13 replies to this topic

[duirace]

Morris Cooper
1962

Hi everyone! I just bought this Mini and I have several questions about it.

Are the side mirrors originally mounted on the fenders?
Is it suppose to have a rear bumper? Mine doesn't have one.
How can you identify if it uses leaded or unleaded gas? If leaded, then how much lead additive do you put in?
Is the engine a 998cc or 997cc? The engine ID is 99H353E-H80232.

Thank you in advance!

[shorty]

if the rear bumper is missing...it is either missing or the back end has been debumpered.
couldn't tell without pictures.

the only way to tell if its unleaded or leaded is to take the head of and check the valve seats i believe to see if they are hardened or not.

[Biteable]

It's a 998 and it would be Leaded unless the head has been modified to run Unleaded now
Would of had a rear bumper
Not sure about the mirrors though

[Dan]

I believe that mirrors would have been optional at that time and many types were available. Wing / fender mounted mirrors are certainly right for the period and they may have been fitted by the original dealer or owner.

As for additive, add as much as it says to add on the bottle. Most brands seem to need about 1ml / litre (1.3 oz / US gallon I think that makes). You don't need to dose every tankful if the car has been using real leaded fuel for a while. If you don't know about the history of the car you should stick to the instructions on the bottle.

The engine is indeed a 998 but is not the original for a 1962 car.

Edited by Dan, 26 September 2009 - 07:56 PM.

[bmcecosse]

Don't worry about 'additive' - just run the car! It's not the original engine anyway. Just keep an eye on the exhaust valve gaps - and set them to 15 thou. It will be fine.

[Timtom]

hes from california (his profile) and thus the irregularity with the engine not being right could just be because its a '1962' mini.. not an actual 1962?

[Dan]

Could be but that engine number is from a car that was old enough to be imported in the USA anyway I believe. It would be very odd to ring a car that was already old enough. I think it's a 1969 engine number.

[duirace]

The car was imported from England to the States 5 years ago and it was probably upgraded from an 850 a while ago also.

I have a few more small questions for you guys and please don't laugh

Can you tell me what each switch, knob, and button does on the dash? I only know the wiper and light switches only.
I don't know what the choke/lock knob or the knob to the right of the light swich does.
Further to the right, what does the black button do?
Also there is a toggle switch on the bottom right of the gauge cluster and a switch (not in pic) on the bottom of the heater box...

Yes I feel like an idiot asking, but I would appreciate the help. Thanks again in advance!

Attached Files

•  minigauge.JPG   1.4MB   11 downloads

Edited by duirace, 26 September 2009 - 11:25 PM.

[shorty]

get a picture up..will help

but the choke is to help starts on cold mornings, never pull it all the way out..half way should do

[Dan]

The choke control, controls the choke! On an SU carb this control has 2 functions. The first quarter to half inch of travel gives you an increased idle speed only and helps keep the engine running when idling under load. As you pull it further than that it will gradually enrich the fuel mixture. As said above this is intended as a starting aid only. If you have to use the choke to drive normally, the engine is not tuned properly.
The other control cable operates the heater valve. In a car of this age you often don't actually have a cable to control this, you have to do it under the bonnet. The cable will be pushed in for hot and pulled out for cold in your car.
If the black knob you can't identify operates as a plunger it is the screen washer pump. It's not powered, you have to pump it.
The toggle switch under the clocks switches the instrument lighting. It only works when the headlamps are on but gives you the option of turning the gauge lighting off if it's distracting you at night.
The toggle switch on the heater should operate the heater fan I think.

<<OK I've seen the photo now. The control cable with a fire logo on it is the heater cable and the other black knob is indeed the washer pump.>>

<<Regarding the heater, is there an electrical switch or are you referring to the flap valve labelled 'off, screen, car'?>>

Edited by Dan, 26 September 2009 - 11:34 PM.

[Nightrain]

The choke you pull out and twist, the other is the heater control. Switches are lights as you've found out and the wipers, the switch on the bottom of the cluster is for the panel lights.

[duirace]

The choke control, controls the choke! On an SU carb this control has 2 functions. The first quarter to half inch of travel gives you an increased idle speed only and helps keep the engine running when idling under load. As you pull it further than that it will gradually enrich the fuel mixture. As said above this is intended as a starting aid only. If you have to use the choke to drive normally, the engine is not tuned properly.
The other control cable operates the heater valve. In a car of this age you often don't actually have a cable to control this, you have to do it under the bonnet. The cable will be pushed in for hot and pulled out for cold in your car.
If the black knob you can't identify operates as a plunger it is the screen washer pump. It's not powered, you have to pump it.
The toggle switch under the clocks switches the instrument lighting. It only works when the headlamps are on but gives you the option of turning the gauge lighting off if it's distracting you at night.
The toggle switch on the heater should operate the heater fan I think.

<<OK I've seen the photo now. The control cable with a fire logo on it is the heater cable and the other black knob is indeed the washer pump.>>

<<Regarding the heater, is there an electrical switch or are you referring to the flap valve labelled 'off, screen, car'?>>

I was referring to a toggle switch at the bottom of the heater, not the 'off,screen,car' flap valve. (it's not in the picture)

[Brams96]

Here is a link for the engine you have, hope it helps.

[duirace]

Thanks Brams96 for the link. It is really helpful.