17 replies to this topic

[Duncy H]

Just recently the mini has started to make a worrying noise. It becomes apparent when using very little revs (say down a hill) from 25mph upwards it gets louder. It is a sort of whirring noise. I can't seem to notice anything else which effects it. Any ideas what it might be? It doesn't seem any different to drive apart from the noise.

Next question is in centre clocks. Im going from two clocks to the three centre clocks. I have a suitable speedo cable, where can I find the parts required for the oil temp gauge? And I'm sure I saw somewhere that someone on this forum does a cheaper just as good wiring conversion sort of kit? Also I was considering fitting a smiths rev counter while I'm at it. Will I be able too easily and where do people mount their rev counter when they have centre clocks? Any pics? Also are the smiths clocks easy to take apart as mine have a bit of dust in

And finally, promise I'm done after this! Does anyone have any tips or pointers fr what to use for the dash/lining? All I'm after is something plain/black.

Cheers

Duncan

Edited by Duncy H, 10 January 2012 - 09:30 PM.

[Duncy H]

Anyone care to shead some light?

[Duncy H]

Please?

[Dan]

It's very hard to describe a noise, does it change if the clutch is pressed? Is it different under load?

You haven't said what Mini it is you are starting with but most of the cars from the mid '80s onwards have the wiring for a tacho already built in. Common practise is to put it in a small binnacle fixed onto the steering column shroud. If you want oil temp as the third gauge then you will need a suitable sender for it and somewhere to fix that into the oil flow. If it happens to be an MPi car then you can get a sender that screws directly into the block, that sender only works with certain gauges though. Other than that you can get adaptors that fit behind the oil filter head to fit the sender into. It's not a hugely useful gauge though, oil pressure is far more important. Smiths clocks are easy to open, the glass is held on by 3 small clips on some or by the bezel on others.

For the dash lining, buy some dash liners.

[BenCoul]

Could it be as simple as the arches rubbing that cause the noise?

Can't help you on the clocks but I believe that they dismantle quite easily?

And how about some leatherette / suede (or how ever you spell them) to cover the dash?

[Duncy H]

Thanks a lot for the help, i should have mentioned my car is a 88 city. I also said it wrong, what I meant is oil pressure not temperature, sorry about that. My question really was for that where can I get all the fittings etc for it?

As for the noise it is deffonately not the arches catching, I'm pretty sure use of the clutch does not effect it. I'm not sure if it still does it in neutral, will find that out cause I guess that would tell us something? It is a sort of whining/whirring noise. So hard to describe though. My guess would be something at fault in the gearbox but that is a complete stab in the dark to be honest.

[dklawson]

As Dan said, add-on tachometers are frequently mounted to the top of the steering column or mounted in an angled plate bolted to the parcel shelf next to the center binnacle. The oil pressure gauge can be much easier than people think. Check your local auto parts store for generic gauge installation kits. If they have one with 1/8" copper tubing, buy it. It should come with a few fittings. While there, buy a roll of Teflon thread tape (PTFE). Though the fittings in the kit are not really for the Smiths gauge or A-series block, they will fit and seal with the sealing tape. One step you must take though is to coil the copper tubing in the engine bay forming a sort of "spring" between the bulkhead and the engine. That coil of tubing will absorb engine vibration and motion so the copper tubing does not fatigue prematurely.

I cannot help with the noise. My Mini makes tons of noises but whirring is not one of them.

[Duncy H]

Thanks for the help again.

I reckon I should have checked out the noise better, ended up having an accident tonight. Read the last update of my project thread....
http://www.theminifo...30#entry2330564
I'm yet to dismantle it but I'm guessing that the noise was a warning that that was coming

[Duncy H]

Looks like it was the bearing that has seized/collapsed, seems strange how it would just suddenly go. Only been about 3 months since I replaced it :/

[Dan]

Looking at your other thread it seems like a seized wheel bearing, and yes you were incredibly lucky. Wheel bearings drone loudly for a while before failing usually so that may well have been the source of the noise.


Aaah, simultaneous posting!

[Dan]

If it's only been fitted for a while, describe how you fitted it.

[Midas Mk1]

I had a front wheel bearing go 4-5 years ago, kept on getting a clicking noise whilst travelling @60 + , then the bearing suddenly locked and disintergrated, throwing me into the next lane, luckily the motorway was pretty empty

[Duncy H]

Well when I fitted the bearing I took the hub off, stripped it down and removed all the bearings and races etc. Cleaned it up a little. Fitted new races crudely using a very large socket and hammer Finished off putting it all back together and putting the hub back on the car. Then used a large washer and the castle nut to tighten it/sit it all in. Took off the washer and put the conical washer back on i think and tightened it all up. Think that was basically how i did it but it was a long time ago.

Right, the clocks, while im buying bits to get the car going again i ought to buy the bits needed for the clocks.
Going from this style...

To these...


I guess the centre clock and temp gauge can all be worked using this conversion kit... http://www.minispare...ty=pb&pid=34850
But im stuck with the oil pressure pipes etc. Ideally would like to order it all together from minispares so can anybody tell me exactly what i need for it please??

Cheers for all the help

[Dan]

Sounds like you did the wheel bearing the right way, presuming you used the right torque settings and everything was clean and greased. Inspect the hub upright and CV carefully, it might be that the hub or axle is worn and so the bearings don't fit properly. They need a good inspection to make sure they are fit for reuse anyway.

Mini Spares will sell all the stuff you need, either the original spec parts or a simple fit more modern alternative. Call them and speak to them about it, personally I think you should use an all in one braided pipe to the gauge and a Tee piece so the pressure warning lamp still works too.

[Duncy H]

Yeh gunna take it up to my friends house who originally built it when I can and inspect everything. He'll have loads of mini bits sprawled about so we can compare and he'll notice anything out of place probably better than me. I guess I was just unlucky and got a naff one perhaps?

As for the clocks I've been trawling through the net all afternoon and have finally got my head round it I think. What I'm still stuck on though is, for the two extra gauges what should I use to light them? They look like a different fitment and I can't find anything out there that seems to suit them?