Right, I've booked a week off work in early September so I can finally get the chance to do some odd jobs on the Mini (that I've been putting off) and also prepare her for winter driving.
First of all for reference its a 1979 model with an 850 engine.
First of all I could really do with a new radiator. Old one is looking rusty inside, and on the outside some of the fins are broken (not sure how that has happened). I am looking on Minispares and from what I can see the standard radiator they sell is this 3 CORE MINI AND COOPER RADIATOR UP TO 1992 part no. ARP2000 (sorry I cannot get a link direct to it to work). However they also sell this one PERFORMANCE 2 CORE RADIATOR part no. C-ARA4442, which I am interested in purely as it has a drain plug. I understand that having to remove the bottom hose to drain the system is a pain, and I am thinking for the extra money a rad with a drain hole would save a lot of time over the coming years. My question is though will this rad fit ok in my car without any modification?
Also then, while the rad is out, is there anything else that I should change? The fanbelt seems fairly new and the water pump is only a few months old so I know they are ok.
Next question: Has anyone ever used this waterless coolant stuff? Is it any good? If I'm getting a new rad I would like to put something in it that will prevent it getting clogged again in the future. http://www.moss-euro...teIndexID=22041
Next up I am looking at fitting an electronic ignition kit. Can anyone recommend a good one? Also are they easy to fit? And how difficult is it to get the timing right after? Will I have to buy a timing light?
Ok last question, I am going to get the Mini ready for winter. I am planning on waxoyling all the underside, and giving it a good service. However I am also planning on replacing the Coil, leads, dizzy cap & rotor arm. All of these are working fine at the moment but they are looking a bit old and tired. (The coil looks like its spent a few years at the bottom of the sea!). Is there anything else I should be looking at doing to get the old girl through winter?
Thanks to anyone that can help with a few answers!
