28 replies to this topic

[Woody]

I have that fuel cut-off switch (impact) , its in my workshop when you are ready for it mate :wales:

[redmini]

:wales: Cheers Woody, not sure if I need it now though as I'm looking into a vw fuel relay that has a timer built in for building fuel pressure when the ignition is turned on and takes a pulse off the coil so it only runs when the engine runs, ie. in the event of an accident it will shut down and not pump petrol all over the place. I'm waiting for a wiring diagram off John Roberts of Wrexham (Bosch dealers) to see what fitting involves, if it looks too complicated I'll let you know....

[redmini]

:wales: well today saw progress aswell as set-backs, all the petrol pipes have been connected aswell as the dump valve and boost gauge. I've also wired up the starter which is now a pre-engaged, so with the tank in etc. I've wired the petrol pump on a switch for the short term. So now for the set-backs, it looks as though the engine was never timed up correctly as the marks on the pulley dont line up with the dizzy which I noticed after cranking it over for a few minutes. It's firing but either popping back through the carb or in the exhaust depending on where I put the dizzy, there doesn't seem to be an in-between. I'm not 100% sure the dizzy is the right one, it came with the engine though. The next step is to phone Jonspeed racing to find out if there are any special timing settings, I cant think of anything else to do really. Depending on what they say I'll probably be stripping the engine to reset the timing, good time to replace the belt too. Thank god they're deep dished pistons, it could have been a lot worse :saywhat:

[redmini]

:wales: Well I was right in more ways than one, there was no special timing settings and the timing was well out anyway it's timed up correctly now and the belt has been replaced as well as the skin removed from my knuckles, so after putting everything back together and double checking everything it was time to turn the key. It started but got hot very quickly, it may be an air lock I'm not sure yet. When it was runnning it sounded quite sweet but seemed to be running negative boost even when given a quick rev, further investigation is required :sad:

[redmini]

:wales: It was an air lock thankfully as when I ran the engine again it stayed below the norm and ran for about 25 minutes, that was the good bit as it all went down hill from then on.

On Saturday I set the ignition timing and tried to set the emissions, it wouldn't go below 3.5% so I decided to change carbs (I had a standard carb fitted but the engine came with a modded one that needed a refurb) after the refurb I fitted the carb but couldn't get any fuel through it. The float chamber was filling but no fuel was reaching the cylinders, after taking the carb off more than 30 times in the last 3 days and resetting the float level countless times my patience has worn thin and I'm at a loss. I've tried refitting the other carb after cleaning it thoroughly but still cant get it below 3.5%, the fuel pressure regulator is set at 3 - 3.5 psi at idle. Tomorrow will see me go through the same routine, taking the carb off and playing with the float settings in the hope I'll get it right. I'll never go turbo again!

[redmini]

:wales: this week hasn't seen much work done to the car as I do have a life to live too, what little I have done has been all good though.

The carb problem is now solved, I set the float level to 0.080 in, kinked the fuel return pipe for a few seconds and it started first turn of the key and has fired up everytime since :grin: the c/os have been set to 2% and it idles lovely.
I took it for a run the other day but had no boost so I took the turbo off, stripped it and cleaned it. I re-assembled it and checked the turbo shaft for play, there was next to nothing so I re-fitted it and took it out on the road again. The boost is definately there now :cheese: I have never been propelled along a road so quickly in a mini before in my life, it span in 3rd at one point and leaps around the road like nothing I've ever driven before (and I've driven some beasties)

Next week will see me put the new seats in and tidy up the interior, the end is now in sight :grin: :cheese: :wink:

[Woody]

Glad to hear it is positive progress mate :grin: when can we expect to see you in Peblig ? (with the mini )
we will have to set up some timed 1/4 miles
but dont worry , if you beat us all we will invite Rob !

[1976 clubamn]

sounds great, im glad you managed to sort out those few problems. nice one mate.

[Brawlyrox]

congratulations mate, are u pleased with all rhe hard work?

[redmini]

:wales: Ok to answer a few questions, yes I'm pleased but nervous about the diff going bang as I'm not sure what's in it, I'm going to try and source a cross pin diff like the one I put Woody on to the other week (silly me) :grin:

Wednesday Woody, Deganwy run I believe? 1/4 mile sounds good, I'm looking forwards to going up against Rob anyway so I'll invite him along too (300+ bhp sti 8) :wink: I hope to be down on Tuesday but not sure if it'll be mini or tigra, I've been let down on the wiring diagram for the vw relay so I'd like to take up your offer of the fuel cut off switch

As I've previously said, there is still a lot of work to be done but atleast I've got my incentive back now it's running. I came very close to putting it all on ebay on more than one occassion, nothing has ever tried my patience like this and I've been through a divorce :tongue: atleast it's only cosmetic now.

Thanks for all your positive words and advice guys, it's been very helpfull and much appreciated. Thanks again

[redmini]

:wales: It's been a while but things have progressed further I custom made some seat sub-frames and fitted them complete with suzuki swift Gti seats, they look very nice and are very comfortable and as they mould around me I stay firmly in the seat. I've also re-trimmed my door cards in black and fitted the alloy door furniture, the suspension took a bit of fine tuning but I think that's sorted now.
I had a lot of problems with the oil return pipe from the turbo, I'd originally put a braided pipe in of fairly small internal diameter. As it was small the oil wasn't draining properly and was pouring into the turbo until the engine was up to running temperature (blue oil smoke for the first 10 minutes) , it's been replaced with the correct pipe now and cured the problem
I've since found I have the wrong dizzy fitted, it's a standard one :sad: it runs ok aslong as it's not thrashed as it pops back through the plenum chamber. I've done a head gasket change on her as it blowing across all the cylinders due to the dump valve not working (thanks for the use of your lock-up Iceman, and the rangie :wink: ) it works now and is quite loud :grin:
Next on the list is to get the dizzy sorted then start thinking of plumming the intercooler in and maybe aqua mist :grin: :grin:
I also need to start thinking of refitting a head-lining and maybe even getting carpets, definatelly sort the engine first though :cheese:

[tom]

Yep. Engine first. Gotta get yer priorities right.

[redmini]

:wales: Silverstone saw me purchasing a standard turbo dizzy off a guy who hadn't a clue it was one or how he came by it, all the same he let me strip it down andcheck it before I handed over £15 (of my girlfriends money) and walked off with a huge smile :grin: I also purchased a new t-piece for my oil pressure gauge as I snapped the old one when I moved my oil cooler

As it's been a busy week for me since getting back I haven't had chance to fit them so hopefully it will take place over the weekend, thanks to Iceman Woody and Madman for a cracking weekend at mitp and thanks to Fireman Sam for the invaluable info. :grin: :wink:

[redmini]

:wales: Silverstone saw me purchasing a standard turbo dizzy off a guy who hadn't a clue it was one or how he came by it, all the same he let me strip it down andcheck it before I handed over £15 (of my girlfriends money) and walked off with a huge smile :grin: I also purchased a new t-piece for my oil pressure gauge as I snapped the old one when I moved my oil cooler

As it's been a busy week for me since getting back I haven't had chance to fit them so hopefully it will take place over the weekend, thanks to Iceman Woody and Madman for a cracking weekend at mitp and thanks to Fireman Sam for the invaluable info. :grin: :wink:

I know it's been a while but I'm at it again, time to make a few mods this past few days has seen me strip the old turbo unit to give it a new lease of life, I was suprised and pleased at my findings too.
I thought the rings were a bit shot but on closer inspection they look fine, my mate who used to work for MG checked them and said they were like new. The big end shells had signs they were a bit ill so I've picked up some new ones today, hopefully get onto fitting them tomorrow. Whilst it was all in bits I've fitted a 4 pin diff and central oil pick up, looks as though the gearbox was near standard unlike the engine. It's got a reground 1071 crank, forged omega's, Aeg 177017 con rods (lightened and balanced), a KC 600 SB cam, Titan 1.5 full roller rockers and a brand new Pheonix head from Jonspeed with unleaded seats and the c/r lowered a bit. Off the top of my head that's all I can remember on the engine spec, I have a list somewhere though.
The engine's not the only thing to have a few mods, I've since fitted a rear subframe replacement beam, new fibreglass bonnet and a few other odds and ends.
Hopefully all will be completed shortly and I've set myself a target of March 1st for on the road date, after running her in it's off to Jonspeed so's they can set her up properly with the frontmount fitted