46 replies to this topic

[Laurie]

I've got it booked in at a fairly local mini specialist, they're charging about £450 all in. Is this a good price?

Edit sorry about the Hun comment, I didn't mean to offend anyone x

Edited by Laurie, 24 July 2017 - 02:06 PM.

[Simont]

I've got it booked in at a fairly local mini specialist, they're charging about £450 all in. Is this a good price?

Edit sorry about the Hun comment, I didn't mean to offend anyone x

For just a rebuild and unleaded seats?
I payed 225 ish at a local engine specialist,
450 would get me a complete overhaul, ported polished, larger valves etc etc

[Laurie]

It is (or was described to me rather), a complete overhaul, they'll even grind the head if it needs it for that price x

They broke the costs down for me into each and every aspect, but I'm afraid for that bit I wasn't 100% listening :$

Edit: where did you get yours done by the way out of interest? If they're local enough to me (i.e. Not 100's of miles away), I might give them a call x

Edited by Laurie, 24 July 2017 - 08:07 PM.

[Simont]

yeh it 225 for my A series, and 235, for a triumph 1500 overhaul, new valves, seats, springs, guides, dip, skim and paint,
It was bracknell berkshire, little bit of a trek from gloucestershire,

[Laurie]

It was bracknell berkshire, little bit of a trek from gloucestershire,

Ahh what a shame
Finding a good non milking garage is hard to find
Still there's another garage For me to try - they were meant to phone me back this afternoon but didn't 8-0 ....I'll give them a call tomorrow if I get chance.

[Laurie]

Ooh I've just noticed Somerford mini isn't that far from me

[Itsaminithing]

.... new valves, seats, springs, guides, dip, skim and paint,
It was bracknell....

 

Simon who did the work? (It's only just down the road from me).

I don't remember there being any engine specialists of notable repute when i lived in Bracknell -but that was many many years ago & i might have forgotten about them.

 

Laurie: £450 seems really steep, & i bet they don't have as good a reputation as Somerford.

 I was waiting for some bright spark to point out that the 'Huns' were a confederation & not an ethnic group - anyone could choose to join the Huns whatever their ancestry .
 

[Simont]

 

.... new valves, seats, springs, guides, dip, skim and paint,
It was bracknell....

 

Simon who did the work? (It's only just down the road from me).

I don't remember there being any engine specialists of notable repute when i lived in Bracknell -but that was many many years ago & i might have forgotten about them.

 

 

its a company called classic and modern,
they are in great hollands (not sounding great I know!) but for me they have done A series heads, a herald 1200, spitfire 1500, 2 x essex v6 heads, plus other engine work
couldn't recommend them more!
reasonably priced, and nice guys,
You can find them here

I don't work for them, but a very happy customer!
 

[Laurie]

I phoned Somerfords today, their price is equally high, they send off the engine rather than do it in house, but most of all I found them incredibly rude

I'm going to stick with the local

Edited by Laurie, 25 July 2017 - 08:22 PM.

[Itsaminithing]

 

 

.... new valves, seats, springs, guides, dip, skim and paint,
It was bracknell....

 

Simon who did the work? (It's only just down the road from me).

I don't remember there being any engine specialists of notable repute when i lived in Bracknell -but that was many many years ago & i might have forgotten about them.

 

 

its a company called classic and modern,
they are in great hollands (not sounding great I know!)....
 

 

Hmmmn -excuse me but i used to live there! (....but i know what you mean).

I remember now -Unit 18/20 used to be XRN Engineering, they overhauled engines & if i remember correctly they had a good reputation (XRN relocated to Guilford in 1990, now they just make/sell classic car parts for the trade now).

The XRN manager & staff were re-employed by Classic & Modern so a LOT of engine building experience.

 

[Itsaminithing]

Laurie just rediscovered the Austin Morris 1970's body & trim colour combinations

 

EDIT:

If your MK3 was Glacier White then the seats should be either Navy or Autumn Leaf http://mk1-performan...k/pdf/70-71.pdf

(or possibly even Geranium if it was built in 1970 http://mk1-performan...k/pdf/69-70.pdf)

Edited by Itsaminithing, 03 August 2017 - 11:57 PM.

[Simont]

My 76 mk3 is currentlycitron with either regal/navy interior! as far as I am aware thats how it came from factory, Am waiting a reply from the motor musuem, re. the heritage cert,

[Laurie]

Laurie just rediscovered the Austin Morris 1970's body & trim colour combinations (circa 1974/75 but it should be the same for the earlier Mk3s).
http://mk1-performan...k/pdf/76-77.pdf
If your MK3 was Glacier White then the seats should be Regal -Oh boy, that's going to be fun finding some of those!

If I were to go 100% original I'd be in trouble, but correct me if I'm wrong, don't Somerford supply seats? You're spot on the current seats are going! Lol

[Itsaminithing]

Another thing has sprung to mind having mentioned it on another thread....

You can contact DVLA & request photocopies of all the registration documents (used to cost £5). Gives you the addresses & years owned by previous owners -but more importantly you should get a photocopy of the original 1971 Registration Book & that states the actual Austin Morris colour (mine says Black Tulip).

New seats will be chuffing expensive, try looking for a 2nd hand set (inc the door cards). There are some good vinyl dyes available nowdays if the colour isn't right.

 

Your not going 100% original? Does that mean we won't see pics of you in a halter neck cat suit, a kaftan, or a suede hot pants? Don't panic you won't see me wearing anything like that either!

[Laurie]

Ooh I had a lovely pair of crushed velvet hot pants in my youth, back when I still had the figure for it - if I were to try any of the above now it'd be the stuff of nightmares! lol

I hadn't thought of going back through the years via the DVLA to be honest, thanks for that, that's definitely something I'm going to try *big thumbs up*

I'll be on the lookout for 2nd hand seats or even just (proper sew on) covers