61 replies to this topic

[Andrew O]

It looks like a great project, Keep it up

[Marc_mcq]

You guys are so knowledgeable! I wish I knew half as mush as you do about minis!

[bcjames]

I bought my first mini in '08 knowing very little really. Hanging around here really helps!

[Risky]

Risky that looks tidy! Looks very nice!

Thanks, I'm very happy with it. It's getting some 7,5" disc brakes soon.

But good luck with everything! I'll follow your project

[Marc_mcq]

Got the heater unit out the other night, had the bucket at the ready but it went everywhere anyway!

Done a bit more on the mini tonight too, got the steering rack out without too much of a fight and also got the handbrake off. Slow progress, but progress none the less.

Whilst having a splodge around in the engine bay, I noticed this... (highlighted with a red line.)



It looks like it goes into the inlet manifold. Don't think I have seen an arrangement like this before, could anyone enlighten me?

Thanks,

[Risky]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it had something to do with the temperature of the air going to the carb. When it's cold outside it will get air via the exhaust thru that 'thing' you are showing there. The air will be warmer and a cold engine will drive a bit better. When your engine is reaching it's normal temperature while driving, the little plate will go down (that's in the small 'round' metal box) and then the engine will get cold air again.

Something like that

[Marc_mcq]

Old skool! hahah

I'm not going to pretend that I know how that even works, so I'll just take loads of photos before I remove it!

[Risky]

It's very easy, your air filter housing is fitted with the two wingbolts, the 'pipe' between the round metal housing and the bit on the exhaust manifold is mounted loose so that shouldn't be a problem to remove. The metal housing on the engine is fitted using the outer two nuts that are also used to fit the exhaust manifold if I'm correct.

I hope this makes any sense haha

Edited by Risky, 05 October 2011 - 09:19 PM.

[Marc_mcq]

How come they all don't have this bit of kit?

Edited by Marc_mcq, 05 October 2011 - 09:24 PM.

[Risky]

It's standard on the 998 engine like this. When you fit a sport inlet manifold and a k&n cone airfilter you wont need the old setup anymore as it won't fit. When I bought my mini it still had the original filter housing like yours, but now it has got a stage one kit

Edited by Risky, 05 October 2011 - 09:28 PM.

[Marc_mcq]

Make me feel jealous!

[Mattster]

Lovely looking car. Looks twice as nice as mine, and cost half as much!

[Marc_mcq]

Lovely looking car. Looks twice as nice as mine, and cost half as much!

Haha! Thanks mate. Slowly getting there one step at a time!

[Marc_mcq]

I cannot believe how much work is going into preparing the interior for painting! All of the nooks and crannies are proving hard to manoeuvre around with my wire wheel attachment in the grinder.

[Marc_mcq]

Right guys, small update...

I lost interest for quite a while - I don't know why, but on my way home from work one evening I saw a lovely Mini and it inspired to get my ass back in the garage and crack on with it!

First of all I carried on with the interior and gave it a coat of hammerite. I'm not going for a concourse standard mini - just something to give me a bit of fun on a sunday when the weathers nice!

There was one problem though... I never removed the headlining and during drying LOADS of dust has been disturbed by the heater and has kindly fell onto the fresh paint. So i removed all of the paint and am going to try again soon.

I have also finally had the bravery to remove the choke and heater cables (This is the first time I have really worked on a car - and I'm doing it all on my own!) so i have managed to get the switch panel out.

I then took a look at the wiring, UH OH. Some one has had their grubby mitts in and chopped and changed the wiring over the years and done things that I can't really see the reason for doing. I like to think I am pretty OK with electrics as I do it a lot with my job, but this is going to take some further investigations.

I have looked at the wiring diagrams in the haynes manual but i cant work out which one if for my car - can anyone help? Its a 1981 Austin Mini HL 998cc.

Also, I was given an air compressor as a christmas gift... What a piece of kit! Best sweeping brush ever!



Sorry for the slow progress and the sheer lack or experience with this sort of thing! I'm slowly getting more confident though!

Regards,

Marc.