Installing Disc Brake Conversion on a Morris Minor

[@garrywhitehurst5764]

I was 17 when I had a 1952 Morris minor side valve engine, split windscreen, convertible. It had a starting handle, which came in handy sometimes! Maximum speed 60 mph (downhill). Enjoyed the video, always interesting. Keep up the good work.

[@PropanePete]

The same here. I had a 1953 Morris Minor with the side valve motor, split windscreen, small rear screen and the "Hilite" 7 inch Lucas headlights. The gear stick was really long and used to wobble around all over the place. Top speed was about 60 mph, wish I still had that car today.

[@androo4519]

I like how your videos are filmed and paced. Very clear and simple yet still interesting to watch.

[@edsalerno2790]

Great improvement, almost ready to race!!!!!!! I belive that was a "spot of tea" when working on an English car. Another great video thanks.

[@richardwallinger1683]

brilliant video .. At 76 years young I have owned a few moggies , vans pickup and a wooden framed traveler .. all long gone .. but good memories . those vented discs are just a tad on the overkill for a Moggie . the skinny tyres will not have enough grip to even get them warm . I converted my 1960 ford Anglia to ford classic discs with a mk 10 jaguar brake servo . transit rear drums boy did that Ford Anglia stop on a sixpence. I cannot remember the L/H threads on the stub axle . you are so right about the master cylinder .. On one of my moggies the master cylinder was so rusted that it had become part of the chassis box . I had to replace the floorpan and the chassis section .Momories like it was yesterday .

[@ronmatthews1738]

"A tad on the overkill" is a delightful understatement. Braking hard on those discs would probably bend the standard suspension!

[@marklloyd3536]

Who knew Moggies went to the US - interesting and important conversion.Well done.

[@frglee]

Very much an ordinary everyday 'people's car', the economical and affordable Morris Minor was pretty ubiquitous in the UK and several other parts of the world back in the day, had a very long production run (1948-72) with three models and several versions including a saloon, an estate, a van, a pickup and a convertible. 1.6 million were made, and a good number have survived into preservation . The car has a large owners club and many specialist restorers and refurbishers here, as well as a full parts availability with a lot of after-market upgrades, so, like the classic Mini, they make a very enjoyable, practical and affordable small classic car to own. They are fairly simple and easy to work on, too. As for quality of manufacturing and reliability, for the time, I've heard they are quite good.

[@Split10uk]

Easy too work on apart from the master cylinder!

[@henkdikmans5187]

frglee i9

[@davidjones332]

@gilburton Not quite right. MM series early Minors used a Morris sidevalve engine. The A Series was an Austin unit which only gravitated to the Minor after the formation of BMC.

[@ianjgd]

Blind nuts with tiny rusty threads? Endless oil leaks? Myth that they are in any way reliable. Bigger brakes will make other parts fall off faster. Unless flat broke stay well away!

[@chirpy999]

Steve good film, you like the old British stuff

[@Brian-om2hh]

Charles Ware from Bristol in England offers these conversion on Morris 1000's. He also offers things like Alternator conversions, electric power steering, suspension upgrades, electric windscreen washers, heated front screens, and also a 1300cc engine upgrade. He also can fit an ex Ford Sierra 5 speed gearbox as an option. He does full bodywork restorations on saloons, travellers, pick up and vans. His site is well worth a look.......

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

That is where I got this kit from.

[@張博倫-r2j]

Great vid well done; in the southern hemisphere the Morris Minor's nickname was "Morrie" rather than Moggy. In the early to mid 1950s thousands of CKD kits were sent south to be assembled.

[@steveurquhart2339]

A great straight forward video, explained very well. I hope this year to get an old Moggy and that would be one of my first upgrade's. My first car when i was seventeen (Fifty years ago ) was a Moggy 1956 split windscreen convertible that cost me £15.

[@abidmahmood8961]

Great very detailed step by step video. That's what we like. Keep them coming.

[@simonreeves2017]

I didn't know the Morris Minor was ever sold in North America, you learn something new every day!

[@metalman4141]

Drinking tea and owning a moggie certainly do go together .... hello from Matt in the UK 🇬🇧

[@montyzumazoom1337]

That’s a really good, clear and informative video, thanks. I have a “Mr Grumpy” Morris Marina disc brake conversion on my moggy, so it was interesting to see the Ford version I’m the flesh. Thumbs up from over the pond👍

[@brassedoff2437]

Very, very good video and clear instructions and tips. Keep them coming!

[@ianburit3705]

Always a pleasure watching your videos, more so when you feature UK based vehicles, and yes the hidden master cylinder is a pain to do.. KeeP the videos coming mate .. Ian. coastal north Essex UK

[@markthompson2158]

Nice job Steve, massive improvement.

[@timothynewkirk2654]

Great video Steve! I love these uncommon cars! Keep um coming! ...Newk from Kentucky

[@williemwangi4959]

@Paul Wieringa Be kind to animals..

[@williemwangi4959]

@Paul Wieringa I am glad you are a vegan,that is the best choice one can make in the midst of sickly animals. I am a plant based Genesis 1:29 champion from 2017/2018 and can't regret the choice.My intellect has been clearer than ever before and my general health has been quite good.

[@itsmephil2255]

As a Brit 🇬🇧 I always laugh when Americans say "Moggy" Loved the video....really enjoyed

[@MarksWheels]

Thanks for this video. I want to daily my Minor when she is back on the road and think this conversion would be a good upgrade to make.

[@scottiniowa1]

My mother-in-law had one in the 60s! Guys in her class carried it into the school and put it in the middle of the gym on the last day of school. She drove it out of the school including a set of stairs!

[@ix-Xafra]

In the 70s a teacher had a little Honda that a bunch of students picked up and placed between 2 nearby trees - end to end between. No way it was being driven out...

[@alwood9148]

@@ix-Xafralol same happened to our tech teacher,s vw bug between 2 buildings sideways but the kids did carry it out later..

[@basher50]

I just stuck on bigger drums from a Riley 1.5, then the diff and finaly a 1275gt engine and gear box from an MG. Oh and I swapped the lever arm dampers for gas shocks, was a lot of fun to drive.

[@timbutton4990]

I always enjoy your video's Steve, you have a interesting car collection!

[@brit-in-czech]

We call them 'split pins' in England in case it's of interest.

[@brit-in-czech]

@gilburton Haha yes, 'discs', agreed. Actually I have heard Steve say 'bonnet' and 'boot' a couple of times too.And you are right - I am not criticising him in the slightest when I mentioned the 'split pins'.. I follow his channel and enjoy it very much, like everyone else does.

[@gregrsvr3947]

gilburton I don’t mind Americans using “American isms” but when British channels do it I unsub, can’t stand plastic Yanks.

[@gusclark1697]

My Dad always called them cotter pins. As long as you understand, why worry?

[@brit-in-czech]

@@gusclark1697 Who's worried?

[@gusclark1697]

@@brit-in-czech Not me was my point.

[@jorgefernandez-mv8hu]

Nice video. Beautiful car! Lots of Luck with it.

[@ulmanito5237]

very very good make.Greetings from the Black Forest / Germany

[@flybobbie1449]

My first memory of cars was my fathers Morris Minor Traveller. Had a split screen windshield which i think was rare or just an early car. I am talking 1967. A car i associate with child hood holidays and the old smell of cars, oil and fuel.

[@patkelly9907]

That car would have been around 1956 as mine had the split windscreen and small rear window

[@Tojazzer]

Love Morris Minors and I love your videos. Great job!

[@johnhunt2388]

I know somebody that has a Morris Minor Ute and he did it up with a Datsun motor for more power, he did this back at the 1990's and I think he has still got it today.

[@andipeters743]

Sorry to be negative but I did one of these kits 20 years ago and I will never do it again for lots of reasons. Well maintained standard brakes work extremely well for normal travel, no squealing, less inertia, cheaper and more original and at the end of the day a real smooth old fashioned drive which is the reason for having the vehicle in the first place. Minors are best kept the way they were designed BUT WELL MAINTAINED, and they will surprise you as to how good and up to modern standards they are.

[@BA-gn3qb]

Always amazes me what little actually holds wheels on a car. And, I'm not talking about the lug nuts.

[@richardcoltman6313]

Hello, my friend like your videos! can I ask how you bleed brakes properly? having a spot of trouble on my 1960 minor? cant get rid of all air? replaced everything with new parts etc? thankyou Richard from England

[@projectmildred2940]

great video, we have purchased a grumpy disc brake kit for our build, but we are a way off fitting that yet. hello from across the pond on the Isle of Wight

[@simonwelch9092]

I left the drums as is and added a brake servo. I think the disc and suspension mods help if you have a bigger tuned engine installed but a servo seems to work fine for normal use.

[@TheHorsebox2]

Yes, I fitted a Minor with a servo from a Triumph Dolomite and that improved the drum setup considerably.

[@bluefloyd6058]

Curious I always pack my wheel bearings. Love your channel;)

[@umvhu]

The center hub nut is secured by a split pin. Cotter pins are used to retain the valve springs on the valve shafts in the engine cylinder head.

[@lrcb40]

Technically, a "split pin" is a type of "cotter pin"..

[@SteveFord3D]

do I have to modify the master cylinder on the MGA, im half way through the conversation??

[@harrygatto]

Ah, Whitworth tools for the Minor, happy memories.

[@mattmcfarland9154]

These cars were also produced at the layland plant in victoria park in sydney australia through the 50s up till 1971 and as a kid there were plenty of them around . My school teacher in the early 80s had one. I heard of people dropping datson 120y motors in them as an upgrade considering those early datson pushrod motors were copied from the later morris overhead valve motors,the morris minor was basicly Britains anser to the volks wagon beetle, a cheap basic reliable car for the low wage person who couldnt afford a fancy car at the time and not a great deal of people know that the morris did sell over in the usa, they did get some some of the british cars such as the ford cortina jags mini wolsley etc and when i was in california in 2008 i saw a morris minor traveler in someones garage sitting next to a 66 mustang, cool but not sure if the usa got the mini moke.

[@bcgrittner]

Disc brakes on a Moggie. What will they think of next? Great fun. Good video.

[@lrcb40]

Disc brake conversions have been available for years. I bought one back in the 80s from a guy in Redwood City, CA for my UK-based Morris 1000

[@bcgrittner]

@@lrcb40 I admit I've been out of touch. I sold my MM1000 back in the late 1960's. That's a decision I have often regretted. I liked the simplicity. Mine was a 4 door, so it had its practical side. Then I found a Traveler at a nearby used car lot. School was more important at the time, so I had to pass. Nuts, anyway.

[@racketman2u]

a 454 v8?

[@bcgrittner]

@@racketman2u Now that you mention it. Several years ago, I saw that very thing at Back To The Fifties. The engine was hanging out every which way, but there it was. Mine was all original - considerably slower, I'm sure.

[@JakobusVdL]

Great work, but I think you should have started with a cup of tea, as well as a couple during the removal and install, otherwise perfect ;-)

[@086DEN]

Thanks for this

[@JourneymanRandy]

Nice upgrade Steve. Original is nice but safe is better.

[@ix-Xafra]

Ah, memories of having AF, Metric and Whitworth hand tools 40 something years ago. Did my first engine rebuild on a Morris Major. Wonder if it's just Morris and Lamborghini that have a bull for an emblem...

[@justinallan5037]

Probably, the are practically the same car

[@targetglen]

@@justinallan5037 The "bull" is an ox, from the city of Oxford, where Morris had a factory.

[@burnz501]

thanks for the video ... well done

[@michaelreeves8164]

Great tutorial video, thanks

[@gusclark1697]

Mmm. Moggie heaven. Cheers from the UK. 👍🥳🇬🇧❤️🇺🇸

[@christophernewman5027]

Cuppa tea? Good man! ☺️ Subbed.

[@drbichat5229]

Did the brakes many times in my 1951 Morris Minor back in the 80s and also replaced the clutch. A lot of asbestos exposure

[@EvilUnderTone]

We were taught to wet the brakes down before working on them where I served my apprenticeship. It was known in the early 20th century about asbestos being a killer.... but it wasn't made illegal in the UK until 1999.

[@thomaswykes3647]

I heard Morris Marina front disc brakes are a direct swap to the Minor. That's probably the only use for a Marina to be honest.

[@chirpy999]

A Marina was my first car, I upgraded to a 1800 Viva a good move.

[@johnmoruzzi7236]

Thomas Wykes Vented discs on a Moggie 1000 ? Serious overkill, with decent front tyres you’ll probably snap the front suspension. This kit looks so non- standard I would think it could give problems if a car needs to be recognised as vintage / unmodified. Midget brakes would be the obvious choice.

[@chirpy999]

Paul Wieringa We all have a cross to bear Dude

[@chirpy999]

You could use one as a boat anchor!

[@101stuey]

Marina's make good chicken houses or cut the roof off and make yourself a skip.

[@chrisdrenon731]

Great Video, What disc brake system would you recommend for a1972 Austin A60 half-ton pickup?

[@ramaraonamburi7772]

Pl keep up the originality of the car which has great antique value

[@SuperZmeister]

Having owned 2 1959 Minor 1000’s in my youth, I have experienced poor braking. I now own a 1957 Nash Metropolitan and see many similarities in both brands. My question to you is - is there a disc brake system available for the Metro? Most of the running gear is so close to the Morris, better brakes are warranted. Any info you can provide is appreciated.

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

I had a 1954 Nash Metropolitan, there are many places selling conversion kits for them, this is the one I would have used which makes it like a MG Midget: metpitstop.com/product/disc-brake-kit-front-flat-85-shipping/

[@johnmeister1108]

@This Week With Cars funny you mentioned the MG Miget. I modified my Minor engine (ie bored shaved head and added a miget duel intake manifold SU carbs. Then went out and raced old VWs for fun. Stopping was always a thrill!

[@JakobusVdL]

are there options to modify the front suspension to eliminate some of the wear elements? and are there replacement brake servo's that go with a disc brake conversion?

[@paull544]

nice video Steve

[@robingordon1964]

What Ford kit is that and where did you get it? Thanks

[@racketman2u]

disc brakes on a Minor make a lot of sense, those things are so hard to stop from 180mph.

[@justinallan5037]

They're hard to stop from 25 mph!!

[@davewilliams6172]

@@justinallan5037 I can vouch for that....25mph down hill is pushing it a little lol

yep with my 7.5 hemy nitro burning V8 it can be scary pushing that peddle nearly through the floor and saying 10 hail marys at the same time lol

[@jayalingamamarasingam43]

@@davewilliams6172 can by dise brake availability please help

[@robertstanley3253]

You should have been a teacher but I am glad you do what you do and make these videos instead!

[@craigdavidson2278]

Damn, that's one solid moggy. My 63 "molly" looks like Swiss cheese.

[@gusclark1697]

I prefer to call it "iron lace."

[@PropanePete]

Great video, but the car still has very marginal rear brakes, do they get replaced as well. I worked on these cars as a mechanic in the 1960's, they were very popular here in Australia. I remember that removing the brake master cylinder could be a nightmare. I had a Minor myself, a 1953 side valve split windscreen model that I paid 60 quid for. My uncle and aunty towed a tiny bondwood caravan around Australia with their Morris Minor 1000 in 1957, quite an adventure.

[@stephenborsbey4350]

good clear video. well done

[@robertmarcum3917]

In North America a 4 wheel Nissan 200SX disc brake conversion is gaining popularity.

[@bobhenderson7961]

Steve did you put the "D" washer on the outer bearing race ? before putting the LH nut on, couldn't see

[@davewilliams6172]

He will soon find out when the wheel comes off

[@kimderosify]

I have one oxford Morris 1956, thinking of changing the whole break system. Anyone with idea where i can find the parts please?

[@elainehill3385]

What was the conversion kit you got and where did you get it

[@williemwangi4959]

I have a soft spot for minors and VW beetles. My first car was a beetle which turned into a lemon thereby scraping it,looking forward into owning a minor sooner. I wonder if Steve has a VW beetle in his garage,i feel like he is a favourite for British cars.

[@blacksquirrel4008]

Any way to keep the suspension from coming apart while cornering? That and the brakes were my main worries on mine. Losing the inside wheel gets your attention in a hurry. Lucky for me my Dad knew some old car guys who brazed it back together but I drove itwith a little less elan after that.

[@blacksquirrel4008]

@RPMX Info Dot Com I was 18, but I really was not going that fast, just almost missed my turn so cranked it over hard. We came to an abrupt stop with no damage to my girlfriend, me, or the car.

[@walkertongdee]

Won't this create a problem with the back brakes not working as well and nosedive?

[@bigred8438]

There you go! I wasn't even aware that Morris exported cars to America, (or are you in Canada, that would make more sense).

[@TheCounty90]

You need some 1980's Austin Rover nonsense in your collection. Have you thought about a Austin Metro Turbo? Do you see any Maestros, Montegos or Metros in the states - did any survive the journey across the pond?

[@AndyMarsh]

I second that suggestion... An MG Maestro Turbo would be cool. Very quirky, very quick.

[@lrcb40]

Those nasty cars luckily never made it to the USA

[@AndyMarsh]

@@lrcb40 Haha.. that's rich coming from the country that gifted the world such wonders as the Pontiac Aztec, AMC Pacer, Edsel, Pinto, PT Cruiser, etc etc etc etc etc etc...... ;-)

[@gusclark1697]

Not so much a classic as a murder victim, my favourite is the Rover 25. I've driven every Golf/ Rabbit until the Mark V and the 25 was better than any of them, in my opinion. It also had rustproofing that lived up to the description, something still rare today.

[@AndyMarsh]

@@gusclark1697 You're not wrong! A murder committed by our own press. If one dispassionately compares cars like the Allegro to its peers it was far better. Sure it looked a bit goofy, but compare the everyday living experience of an Allegro to a Ford Escort the Allegro wins in almost every respect, ride, handling, comfort, economy, interior space, turning circle..... But the press had it in for BMC, Sad really.

[@andybryant1772]

I like your t-shirt might buy a royal enfield at some point.

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

This is my fourth one, the current models have a much higher quality control standard than any that I have owned.

[@patkelly9907]

Back in late sixty's we put the ford master cylinder on the morris minor it helped the brakes but did nothing for appearances

[@jayreiter268]

It is just messy to put grease in the hub. That grease does not get to the bearing. It is important to fill the bearing though.

[@something_fishy2650]

Hi what website can I look at to buy the conversation or should I just build it?

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

www.morrisminor.org.uk

[@mick-tl5ui]

I find it very hard to imagine why you Yankees would want to drive around in Morris minors, as it is a very british icon and to top it off by having a cup of tea during maintenance. Nice to see the moggy across the pond being given love.

[@davidyegiazaryan3417]

These were probably some of the more common imports next to the BMC sports cars, Renault Dauphine, and Vauxhall Victor, but did not have the popularity and distribution as Volkswagen.

[@DayanEngineeringWorks]

Can you send the link for buy this kit?

[@rutendochikuvadze9086]

Steve l have my own Morris minor .how can you service my ride or to send me everything I need

[@gregrsvr3947]

Someone told me that the brakes from the MG Midget & Austin Healy Sprite will fit to do a disc brakes conversion, is this true ?

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

They will not fit without making custom caliper brackets just as this kit needed custom brackets to mount the calipers.

[@gregrsvr3947]

@@ThisWeekWithCars Cheers.

[@johndavey72]

Hi Steve. At 2.10. Don't undo this way on the "driver's side" in the U.K! With those brakes you could run a Fiat twin cam or Ford Zetec no problem but not this one ! That's almost a unique colour on a Moggie Steve .Was that supplied in that colour for export only? Oh, and you'd be brave putting one of those on a lift in this country (UK)! Before you started the video l thought , he's going to do the Marina swop. Those are most definitely not Marina brakes. Thankyou Steve.

[@johnnywarnerperfectroad66]

A great video of a job I've been considering for a while. Any man that reccomends a cuppa Rosy Lee at an opportune moment gets full points from me😁👍

[@craigpests_channel]

I would put brakes on my 1959 Morris Minor 1000 if I had the money. I'm 14 and don't have a lot of money. The only reason I have a moggy is that is was only $500 us

[@Hvtesla]

Tried a hard stop from 50mph on my drum braked Moggie after reading this, and to be frank it's pretty scary with the original drums!

[@Hvtesla]

@ Oh yes, I'm well acquainted with that - when I started driving the only cars I could afford all needed that approach!

[@cambs0181]

Replace just one side and save precious time on U-turns!

[@davewilliams6172]

If you are going to all the trouble of removing the old drum brakes and fitting discs, you could at least take the time to check the lower trunnion threads (if there are any left) wouldn't want them popping out with all that new braking force lol

[@thushanjayakody5597]

What are discs and parts can you please tell me

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

www.morrisminor.org.uk/parts/111-suspension-brake-upgrade-options/4655-disc-brake-kit-ford-based

[@AndyMarsh]

I'm currently struggling so bad to get the drum brakes on my old Mini to bleed properly that I'm considiering swapping to disks.

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

Is the fluid coming out while bleeding? If it is and you are bleeding them properly you may be leaking past the seals in the master cylinder and it is time to pull it out and rebuild it. Watch my next coming video to see what this looks like.

[@AndyMarsh]

@@ThisWeekWithCars Thanks for your reply. It all seems to be bleeding properly and all the hydraulics are new. Have tried pressure bleeding, pumping and now vacuum all to no avail. It feels a bit like something is bending. I'm wondering if the drums are warped. New drums are on order! Looking forward to your next video as always.

[@colmone5592]

Front brakes should be bled with adjusters right OFF. Rear brakes bled fully adjusted. This is to make sure pistons are fully retracted into cylinders. Occasionally air is also trapped in the rear brake limiter cylinder. Bleed this by loosening the upper pipe slightly while pedal is pressed.

[@colmone5592]

I just suddenly remembered, on a Mini front brakes the bleed nipple is at the bottom!!!!! Bleeding through the steel pipe gently with brake adjustment fully OFF gives the best results. I have done this many times as a Mechanic. I hope this helps.

[@AndyMarsh]

@@colmone5592 Thanks for you advice, I'll give it a try when the drums arrive.

[@Wael-tt7my]

Nice great car we don't have like this car in Iraq

[@lesliershuttleworth9615]

When you was taking the valve out ok but you put back fast did not see what you did

[@AlleVlieg]

Nice thx

[@sampathkariyawasam8142]

Praise please

[@mikego18753]

Thumbs up.

[@hankpb1]

looks easy

[@thomasrose7713]

How about a disc upgrade on an old Royal Enfield Interceptor 💪

[@hankpb1]

hi could of shown the back of the conversion

[@ianatkinson8464]

😎

[@keytesofessex]

Oh those damn adverts

[@peterscandlyn]

Do you have a Royal Enfield tucked away anywhere Steve? A genuine one that is, not one of those others...

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

Yes!

[@peterscandlyn]

@@ThisWeekWithCars Big thumbs up there! Now a real test. What about a Morris Oxford? Even if one of those facsimile models at a pinch. Forgot to say enjoyed the disc brake conversion.

[@lrcb40]

I have a brand new RE Interceptor 650. It's all RE and made by them. What are you referring to?

[@peterscandlyn]

@@lrcb40 The Royal Enfield was a popular machine in India and long after the brand was discontinued in Britain, they were still being manufactured in India, pretty much unchanged and AFAIK, right up to now? Probably about 1950 vintage. Morris Oxford cars, vintage around 1956 similarly were picked up and manufactured, seemingly even after 2000?

[@benread149]

Should of bought morris marina front brakes and arm with the trunnions

[@TheHorsebox2]

Always thought it strange that Americans would drive a little old Minor when bigger cars were available and fuel was cheap.

[@TheEulerID]

If you are working on something as British as a Moggie, then I guess it has to to be a cup of tea, not coffee. That an a Rich Tea biscuit.

[@christophernunn943]

I Over the tea too sounded soooo unamerican

[@gmattk]

Cotter pin is a completely different animal.