70s Marina rolling resto / running repairs

[Nomad]

This has been my regular transport for about 5 years.
Condition is “Basically solid with niggles”…


My life varies so sometimes the car is used for daily duties, sometimes it gets parked up for a while, sometimes I’ll refurb something.

Never a dull day when you drive a classic

 

[MysterG]

I basically learnt/honed my welding on my Father's Marina pickup. Wasn't much that didn't get replaced.
Had an estate as a doner vehicle at one point.

 

[Nomad]

The engine died a couple of weeks ago (fuel? Ignition?).
While I was waiting for a delivery of carb parts I swapped the front (worn) and rear (as new) door hinges, then found previous owner has welded a patch onto the A post so there was no adjustment. Fun


Some info about the carb refurb

Thread 'Educate me about SU HS2 / HS4 Carbs - Marina needs spares'

Nov 29, 2025

For background, I'm a lot more familiar with carbs on classic Fords so Strombergs & SUs are a new thing for me.

My Marina cut out yesterday, the small bore flexible fuel line from the float chamber to to main jet is kinked and not allowing fuel to flow. This is a bad thing and hopefully the only fault.


The car came from a "make do and mend" chap so the carb may be from something totally different but its been running ok since I got the car (engine never felt crisp but was always smooth and reliable despite low power - it's a B series in an estate car so isn't a surprise)...

• Nomad
• Replies: 41
• forum: Mechanics Corner

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[Nomad]

Todays mini project has been to replace the failed sealed beam headlight with a modern H4 light.
One done before daylight went, the other will get done asap.
A bonus is the lights have built in sidelights for extra visibility.
A quick test when it got dark showed how poor the original high beam was - upgrade was well worth doing

The headlights came from Bowers - good kit, great prices.

7" Classic Car Sealed Beam Domed Lens Headlight/Headlamp Halogen H4 Conversion (With Pilot) - H Bowers

7" Classic Car Sealed Beam Domed Lens Headlight/Headlamp Halogen H4 Conversion (With Pilot) from H Bowers

www.bowerspartsonline.co.uk

I’ve ordered a plug and play headlight wiring harness / relay kit, I had great results with these in the past

 

[Porkypine]

The Morris Minor has the same or very similar carb to that. Mine isn't very happy either and needs pulling off and messing about with.
Luckily the Land rover is chugging along happily (on its Zenith carb) so there's no panic to sort the MM out
Nice to have the estate version of the Marina

 

[Nomad]

I’m in good terms with my local tyre fitter so he stripped 2 rims. I took them away bare and repainted them, he fitted new tyres and I took away the next pair of rims


The car now has new tyres, repainted rims, and 2 good spares. It’s all good news.
A new battery was fitted last month so it’s now in good shape for winter once I drain the cooling system and add antifreeze ( bought yesterday).

 

[OJCar]

Good upgrade to the H4 units, I do it to my Land Rover Series.

Suggest you have a good critical look at your rear lights as well.
Most of the Marinas I knew back in the day had poor earths.
Also I would consider fitting a Hazard Warning set up if your car is not fitted with one.

 

[Dapph2]

I’m in good terms with my local tyre fitter so he stripped 2 rims. I took them away bare and repainted them, he fitted new tyres and I took away the next pair of rims
View attachment 522573

The car now has new tyres, repainted rims, and 2 good spares. It’s all good news.
A new battery was fitted last month so it’s now in good shape for winter once I drain the cooling system and add antifreeze ( bought yesterday).

What about the freeze resistant screen wash down to 15 oC at least and good wipers .
Alison put her wipers on when it was frosty a fortnight ago and only half the rubber moved with wiper arm.

The screen wash was icing up on the jets .