of the block could be painted and all surfaces coated evenly.

 Then the newly restored valve cover and intake manifold assembly were fitted.

On the right side of the engine, the distributor and oil filter base were fitted.

We are awaiting the delivery of the new water pump and after its installation, the engine's "plumbing" can be completed.  The distributor components, spark plugs and wires will be installed tomorrow.  

Opening the bonnet on Morris will certainly be a sight to behold...better than new.

Stay tuned...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843.338.2253

REFINISHING ENGINE PARTS

Restoring a fine automobile, such as Morris, requires a great deal of attention to detail.  Especially in the engine compartment, it is important to refinish every component, bracket, nut and bolt.  If this isn't done, you will regret it.  To me there is nothing worse than flawless paintwork and rusty bolts and brackets.

I spent the past few days sandblasting and refinishing peripheral engine parts.  Now that the engine assembly is nearing completion, we will be cleaning and painting the block and head.  Check the blog tomorrow for photos of the new engine.

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843.338.2253

ENGINE BUILDING CONTINUED

Today, Paul and Ron completed the assembly of the new engine.  The pistons were fitted in the cylinders and the cylinder head installed and assembled.  After completing the assembly, the valves were adjusted to the cold setting.  They will be adjusted again after the initial start-up while the engine is hot.

The oil pan has been sandblasted and primed.  It will be fitted tomorrow.  The valve cover has been restored to its original glory but it will not be fitted until the engine is installed.

Thursday the engine will be cleaned and the original green finish will be applied.

More to follow...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843.338.2253